The Creative Approach

Season 3: Episode 4 | 5:17

Choreographer, dancer, teacher, and director Sidra Bell discusses her perspective on the artistry of dance and her creative approach to it. She also speaks about the advice she would give to her younger self.

Sidra Bell’s DancePulp profile

Intellect and Physicality

Season 3: Episode 3 | 6:35

FFor Sidra Bell, all roads led to dance. But the path was anything but direct.

From a journey that began at the age of eight at the Dance Theater of Harlem and included an unlikely, yet critical diversion at Yale University, emerged an important influence who is proving every day that academia and artistry can not only happily co-exist, but come together to create choreography that is at once logical and human.

As a kid, Bell was lucky enough to have to dash from her day at The Spence School on the Upper East Side to dance class at The Ailey School. Turns out, Bell’s broad-based education was lucky for the dance world, too.

Here, Bell shares how her study of history and cultures at Yale and a Masters in Fine Arts from Purchase College inform her work at Sidra Bell Dance New York.

Sidra Bell’s DancePulp profile

Dance Makes You a Better Human Being

Season 2: Episode 16 | 9:20

Ballet Hispanico Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro stresses the importance of educational outreach and shares his thoughts on why dance is worth fighting for.

Eduardo Vilaro’s DancePulp profile

You Put What Inside Your Pointe Shoes?

Season 2: Episode 15 | 8:42

In our first video with Yumiko Takeshima she discussed her career path and her dancewear company. Now the Dresden Semperoper Ballett principal describes what she believes are her unique characteristics as a dancer and how they have played into her relationship with choreographer David Dawson.

Yumiko Takeshima’s DancePulp profile

I Don’t Want To Live In My Own Little World

Season 2: Episode 14 | 11:20

Choreographer Christian Spuck (Stuttgart Ballet) talks about his choreographic influences, shares frustrations with the ballet world, and describes what characteristics he prefers in the dancers with whom he works.

Christian Spuck’s DancePulp profile

A Ballerina’s Career In a Nutshell

Season 2: Episode 13 | 18:25

Former American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Susan Jaffe recounts the story of her discovery by Mikhail Baryshnikov and how it launched her long, superstar career.

Susan Jaffe’s DancePulp profile

Conscientious Choreographer

Season 2: Episode 12 | 10:26

Seattle’s Spectrum Dance Theater artistic director Donald Byrd talks about his transition from a student of drama and philosophy to a career in dance.

Donald Byrd’s DancePulp profile

Life, Leotards, and Love

Season 2: Episode 11 | 12:01

Dresden Semperoper Ballett principal dancer Yumiko Takeshima discusses highlights from her career and how it motivated her to start her own dancewear company.

Yumiko Takeshima’s DancePulp profile

The Life of a Commercial Dancer In New York City

Season 2: Episode 10 | 11:28

Former Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark dancer and Radio City Rockette Heather Lang talks about her experiences as a commercial dancer and shares her insights on to what makes for a successful career.

Heather Lang’s DancePulp profile

The Case For Dance

Season 2: Episode 8 | 6:31

New York City Ballet Director of Media Projects (and former NYCB soloist) and dance advocate Ellen Bar speaks extensively on why dance, and the arts in general, are a necessary part of our lives.

Items mentioned in this conversation:

• New York City Ballet
• NY Export: Opus Jazz Film
• School of American Ballet
• The George Balanchine Trust
• The Jerome Robbins Foundation & Robbins Rights Trust
• New York Times | Arts Section
• New York Times | Dance Section
• Fall For Dance
• Alliance for the Arts
• Government Funding

Ellen Bar’s DancePulp profile