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Beyond the Barre

Beyond the Barre

By Margaret Mullin

Beyond the Barre shares insights and stories of the real people behind this incredible art form. This show is for anyone with a love of dance.
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18 - Josh Spell: Mental Health and Self-Discovery During Crisis

Beyond the BarreMay 27, 2020

00:00
01:13:25
32 - Jennifer Turner
Oct 14, 202001:04:51
31 - Darius Barnes

31 - Darius Barnes

On this week's episode, our guest is acclaimed Broadway performer Darius Barnes, former dancer with the New York City Ballet, Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and Dance Theater of Harlem!

In addition to performing in Mean Girls on Broadway, Darius has appeared in the 2019 Broadway revival of Kiss Me Kate, made his Broadway & Principal debut in the Tony Award-winning musical, Memphis, and has been seen in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark, and Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, to name a few.

Darius is an accomplished choreographer—currently assistant choreographer on the Michael Jackson Musical developmental labs--and alumnus of the New York Choreographic Institute. In 2010, he was invited to choreograph a piece for the New York City Ballet.

On top of his impressive resume of experience within the classical ballet community, and his credits in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, Darius has also branched out into working as a producer.

We are so thrilled to have him on the show today to discuss his journey from Baltimore School of the Arts, to SAB, NYCB, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, DTH, Broadway, and beyond!

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:

http://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-31-darius-barnes

Follow Beyond The Barre:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/

Darius Barnes:

http://www.dariusbarnes.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dblexicon/

Host: Margaret Mullin

http://www.margaretmullin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/ 

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez

http://www.sarenafishman.com/ 

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman

Music: William Lin-Yee

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

Sep 30, 202001:59:21
30 - Matthew Renko
Sep 16, 202002:39:04
29 - Zippora Karz and Romy Karz Rapoport

29 - Zippora Karz and Romy Karz Rapoport

On this week's episode, we welcome back one of our most popular guests and listener favorite--Zippora Karz, this time joined on the show by her sister, Romy Karz Rapoport! Join us to hear about their new mentoring program and YouTube show: Romy & Zippora Turn Out, Tune In where they are sharing their wealth of wisdom and experience as former professional dancers with the New York City Ballet, and current ballet teachers and yoga instructors, to offer compassionate guidance to dancers of all levels and ages.

— 

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode: 

http://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-29-zippora-and-romy

Follow Beyond The Barre: 

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/ 

Romy & Zippora Turn Out, Tune In:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsYzOjmLnWo3uw60La-_GRA

Host: Margaret Mullin 

http://www.margaretmullin.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/ 

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez 

http://www.sarenafishman.com/ 

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman 

Music: William Lin-Yee 

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

Sep 02, 202001:34:18
28 - DeMarcus Akeem Suggs on Arts Advocacy

28 - DeMarcus Akeem Suggs on Arts Advocacy

On this week’s episode our guest is dance artist, educator and administrator DeMarcus Akeem Suggs! DeMarcus Akeem Suggs is a graduate of Belhaven University’s dance program (BFA), and his professional experience includes performing with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), Dayton Ballet, Neos Dance Theatre, Verb Ballets, as well as collaborating with various project-based choreographers. He has held positions as Program Director at The Victory Project (Dayton, OH); Coordinator of Education & Engagement at Victoria Theatre Association (Dayton, OH); as well as Director of Education & Outreach for Neos Dance Theatre. DeMarcus has also served on review panels for Ohio Arts Council and Dance/USA where he was a 2018 Institute for Leadership Training cohort fellow. His current work includes serving as Grants Consultant for Alternate ROOTS and Residency Assistant for The National Center for Choreography at the University of Akron (NCCAkron) where he is simultaneously pursuing a Master’s of Arts in Arts Administration. — For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode: http://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-28-demarcus-akeem-suggs Follow Beyond The Barre: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/ Host: Margaret Mullin http://www.margaretmullin.com/ https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/ Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez http://www.sarenafishman.com/ http://instagram.com/sarenafishman Music: William Lin-Yee https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee
Aug 19, 202001:42:23
27 - Megan Fairchild
Aug 05, 202001:33:59
26 - Connor Holloway

26 - Connor Holloway

On this week’s episode (recorded July 14th, 2020), join us for a conversation with Connor Holloway, company dancer with American Ballet Theatre!

Shortly after becoming a company member, Connor was appointed to run the dancer-created Instagram account, @abtofficial. 

