Rephonic
Artwork for Conversations on Dance
Ballet
Vail Dance Festival
New York City Ballet
Dance
American Ballet Theatre
Miami City Ballet
Balanchine
Choreography
Dance Education
Performing Arts
Houston Ballet
Royal Danish Ballet
Justin Peck
Giselle
George Balanchine
School Of American Ballet
The Nutcracker
The Fairy's Kiss
Limón Dance Company
Mental Health

Dance, ballet, and contemporary dance take center stage on Conversations on Dance, hosted by former Miami City Ballet dancers Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden. Each week, influential artists and leaders share candid stories about performance, creative work, and dance careers. With more than 500 episodes since 2016 and conversations spanning the global dance community, the award-winnin... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes497Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsVisual Arts

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Artwork for Conversations on Dance

Latest Episodes

Hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome Alicia Graf Mack back to discuss her transition from leading Juilliard’s dance division (2018–2025) to becoming head of the Alvin Ailey organization. Alicia reflects on building relationship... more

Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. www.patreon.com/cw/conversationson... more

YouTube

Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. www.patreon.com/cw/conversationson... more

YouTube

Welcome to our bonus episode with Merrill Ashley, which is available now on our Patreon page. If you are a member of our Supporter, Ruby or Emerald tier on Patreon, you can listen to this entire episode, as part of your membership. Here on our main f... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Peter Boal
Artistic director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and former New York City Ballet dancer
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Episode: Peter Boal, Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director, looking back over 22 years and upcoming season highlights - Episode 515
Merrill Ashley
Iconic Balanchine dancer
Former dancer with New York City Ballet
Episode: [Excerpt] Merrill Ashley, Balanchine Ballerina - Patreon Bonus Episode
Houston Thomas
Choreographer, former Dresden Semper Opera Ballet dancer
Royal Winnipeg Ballet project, Dresden Semper Opera Ballet
Episode: Choreographer Houston Thomas, on reimagining 'Firebird' for Royal Winnipeg Ballet - Episode 514
Ashley Wheater
Artistic Director of the Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Ballet
Episode: Ashley Wheater on Joffrey Ballet at Performing Arts Houston with Alexander Ekman's Midsummer Night's Dream - Episode 513
William Forsythe
Renowned choreographer
Episode: [Excerpt] Choreographer William Forsythe - Patreon Bonus Episode
Alysa Pires
Choreographer
New York City Ballet (commissioned by)
Episode: Choreographer Alysa Pires on her new work for New York City Ballet - Episode 513
James Whiteside
international superstar, ABT dancer and guest on the show
American Ballet Theatre
Episode: James Whiteside announces retirement from American Ballet Theatre and tells us what's next - Episode 511
Tony Yun
Pianist, Festival participant
Vail Dance Festival participants
Episode: (509) Pianists of Vail Dance Festival: Michael Scales, Derek Wang, Tony Yun, Joel Wenhardt
Derek Wang
Pianist, Festival participant
Vail Dance Festival participants
Episode: (509) Pianists of Vail Dance Festival: Michael Scales, Derek Wang, Tony Yun, Joel Wenhardt

Hosts

Rebecca King Ferraro
Host of Conversations on Dance; former Miami City Ballet dancer; long-time interviewer in the dance world
Michael Sean Breeden
Co-host of Conversations on Dance; former Miami City Ballet dancer; long-time interviewer in the dance world

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 346 ratings
  • Great podcast

    I love the podcast and look forward to them every week. I really enjoy the episodes with Maria and Bart. Keeping having them on and continue the amazing work.

    Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kique2001
    United States7 months ago
  • Just keep getting better

    Rebecca and Michael have a knack for having great conversations across a wide range of the best of dance forms and the people who make them possible in America. They have the knowledge to get into the weeds of what makes for great performances but with a skill that makes it accessible even to newbies like me. If you have plans to see a performance check their podcast list to see if the dance or the dancers have been covered. You’ll likely find something that will enhance your enjoyment of the sh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JerryNelson123
    United States2 years ago
  • LOVE this podcast!

    Hey folks,

    Love your podcasts! Especially really enjoyed your interview with Silas Farley. More Silas please!!

    Love all the NYCB stuff, ballet dancers, bun-head topics.

    Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nanran3
    United States2 years ago
  • To learn about dance, this podcast is all you need!

