5.6.7.EIGHT Aleksandra Efimova

This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Serge Laurent, Director of Dance and Cultural Programs at Van Cleef & Arpels. Serge is in charge of implementing Dance Reflections, an international program supporting the art of choreography. Laurent's journey began with a classical education at the École de Louvre, specializing in Art History and Archeology. His career took him from being an Associate Curator at the Fondation Cartier to heading Live Performance Programming at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
In this episode, Serge discusses his role at Van Cleef & Arpels, the historical connection between the Maison and the world of dance, and the importance of supporting dance creation, transmission, and education. He shares insights on the upcoming Dance Reflections festival in New York City, which will feature a diverse range of performances from contemporary dance companies. Serge also reflects on the significance of New York and Paris in the history of dance and the need for contemporary art to challenge and inspire audiences.
 
Moving Quotes:
"It's very important for me to forget about the notion of taste. I like it; I don't like it. I appreciate it; I like it less. Maybe we should just wonder about what we have seen, and consider the questions that come to our minds. To me, art is beyond the simple matter of taste."
"Believe in yourself, and never give up. Take risks. Also, don't be shy — be creative. I'm very, very attracted to creation. But at the same time, I need to be practical, pragmatic."
"Whatever we do [as artists] is an answer to three values. It's a way to enlighten these values. The first value is creation. The second one is transmission. And the third one is education… If [Van Cleef & Arpels] can support an artist’s training, their creation, and their presentation, we are really covering, you know, the three essential values.”
 
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:19: Serge explains how Van Cleef & Arpels' relationship with dance began as a source of inspiration for the Maison's creations, such as the ballerina clips and timepieces.
9:42: Laurent discusses the historical connection between Paris and New York in the development of modern and contemporary dance.
14:50: Serge shares his vision for the Dance Reflections program, focusing on the values of creation, transmission, and education.
22:27: Laurent reflects on how Van Cleef & Arpels stays relevant by combining heritage and creativity in their jewelry designs.
27:14: Serge discusses the positive feedback from audiences attending the Dance Reflections festivals and the importance of contemporary art provoking new sensations, impressions, and questions.
30:32: Laurent shares his educational background and career journey, from studying at the École de Louvre to working at the Fondation Cartier and Centre Pompidou.
35:38: Serge outlines his vision for the future of the Dance Reflections program, including supporting dance schools, training, and workshops for amateurs.
39:04: Laurent offers advice for those pursuing their dreams in the arts, emphasizing the need to combine creativity and pragmatism.
 
Bullet List of Resources – 
Serge Laurent
Instagram
Van Cleef & Arpels
Company Website
Instagram
Dance Reflections Website
 

This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Steven Melendez, Artistic Director at the New York Theatre Ballet. Steven’s journey with dance began through his current company’s LIFT Program, which teaches dance to homeless or home insecure youth. Steven has since danced as a Soloist and Principal dancer at a collection of ballet companies across three continents. Steven’s story is also explored in the award-winning film LIFT, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022.
Steven’s life was changed because New York Theatre Ballet made the arts more accessible to New York City youth. Now, Steven is on a mission to take that mission even further. On the podcast, Steven retells his incredible transformation story, discusses the importance of diversity in the arts, and explains how making dance more accessible to all people benefits the dancer, the company, and society at large.
 
Moving Quotes:
"As an industry, we can get back to the root of what dance is. It's an art. Connecting human people with other human people. If we can get more people on stage that represent more diversity within society, I think our art will be stronger. And the industry will be stronger."
"What I call 'relevant art' is why I think being a dance company is not opposite from being a social justice organization. I think you can do both by having [sensitive] conversations in public."
"Through dance, we're all equal. The person who doesn't fall over is the person that practiced. It's not the person whose parents have a lot of money. It's not the person with a fancy house. It's not the person that's white or Spanish or whatever. It's the person that practiced. And I really liked that. It really spoke to me."
"Diversity needs to be a priority. The parts of an organization tasked with considering how to create more diversity in the industry can't be a department down the hall run by one or two people. It needs to be a fundamental element of what the administrative leadership are thinking about all the time."
"There are three ways to take over the world. First, through military might. Second, through owning everything or a critical resource. Or third, by being a good human. By getting people to understand that, fundamentally, you are the same as them... In a way, that's how I think about my work. The product that we create is bigger than the single performance."
"We need to do the work of educating and cultivating new adult dance audiences so that the young people who are involved actually have a future. It prevents dance from being ‘a thing they did one time’ and turns it into an inhabited part of who they are."
 
