Dance Rhetoric Podcast
By Dance Rhetoric
Dance Rhetoric celebrates the art of invention, arrangement, style, message, and delivery through a movement artist's journey in dance culture. The dance journalism podcast hosted by Romonica Stephens, explores dance as an intellectual practice, the influence of its cultural pioneers and the new generation while highlighting the vitality of movement as a wellness practice in the current zeitgeist.
Dance Rhetoric Podcast Feb 03, 2020
S2 Ep.08 VALUE | Damita Jo Freeman
S2 Ep.07 PASSION | Courtni Poe
We caught up at Highland Park in Los Angeles and talked about her transition from Nashville to LA, navigating industry pressure, respecting the pioneers in dance culture, and more!
Photography credit: Alex Cole
S2 Ep.06 BRAVE | Shea
We caught up in our home town Santa Cruz and talked about her treasured experiences as Chief Operating Officer of OTA Entertainment mini ball series, Waack Fest India, Ballroom, and more.
Photography credit: Anna Linetskaya
S2 Ep.05 FOCUS | Shinobi Jaxx
S2 Ep.04 FREEDOM| Sir Joq
S2 Ep.03 INNER RADIANCE | Leslie Andrea Williams
We had the pleasure of catching up at Washington Square Park in New York City and talked about our favorite wines, her role in Martha Graham's 'Diversions of Angels' ballet piece, and what fuels her inner radiance.
Photography source: Martha Graham Dance Company
S2 EP. 02 PEACE| Packrat
We talked about her voyage from Jersey to LA, protective hairstyles between jobs, and her ingredients to living a peaceful life.
S2 EP.01 ALIGNMENT | Gidnasty
INTERMISSION:Sippin 'N' 2 Steppin w/ Rams & Parrots
S1 Ep.08 José Gutierrez - Xtravaganza | Foundation of Vogue
During his Vogue workshop, he said, “no one is was left behind in my class.” Every student in the room was gifted with a new discovery about themself.
The next day I caught up with José and talked about his journey from Ballroom to Madonna’s Blonde Ambition Tour and beyond. I was on a cloud sitting by the edge of the bed in his hotel room watching the history of Vogue.
Photography credit: Johnny Rozsa
S1 Ep.07 - Anthony Burrell | Opening doors for the Atlanta community
On October 28th I spent a Sunday afternoon gaining knowledge at the 3 Kings Master Series discussion panel at Anthony Burrell Center for Dance in Atlanta, GA. There was so much love in the studio that it felt like home.
Burrell expressed at the discussion panel, “I am here for you guys, as a friend and confidant.” And he gracefully opened his arms to the students and parents in the Atlanta dance community for a 3-day session with elite performers, Lorraine Fields, Frank Gatson, and Chris Grant.
I had a humbling experience catching up with him to discuss what sparked to open his own company, dance education and the importance of being vain as a dancer to be comfortable one's own skin.
S1 Ep.06 Tasha B. | Inspiring women, Goals & Heel Talk
As women, we go through so many emotional transitions in our life and having a space like Heel Talk for women is a reminder of how powerful we are when we uplift each other. In this episode, we talked about staying spiritually connected, personal goals, and her journey with Heel Talk LLC.
Photo credit: Nikon Don Harris
S1 Ep.05 Gisella Ferreira | Living Samba Soul
It was a breath of fresh air spending the week with my good friend Gisella Ferreira in Venice, La where she teaches Samba, Zumba and directs her own Samba Soul Dance Company! Every night in class was a release and rebirth of self-expression into becoming the woman I want to be. The best part of this experience was connecting with the women of Samba Soul, who come from all journeys of life to dance Samba as a way of healing.
Pure positive vibes, smiling faces, and sweat dripping down the arch of our backs. Gisella gave us unity, power, and knowledge of her Brazilian culture by teaching us the meaning of Samba music and movement.
In our sit down Gisella expresses her love for Samba, turning failure into lessons and her experience at Rio Carnival! Check it out!
Photo credit: Pikalindo
S1 Ep.04 Guerdley & Brat | Queen Moves speaks on The Female Narrative
Before I departed New York, I had the pleasure of catching up with the founders of Queen Moves Guerdley & Brat at Peridance Capezio Center. Since our encounter at The Galen Hooks Method NYC Intensive back 2017, we stayed connected and I've enjoyed watching them flourish through their commitment to friendship and the Queen moves movement.
These two are the most down to earth human beings you'll ever meet! You will learn how they connected online, what inspired Queen Moves and how to support women’s inner queendom.
Photo credit: Joey Rosado
S1 Ep.03 Omari Wiles | African Movement & Musicality
Omari’s class is a space of spiritual healing. His vocabulary in dance is stemmed from his African background in Senegalese and Mali.
In every class session, Omari breaks down the movements, history, and musicality that his style of dance comes from, to conceal foundation.
After his West African class at Peridance Capezio, we talked about the importance of African dance influence and breaking the habits of students relying on hitting the "crash" to train their ears to hear the music effectively.
Photo credit: Christopher Duggan
S1 Ep.02 Jessica Castro | Giving back with Lipstick Diaries
Jessica Castro's Absolute Beginner Heels Class at Alvin Ailey Dance Theater was magical. Jessica magically uncovered our power in heels. Castro helped us understand how to find our center, classic lines, walks and ended classy choreography to "Darling Nikki" by Prince.
After class, Jessica Castro and I talked about her part in giving back to the dance community, exploitation of women and why she created Lipstick Diaries NYC produced by women and taught by women.
Photo credit: Julien Benhamou
S1 Ep.01 Buddha Stretch | Hip-Hop Foundation
After class, I asked him about the importance of foundation and how to build your own style as a dancer. Check out his feedback and take note!
Photo source: broadwaydancecenter.com