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The Dance Centre Podcast

The Dance Centre

Welcome to The Dance Centre Podcast, a monthly podcast from The Dance Centre.

Join our host Claire French as she talks to artists, choreographers and other members of the dance world here on the West Coast to find out more about their work as creative practitioners and what it means to be a dance professional today.

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  • 20 episodes
  • monthly
  • Avg 53 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • S6 · E57
    September 9 · 50 min

    Tasha Faye Evans: Episode 57

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes back dance artist and choreographer Tasha Faye Evans. Tasha talks about her upcoming performance of Cedar Woman at The Dance Centre and the journey she has taken with this piece over the last few years. She also shares the plans for the accompany exhibit that will take place in the Dance Centre lobby. Tasha and Claire discuss Tasha's work in her community, her connection to nature and her roots, what belonging means to her and her other work in dance including her role as facilitator in 12 Minutes Max. Plus Tasha gives an update on her House Post project: In the Presence of Ancestors, that can be seen in Port Moody. Show Notes: See Cedar Woman Oct 1-3 at The Dance Centre: thedancecentre.ca/event/tasha-faye-evans-2026 Tasha' Website: tashafayeevans.com Listen to Tasha's first podcast episode: thedancecentrepodcast.podbean.com/e/tasha-faye-evans-episode-39

  • S5 · E56
    August 12 · 49 min

    Mirna Zagar Part Two: Episode 56

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes back Executive Director of The Dance Centre, Mirna Zagar, for part two of their conversation. Mirna and Claire get into the details of running a building for dance, supporting dance artists and the dance scene in Vancouver. Mirna also shares how she envisions Vancouver as part of a global dance movement and the changing world of dance in the city. Plus: The Dance Centre programs and programming and how it has evolved, and the realities of dance funding and the resources required to run a resource centre for dance. Show Notes: -View Mirna's full bio: thedancecentre.ca/staff-and-board/mirna-zagar -Listen to Part One of the conversation: thedancecentrepodcast.podbean.com/e/mirna-zagar-part-one-episode-55/

  • S5 · E55
    July 8 · 1 hr 17 min

    Mirna Zagar - Part One: Episode 55

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes Executive Director of The Dance Centre, Mirna Zagar, for the first of two conversations this summer. Part One features discussions of Mirna's past including her life in dance, starting out as an artist, journeying into Artistic Director of the Zagreb Dance Company, plus the creation of the Zagreb Dance Festival. This episode culminates with Mirna's move to Canada, her start with The Dance Centre and becoming Executive Director. Part Two of this conversation releases in August, stay tuned! View Mirna's full bio: thedancecentre.ca/staff-and-board/mirna-zagar

  • S5 · E54
    June 10 · 53 min

    Harmanie Rose: Episode 54

    This month on The Dance Centre Podcast Claire welcomes back dance artist, facilitator, and choreographer Harmanie Rose. Together they talk about how Harmaine came into dance and how she adapts her dance to the changes in her body. They also discuss the work Harmanie is doing in disability-led arts and movement, the preconceptions found in dance and her work to foster inclusive art practices and accessible spaces. Harmanie also chats about her residency this season with The Dance Centre and her upcoming studio showing to showcase her new work in progress in collaboration with access artists Kelsie Acton and Colin van Uchelen. Show Notes: -Website: harmanierose.com Instagram: @harmanierose Studio Showing, July 2, 2026: thedancecentre.ca/event/harmanie-rose Listen to Harmaine and Naomi Brand talk to Claire in March 2022: thedancecentrepodcast.podbean.com/e/all-bodies-dance-project

  • S5 · E53
    May 13 · 53 min

    Ralph Escamillan: Episode 53

    This month on The Dance Centre Podcast Claire welcomes back dance artist and choreographer Ralph Escamillan (aka Kiki Legend OA Mother Posh Gvasalia and Canadian Mother Posh Basquiat). Together they discuss his journey in ballroom, his new work My House, how it celebrates Ballroom Culture and the structures within it. Ralph also talks about his evolution in choreography and shares his plans for the future. My House is presented in partnership with Queer Arts Festival Show Notes: See the premiere of My House: https://thedancecentre.ca/event/fakeknot-2026/ FakeKnot Learning Series: https://www.ralphescamillan.com/fakeknot/my-house Listen to Ralph's first podcast episode from April 2023: https://thedancecentrepodcast.podbean.com/e/ralph-escamillan-episode-19/

