Royal Academy of Dance launches ninth season of its ‘Why Dance Matters’ podcast with Misty Copeland
The Royal Academy of Dance has launched series nine of its podcast, Why Dance Matters.
The series begins with the American Ballet Theatre‘s first black principal dancer, Misty Copeland, shortly after the debut of her short film Flowers and the creation of her charitable foundation, in conversation with writer and editor David Jays.
All previous podcasts can be heard on major platforms and include interviews with Pam Tanowitz, Olga Smirnova, David Hallberg, Akram Khan, Carlos Acosta, Tiler Peck, and many more.
Speaking on the launch of the latest series, Jays says:
I am excited to share our conversations with figures from the dance world and beyond, including the trail-blazing Misty Copeland and the acclaimed choreographer Aakash Odedra. Do join us on all platforms for advice, insight and storytelling from all corners of the dance world!
The second episode sees Canadian performer Crazy Smooth discuss how he brought street dance into a professional theatre setting ahead of his three-show run at the Southbank Centre starting July 18.
Next, performance psychologist Britt Tajet-Foxell talks about fostering positive mindsets in the ballet world. Then Mike Wayama, who has taken RAD ballet to Nairobi, shares his stories on mentorship and teaching in challenging environments.
Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer Eilis Small joins host David Jays to discuss her Australian origins and next steps, and fresh off a critically acclaimed show at the Birmingham Hippodrome, Aakash Odedra opens up on his creative process and burgeoning production company.
Why Dance Matters is available across all major steaming platforms. Visit our podcast page to find out more: https://www.royalacademyofdance.org/podcast/
Why Dance Matters – Series 9
Episode One: Misty Copeland, Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Releases 27 June.
Episode Two: Crazy Smooth, aka Yvon Soglo, award-winning dancer touring his show In My Body globally. Releases 4 July.
Episode Three: Britt Tajet-Foxell, Royal Ballet performance psychologist. Releases 11 July.
Episode Four: Mike Wayama, dancer who has taught across the world. Releases 18 July.
Episode Five: Eilis Small, Australian dancer currently at the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Releases 25 July.
Episode Six: Aakash Odedra, Artistic Director of the eponymous dance company with multiple globally recognised shows. Releases 1 August.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
