Articles from the ‘Interviews’ collection

Two dancers onstage in white with blue accents lift one arm and hold a white kerchief in the other arm. Three dancers mirror them in the background.

Umfundalai: A Contemporary African Dance Technique

Dr. C. Kemal Nance, Senior Master Teacher of Umfundalai and Assistant Professor in the Departments of Dance and African American Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, describes the value of Umfundalai, a contemporary African dance technique derived from traditions throughout the African diaspora.

December 1, 2025  |  Read Article

Esme is in a dance studio giving her toddler son a piggy back ride.

Putting Parenting Onstage

Esmé Boyce, a dance artist in New York City, describes weaving her toddler son into her artistic practice in her 2023 piece, "The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1," demonstrating that choreography can be malleable, compassionate, and supportive.

October 27, 2025  |  Read Article

A dancer strikes a dramatic pose with arms raised on a dimly lit stage, wearing a vibrant costume of black, red, and beige, surrounded by flowing fabric that enhances the sense of motion and cultural expression.

Choreographing Chicana Stories for 30 Years

CatherineMarie Davalos, director of Davalos Dance Company in the Bay Area, celebrates her 30th anniversary by looking back on 30 years of making dances about the Chicana experience and how the dance landscape has changed over that time.

September 29, 2025  |  Read Article

Five performers, including two children in matching silver vests and an individual using a wheelchair, pose together on stage in front of a brightly lit crown backdrop.

Dance Beyond Therapy

Jasmine Mathew, the founder of Jasmine’s Beat in Frisco, Texas, shares how she works to provide adaptive dance classes for people of all abilities and ages.

September 15, 2025  |  Read Article

The Beauty of Difference

New York City based choreographer Tamar Rogoff discusses her dance history, her Body Scripting practice, and her upcoming performance "Drop Dead...Gorgeous," which explores body image and societal beauty standards.

September 8, 2025  |  Read Article