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:20: Steven speaks to his responsibility as an artistic director in helping define the role of dance in future society.
6:23: Steven discusses the importance of diversity in the arts and how making the arts more accessible for all people is critical.
9:21: Melendez explains the main programs at the New York Theatre Ballet, including the company’s renowned LIFT program and new efforts aimed at young people.
14:42: Melendez discusses the company’s new efforts aimed at new-to-dance adult audiences and the importance of reaching out to this segment.
24:04: Steven describes a new multi-year project, aimed at exploring the dynamics between fathers and sons.
34:40: Steven walks through his dance journey and explains why he continued with dance once his own run with the LIFT program ended.
43:17: Melendez discusses his dreams for the New York Theatre Ballet in the coming years.
 
Bullet List of Resources – 
Steven Melendez
Personal Website
Instagram
New York Theatre Ballet
Company Website
Instagram

This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kevin Jenkins, Founder and Artistic Director at Ballet Counterpointe. Kevin’s choreography, which Dance Magazine has praised as “riveting,” has been featured at dozens of dance companies, including State Street Ballet, SUNY Purchase, and San Diego Dance Theater. He has also served on faculty at Boston Ballet School, Joffrey Ballet School, and several other esteemed institutions.
Early in his dance journey, Kevin knew he had a passion for choreography. So he decided to take the plunge — to follow his passion, even if it didn’t “pan out” in the world’s eyes. Thankfully, Kevin has been successful, but he knows that’s not the story for everyone. Yet, even so, Jenkins believes following one’s passion is worth the risk. On the podcast, Jenkins talks all about passion, but sprinkles in some insight into choreography, social media, and building a business.
 
Moving Quotes:
"Choreography 'success' is not monetarily based. And while there are more things you can do to make more money at it, I think you still have to be realistic. It has to be about the art. Sometimes the income will follow, and sometimes it won't. And that's okay."
"The downside of interviews with successful artists is that you're hearing from interviews with people that have made it. And for every one person that made it, there are 99 people that didn't make it."
"I only recommend a career as choreographer if you are really really strong and really really ready for lot of hardship. Because it is incredible, but it is like climbing up a hill every day."
"Chasing what other choreographers do is okay to a certain extent. But, at the end of the day, you still have to find your unique voice and how you can do something original. Because that's what is going to make you stand out. That's the best chance you have."
"I'm fascinated by the business side of the arts because I think it is the future of the arts. If we can't pay for the arts, then they will die. So, while I love choreographing, the thing I think about most days is how do we keep this going."
"On social media, you have to believe in what you're putting out there. You have to be as true to your authentic self as you can be. Because, at this point, we can all smell someone who's phony."
"On social media, you have to strike a weird balance where you have to try to put something out there that will do well and, at the same time, not care if it does well and do what you believe in."
 
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:16: Kevin discusses his company — Ballet Counterpointe — and how he grew to love the business side of the arts.
7:15: Kevin discusses the importance of corporate sponsorships and how they could be critical to the future of dance.
9:10: Kevin, a social media maven with six-figure Instagram followers, gives some practical advice on building a social media following.
11:59: Jenkins describes the origins of his company’s name and gives a brief history of his company’s performances.
15:29: Jenkins discusses the joys of working alongside his spouse, who is also a part of Ballet Counterpointe.
18:34: Kevin walks through his dance career, including his late start to the stage and his early affections for choreography.
24:37: Kevin advises aspiring choreographers to follow their passion, even if they don’t achieve much “success” as the world defines it.
29:31: Kevin offers some predictions on the future of the dance industry and how companies will need to adapt. 
31:58: Jenkins discusses his aspirations for his own company in the next 3 to 5 years.
33:55: Kevin ends the discussion by encouraging listeners to chase their passions.
 
