Conversations on Dance | Ballet & Dance Careers

Michael Sean Breeden & Rebecca King Ferraro | Former Miami City Ballet Dancers
  • 4.9 (270)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Biweekly

Dance, ballet, and contemporary dance take center stage on Conversations on Dance, hosted by former Miami City Ballet dancers Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden. Each week, influential artists and leaders share candid stories about performance, creative work, and dance careers. With more than 500 episodes since 2016 and conversations spanning the global dance community, the award-winning podcast offers an inside look at the people shaping the art form. Conversations on Dance received the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationsondance Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 19h ago

    (516) Michael's Fall 2026 Repetiteur journey for George Balanchine, Justin Peck, and Alexei Ratmansky

    Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance. If you're not a Patreon member yet, join us over there, for a free month. Click here: https://www.patreon.com/conversationsondance/redeem/2D104 Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden share a catch-up episode. Michael recounts recent travel and staging work: time at IU and Chicago, then Nashville for the premiere of Balanchine’s Allegro, reflecting on the ballet’s joy, difficulty, and the dancers’ investment, alongside mention of Miami City Ballet performing Allegro and Ashley Knox’s retirement. He returns to Royal Winnipeg Ballet to stage Alexei Ratmansky’s The Fairy’s Kiss, describing its personal significance, Ratmansky’s brief visit, and Ratmansky’s formative history in Winnipeg, including meeting a key supporter from that era. Michael also praises Houston Thomas’s Firebird. Now in Hamburg staging Justin Peck’s Copland Dance Episodes, he discusses seeing John Neumeier’s Cinderella and Lady of the Camellias and the company’s strong theatrical acting, with Alice in Wonderland also in repertory. Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. 6d ago

    (515) Peter Boal, Pacific Northwest Ballet Artistic Director, looking back over 22 years and upcoming season highlights

    Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance. If you're not a Patreon member yet, join us over there, for a free month. Click here: https://www.patreon.com/conversationsondance/redeem/2D104 Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome Pacific Northwest Ballet artistic director Peter Boal back to Conversations on Dance to discuss PNB’s major facilities project: building a new school four miles south (finishing in March), temporarily moving all operations there, then renovating the 1993 headquarters for a year. Boal explains the growth and inclusion-driven space needs, highlights plans to feature the costume shop prominently, and reflects on 22 seasons of repertoire building by developing ongoing relationships with choreographers (Jessica Lang, Alejandro Cerrudo, Crystal Pite) rather than one-offs, balancing familiar classics with experimentation. He discusses coaching and stagers such as Karla Korbes, updates on Balanchine works including La Sonnambula, and previews the season’s programs: “Ghost Stories” (Cerrudo, Kyle Davis’ The Raven, George Balanchine's La Sonnambula), Director’s Choice (Kyle Abraham, Eva Stone, Chris Wheeldon), Swan Lake, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Ballet on Broadway (Twyla Tharp, Susan Stroman, Wheeldon). Explore PNB's season here: https://www.pnb.org/. ____________ Listen to Ballet Help Desk wherever you get your podcasts. Click here for more information. Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Oct 14

    [Excerpt] Merrill Ashley, Balanchine Ballerina - Patreon Bonus Episode

    Welcome to our bonus episode with Merrill Ashley, which is available now on our Patreon page. If you are a member of our Supporter, Ruby or Emerald tier on Patreon, you can listen to this entire episode, as part of your membership. Here on our main feed, we are sharing an excerpt of our interview with Balanchine Ballerina and Repetiteur, Merrill Ashley. If you're not a Patreon member yet, join us over there, for a free month, and enjoy this bonus episode. Click here: https://www.patreon.com/conversationsondance/redeem/2D104 Also as a Patreon member, you get early and ad-free access to other episodes, and we will be having other bonus episodes that you surely won't want to miss over there. So give it a try! Hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden interview former New York City Ballet star principal and Balanchine coach Merrill Ashley about her path from early training, to the School of American Ballet on a Ford Foundation scholarship and joining NYCB at 16. Ashley describes weak early technique, learning step names late, using Pilates to build strength, and being shaped by Balanchine’s precision, Monday classes, and belief that dancers can exceed what they think possible. She recounts first roles and challenges and Balanchine choreographing for her, especially Ballo della Regina, her later guesting in Sleeping Beauty, and her focus on coaching, archiving, and preserving Balanchine tradition through projects like Balanchine Essays and current work. Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Oct 8

    (514) Choreographer Houston Thomas, on reimagining 'Firebird' for Royal Winnipeg Ballet

    ccess upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Conversations on Dance hosts Michael Sean Breeden and Rebecca King Ferraro interview choreographer Houston Thomas. Houston recounts starting dance in Chicago inspired by Savion Glover, shifting from tap to ballet through Joffrey community classes, then training at the School of American Ballet and joining Dresden Semperoper Ballet, where he danced for 10 years. He describes growing choreographic ambitions through SAB’s workshop and Dresden’s young choreographers program. After winning the Emergence Choreographers Contest, he pursued commissions by widely sharing work, ultimately leaving Dresden as choreography opportunities grew in the U.S. In Winnipeg, he premieres a new, corporate-America reimagining of Firebird aimed at drawing audiences from streaming to live theater. Royal Winnipeg's 'Stravinsky Stories' program runs in Winnipeg October 8 - 11th, 2026. Tickets and more information available here. Listen to Ballet Help Desk wherever you get your podcasts. Click here for more information. Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Sep 30