    I have enjoyed dance, especially ballet and modern for many years, but at a superficial level. My wife and I started going to the Vail Dance Festival about 8 years ago, initially one or two nights but more recently all of the performances. As a part of the Festival there were conversations with the dancers, and other artists associated with the event. Rebecca and Michael were the interviewers. Initially we went to just one or two but have recently been going to almost all. We have really enjoyed... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JerryfromGrandJunction
    United States3 years ago
  • Love it!

    Both hosts are very talented and lively and well prepared. I really enjoy these interviews. Thank you for making a great show!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Viveca1
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners wish for even tougher questioning or broader diversity in guests to cover less-linear career paths.
Hosts balance technical depth with accessibility, making complex topics approachable for newcomers.
Listeners frequently praise the strong guest lineups and the hosts' rapport and curiosity.
The show is highly valued for archival insight and cross-pestival perspectives, though some episodes can be sound-quality dependent.
Fans appreciate the Balanchine-centric focus and the breadth of guests beyond NYCB, including international companies and contemporary choreographers.
A knowledgeable deep-dive into dance world with insightful guests and thoughtful questions.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Peter Boal, Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director, looking back over 22 years and upcoming season highlights - Episode 515
Q: What was your kind of point of view about the Rep you wanted the company to dance when you first came? And do you feel like that has evolved?
Boal says he has built on PNB's strong Balanchine repertory by developing collections of work with choreographers, while balancing familiar classics with experimentation and giving artists repeated chances to grow with the company.
Peter Boal, Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director, looking back over 22 years and upcoming season highlights - Episode 515
Q: What are some things that have happened in PNB in the last few years that were kind of long-term initiatives perhaps that you feel proud you've been able to start to pull off?
Boal points to the facilities expansion, including a new school and a renovation of the existing headquarters, as a major initiative now moving from planning into construction.
Choreographer Houston Thomas, on reimagining 'Firebird' for Royal Winnipeg Ballet - Episode 514
Q: How did you decide to move from Dresden to pursue choreography and eventually Firebird for Winnipeg?
He discusses how Dresden shaped him, his pivot from dancing to choreography, and how opportunities—fellowships, competitions, and commissions—converged to lead him to Firebird, with the realization that Europe offered different career dynamics for emerging choreographers, ultimately influencing his return to the States.
[Excerpt] Choreographer William Forsythe - Patreon Bonus Episode
Q: So at what point did you start to take steps into the dance world and then maybe get a little bit more hooked into that versus your other musical interests?
He describes early choreographing in high school and community settings, marking the transition from other musical interests to dance as a formal pursuit.
[Excerpt] Choreographer William Forsythe - Patreon Bonus Episode
Q: Is this right that you played the bassoon, the violin, flute and sang in chorus?
Yes, Forsythe confirms a broad musical background that influenced his dance work and approach to scores and musicality.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Conversations on Dance

What is Conversations on Dance about and what kind of topics does it cover?

- This show offers in-depth conversations with leading dancers, choreographers, composers, and arts leaders, often conducted on-site at major festivals or cultural institutions. Episodes frequently center on coaching, pedagogy, repertoire, and the creative process, with rich backstage anecdotes and historical context. A distinctive thread is bridging classical ballet heritage with contemporary practice, including cross-genre collaborations and archival storytelling. The format tends to feature panel-style discussions or intimate one-on-one conversations that reveal both craft and leadership in the dance world, making it a valuable resource for practitioners, educators, and dance aficionados seeking practical insights and insider perspective... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Conversations on Dance?

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How many listeners does Conversations on Dance get?

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What are the audience demographics for Conversations on Dance?

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How many subscribers and views does Conversations on Dance have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Conversations on Dance has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Conversations on Dance?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Conversations on Dance:

1. City Ballet The Podcast
2. The Stage Rightside with James Whiteside
3. Next Question with Katie Couric
4. Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
5. All There Is with Anderson Cooper

How many episodes of Conversations on Dance are there?

Conversations on Dance launched 10 years ago and published 497 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Conversations on Dance?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Conversations on Dance?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Conversations on Dance from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Conversations on Dance?

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What guests have appeared on Conversations on Dance?

Recent guests on Conversations on Dance include:

1. Peter Boal
2. Merrill Ashley
3. Houston Thomas
4. Ashley Wheater
5. William Forsythe
6. Alysa Pires
7. James Whiteside
8. Tony Yun

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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