5.6.7.EIGHT
287 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThis podcast inspires and empowers people on the move.
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Episodes
Episode 43: People First; Dance Second — Diane Rawlinson
February 11, 2020 10:30 - 39 minutes - 45.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Diane Rawlinson — a dance educator, nonprofit founder, director, yoga teacher, published author, consultant, and Interplay Leader — whose influential role in the lives of students has earned her top recognition across multiple states. Rawlinson has been investing in the lives of Wheeling High School students for going on three decades, and her investment in the arts has garnered her a slew of awards, including a Ruth Page Award. Additionally, ...
43: People First; Dance Second — Diane Rawlinson
February 11, 2020 10:30 - 39 minutes - 45.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Diane Rawlinson — a dance educator, nonprofit founder, director, yoga teacher, published author, consultant, and Interplay Leader — whose influential role in the lives of students has earned her top recognition across multiple states. Rawlinson has been investing in the lives of Wheeling High School students for going on three decades, and her investment in the arts has garnered her a slew of awards, including a Ruth Page Award. Additionally, ...
42: Dance is your Birthright — John Schmitz
February 04, 2020 10:30 - 32 minutes - 37.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with John Schmitz, Co-Founder and Artistic Producer of Dance Chicago. John — a decades-long arts icon within the Chicago arts community — has been producing dance events for 35 years, helping build bridges between artists and dance organizations both domestically and internationally. He has also been the recipient of Chicago Tribune’s “Chicagoan of the Year” award, a Ruth Page Award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Dance Community,” and several...
Episode 42: Dance is your Birthright — John Schmitz
February 04, 2020 10:30 - 32 minutes - 37.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with John Schmitz, Co-Founder and Artistic Producer of Dance Chicago. John — a decades-long arts icon within the Chicago arts community — has been producing dance events for 35 years, helping build bridges between artists and dance organizations both domestically and internationally. He has also been the recipient of Chicago Tribune’s “Chicagoan of the Year” award, a Ruth Page Award for “Outstanding Contribution to the Dance Community,” and several...
Episode 41: In Search of Artistic Freedom — Wade Schaaf
January 28, 2020 10:30 - 32 minutes - 38.1 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Wade Schaaf, Founder and Artistic Director at Chicago Repertory Ballet. Wade — a Chicago native and graduate of Northern Illinois University — is a veteran ballet dancer who has danced for a number of ballet companies such as the Ohio Ballet, Thodos Dance Chicago, and others. Upon retiring from the stage, Wade went on to establish his very own ballet company, which debuted in 2011 to glowing reviews and has since become a staple of the Chicago ...
41: In Search of Artistic Freedom — Wade Schaaf
January 28, 2020 10:30 - 32 minutes - 38.1 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Wade Schaaf, Founder and Artistic Director at Chicago Repertory Ballet. Wade — a Chicago native and graduate of Northern Illinois University — is a veteran ballet dancer who has danced for a number of ballet companies such as the Ohio Ballet, Thodos Dance Chicago, and others. Upon retiring from the stage, Wade went on to establish his very own ballet company, which debuted in 2011 to glowing reviews and has since become a staple of the Chicago ...
40: Performing for an Audience of One — Jonathan Dole
January 21, 2020 10:30 - 32 minutes - 37.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jonathan Dole, a dance prodigy, YAGP champion, and current member of The Joffrey Ballet’s main company. Growing up on the western coast of the United States, Jonathan was introduced to ballet at age 15 and immediately discovered a love for the art. Jonathan moved quickly through some of the nation’s top dance schools before joining the Joffrey Academy and, ultimately, The Joffrey Ballet. During his time with the Joffrey, Jonathan has danced in...
Episode 40: Performing for an Audience of One — Jonathan Dole
January 21, 2020 10:30 - 32 minutes - 37.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jonathan Dole, a dance prodigy, YAGP champion, and current member of The Joffrey Ballet’s main company. Growing up on the western coast of the United States, Jonathan was introduced to ballet at age 15 and immediately discovered a love for the art. Jonathan moved quickly through some of the nation’s top dance schools before joining the Joffrey Academy and, ultimately, The Joffrey Ballet. During his time with the Joffrey, Jonathan has danced in...
39: Life Beyond the Mirror — Elna Matamoros
January 14, 2020 10:30 - 30 minutes - 35.7 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Elna Matamoros, Ballet Mistress at Ballet Nacional de España. Born and raised in Madrid, Elna was trained in dance by her mother, following the Danish National Ballet School. Elna then moved to the United States to attend the Joffrey Ballet School, prior to spending a decade with Ballet Nacional de España. After a stint with Compañia Nacional de Danza, Matamoros rejoined Ballet Nacional de España in 2019. In addition to her accomplishments wit...