In the four years that Connor has managed the account, it has tripled its following; making it the most followed ballet company on Instagram. This role led Connor to becoming a full-time Marketing team member in addition to full-time dancer with ABT.

On a personal note, Connor, who is gender non-conforming, is passionate about breaking down gender barriers and constructs in the work place— as of this last season, American Ballet Theatre had stripped the titles of it’s gender-labeled morning classes to promote inclusivity.

- - -

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:

https://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-26-connor-holloway

Follow Beyond The Barre:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/

Connor Holloway:

https://www.instagram.com/conholl/

American Ballet Theatre:

https://www.instagram.com/abtofficial/

Host: Margaret Mullin

http://www.margaretmullin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez

http://www.sarenafishman.com/

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman

Music: William Lin-Yee

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

Jul 29, 202001:29:27
25 - Wendy Whelan

25 - Wendy Whelan

For our 25th episode (recorded May 26th, 2020), we are thrilled to have as our guest Wendy Whelan: former principal dancer and current associate artistic director of the New York City Ballet, widely considered one of the world’s leading dancers of her generation.

During her 30 years at the New York City Ballet—23 of them as a principal dancer—Wendy danced virtually all the major roles in the company’s repertoire and also developed a reputation for being a choreographer’s muse, creating many original roles with the foremost dancemakers of our time.

A documentary, entitled Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan, was released across the country in 2017, and is now available on iTunes and Amazon. The film recently won the Chita Rivera Award for Best Dance Documentary.

Join us for this conversation to hear Margaret and Wendy talk about:

  • The formative years Wendy spent in treatment for severe scoliosis and how that experience transformed her attitude toward challenges
  • What it was like joining NYCB shortly after Balanchine’s death
  • How Wendy’s mother, a college basketball coach, instilled in her an interest in and appreciation for sports psychology and how psychotherapy helped her in her career at NYCB
  • Two unexpected qualities Wendy believes dancers can tap into in order to become better artists
  • Words of wisdom from Wendy (can we make that a thing if it isn’t already??) on working in the studio with choreographers on new creations and how bringing authenticity and a spirit of play to the process helped build her reputation as being a muse for choreographers like Christopher Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky
  • The connection between the mind and the body being in conversation when it comes to growth, change, and injury
  • Exploring the parallels between two times of heavy transition for NYCB: when Wendy first joined the company after Balanchine’s death, and last year when she assumed the position of NYCB’s associate artistic director

We couldn’t have made it to 25 episodes with you all—so thanks for listening and supporting the show, and here’s to many more episodes to come!

- - -

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:

https://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-25-wendy-whelan

Follow Beyond The Barre:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/

Wendy Whelan:

https://www.instagram.com/wendyw/

https://www.wendywhelan.org/about/

https://www.nycballet.com/

Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan (documentary film):

https://www.restlesscreaturefilm.com/

Host: Margaret Mullin

http://www.margaretmullin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez

http://www.sarenafishman.com/

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman

Music: William Lin-Yee

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

Jul 23, 202001:03:49
24 - Eric Trope

24 - Eric Trope

Our guest this week is Eric Trope of the Miami City Ballet. Join us for a conversation about Eric’s journey, his choreography, and about Buddy System: an organization Eric cofounded in response to his community’s immense need during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helps to get free groceries to the most vulnerable populations in Miami.

From not starting ballet until he was in high school, to finishing his training with three years at the School of American Ballet, to developing more fully as an artist at MCB, Eric’s life and success is a testament to the fact that a great career in dance does not necessarily depend on hitting those checkpoints (“Company contract at 18!” or “Principal by 23!”) we often place as we map out our futures.

Eric and Margaret also talk about the lesser known and certainly less glamorous challenges of being a professional choreographer: learning to talk about your work, creating commissioned work within set limitations, balancing artistic integrity with pragmatism.

Finally, Eric shares how Buddy System came to be, how he found himself helping to run it, and about his newfound sense of fulfillment and energy since getting personally involved in bringing about positive change and helping others within his community.

