This week on the podcast is part two  of our interview with Ranee Ramaswamy, the Founding Artistic Director of the Ragamala Dance Company, along with her daughters Aparna and Ashwini. Aparna is the Executive Artistic Director, Choreographer and Principal Dancer in the company; and Ashwini is a Choreographic Associate, Dancer, and Communications Director.  
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The Ragamala Company tours extensively worldwide and has appeared at venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Jacob’s Pillow.  Individually, they have won numerous awards including Guggenheim Fellowships, US Artist Fellowships and over a dozen McKnight Fellowships.  This brief bio just scratches the surface of their accolades, so make sure you visit their website to see their impressive list of accomplishments and media!

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with Ranee Ramaswamy, the Founding Artistic Director of the Ragamala Dance Company, along with her daughters Aparna and Ashwini. Aparna is the Executive Artistic Director, Choreographer and Principal Dancer in the company; and Ashwini is a Choreographic Associate, Dancer, and Communications Director.  
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The Ragamala Company tours extensively worldwide and has appeared at venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Jacob’s Pillow.  Individually, they have won numerous awards including Guggenheim Fellowships, US Artist Fellowships and over a dozen McKnight Fellowships.  This brief bio just scratches the surface of their accolades, so make sure you visit their website to see their impressive list of accomplishments and media!

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Emily Haussler.She’s a director, choreographer, teacher and the founder of RESILIENCE Dance Company—a nonprofit dance company based in St. Louis, MO. Her work centers on building healthier dance communities by equipping dancers with resources for their mental health, physical well being and artistic success. Emily’s choreography draws on contemporary, modern, and improvisational techniques that reflect the contemporary human condition and our relationships to one another.  If you want to hear an in-depth account of what it takes to create and maintain a nonprofit, you won’t want to miss this interview!

This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with Emily Haussler.She’s a director, choreographer, teacher and the founder of RESILIENCE Dance Company—a nonprofit dance company based in St. Louis, MO. Her work centers on building healthier dance communities by equipping dancers with resources for their mental health, physical well being and artistic success. Emily’s choreography draws on contemporary, modern, and improvisational techniques that reflect the contemporary human condition and our relationships to one another.  If you want to hear an in-depth account of what it takes to create and maintain a nonprofit, you won’t want to miss this interview!

This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with  Dominic Moore-Dunson. He’s an award-winning professional dancer, producer, teaching artist and speaker.  Dominic is the co-founder of Moore-Dunson Co., a holding company committed to producing companies and brands helping its clients unlock their stories. As an artist, he’s in the 2023 Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” list; a Top 40 finalist for the National Dance Project Grant; a 2019 Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Fellow; and a 2019 Cleveland Arts Prize Winner. ​He unravels the unique challenges of running a nonprofit, the flexibility an LLC offers, and the dance between his roles as a performer and a creator.

Artists and creatives often shy away from embracing entrepreneurship, a notion Dominic challenges head-on. Our conversation traverses through the evolving demands of the modern world that necessitates artists to take on entrepreneurial roles, often frowned upon by traditional mentors. We lay bare the fear of the 'hustle culture' and the risk of being branded a 'sellout', while emphasizing how an entrepreneurial approach can uplift the artistic community and build an engaged audience.

Capping off this enlightening episode, Dominic shares his wisdom on preserving artistic integrity while creating marketable art. He divulges key insights into community engagement, resonating projects, and revenue streams beyond mere performances. Listen in as Dominic candidly shares his journey towards embracing the entrepreneurial spirit, and underscores the importance of authenticity in art. A must-listen for any artist grappling to harmonize their creative vision with financial survival.

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This week on the podcast is part one of our interview with  Dominic Moore-Dunson. He’s an award-winning professional dancer, producer, teaching artist and speaker.  Dominic is the co-founder of Moore-Dunson Co., a holding company committed to producing companies and brands helping its clients unlock their stories. As an artist, he’s in the 2023 Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” list; a Top 40 finalist for the National Dance Project Grant; a 2019 Jacob’s Pillow Choreography Fellow; and a 2019 Cleveland Arts Prize Winner. ​

From the soccer field to the dance floor, Dominic Moore-Dunson has an inspiring journey to share. With tap shoes he wore as a two-year-old, to being an award-winning professional dancer, Dominic's experiences speak of courage, commitment, and the will to follow one's passion. He takes us on an intimate journey through his life, detailing the arduous decision of choosing dance over soccer and the subsequent adaptation to the demanding lifestyle of a professional dancer.

One pivotal story from Dominic's life involves a taxing experience that tested his limits and led to the realization of his potential. His life lessons extend beyond the dance floor, as he talks about the influence of his soccer coach, who helped shape his detailed-oriented and accountable work ethic. Dominic stresses the role of expectations and a thorough understanding of a project's nuances in his artistic success, offering a fresh perspective that applies to not just artists, but also entrepreneurs and professionals from various fields.

The episode also delves into Dominic's creative process, as he shares the backstage experience of creating a podcast and a dance piece inspired by conversations around children's safety and police. He highlights how unexpected incidents can alter a project's focus and meaning, citing a specific incident in his community that shifted his work's focus. Dominic further unravels his strategies for meaningful collaborations, emphasizing the importance of understanding people to create larger, collective projects. This episode serves as a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice for anyone looking to navigate their creative journey.

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Today we released part 1 of our interview with dancer and theatrical choreographer Martín Céspedes. He has performed on Broadway tours of shows such as Man of La Mancha, The King and I,  and South Pacific. He’s also danced at the Kennedy Center with the Washington National Opera, as well as in concert performances with Earth, Wind and Fire and The Bee Gees. As a choreographer his credits include musicals at Porthouse Theatre, Cleveland Musical Theatre, the Great Lakes Theater and the St. Louis Repertory Theater. If you have an interest in working professionally in dance and theatre, you'll want to hear Martín's positive message and approach to arts entrepreneurship!

In this episode: Ever wondered how a professional dancer transitions into choreography? Join us as we chat with Martín Céspedes, a renowned dancer, theatrical choreographer, and arts entrepreneur with an impressive resume, and find out what it takes to make it in the world of choreography and theatre production.

Discover how Martín navigated the challenges and triumphs of his fascinating career, from his early days in New York City to working on big-ticket projects like feature films and masterclasses. Martín also shares valuable insights on the importance of unions like the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) in ensuring fair pay and benefits for artists, and how personal relationships can lead to exciting opportunities in the industry. Don't miss this captivating conversation with a true master of his craft!

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This week on the podcast is part two of our interview with Eric Carvill and Sunita Joshi, founders of the Hudson Conservatory of Ballet. They'll share their story of transitioning from dancing professionally to becoming studio owners, and what they learned along the way. They will also address the many activities they do to keep their studio running effectively, while also growing their business.  Eric and Sunita's story is relatable to all artists who want to become full-time arts entrepreneurs.

This week on the podcast, is part two of our interview with the founders of the Owen/Cox Dance Group: dancer Jennifer Owen and her musician husband Brad Cox.  They recall their first collaboration, describe their revenue streams, how their dancers and musicians are contracted and compensated, and the value of sweat equity. Those thinking of starting a dance company or similar venture will not want to miss them!

This week on the podcast, we begin 2022 with part one of our interview with the founders of the Owen/Cox Dance Group: dancer Jennifer Owen and her musician husband Brad Cox.  They recall their first collaboration, describe their revenue streams, how their dancers and musicians are contracted and compensated, and the value of sweat equity. Those thinking of starting a dance company or similar venture will not want to miss them!