Episode 39: Life Beyond the Mirror — Elna Matamoros
January 14, 2020 10:30 - 30 minutes - 35.7 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Elna Matamoros, Ballet Mistress at Ballet Nacional de España. Born and raised in Madrid, Elna was trained in dance by her mother, following the Danish National Ballet School. Elna then moved to the United States to attend the Joffrey Ballet School, prior to spending a decade with Ballet Nacional de España. After a stint with Compañia Nacional de Danza, Matamoros rejoined Ballet Nacional de España in 2019. In addition to her accomplishments wit...
38: One Step at a Time — Donielle Richmond
January 07, 2020 10:30 - 33 minutes - 38.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Donielle Richmond — dancer, choreographer, teacher, and owner of Activate Your Artistry, which hosts nationwide conventions focused on empowering the next generation of dancers. Donielle — a Chicago native — has over 15 years of teaching experience, in addition to her performance resume. Donielle’s on-stage work has opened for famed musician Calving Harris and has been featured on ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover, among many other places. Donielle...
Episode 38: One Step at a Time — Donielle Richmond
January 07, 2020 10:30 - 33 minutes - 38.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Donielle Richmond — dancer, choreographer, teacher, and owner of Activate Your Artistry, which hosts nationwide conventions focused on empowering the next generation of dancers. Donielle — a Chicago native — has over 15 years of teaching experience, in addition to her performance resume. Donielle’s on-stage work has opened for famed musician Calving Harris and has been featured on ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover, among many other places. Donielle...
Episode 37: Don’t Give Up on Yourself — Chase Johnsey
December 17, 2019 10:30 - 35 minutes - 40.8 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Chase Johnsey, award-winning dancer and Artistic Director at Ballet de Barcelona, who is using his influence in the ballet world to advocate for LGBTQ+ gender issues. Johnsey has danced for some high-profile ballet companies, including a lengthy stint with the world renown Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and the English National Ballet. While at the latter, Chase was nominated by the UK’s National Dance Awards for Best Male Performance an...
37: Don’t Give Up on Yourself — Chase Johnsey
December 17, 2019 10:30 - 35 minutes - 40.8 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Chase Johnsey, award-winning dancer and Artistic Director at Ballet de Barcelona, who is using his influence in the ballet world to advocate for LGBTQ+ gender issues. Johnsey has danced for some high-profile ballet companies, including a lengthy stint with the world renown Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and the English National Ballet. While at the latter, Chase was nominated by the UK’s National Dance Awards for Best Male Performance an...
36: Listen to your Body — Antonio Carmena
December 10, 2019 10:30 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Antonio Carmena, an international dance teacher and adjunct ballet professor who, prior to teaching, spent 19 years as a professional dancer, mostly as a soloist. Born and raised in Spain, Carmena spent no time making a splash in the dance community, winning a scholarship at the Prix de Lausanne to attend the School of American Ballet. After finishing, Antonio began performing with the New York City Ballet, where he spent the majority of his 1...
Episode 36: Listen to your Body — Antonio Carmena
December 10, 2019 10:30 - 30 minutes - 35.3 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Antonio Carmena, an international dance teacher and adjunct ballet professor who, prior to teaching, spent 19 years as a professional dancer, mostly as a soloist. Born and raised in Spain, Carmena spent no time making a splash in the dance community, winning a scholarship at the Prix de Lausanne to attend the School of American Ballet. After finishing, Antonio began performing with the New York City Ballet, where he spent the majority of his 1...
35: Quick Success is Fleeting — Heather Iler
December 03, 2019 10:30 - 29 minutes - 33.9 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Heather Iler, ballet director for the internationally recognized Cary Ballet Conservatory (CBC), associate artistic director for the non-profit Cary Ballet Company and lead faculty member of CBC’s professional training program. In all of her roles, Heather brings her 20 plus years of teaching experience to the table, giving Cary Ballet an edge unlike many others. Over the past three years, Cary Ballet has earned three outstanding school awards...
Episode 35: Quick Success is Fleeting — Heather Iler
December 03, 2019 10:30 - 29 minutes - 33.9 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Heather Iler, ballet director for the internationally recognized Cary Ballet Conservatory (CBC), associate artistic director for the non-profit Cary Ballet Company and lead faculty member of CBC’s professional training program. In all of her roles, Heather brings her 20 plus years of teaching experience to the table, giving Cary Ballet an edge unlike many others. Over the past three years, Cary Ballet has earned three outstanding school awards...
34: How to Build a Dance Company — Melissa Thodos
November 26, 2019 10:30 - 35 minutes - 41.3 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Melissa Thodos, owner of Thodos Dance Chicago — a dance company who, for over a quarter of a century, has performed in over 25 states and 6 different continents. Her school not only trains dancers but also nurtures these dancers to eventually become choreographers and educators, handing down dance expertise from generation to generation. Through Thodos Dance Chicago, Melissa has collaborated with notable artists such as Ann Reinking, Yoko Ono, ...
