by Aleksandra Efimova
This podcast inspires and empowers people on the move.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/24/2019
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April 12, 2024
<p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Moving Quotes:</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p dir="ltr">"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.”</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">9:42: Laurent discusses the historical connection between Paris and New York in the development of modern and contemporary dance.</p> <p dir="ltr">14:50: Serge shares his vision for the Dance Reflections program, focusing on the values of creation, transmission, and education.</p> <p dir="ltr">22:27: Laurent reflects on how Van Cleef & Arpels stays relevant by combining heritage and creativity in their jewelry designs.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">35:38: Serge outlines his vision for the future of the Dance Reflections program, including supporting dance schools, training, and workshops for amateurs.</p> <p dir="ltr">39:04: Laurent offers advice for those pursuing their dreams in the arts, emphasizing the need to combine creativity and pragmatism.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Bullet List of Resources – </p> <p dir="ltr">Serge Laurent</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.instagram.com/serge.laurent/">Instagram</a></p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">Van Cleef & Arpels</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/en/home.html">Company Website</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.instagram.com/vancleefarpels/">Instagram</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.dancereflections-vancleefarpels.com/en/mission">Dance Reflections Website</a></p> </li> </ul> <p> </p>
October 10, 2023
<p dir="ltr">This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Steven Melendez, Artistic Director at the <a href= "https://nytb.org/">New York Theatre Ballet</a>. 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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Moving Quotes:</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p dir="ltr">"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."</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:</p> <p dir="ltr">2:20: Steven speaks to his responsibility as an artistic director in helping define the role of dance in future society.</p> <p dir="ltr">6:23: Steven discusses the importance of diversity in the arts and how making the arts more accessible for all people is critical.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">24:04: Steven describes a new multi-year project, aimed at exploring the dynamics between fathers and sons.</p> <p dir="ltr">34:40: Steven walks through his dance journey and explains why he continued with dance once his own run with the LIFT program ended.</p> <p dir="ltr">43:17: Melendez discusses his dreams for the New York Theatre Ballet in the coming years.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Bullet List of Resources – </p> <p dir="ltr">Steven Melendez</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://stevenmelendez.com/">Personal Website</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.instagram.com/thestevenmelendez/">Instagram</a></p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">New York Theatre Ballet</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://nytb.org/">Company Website</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href= "https://www.instagram.com/nytheatreballet/?hl=en">Instagram</a></p> </li> </ul>
April 19, 2023
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Kevin Jenkins, Founder and Artistic Director at</span> <a href= "https://www.balletcounterpointe.org/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Ballet Counterpointe</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. Kevin’s choreography, which</span> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dance Magazine</span></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">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.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Moving Quotes:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"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."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"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."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"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."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"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."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"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."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"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."</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"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."</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">3:16: Kevin discusses his company — Ballet Counterpointe — and how he grew to love the business side of the arts.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">7:15: Kevin discusses the importance of corporate sponsorships and how they could be critical to the future of dance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">9:10: Kevin, a social media maven with six-figure Instagram followers, gives some practical advice on building a social media following.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">11:59: Jenkins describes the origins of his company’s name and gives a brief history of his company’s performances.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">15:29: Jenkins discusses the joys of working alongside his spouse, who is also a part of Ballet Counterpointe.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">18:34: Kevin walks through his dance career, including his late start to the stage and his early affections for choreography.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">24:37: Kevin advises aspiring choreographers to follow their passion, even if they don’t achieve much “success” as the world defines it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">29:31: Kevin offers some predictions on the future of the dance industry and how companies will need to adapt. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">31:58: Jenkins discusses his aspirations for his own company in the next 3 to 5 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">33:55: Kevin ends the discussion by encouraging listeners to chase their passions.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Bullet List of Resources –</strong><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Kevin Jenkins</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://www.instagram.com/kevin_jenkins_choreographer"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Instagram</span></a></li> </ul> <p><strong>Ballet Counterpointe</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://www.balletcounterpointe.org/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Company Website</span></a></li> </ul> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href= "https://www.instagram.com/balletcounterpointe/"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Instagram</span></a></li> </ul> <p> </p>
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