smART
Magazine
COVERING THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
7 Podcasts for the Dancer in You
Seven Dance Podcasts You Need to Tune Into
WORDS BY NICOLE DECSEY | DANCE
NOV 14, 2022 | ISSUE 9
Photo by Jeremy Fokkens
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From Why Dance Matters: Count Me In Masterclass with Kimberly Wang at Carnegie Hall
Iana Komarnytska of the Belly Dance Life Podcast - Photo by Pedro Bonatto
Dancers around the world collectively felt at a loss when theatres and studios closed due to COVID-19. Their practices and way of life got turned upside down. For many, this took the form of shows streamed online and classes moving to livestreams on Zoom—but it didn’t stop there. Dancers have also waded deeper into the world of filmmaking and podcasts. Like with almost every other industry throughout the pandemic, podcasts have become an invaluable resource for dancers. From shows about healthy lifestyles to shows that talk with industry professionals on inspiring artists across all career levels, there is a podcast for everyone. The curators of these podcasts have found a new outlet for their creativity while broadcasting to new and potential audiences across multiple platforms. In some ways, the dance world has never been more connected. Here is a breakdown of some of the best and most interesting podcasts on the scene. Take the time to listen to the podcast that best suits your life—who knows, they just might provide the advice you have been craving as you navigate the next phase of your artistic endeavours. A little inspiration from a fellow creative can go a long way.
1. Creatures of Dance
Creatures of Dance is about contemporary dance in Israel and is part of the Tights: dance & thought platform in Jaffa, Tel-Aviv. Tights: dance & thought is a place to talk about local dance and its philosophy, history, politics, and more. Hosted by Yali Nativ and Iris Lana, Creatures of Dance explores Israeli dance through conversations with choreographers, artists, and scholars. This podcast began in December 2020 and has grown to a handful of episodes, each around an hour in length, that feature Israel artists such as Ohad Naharin, Yasmeen Godder, Niv Sheinfeld, and more. It is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
2. Why Dance Matters
Why Dance Matters is a podcast from London, England by the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) asking artists across the globe how dance impacts their lives, and why it matters to them. It is hosted by David Jays, Editor of RAD magazine, the Dance Gazette. Why Dance Matters is in its third series having featured guests such as Gurinder Chadha, Dr. Guddi Singh, Ralph Heimans, Yami “Rowdy” Löfvenberg, and Joyce DiDonato, to name a few. Artists from all disciplines are interviewed to show not only why dance and the arts matter but also why we, the dance audience, matter. This podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and Spotify.
3. Belly Dance Life and Artist Date
The Belly Dance Life podcast is hosted by Iana Komarnytska, a Ukrainian belly dancer based in Toronto. Her podcast features stories and tips from professionals in the belly dance world that are useful to all dancers, no matter their style and practice. Komarnytska is a belly dance teacher and offers online classes through the Iana Dance Club. She not only hosts the Belly Dance Life podcast but also has a blog and — along with photographer Pedro Bonatto — co-hosts Artist Date, a weekly podcast that discusses travel, creativity, inspiration, and living an artist’s life. Belly Dance Life can be found on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and Google Podcasts; Artist Date can be found on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Belly Dance Life is on its fifth season, but Komarnytska recently paused the release of more episodes due to the invasion of Ukraine.
4. Assemblé Dance Studio Coaching
Claire O’Shea is a dance studio owner, dance instructor, and business coach based in Australia. She has created multiple businesses including Petite Performers Preschool Dance, Arts Education Co., and her podcast Assemblé Dance Studio Coaching. In this podcast, O’Shea discusses the practical steps necessary to help grow your business with insights informed by both her own experiences and those of other entrepreneurs in the dance industry. As a business coach, O’Shea also offers group coaching, one-on-one coaching, and free on-air coaching calls that are recorded and turned into podcast episodes to help others who may be struggling with the same problems. Assemblé Dance Studio Coaching is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
5. DanceWell Podcast
The DanceWell Podcast is dedicated to sharing a wide breadth of knowledge on health and wellness for dancers. Episodes are released twice a month and feature practitioners such as dietitians, body workers, medical doctors, athletic trainers, physical therapists, conditioning experts, and psychologists. DanceWell is hosted by dance artists, Ellie Kusner and Marissa Schaeffer, and is based in New York. Some of the most recent episodes include “Food and Mood”, “Measurement in Dance”, and “In-Season Cross-Training”. Many dance teachers have started incorporating DanceWell episodes into their curriculums; add it to your podcast routine via SoundCloud, Apple Music, Stitcher, and Player FM.