    (513) Ashley Wheater on Joffrey Ballet at Performing Arts Houston with Alexander Ekman's Midsummer Night's Dream

    Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Conversations on Dance hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome back Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, to discuss the company’s upcoming tour to Houston (Performing Arts Houston, Oct. 23–24) with Alexander Ekman’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and preparations for the season. He explains Joffrey’s marketing approach, long-range planning and budgeting through 2029, and balancing risk with audience draws like Christopher Wheeldon’s streamlined Sleeping Beauty. Wheater details Ekman’s Swedish Midsummer concept, hay-covered stage, surreal dinner party structure, and commissioned music featuring singer Anna von Hausswolff, and reflects on 20 years building Joffrey’s artistic identity, finances, community ties, and dancer wellness support. If you are in the Houston area, don't miss the Joffrey Ballet at Performing Arts Houston. Tickets available here. Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Sep 23

    [Excerpt] Choreographer William Forsythe - Patreon Bonus Episode

    Welcome to our first Bonus episode of Conversations on Dance, which is available now on our Patreon page. If you are a member of our Ruby or Emerald tier on Patreon, you can listen to this entire episode, as part of your membership. Here on our main feed, we are sharing an excerpt of our interview with choreographer William Forsythe. If you're not a Patreon member yet, join us over there, for a free month, and enjoy this bonus episode. Click here: https://www.patreon.com/conversationsondance/redeem/2D104 Also as a Patreon member, you get early and ad-free access to other episodes, and we will be having other bonus episodes that you surely won't want to miss over there. So give it a try! Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Sep 16

    (512) Choreographer Alysa Pires on her new work for New York City Ballet

    Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Today on Conversations on Dance, hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome choreographer Alysa Pires, who's new work for New York City Ballet will be premiering October 1 as a part of NYCB's fashion gala. Alysa who shares how she gravitated to dance as a child, discovered contemporary dance in high school, and began choreographing early. She discusses mentorship at Toronto Metropolitan University and explains her creative process: coming into ballet settings highly prepared with music charts and organizational planning while developing steps collaboratively in the studio. Byers describes managing imposter syndrome, the people-focused side of choreographing, and a career turning point when the National Ballet of Canada opened its choreographic workshop to outside artists, leading to bigger opportunities. She previews her second NYCB commission, inspired by motherhood, protection, and sacrifice. Tickets and more information: https://www.nycballet.com/season-and-tickets/fall-2026/fall-fashion-gala 00:00 Support on Patreon 00:40 Meet the Hosts 01:29 Early Dance Roots 03:14 Finding Contemporary Path 06:34 Choreography Takes Hold 09:28 Mentors and Ballet Return 11:46 Prepping a New Work 14:25 Music Charts and Logistics 18:57 Discovery in the Studio 20:55 Leading the Room 24:37 Breakthrough Commissions 28:53 City Ballet Nerves 30:10 Family Sacrifice Balance 31:48 Who Gets Choreography 36:06 Second Commission Process 37:49 Casting For Collaboration 43:59 NYCB commission Inspiration 48:19 Fashion And Motherhood 53:51 Title And Bird Imagery 55:49 Premiere Dates And Runs 56:57 Thanks And Credits Interested in signing up? Enjoy one month access to our Patreon for free: CLICK HERE. Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Sep 9

    (511) James Whiteside announces retirement from American Ballet Theatre and tells us what's next

    Access upcoming BONUS episodes plus listen ad-free when you join our Patreon page. Membership starts as low as $3 a month and every dollar helps support the future of the podcast. Thank you for your support. https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Hosts Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden welcome American Ballet Theatre principal dancer James Whiteside, who announces he will retire from the ABT stage on June 30, 2027, dancing Giselle with Isabella Boylston at the Metropolitan Opera House. Whiteside explains the decision felt simple after 25 professional years, post-COVID recovery and a knee injury, and seeing peers retire, while emphasizing he values new colleagues and feels his body is ready. He reflects on industry changes, his growth as a dancer, and his early social media trailblazing that supported queerness in ballet and created income beyond the company, though he’s largely stepping away from being an influencer. He discusses future plans in choreography and writing, including a new Indiana University work inspired by George Platt Lynes and Debussy titled Stone Blossom, upcoming premieres, a restaging of City of Women, and his ABT fall performances including Ballet Imperial, Petal, and Petite Mort, plus final California Nutcracker shows. Conversations on Dance was the recipient of the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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4.9
out of 5
270 Ratings

About

Dance, ballet, and contemporary dance take center stage on Conversations on Dance, hosted by former Miami City Ballet dancers Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden. Each week, influential artists and leaders share candid stories about performance, creative work, and dance careers. With more than 500 episodes since 2016 and conversations spanning the global dance community, the award-winning podcast offers an inside look at the people shaping the art form. Conversations on Dance received the 2024 Clive Barnes Award for Journalism and Media Achievement. Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. Access bonus episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance Website: conversationsondancepod.com Join our email list: https://conversations-on-dance.kit.com/7f73880f5b YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@conversationsondance Instagram: instagram.com/conversationsondance Facebook: facebook.com/conversationsondance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Sean Breeden & Rebecca King Ferraro | Former Miami City Ballet Dancers
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    496
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Michael Sean Breeden & Rebecca King Ferraro
  • Show Website
    Conversations on Dance | Ballet & Dance Careers

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