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Artwork for Why Dance Matters

Why Dance Matters

Royal Academy of Dance
Dance
Ballet
Royal Academy Of Dance
Our Mighty Groove
Community Engagement
Performing Arts
Uchenna
Performance Art
Sadler's Wells
Evita
Choreography
Dance As Expression
Kathak
London
Olympic Games
Royal Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Competition Experience
Ballet Competitions
Pia Sutaria

Why Dance Matters is a series of conversations with extraordinary people from the world of dance and beyond. It traces the impact of dance on their lives and asks why dance matters to them – and why it might matter to us all. The RAD inspires the world to dance, and we hope these insightful personal conversations – hosted by David Jays, editor of Dance Gazette, the RAD magazine – will delight and ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes89Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsPerforming Arts

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Artwork for Why Dance Matters

Latest Episodes

We meet Elizabeth Honer – the RAD’s first female chief executive in its 106 year history – marking her first year in post. Elizabeth’s career in public service has included leadership roles in the UK’s Treasury and Foreign Office. But ballet has long... more

Our first guest of 2026 is the choreographer of the Wicked movies: the defying gravity force field that is Christopher Scott. In two phenomenal films, based on the hit stage musical, Christopher brings the land of Oz to stomping, whirling life – con... more

Jamiel Devernay-Laurence has a dance brain, but also a business brain. Founder, artistic director and enthusiastic compere of the ever-growing series of Ballet Nights events, he has also created the production house Fundamentally Dance. Having danced... more

Here’s an unusual compliment: “Evie has amazing eyes that can emote both compassion and complete psychotic behaviour.” This is a director describing Evie Templeton, who at 16 stars in the hit Netflix series Wednesday. Evie brings her compassionate/ps... more

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Honer
Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Dance and passionate advocate for dance education.
Royal Academy of Dance
Episode: Elizabeth Honer: what does leadership look like?
Jamiel Devernay-Laurence
Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Nights, a series of events showcasing dance.
Ballet Nights
Episode: Jamiel Devernay-Laurence: ballet entrepreneur
Evie Templeton
Young star of the Netflix series Wednesday
Netflix
Episode: Evie Templeton: Wednesday, ballet and Lady Gaga
Anthony Roth Costanzo
Star countertenor and General Director of Opera Philadelphia
Opera Philadelphia
Episode: Anthony Roth Costanzo: high notes and bold choices
Tamara Rojo
Artistic director of San Francisco Ballet, former star ballerina with the Royal Ballet and artistic director of English National Ballet
San Francisco Ballet
Episode: Tamara Rojo: the buck stops here
Maddie Jamieson
Dancer, choreographer, and master's student at the Royal Academy of Dance
Royal Academy of Dance
Episode: Maddie Jamieson: but I’m a cheerleader!
Lewis Walker
Former world champion gymnast and now a dancer and choreographer
Episode: Lewis Walker: movement beyond the medals
Kim Brandstrup
Danish-born, British-based leading choreographer known for innovative dance works.
Episode: Kim Brandstrup: breaking boundaries
Shelley Yacopetti
National Director of RAD Australia and experienced performer and educator
Royal Academy of Dance Australia
Episode: Shelley Yacopetti: celebrating 90 years of RAD Australia

Host

David Jays
Host of insightful conversations about the impact of dance, and editor of Dance Gazette, the RAD magazine.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 42 ratings
  • Highly educational and comforting!

    I absolutely love this podcast. I am a ballet teacher and choreographer and this podcast is such a blessing! David’s voice is so calm and soothing and each guest has been lovely to listen to. I have learned a lot and it has inspired me in my creative endeavors. Here’s to many more seasons!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bunnyxoxoxo
    United States3 years ago
  • Totally engaging and inspiring

    I’ve listened to several interviews with Xander Parish, but somehow David Jays seemed to bring out something new for me. I can’t wait for the next episodes. I felt a message of: do your best, never give up and above all enjoy and have fun. We all need to be reminded of this; dancers and people who think they can’t dance - because we all can. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ME4521
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

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Listeners appreciate the calm and inspiring tone of the host, finding the conversations not only educational but also comforting and relevant to their interests in dance. Many feel a personal connection to the guests and their stories, which motivates them in their dance journeys. The podcast is recognized for highlighting the emotional and social relevance of dance in various personal and professional aspects.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Elizabeth Honer: what does leadership look like?
Q: Tell me about being a female leader.
Being the first female CEO is a milestone, but my focus is to be a good leader regardless of gender.
Elizabeth Honer: what does leadership look like?
Q: What does leadership mean then?
Leadership involves listening and galvanizing a clear vision for the future, focusing on excellence and inclusion.
Christopher Scott: making Wicked dance
Q: Why does dance matter to you?
Dance connects me to people globally, allows us to share stories, and acts as a medium for healing and expression.
Christopher Scott: making Wicked dance
Q: How do you work with individual performers like Cynthia Erivo or Ariana Grande?
You build trust by establishing a relationship where they give you permission to push them to perform at their best.
Christopher Scott: making Wicked dance
Q: How do you begin then creating that movement world or movement worlds really?
It starts with the script and songs, drawing inspiration from the culture of Oz and the diverse dance styles that fit the narrative.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Why Dance Matters

What is Why Dance Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series presents engaging conversations with influential figures in the dance community and beyond, exploring personal stories about how dance has shaped their lives. Guests include dancers, choreographers, and artists discussing their journeys, challenges, and the transformative power of dance. The discussions often highlight themes of artistry, emotional expression, and community, making it a reflective space for both seasoned dancers and newcomers interested in the art form. The unique approach of combining personal anecdotes with broader societal insights likely resonates well with individuals who value the arts and seek inspiration from various dance disciplines.

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How many listeners does Why Dance Matters get?

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What are the audience demographics for Why Dance Matters?

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Which podcasts are similar to Why Dance Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Why Dance Matters:

1. Dig It with Jo Whiley and Zoe Ball
2. Voices of British Ballet
3. THE HARD CORPS PODCAST
4. The Stage Rightside with James Whiteside
5. Gukild & Johaug

How many episodes of Why Dance Matters are there?

Why Dance Matters launched 5 years ago and published 89 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Why Dance Matters?

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What guests have appeared on Why Dance Matters?

Recent guests on Why Dance Matters include:

1. Elizabeth Honer
2. Jamiel Devernay-Laurence
3. Evie Templeton
4. Anthony Roth Costanzo
5. Tamara Rojo
6. Maddie Jamieson
7. Lewis Walker
8. Kim Brandstrup

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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