Dancing for More than the Self

An Interview with Sacred Dancer Stella Matsuda BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT I recently found myself at a singing retreat with my aunt, and one of the participants was Stella Matsuda, a dancer who runs a sacred dance company. Since, in the handful of times I have attended religious services I have […]

March 20, 2014  |  Read Article

Positive Life-Affirming Exercise

An Interview with Ryan Heffington BY EMMALY WIEDERHOLT “No More Words” belts from the stereo. Los Angeles-based dance artist Ryan Heffington hollers encouragement to the forty-ish sweaty people in the room. “Woo! One two three WORK,” he shouts. “Head circle, walk around, strike a pose.” This is Sweaty Sundays, a […]

February 17, 2014  |  Read Article

Looking forward, looking back: A recap of the SF Older Dancer Interviews

By Emmaly Wiederholt; Photographs by Gregory Bartning Over the past two months, I have posted the interviews of ten dancers over 50 from around the Bay Area who I was fortunate enough to talk to and have photographed in collaboration with Gregory Bartning. From here our goal is to expand […]

December 2, 2013  |  Read Article

A Way of Life: An Interview with Anna Halprin

By Emmaly Wiederholt; Photographs by Gregory Bartning Anna’s Mountain Home Studio is on a terrace below her house, accessible by a steep set of wooden stairs. As I reached the top of the steps, I came upon Anna standing in the sunlight. I explained I had come to interview her, […]

November 25, 2013  |  Read Article

Stitching a Complex Tapestry: An Interview with Nina Haft

By Emmaly Wiederholt; Photographs by Gregory Bartning Nina suggested we meet in Mountain View Cemetery, a beautiful spot between Oakland and Piedmont that sweeps over tombstones and crypts to an epic view of the San Francisco Bay from the top of the hill. Her location choice in many ways felt […]

November 21, 2013  |  Read Article