Episode 34: How to Build a Dance Company — Melissa Thodos
November 26, 2019 10:30 - 35 minutes - 41.3 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Melissa Thodos, owner of Thodos Dance Chicago — a dance company who, for over a quarter of a century, has performed in over 25 states and 6 different continents. Her school not only trains dancers but also nurtures these dancers to eventually become choreographers and educators, handing down dance expertise from generation to generation. Through Thodos Dance Chicago, Melissa has collaborated with notable artists such as Ann Reinking, Yoko Ono, ...
33: Embrace Your Body — Candy Tong
November 19, 2019 10:30 - 28 minutes - 33.6 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Candy Tong — dancer, model, and social media influencer who is using her platform to help young dancers overcome self-doubt. Tong, a former Miss Dance of California, has gained accolades both on- and off-stage, including awards from the most esteemed dance competitions and various off-stage recognitions, such as being named one of the top ten most inspiring dancers to follow on Instagram. Candy is currently modeling for some of the world’s top...
Episode 33: Embrace Your Body — Candy Tong
November 19, 2019 10:30 - 28 minutes - 33.6 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Candy Tong — dancer, model, and social media influencer who is using her platform to help young dancers overcome self-doubt. Tong, a former Miss Dance of California, has gained accolades both on- and off-stage, including awards from the most esteemed dance competitions and various off-stage recognitions, such as being named one of the top ten most inspiring dancers to follow on Instagram. Candy is currently modeling for some of the world’s top...
32: Finding Art in Vulnerability — Derrick Agnoletti
November 12, 2019 10:30 - 32 minutes - 37.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Derrick Agnoletti, an accomplished dancer who is a veteran with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, going on his 17th season. Derrick is a “student of the game,” having studied at the San Francisco Ballet, the School of American Ballet, and various other international exchange programs. Derrick is also an accomplished athlete, having competed at a collegiate level in competitive swimming at the University of California at Irvine. By combining his...
Episode 32: Finding Art in Vulnerability — Derrick Agnoletti
November 12, 2019 10:30 - 32 minutes - 37.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Derrick Agnoletti, an accomplished dancer who is a veteran with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, going on his 17th season. Derrick is a “student of the game,” having studied at the San Francisco Ballet, the School of American Ballet, and various other international exchange programs. Derrick is also an accomplished athlete, having competed at a collegiate level in competitive swimming at the University of California at Irvine. By combining his...
Episode 31: Ballet Across the Globe — Casey Herd
November 05, 2019 10:30 - 31 minutes - 36.2 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Casey Herd, a former principal dancer and now the founder and director of a documentary film series — Ballet Rising — about the rise in popularity of classical ballet around the world. Originally from Utah, Casey danced for a number of well-known ballet companies before becoming a principal dancer for the Dutch National Ballet. His exceptional performances captured the attention of dance publications such as Dance Europe, who once ranked He...
31: Ballet Across the Globe — Casey Herd
November 05, 2019 10:30 - 31 minutes - 36.2 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Casey Herd, a former principal dancer and now the founder and director of a documentary film series — Ballet Rising — about the rise in popularity of classical ballet around the world. Originally from Utah, Casey danced for a number of well-known ballet companies before becoming a principal dancer for the Dutch National Ballet. His exceptional performances captured the attention of dance publications such as Dance Europe, who once ranked He...
Episode 30: Dance for the Next Generation — Megan Reilly
October 29, 2019 09:30 - 37 minutes - 43.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Megan Reilly, the Chief Operating Officer at Tippi Toes — a children’s dance business that has been featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and whose original music has made a splash on both Billboard and iTunes music charts. For over 20 years, Megan has found joy in introducing young children to dance through her company, and since its founding, Tippi Toes has established 30 franchises around the US, with plans to go international. Megan understands th...
30: Dance for the Next Generation — Megan Reilly
October 29, 2019 09:30 - 37 minutes - 43.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Megan Reilly, the Chief Operating Officer at Tippi Toes — a children’s dance business that has been featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and whose original music has made a splash on both Billboard and iTunes music charts. For over 20 years, Megan has found joy in introducing young children to dance through her company, and since its founding, Tippi Toes has established 30 franchises around the US, with plans to go international. Megan understands th...
Episode 29: Finding Success Through Humility — Jessica Marino
October 22, 2019 09:30 - 32 minutes - 37.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Jessica Marino, a serial dance entrepreneur who, over the past decade, has acted as a booking agent, producer, performer, project manager, community builder, and arts advocate. In 2017, Marino founded JAMpress Management, which provides support services for the performing arts industry, with a focus on dance. These services include event producing, promotion, project management, booking, tour management, consulting, and more. Though Marino’s ...