Bullet List of Resources – 
Kevin Jenkins
Instagram Ballet Counterpointe
Company Website Instagram  

This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Matz Skoog, executive coach at Matz Skoog Coaching. Skoog, a Stockholm native, had an accomplished career in dance at several international companies. Following his career in dance, he became a sought-after tutor, which led to a variety of professional appointments, including Artistic Director of the English National Ballet and Royal New Zealand Ballet. Upon his exit from the stage, Matz founded Matz Skoog Coaching, where he helps others achieve their true professional potential.
As a dancer and Artistic Director, Matz had a passion for helping others fulfill their goals and achieve new heights. Through coaching, he’s now able to do this professionally, on a daily basis. Matz is a wealth of knowledge and challenges his clients to find satisfaction and achieve excellence in their careers. On the podcast, Matz shares invaluable words of advice for anyone that’s looking to maximize their fullest potential.
 
Moving Quotes:
"Coaching is about 3 questions. What do you want? What do you need to do to get what you want? And what's stopping you from doing what you need to do?"
"Coaching is not therapy... In therapy, you take a person from being dysfunctional to becoming functional. In coaching, you take a person from being functional to becoming excellent."
"The ideal moment to look for a coach is when you are already successful or when things are working well. Because, then, you can take your achievements to another level."
"You don't need to be someone else in order to be successful. You need to do things differently; you don't need to be someone different. And in the act of doing, you become someone else."
"It's important to take a little bit of action, every day. It needs to be conscious — something you choose to do towards a specific objective."
"Once you're a dancer, you're always a dancer — even if you're not actually dancing. You will always be a dancer."
"Many dancers underestimate their intellectual capacities. There are very few successful dancers who are not also intelligent. One way to explore this potential is to express yourself through writing... That way, you can see, on paper, that there's more to you than just legs and feet."
 
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:09: Matz describes his career as an executive coach and how he was drawn to the profession.
4:33: Matz explains how coaching is different than mentorship.
5:38: Skoog discusses the ideal time for an individual to seek out coaching.
7:52: Skoog shares some tips for finding the right executive coach for you.
12:47: Matz shares a helpful tip for anyone who may be looking for a career shift but isn’t even sure where to focus.
15:32: Matz gives some advice for executing on goals.
18:52: Matz walks through his dance career and how he segued into dance leadership and, eventually, executive coaching.
25:58: Skoog discusses some lessons he learned as an artistic director that he uses when coaching dancers into new careers.
28:11: Skoog explains how finding other hobbies and outlets outside of dance can help dancers find alternative career paths.
31:26: Matz shares some of his biggest coaching surprises, including several clients that made full career pivots after their sessions.
 
Bullet List of Resources – 
Matz Skoog Coaching
Website LinkedIn Instagram YouTube  

This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Jeffrey Cirio, an internationally recognized ballet dancer who is currently dancing as Principal at Boston Ballet. Jeffrey also is co-founder and Artistic Director of his own company, Cirio Collective. Jeffrey has danced for American Ballet Theatre and the English National Ballet as Principal and Lead Principal, respectively. Jeffrey holds medals from competitions held across three different continents. His list of accolades is truly remarkable.
Jeffrey’s run as a professional dancer began at Boston Ballet. By his own account, he was living a dream and could have stayed with Boston forever. However, Jeffrey, who is a firm believer in expanding your horizons, decided to venture first to New York City then to Europe, picking up awards along the way. Now, he’s back in Boston, having come full circle, and claims that his world travels and new experiences built his character and made him a better dancer and human. On the podcast, Cirio recaps his incredible journey and speaks to the importance of venturing beyond your comfort zone.
 
Moving Quotes:
"Try every day to go 100 percent at what you do. And aspire to do new things — to step out of the boundaries of your comfort zone. Be willing to be in the discomfort for a little bit because discomfort creates character and endurance."
"The amount of exposure that I had to different companies — especially European companies and contemporary companies — was impactful for me... It's hard to say that I haven't been impacted by all of my travels."
"With any profession, you often have a love-hate relationship. There's always a love for what you do. There are always things you hate about it. And that's normal. And you'd be lying if you said you don't have a love-hate relationship with any work you do. There always have to be the pros and cons of anything."
"My parents always told me that, if I wanted to do something, I could do it. But I'd have to do it at 100 percent every day."
"Mentorship is a two-way street; it's a conversation between two people... It's a community, which means having people help each other through the good and the bad."
 
