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Artwork for Why Dance Matters

Why Dance Matters

Royal Academy of Dance
Dance
Ballet
Royal Academy Of Dance
Kathak
Community Engagement
Performing Arts
Choreography
Our Mighty Groove
Musical Theatre
Uchenna
Sadler's Wells
Performance Art
Evita
Wednesday
Silver Swans
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Olympic Games
London
Dance As Expression
Edinburgh International Festival

Why Dance Matters is a series of conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. It traces the impact of dance on their lives and asks why dance matters to them – and why it might matter to us all. The RAD inspires the world to dance, and we hope these insightful personal conversations – hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, the RAD magazine – will delight and ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes106Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArts

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Artwork for Why Dance Matters

Latest Episodes

People often say ‘dance is for everyone’, but few people walk the walk like Irma Becker. In Miami, she leads the Inspire Theatre Project at Area Stage Conservatory. Inspire is an inclusive programme for neurodiverse ballet students – but it doesn’t w... more

Sonia Brown is an award-winning RAD teacher in Berkshire, UK. The RAD’s Silver Swans programme, aimed at people aged 55 and over, struck a chord with her. Her mother was Sonia’s first student, and the classes have grown into a warm and inclusive comm... more

Jack Murphy is the acclaimed choreographer and movement director of Bridgerton. Initially an actor, he became a movement director (training in part at the RAD), helping actors find a physicality to connect them with their characters. Jack was involve... more

Christopher Wheeldon is a very special guest for the 100th episode of Why Dance Matters. He’s a ballet great – creator of marvels like After the Rain and Tryst, and full length enchantments like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Winter’s Tale.... more

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Recent Guests

Sonia Brown
RAD Silver Swans teacher
Royal Academy of Dance
Episode: Sonia Brown: Silver Swans (plus a hen night)
Jack Murphy
Movement director and choreographer known for Bridgerton and Pride and Prejudice
Bridgerton, Pride and Prejudice (BBC/Netflix)
Episode: Jack Murphy: Bridgerton’s dancing master
Christopher Wheeldon
Ballet great, choreographer and director; president of Benesh International
Benesh International; Broadway and Royal Ballet connections
Episode: Christopher Wheeldon: ballet meets Broadway
Amanda Teo
National Director, Singapore RAD
Royal Academy of Dance, Singapore
Episode: Amanda Teo: ballet meets world
Alicia Graf Mack
Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; former Juilliard Dean and Director of Dance; former principal dancer at Dance Theatre of Harlem
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater; Juilliard School
Episode: Alicia Graf Mack: holding history in her hand
Serena McCall
Professional dancer guest
New Adventures / The Car Man
Episode: Serena McCall: style and steam
Lil Buck
Dancer and choreographer known for Memphis Jookin and Memphis Duke
Self-directed artist; collaborates with ZooNation, Madonna, Janelle Monae
Episode: Lil Buck: from Memphis to the world stage
Isabelle Brouwers
Ballet dancer, former English National Ballet, Artistic Director of Yorkshire Ballet Seminars
Yorkshire Ballet Seminars
Episode: Isabelle Brouwers: sharing the dance
Nathan James
Deputy Artistic Director, Dash Education at RAD; former performer and educator
Royal Academy of Dance (RAD)
Episode: Nathan James: taptastic!

Host

David Jays
Host focusing on dance education, performance, and leadership in the arts.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 45 ratings
  • Great pod thanks David

    Dr Mark Broomfield: you are an inspiration your language and philosophy is incredibly intelligent- go secret agent!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Soapsoane
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Highly educational and comforting!

    I absolutely love this podcast. I am a ballet teacher and choreographer and this podcast is such a blessing! David’s voice is so calm and soothing and each guest has been lovely to listen to. I have learned a lot and it has inspired me in my creative endeavors. Here’s to many more seasons!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bunnyxoxoxo
    United States4 years ago
  • Totally engaging and inspiring

    I’ve listened to several interviews with Xander Parish, but somehow David Jays seemed to bring out something new for me. I can’t wait for the next episodes. I felt a message of: do your best, never give up and above all enjoy and have fun. We all need to be reminded of this; dancers and people who think they can’t dance - because we all can. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ME4521
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are described as engaging and insightful, with meaningful stories.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful, calm interview style.
The show is noted for educational and comforting content for dance professionals.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sonia Brown: Silver Swans (plus a hen night)
Q: What does the future hold for your group—Athens and beyond?
Sonia shares plans to tour in an open-air theatre in Athens, with international collaboration and student-led material becoming a bigger part of performances.
Sonia Brown: Silver Swans (plus a hen night)
Q: How has your MA influenced your approach with older dancers?
The MA sharpened her understanding of memory, sequencing, and self-directed learning, enabling more creative and independent student work.
Sonia Brown: Silver Swans (plus a hen night)
Q: What has teaching Silver Swans taught you about adults learning dance?
She explains the two-way dialogue, empowerment, and the shift from hierarchical to collaborative learning in adult classes.
Jack Murphy: Bridgerton’s dancing master
Q: How do you approach choreography for Bridgerton?
You balance 100% historical accuracy with a modern aesthetic, using the tradition of Regency dances to frame emotion and relationships while allowing contemporary elements to connect with today's audience.
Jack Murphy: Bridgerton’s dancing master
Q: What sparked your journey into movement direction?
A chance invitation from Ronnie and Rodney at a Hammersmith Palais soul night sparked a lifelong engagement with dance, leading to formal training and a new career in movement direction.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Why Dance Matters

What is Why Dance Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features in-depth conversations with leading figures in dance and the performing arts, exploring how movement, training, and creative collaboration shape careers, institutions, and audiences. Across episodes, guests share practical career insights, leadership perspectives, and the evolving role of dance education, with recurring emphasis on mentorship, accessibility, and the social impact of dance. Notable throughlines include cross-genre collaborations, ballet and contemporary training pipelines, and the balance between artistic ambition and community engagement. A distinctive thread is how institutions like RAD influence training and opportunity, often paired with personal stories of perseverance, equity, and innovation in the a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Why Dance Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Why Dance Matters:

1. Voices of British Ballet
2. ill-advised by Bill Nighy
3. Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud
4. This Cultural Life
5. No Filter

How many episodes of Why Dance Matters are there?

Why Dance Matters launched 6 years ago and published 106 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Why Dance Matters?

Recent guests on Why Dance Matters include:

1. Sonia Brown
2. Jack Murphy
3. Christopher Wheeldon
4. Amanda Teo
5. Alicia Graf Mack
6. Serena McCall
7. Lil Buck
8. Isabelle Brouwers

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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