  • S5 · E52
    April 15 · 48 min

    Rachel Helten: Episode 52

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire is joined by Rachel Helten: dance artist, choreographer and Artistic Director of soma anima arts. Together they discuss Rachel's dance career, her collaborations, her journey to becoming the Artistic Director of soma anima arts and the evolution of the company. Plus Rachel talks about her creation process and her upcoming studio showing at The Dance Centre as part of her DanceLab this season. https://thedancecentre.ca/event/international-dance-day-2026/ https://www.rachelhelten.com/ https://kinesisdance.org/

  • S4 · E51
    February 11 · 48 min

    Idan Cohen: Episode 51

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes choreographer and Artistic Director of Ne. Sans Opera & Dance, Idan Cohen. Together they talk about Idan's journey through dance, opera and music including his training in dance and his move into choreography. They also discuss the overlap dance and opera in his work as well as the observation, practice and creation, that goes into the process of dance making. Plus, Idan shares details about his new work in development, Bach Dances, excerpts of which will be featured at his Discover Dance! showing on March 5 at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. Show Notes: -nesans.net -thedancecentre.ca/event/idan-cohen-ne-sans-opera-dance

  • S1 · E50
    January 14 · 1 hr 2 min

    Justine A. Chambers: Episode 50

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month, for our 50th episode, Claire welcomes back dance artist, educator and choreographer Justine A. Chambers. Together they discuss teaching, fashion, scores, working with galleries, and the origins and family ties in Justine's work, The Brutal Joy. Plus: her time as Association Artist at The Dance Centre and what's to come. -justineachambers.com -thedancecentre.ca/event/justine-a-chambers

  • S5 · E49
    Nov 12, 2025 · 43 min

    Eric Cheung: Episode 49

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes dance artist and choreographer Eric Cheung. Together they discuss his start in dance, his work and relationship with street dance, how he combines technology and movement, and his work with OURO Collective. Eric also talks about his new piece, Contra, and his journey of creation. Contra premieres November 28 and 29 at Scotiabank Dance Centre. Contra: thedancecentre.ca/event/eric-cheung Eric's Website: cheung-eric.com

  • S5 · E48
    Oct 8, 2025 · 52 min

    Sujit Vaidya: Episode 48

    Welcome back to the Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes Bharatanatyam dance artist Sujit Vaidya. Sujit and Claire discuss Sujit's dance journey, starting with discovering Bharatanatyam at a young age, his other career choices and finally finding Bharatanatyam again in Vancouver and taking his first dance class in his 30s. Sujit also shares thoughts on immersing yourself in a dance form, and his artistic choices as a queer artist of colour working in an art form rooted in tradition. Show Notes: -Discover Dance! with Sujit Vaidya: https://thedancecentre.ca/event/sujit-vaidya-discover-dance/ -Anusha Fernando on The Dance Centre Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/anusha-fernando-episode-36/id1585222079?i=1000669133460

  • S5 · E47
    Sep 10, 2025 · 54 min

    Alvin Tolentino: Episode 47

    This month on The Dance Centre Podcast, Claire welcomes back dance artist and founder of Co.ERASGA, Alvin Tolentino. In this episode, Alvin shares the motivations behind creating his company, and the journey he and the company have taken over the past 25 years. Plus a look towards the future as a dance artist, choreographer, mentor and founder. Claire and Alvin also chat about Alvin's new work, Eternal Gestures and his collaboration with three female Indigenous choreographers to bring the piece to life. Show Notes: Listen to Alvin's first podcast episode from November 2023: https://thedancecentrepodcast.podbean.com/e/alvin-tolentino-episode-26/ See Eternal Gestures at Scotiabank Dance Centre October 9-10, 2025: https://thedancecentre.ca/event/co-erasga-2025/ Learn more about Alvin and Co.ERASGA: https://www.companyerasgadance.ca/

  • S4 · E46
    Aug 13, 2025 · 50 min

    Andrea Nann Episode 46

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes Andrea Nann, contemporary dance artist, arts educator, and the founding Artistic Director of Dreamwalker Dance. Together they discuss Andrea's dance journey and career over the last 40+ years, her roots in Vancouver and in the Vancouver dance community, creating new works, community building and the inception of her company, Dreamwalker Dance. Claire and Andrea also discuss TvT Interlink, a long term artistic exchange which this year culminates in a two-day symposium, presented in partnership between The Dance Centre and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Show Notes: TvT Interlink: https://thedancecentre.ca/event/tvtlink/ Dreamwalker Dance: https://www.dreamwalkerdance.com/

  • S4 · E45
    Jul 16, 2025 · 40 min

    Re:Group Episode 45

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire takes on a double role as both host and Artist-in-Residence, and chats with Jeanette Kotowich, Simran Sachar, Virginia Duivenvoorden and Vanessa Goodman – the dance artists who make up re:group, an initiative she conceived for her residency this past season. Join them as they discuss creating and participating in dance communities, how their difference perspectives help them engage with each other and ask questions, honoring the ways in which we connect through movement and how how everything always comes back to dance. Show Notes: Dance Central Volume 40/Issue 1: re:group: https://issuu.com/thedancecentre/docs/dance_central_volume_40_issue_1/s/67327090