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
3:35: Jeffrey discusses his company, Cirio Collective, including how it began and where he’d like to see the company move.
7:52: Jeffrey explains how his dance career started at Boston Ballet, took him around the world, and brought him back to Boston, full circle.
12:51: Cirio shares some takeaways from his world travels that have shaped him most into who he is now.
16:25: Cirio retells the story of how he came to be in dance and when he knew that ballet was going to be his livelihood.
19:58: Jeffrey discusses the thought process behind going directly from high school into a dance profession and how he convinced his parents to let him pursue this career.
21:55: Jeffrey explains how he managed time while apprenticing for a dance company during the day and finishing high school at night.
24:49: Cirio digs deep into the impact that mentors have had on his life and how he’s been strategic in choosing which mentors to take.
30:11: Jeffrey gets practical and shares some traveling tips for performers on the road.
32:44: Cirio, who has an affinity for ice baths, discusses their benefits and why he’s incorporated this practice into his normal routine.
35:14: Jeffrey discusses what’s next for him as a performer, artistic director, and entrepreneur.
 
Bullet List of Resources – 
Jeffrey Cirio
Instagram LinkedIn Wikipedia

Cirio Collective
Company Website YouTube Instagram  

This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kristin Draucker, a veteran dancer and choreographer who is currently performing with the Paul Taylor Dance Company. As a long-time New York City resident, she has danced with a variety of well-known companies in the area. Draucker began creating original works in 2014 and has shown her choreography both nationally and internationally at various companies and festivals. In 2017, she joined Paul Taylor Dance Company, where she currently performs.
Kristin’s story is a compelling tale of obstacles and perseverance. From the start, Kristin’s road into the dance world was nontraditional; she took her first dance lessons at age 15. As if this late start didn’t hold its own challenges, Kristin’s journey to eventually joining her dream company — Paul Taylor Dance Company — was a process that took ten long years, with three rejections and one final success. Kristin’s grit and drive is an inspiration, and, on the podcast, Kristin shares some rich perspective on the nature of rejection, the value of perseverance, and the love of dance.
 
Moving Quotes:
"There was never another option [than dance]. It was the only thing I wanted to do. It's pure pleasure — even when it hurts, it's pure pleasure. It was all worth it. And it still is, every day. There's nothing else I'm interested in doing.”
"If you open yourself up to many different forms of art, your worldview and artistry widens."
"All teachers aren't the same. All teachers can be wonderful, but they may not speak to you the way that you need something given... Being particular about who guides you is important as a young dancer."
"Rejection is rough. But sometimes I think you just know within yourself that you have a story to tell."
"One of the most important things you can do as a dancer is to find people that you trust. Teachers you trust. Choreographers you trust. They're going to be the people who are going to shape you."
"I was good at school, but I was so bored at school. Sitting at a desk is not a thing I want to do. Being at a computer is not a thing I want to do. Being in the theater was something I actually wanted to be a part of."
"Rejection is not a rejection of you as not being a good artist. It's a rejection, in that you were not the right person at that moment. And that doesn't mean you won't be the right person in the future."
 
Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:
2:58: Kristin explains why and how the dance company she’s with — Paul Taylor Dance Company — doesn’t have rankings within the company.
4:51: Kristin walks through her journey of choosing Paul Taylor Dance Company, which involved fair amounts of rejection and perseverance.
7:41: Draucker shares some rich perspective on handling rejection in dance.
10:54: Draucker shares some practical tips for dancers on dealing with the physical toll of touring.
14:11: Kristin discusses her original choreography work and why she’s decided to put that work temporarily on hold.
18:29: Kristin walks through her dance journey and highlights inflection points where she knew dance was going to be her life’s chosen path.
24:33: Draucker explains how she overcame her many obstacles on her journey to professional dance.
31:10: Kristin discusses her joy at being able to perform live again, post-pandemic.
34:07: In closing, Kristin shares two pieces of advice for any dancers looking to broaden their skillset.
 
Bullet List of Resources – 
Kristin Draucker
Instagram LinkedIn

Paul Taylor Dance Company
Company Website YouTube Facebook Instagram