What a Jazz podcast What a Jazz
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- Leisure
Talks with dancers, musicians, scene leaders and a variety of inspiring community members. Hosted by Elze Visnevskyte from What a Jazz Dance Studio.
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#42 Mako Ruan
We sit down to chat about the concept of home and belonging, lessons from life on the road, and the quest for community. Mako shares her experience of exploring Jazz music and learning to dance from a “music first” approach, her relationship to practicing and developing her authentic movement. We also talk about her journey of learning traditional Guinean dance and how that shaped her approach to sharing the dance. Finally, we reflect on the importance of patience and embracing frustration in the learning process.
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#41 Ursula Hicks
Join us as we delve into Ursula's dance journey, exploring the distinction between copying and drawing inspiration, the importance of infusing personal elements into dance, and the process of embracing your unique body and movement. Ursula shares her teaching philosophy, her strategies for overcoming insecurities, and her efforts to cultivate a caring community. We also discuss the emotional spectrum within the dance space and reflect on how dance can guide us toward self-discovery.
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#40 Sep Vermeersch
We chat with Sep about his ongoing journey with dance and continuous learning. We discuss the vibrant jazz culture in Gent, Belgium, and how the live music scene influenced Sep’s dancing and improvisational skills. We also delve into Sep's preference for identifying as a facilitator rather than a teacher, explore the distinction between holding and creating space, and working on one's confidence.
Photo by: Juls Sobrón -
#39 Mindaugas Bikauskas
In this episode we explore the early days of Lindy Hop in Lithuania, the beginning of the Harlem festival, and the journey of the Rhythm Junkies band. Mindaugas offers insights into leading a band, fostering a local community, and the valuable lessons gained throughout. We dive into the nuances of musicality, the emotional connection to dance and music, and accessing it both on stage and the social dance floor. Lastly, we reflect on discovering your voice and the significance of having role models along the way.
Photo: Ugne Henriko Photography -
#38 Edwige Adjomale
In this episode Edwige shares her dance journey, finding herself through movement and developing self-acceptance. She shares her experience growing up in a community where dance was part of a way of being, something you do rather than something you have to learn in class. We discuss learning to do steps versus learning to connect to music, finding one's individuality but not looking for it too hard, and how to facilitate that learning process for others.
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Photo: by Stephanie O'Connor -
#37 Erol Akinci
This episode features a conversation with Erol Akinci, a dancer and performer hailing from Turkey. With a foundation in music, Erol delves into his exploration of jazz, particularly the bop era and UK Jazz, alongside his approach to teaching. From shedding light on Turkey's dance scene to debunking misconceptions about bebop, we explore the significance of actively listening to and discovering new music, all while emphasizing the value of improvisation.