---

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:

https://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-24-eric-trope

Follow Beyond The Barre:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/

Eric Trope:

https://www.instagram.com/tropechoreo

www.erictrope.com

www.buddysystemmia.com

Host: Margaret Mullin

http://www.margaretmullin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez

http://www.sarenafishman.com/

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman

Music: William Lin-Yee

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

Jul 15, 202001:22:03
23 - Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz

23 - Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz

On this week’s episode (recorded May 20th 2020) -- husband and wife power couple Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz, current and former principal dancers at Pacific Northwest Ballet! Join us for this light-hearted, inspiring conversation full of wisdom (plus lots of laughs) from two seasoned professionals and long-time audience favorites at PNB, and hear Lindsi and Karel talk with Margaret about:

  • Lindsi’s path from “competition studio kid” to principal dancer at a major company, and how the challenges she faced in returning to the stage as a new mother reaffirmed her love of dance;
  • Karel’s incredible journey from Cuba to PNB – and how he persevered when he had to go from being a principal back to a student overnight when he first came to the States;
  • Their working relationship and how they help each other grow;
  • Some surprising insights about what their biggest struggles have been and how they overcame them;
  • The validity of the dance college route as a viable path to a career (Karel is on faculty at University of Oklahoma’s dance program, and who wouldn’t want to be coached by him every day?)

Lindsi and Karel also answer some questions which you, our listeners, sent in!

---

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:

https://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-23-lindsi-and-karel

Follow Beyond The Barre:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/

Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz:

www.lindsiandkarel.com

www.wearsolu.com

https://www.instagram.com/lindsiandkarel

https://www.instagram.com/wearsolu/

https://www.instagram.com/besolu_

Host: Margaret Mullin

http://www.margaretmullin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez

http://www.sarenafishman.com/

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman

Music: William Lin-Yee

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

Jul 08, 202001:10:49
22 - Jess Spinner, founder of The Whole Dancer

22 - Jess Spinner, founder of The Whole Dancer

On this week’s episode (recorded May 27th 2020), we welcome Jess Spinner, former professional ballet dancer turned Health Coach and founder of The Whole Dancer. She supports dancers in reaching their body goals through one on one coaching and her online course, The Dancers' Best Body Program.

Tune in to hear Margaret and Jess discuss:

· The concept of “bioindividuality” and the dangers of a “one-diet-fits-all” approach to nutrition

· Audition season tips and how adopting more of a “business mentality” can help you manage stress and improve your performance

· The benefits of being less negative and critical of others and of yourself, and how you can retrain yourself to maintain this better attitude and improved internal monologue

As we look ahead to (hopefully soon!) getting back into the studio to continue pursuing whatever our individual dancing goals may be, it’s a comfort to know that resources like Jess and The Whole Dancer are now available like never before to dancers who want to improve their mental and physical resilience, better their self-talk, and reach their fullest potential as artists and people.

---

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:

https://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-22-the-whole-dancer

Follow Beyond The Barre:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/

Jess Spinner and The Whole Dancer:

https://www.thewholedancer.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thewholedancer

Host: Margaret Mullin

http://www.margaretmullin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez

http://www.sarenafishman.com/

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman

Music: William Lin-Yee

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

Jul 01, 202001:20:09
21 - Tamisha Guy

21 - Tamisha Guy

On this week’s episode, recorded April 21st 2020, we are pleased to welcome Tamisha Guy. Tamisha is a native of Trinidad and Tobago, and came with her family to the United States when she was eight years old. She was named one of Dance Europe’s Best Dancers of the Year in 2017, was featured in the segment “Spotlight on Success” in Dance Informa Magazine, and in 2016 she made Dance Magazine’ Top 25 To Watch list as well as winning the 2016 Princess Grace Award.

Tamisha has danced for the Martha Graham Dance Company and is currently a member of Kyle Abraham’s company Abraham In Motion. She is one of the most exciting, acclaimed contemporary dancers working today and we are so excited to have her on the show to talk about:

  • Why she took a gap year before going to SUNY Purchase (and how she used her time away from dance)
  • The importance of managing your personal finances and not getting bogged down by the “starving artist mentality”
  • The joys of collaborating with choreographers to create meaningful, fulfilling work

---

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:

https://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-21-tamisha-guy

Tamisha Guy:

https://www.tamishaguy.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tamishaguy