  • S4 · E44
    May 14, 2025 · 1 hr 9 min

    Company 605: Episode 44

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes Artistic Co-Directors of Company 605, Lisa Mariko Gelley and Josh Martin. Together they share their dance journeys, their relationship with dance, and the evolution of Company 605 from a collective to where it is today. Josh and Lisa also discuss the work they do in the Vancouver dance community, their creation process, and how their new work, Sloth Canon, came to be. Show Notes: -See Sloth Canon June 5-7 at Scotiabank Dance Centre: https://thedancecentre.ca/event/company-605-the-human-expression/ -Website: https://company605.ca/

  • S4 · E43
    Apr 9, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    Vanessa Goodman: Episode 43

    Welcome back to the Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire is joined by dance artist, choreographer and Artistic Director of Action at a Distance, Vanessa Goodman. Together they discuss Vanessa's journey with dance, how she make dance a communal experiences as well as her relationship with music and sound - and how to listen to dance. Vanessa also speaks about creating dance and sound with her collaborators, group work and creating dance for non-traditional spaces. Show Notes -International Dance Day 2025: https://thedancecentre.ca/event/international-dance-day-2025/ -Claire and Vanessa's conversation in 2020 as part of our International Dance Day Virtual Edition: https://youtu.be/Y8p5z2TJdiw

  • S4 · E42
    Mar 12, 2025 · 48 min

    Gaurav Bhatti: Episode 42

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire is joined by dance artist and choreographer Gaurav Bhatti. Together they discuss how dance chose him, his journey through dance genres, starting with Bollywood to his current work in Kathak, the relationship between Kathak and Contemporary dance and the evolution of his new piece Bulleh Shah: Seeker of Light. See Bulleh Shah: Seeker of Light - March 28-29, 2025 at Scotiabank Dance Centre: thedancecentre.ca/event/gaurav-bhatti

  • S4 · E41
    Feb 12, 2025 · 51 min

    Jessica Jone: Episode 41

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire chats with Jessica Jone, principal and artistic director of the Lorita Leung Dance Academy. Together they discuss Jessica's journey with Chinese and contemporary dance, the different chapters of her life in dance and her relationship with the Dance Centre. Jessica also shares the correlations she sees between Chinese and Contemporary dance and gives us a brief overview of Chinese dance. Show Notes -Lorita Leung Dance Academy: chinesedance.ca -Stand like a Pine with a Helium Helmet: The Influences of Qi and Chan Buddhism in both Chinese Classical Dance and Modern Dance: https://www.chinesedance.ca/en/news-media/publications/%E2%80%9Cstand-like-a-pine-with-a-helium-helmet%E2%80%9D

  • S4 · E40
    Jan 8, 2025 · 57 min

    Erika Mitsuhashi: Episode 40

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire chats with interdisciplinary artist, choreographer and performer Erika Mitsuhashi. Together they discuss Erika's journey with dance, evolving from a dance artist to making dance, exploring other disciplines and materiality, as well as her collaborations to create and produce dance Erika also shares about her current project: putting together a dance work within spiritual spaces, something she will explore more of as part of her upcoming residency in Montreal as part of the Quebec BC Residency Exchange with Circuit-Est Centre Chorégraphique. ttps://www.erikamitsuhashi.com/

  • S4 · E39
    Dec 11, 2024 · 46 min

    Tasha Faye Evans: Episode 39

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes dance artist and choreographer Tasha Faye Evans. Together they speak about community engagement, her house posts project In The Presence of Ancestors, and the evolution of her piece Cedar Woman. Show Notes: Website: tashafayeevans.com Coast Salish Design Elements: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kc3K-MyH3xg

  • S4 · E38
    Nov 13, 2024 · 52 min

    Anya Saugstad: Episode 38

    Welcome back to The Dance Centre Podcast. This month Claire welcomes Anya Saugstad, dancer, choreographer and recipient of the 2023 Iris Garland Emerging Choreographer Award. Together they discuss Anya's dance and choreography journey, how she is inspired by nature and uses it in her work, and why she enjoys working with a team. Claire and Anya also talk about her piece, Paper Mountains and it's journey leading up to it's world premiere on November 23 at Scotiabank Dance Centre as part of Dance In Vancouver 2024. https://thedancecentre.ca/event/anya-saugstad/ https://www.anyasaugstad.com/

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