Conversations with Ballet & Dance Icons

In this podcast, Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet shares his inspiring journey from taking his first dance steps in Yorkshire, England to leading one of America’s most dynamic ballet companies.

Speaking from his office – surrounded by his collection of ballet books and signed photographs from ballet luminaries (watch the video) – Iain reflects on his lifelong passion for the art form and his incredible experience working with so many ballet greats.

Listen as Iain shares special moments with ballet icons Sir Frederick Ashton, Dame Ninette de Valois, Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anthony Dowell. From his time performing with The Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet to meeting his wife, former principal dancer Margaret Barbieri, Iain’s journey is filled with captivating stories.

Iain discusses rising through the ranks, to leaving the stage and working with Matthew Bourne as Rehearsal Director for Swan Lake and Ballet Master with K-Ballet Company in Japan, before becoming Director of The Sarasota Ballet in 2007, a role in which he has masterfully blended respect for ballet’s history with a forward-looking vision for the company’s future.

Under Iain’s leadership, The Sarasota Ballet has flourished with his dedication to preserving Sir Frederick Ashton’s legacy while expanding the company’s repertoire with contemporary works. One of the achievements of his tenure has been The Sir Frederick Ashton Festival in 2014, held to mark the 25th anniversary of Ashton’s passing. The festival drew national and international praise.

Earlier this year, the company embarked on their first international tour to London’s Royal Opera House presenting Ashton Celebrated. This tour brought Iain full circle, returning to his home country and presenting a programme of works from The Royal Ballet’s founding choreographer and one of the most influential dance figures of the 20th century.

Iain’s commitment to honouring ballet’s rich heritage with Sir Richard Aston’s works while nurturing new talent ensures Sarasota Ballet’s continued prominence in the dance world.

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https://djwpodcasts.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/1wwwod/2024/Iain+Webb+PODCAST.mp3

 

Production photo of Paradise Gardens, The Sarasota Ballet. Part of Ashton Worldwide 2024-2028. Main Stage, ROH, London. © 2024 Foteini Christofilopoulou.
Production photo of Diverts – Balcony Scene from Romeo and Juliet, The Sarasota Ballet. Part of Ashton Worldwide 2024-2028. Linbury Theatre, ROH, London. © 2024 Foteini Christofilopoulou
Production photo of Diverts – Façade, The Sarasota Ballet. Part of Ashton Worldwide 2024-2028. Linbury Theatre, ROH, London. © 2024 Foteini Christofilopoulou.

In this inspiring podcast, we share the remarkable story of strength and resilience of Ukrainian principal dancer Anna Muromtseva, who faced the most devastating and unimaginable experience of fleeing her home following the Russian invasion and restarting her life and dance career with the Hungarian National Ballet.

Listen to Anna’s heartfelt interview as she looks back to growing up in Ukraine and rising through the ranks from corps de ballet to soloist and principal dancer. She gives an insight into the demanding yet fulfilling dance life with the National Ballet of Ukraine, their repertoire and the rigorous performance and rehearsal schedules.

Anna’s deeply personal story takes a dramatic turn with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which forced her to flee her homeland along with her family. Leaving behind all her dancewear and pointe shoes, Anna faced the daunting task of finding a new company which led to auditioning for the Hungarian National Ballet alongside other displaced Ukrainian dancers. And although Anna successfully secured a contract, the only available position available was in the corps de ballet.

Anna talks intimately about the physical and emotional challenges of transitioning from a principal dancer in Kyiv to the corps in Budapest. Fortunately, the company’s artistic director, Tamas Solymosi, provides opportunities for dancers of all ranks to perform a variety of roles. This has seen Anna return to dancing principal roles, such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and helped her rediscover the love of dance in the midst of so much devastation.

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Follow Anna Muromtseva on Instagram: @g.anna.muromtseva

Listen to the podcast interview on all major streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and more. You can watch our interview on our YouTube.

Anna Muromtseva

Christopher Marney, award-winning dancer, teacher, choreographer and Artistic Director of London City Ballet talks about reforming the company after 30 years and their upcoming UK and international tour. He looks back at memorable moments dancing with top companies, his inspiration for creating his own work and his journey to artistic director.

In this podcast, Principal Dancer Isaac Hernández shares his unique story of growing up in Mexico as one of 11 kids, being taught to dance by his father and dancing with ABT II, San Francisco Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, his move to English National Ballet, and the decision to return to San Francisco Ballet. 

Isaac also shares his passion for inspiring the next generation of dancers in Mexico, where he has established projects that provide opportunities for future dance stars.

Listen to Isaac talk about his experience of guesting around the world, and working with renowned choreographers, including Christopher Wheeldon as he reprises the role of Prince Guillaume in Wheeldon’s dazzling Cinderella.

For more information visit: San Francisco Ballet

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Isaac Hernández in Forsythe’s Blake Works I © Lindsay Thomas

Cathy Marston, internationally renowned, award winning British Choreographer and Artistic Director has created critically acclaimed works for The Royal Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Northern Ballet, English National Ballet, Cuban National Ballet, Ballet Black and more.

In this insightful podcast, Cathy shares her journey from dancer to choreographer, her inspiration for creating narrative ballets, her choreographic process and how she works with the dancers in the studio. We also discuss the importance of women choreographers and diverse voices in the dance industry.

Houston Ballet Principals Jessica Collado as Alma, Chase O’Connell as John and Soloist Mackenzie Richter as the Angel in Cathy Marston’s Summer and Smoke. Photo by Lawrence Elizabeth Knox (2023), Courtesy of Houston Ballet.
This month sees the world premiere of Cathy’s interpretation of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke with Houston Ballet, America’s fourth largest ballet company. Listen to Cathy describe this tragic tale of love and betrayal, how she developed the characters’ movement motifs and the inventive staging that it set to impress audiences.

Houston Ballet Principal Jessica Collado as Alma and Soloist Mackenzie Richter as the Angel with Artists of Houston Ballet in Cathy Marston’s Summer and Smoke. Photo by Amitava Sarkar (2023), Courtesy of Houston Ballet.
​​The world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke runs to 19 March 2023. For more information and tickets visit: Houston Ballet

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