Follow Beyond The Barre:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/

Host: Margaret Mullin

http://www.margaretmullin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez

http://www.sarenafishman.com/

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman

Music: William Lin-Yee

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

Jun 24, 202001:01:42
20 - Kathleen McGuire Gaines, Founder of Minding the Gap

20 - Kathleen McGuire Gaines, Founder of Minding the Gap

On this week’s episode (recorded May 5th, 2020), we’re pleased to welcome Kathleen McGuire Gaines—former dancer, and since 2014 a contributing writer to Dance Magazine. Over the last 10 years, Kathleen has written more than 100 articles on dance for Dance Magazine, Pointe, Dance Spirit, and Dance Teacher magazines, including Why are we still so bad at addressing dancers' mental health, which went viral in 2017.
Kathleen is the founder of Minding the Gap, whose mission it is to disrupt dancer culture to value the importance of mental health through advocacy, research, and eventually, resources and solutions. Her ambition is to enact a movement which results in mental health being regarded with the same seriousness as physical health in dance culture.
Join us for this latest in an ongoing series on dancer mental health and hear Margaret and Kathleen discuss, among other topics:

the results of a survey on dancer's top mental health concerns (eating disorders aren't even in the top three!)
why it's in the dance world's best interest to change its culture around mental health for the better, including some interesting statistics about just who it is that makes up the majority of dance audiences
ways that dance companies and management can better serve their artists' mental health needs without breaking their budgets

---
For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:
www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-20-mcguire-gaines
Follow Kathleen McGuire Gaines and Minding the Gap:
www.instagram.com/we.are.minding
Follow Beyond The Barre:
www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/
Host: Margaret Mullin
www.margaretmullin.com/
www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/
Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez
www.sarenafishman.com/
instagram.com/sarenafishman
Music: William Lin-Yee
soundcloud.com/williamlinyee
Jun 17, 202001:07:52
19 - Theresa Ruth Howard calls the ballet world to action for diversity
Jun 10, 202001:31:16
18 - Josh Spell: Mental Health and Self-Discovery During Crisis

18 - Josh Spell: Mental Health and Self-Discovery During Crisis

On this week’s episode, join us for another discussion about dancer mental health with Josh Spell—former dancer (Pacific Northwest Ballet and Kansas City Ballet), licensed social worker, and Primary Therapist with Opal Food + Body Wisdom in Seattle, WA. 

As we tackle another week of learning to navigate this “new normal” of the world in varying stages of lockdown, Margaret invites Josh onto the show as a professional in the field of mental health to shares some wisdom about:

· ways of looking at one’s at-home dance class and fitness regimens that avoid guilt and shame (hint: you’re not a bad person if you don’t feel like taking class today…)

· how we can stay centered using the “art of non-productivity”

· how to be at peace with your body as it changes

· how to open yourself up to the possibility of self-discovery by acknowledging pain, rather than resisting it

· finding ways to “cross-train” our brain and take care of our mental health, just as we strengthen the other muscles of our body

---

For more information, as well as any links, see the blog post for this episode:

https://www.margaretmullin.com/episodes/episode-18-josh-spell

Follow Beyond The Barre:

https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebarrepodcast/

Host: Margaret Mullin

http://www.margaretmullin.com/

https://www.instagram.com/margaretmullin/

Producer: Sarena Fishman Jimenez

http://www.sarenafishman.com/

http://instagram.com/sarenafishman

Music: William Lin-Yee

https://soundcloud.com/williamlinyee

May 27, 202001:13:25
17 - Zippora Karz: Coping during COVID-19
May 20, 202001:14:32
16 - Zippora Karz
May 13, 202001:21:38
15 ~  Ana Maria Lucaciu

15 ~ Ana Maria Lucaciu

In this episode of Beyond the Barre, Margaret Mullin speaks with freelance choreographer and performing artist Ana Maria Lucaciu. They discuss her dance journey, from how she discovered her love for contemporary movement and dance, as well as what she has learned from working alongside some of the worlds most prolific contemporary choreographers.

Apr 10, 202001:17:30
14 - In Conversation with Christopher Hernandez

14 - In Conversation with Christopher Hernandez

In this episode of <em>Beyond the Barre</em>, Margaret Mullin speaks with dancer Christopher Hernandez. A Miami native with a BFA from the Conservatory of Dance, he has had a diverse and exciting career, including time spent performing with Ballet Hispanico, Sleep No More, and the cast of Broadway’s ON YOUR FEET! Christopher was a performer in Lincoln Center’s great American Dance series featuring Ballet Hispanico which premiered internationally in theatres in 2016, and on television as part of PBS’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in 2017. He has been seen dancing alongside recording artists such as Ricky Martin, Daddy Yankee, and Marc Anthony in televised performances and concerts. Christopher most recently finished touring internationally with Kidd Pivot, led by Director and Choreographer Crystal Pite.
May 10, 201901:38:08
13 - Dance Writer Theresa Ruth Howard - For the Third Time!
Jan 18, 201957:18
12 - "Move the Vote" with Rachel Neville

12 - "Move the Vote" with Rachel Neville

On this episode of Beyond the Barre, host Margaret Mullin interviews famed New York City- based dance photographer Rachel Neville about her business, her love of dancers, and her exciting campaign Move the Vote.

Nov 05, 201801:36:29
11- In Conversation with Ming Luke

11- In Conversation with Ming Luke

In this episode of Beyond the Barre host Margaret Mullin has an in depth conversation with internationally celebrated conductor Ming Luke.  He is a highly lauded, greatly coveted conductor invited to symphonic, choral, and classical ballet music around the world.

Oct 12, 201801:33:15
10 -Positive Body Image with Josh Spell

10 -Positive Body Image with Josh Spell

In this episode of Beyond the Barre host Margaret Mullin discusses positive body image with Josh Spell, a former professional dancer with Pacific Northwest Ballet and the Kansas City Ballet who is now a Primary Therapist at the Eating Recovery Center of Washington. 

 

Feb 02, 201801:17:30
09 - Interview with Theresa Ruth Howard Ep 2
Oct 11, 201701:00:33
08 - Interview with Diane Jacobowitz

08 - Interview with Diane Jacobowitz

As Executive/Artistic Director of Dancewave for the past 20 years, Diane Jacobowitz has developed innovative programming to capture the talents and imagination of young dancers. Some of the programs she has developed, in addition to the Dancewave Company model, include Dancing Through College and Beyond, the Dance Career Symposium and the Kids Cafe Festival. Under her leadership, Dancewave currently reaches over 3,000 young people citywide through programs both at the Dancewave School and in partnership with over ten New York City public schools. She is currently leading the campaign for Dancewave's capital project - the opening/launch of a brand new dance center in downtown Brooklyn in 2019. Dancewave's annual event Dancing Through College & Beyond is back at the 92nd Street Y October 7th–October 8th. For two days, young dancers will meet with representatives of dance programs for over 50 colleges and universities from around the country. Attendees will have access to workshops, and be able to network with students and alumni from the dance departments of attending colleges and universities. Students will also be able to audition for admission and scholarships at participating universities. Last year 300 students attended and more than $1 million in scholarships were awarded by select attending colleges. The event is free for students and parents to attend, this being an extension of Dancewave's mission to make dance accessible to all.  http://dancewave.org/DTCB    Premier Dance Network

MOBBallet website

Sep 28, 201754:13
07 - Season Two ~ Interview with Theresa Ruth Howard
May 04, 201701:20:35
06 ~ Roslyn Anderson, Premier Stager for Jiri Kylian
Nov 10, 201601:01:00
05 -  Conversation with Former PNB Soloist Kiyon Gaines

05 - Conversation with Former PNB Soloist Kiyon Gaines

A conversation with former PNB Soloist Kiyon Gaines, who now runs the Next Step program. Talking all things Next Step and choreography related.  

 

Oct 06, 201622:55
04 - Interview with Jonathan Porretta, PNB Principal Dancer

04 - Interview with Jonathan Porretta, PNB Principal Dancer

Jonathan Porretta is one of the most beloved dancers at Pacific Northwest Ballet. But his journey to principal dancer wasn’t easy: he grew up different: gay, lonely, and teased in a small New Jersey town, following a dream that those around him couldn’t understand. Award-winning arts journalist Marcie Sillman chronicles the dancer’s tale in a new, all-ages coffee-table book called Out There: Jonathan Porretta’s Life in Dance

The book’s message—“Be yourself and people will love you for who you are”—comes through clearly in Sillman’s crisp, engaging prose. Family snapshots and exquisite dance photography by Angela Sterling show key moments in Porretta’s career thus far.

Out There is an expanded version of the 2,000-word article Sillman published on KUOW.org in January 2016. In addition to Sillman’s 5,000-word essay, Out There includes a list of Porretta’s lead roles (plus 10 favorites highlighted with personal commentary by Porretta), a selected bibliography of articles about Porretta, and a timeline.

Sep 08, 201654:11
03 ~ Premier Episode Part Two
Aug 12, 201637:30
02 ~ Premier Episode Part One
Aug 11, 201634:40
01 ~ Introducing the Host of Behind the Barre Podcast
Aug 10, 201607:58