29: Finding Success Through Humility — Jessica Marino
October 22, 2019 09:30 - 32 minutes - 37.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Jessica Marino, a serial dance entrepreneur who, over the past decade, has acted as a booking agent, producer, performer, project manager, community builder, and arts advocate. In 2017, Marino founded JAMpress Management, which provides support services for the performing arts industry, with a focus on dance. These services include event producing, promotion, project management, booking, tour management, consulting, and more. Though Marino’s ...
28: How to Love your Feet — Leda Ghannad
October 15, 2019 09:30 - 34 minutes - 39.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Leda Ghannad, a primary care sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush with a special interest in treating dancers, performing artists, and adolescent athletes. Midwest Orthopaedics has been recognized as one of the top 10 national leaders in orthopedic medicine and spine care and is the official provider for the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Fire, the DePaul University Blue Demons and — last but certainly no...
Episode 28: How to Love your Feet — Leda Ghannad
October 15, 2019 09:30 - 34 minutes - 39.5 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Leda Ghannad, a primary care sports medicine physician at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush with a special interest in treating dancers, performing artists, and adolescent athletes. Midwest Orthopaedics has been recognized as one of the top 10 national leaders in orthopedic medicine and spine care and is the official provider for the Chicago Bulls, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Fire, the DePaul University Blue Demons and — last but certainly no...
Episode 27: Moving from Dancer to Coach — Nicolas Blanc
October 08, 2019 09:30 - 27 minutes - 32.2 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Nicolas Blanc, Ballet Master and Principal Coach for the Joffrey Ballet. Prior to his current role, Nicolas received formal dance education from a number of esteemed schools, including the Paris Opera House, and danced with a number of internationally recognized ballet companies, including the Nice Opera Ballet, the Zurich Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet. Blanc garnered countless awards spanning multiple continents and was even recogni...
27: Moving from Dancer to Coach — Nicolas Blanc
October 08, 2019 09:30 - 27 minutes - 32.2 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Nicolas Blanc, Ballet Master and Principal Coach for the Joffrey Ballet. Prior to his current role, Nicolas received formal dance education from a number of esteemed schools, including the Paris Opera House, and danced with a number of internationally recognized ballet companies, including the Nice Opera Ballet, the Zurich Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet. Blanc garnered countless awards spanning multiple continents and was even recogni...
Episode 26: Passion and Perseverance — Emily Hsu
October 01, 2019 09:30 - 30 minutes - 35.1 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Emily Hsu, Owner and Founder at Emily Hsu Design. Prior to being an entrepreneur, Emily was a Broadway, TV and film star, having appeared in over a dozen Broadway musicals. Hsu now runs a full activewear line — the Emily Hsu Designs collection — which is a favorite amongst the Rockettes, Broadway dancers, and top NYC fitness instructors. Her signature high-waist legging creates a sleek, smooth line and stays in place so that you can spend your ...
26: Passion and Perseverance — Emily Hsu
October 01, 2019 09:30 - 30 minutes - 35.1 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Emily Hsu, Owner and Founder at Emily Hsu Design. Prior to being an entrepreneur, Emily was a Broadway, TV and film star, having appeared in over a dozen Broadway musicals. Hsu now runs a full activewear line — the Emily Hsu Designs collection — which is a favorite amongst the Rockettes, Broadway dancers, and top NYC fitness instructors. Her signature high-waist legging creates a sleek, smooth line and stays in place so that you can spend your ...
Episode 25: Teaching Saves Lives — Mariaelena Ruiz
September 24, 2019 09:30 - 35 minutes - 41.1 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Mariaelena Ruiz, a dance prodigy, dance coach and, now, Co-Owner and Director of the Professional Training Program at Cary Ballet Conservatory. Ruiz has danced professionally since the young age of 14 with several esteemed ballet companies. Since an injury forced her to step away from dance, Mariaelena has since fallen in love with teaching, having taught 14 years at the Rock School for Dance Education and, now, teaching at her own conservatory...
25: Teaching Saves Lives — Mariaelena Ruiz
September 24, 2019 09:30 - 35 minutes - 41.1 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Mariaelena Ruiz, a dance prodigy, dance coach and, now, Co-Owner and Director of the Professional Training Program at Cary Ballet Conservatory. Ruiz has danced professionally since the young age of 14 with several esteemed ballet companies. Since an injury forced her to step away from dance, Mariaelena has since fallen in love with teaching, having taught 14 years at the Rock School for Dance Education and, now, teaching at her own conservatory...
24: You Are What You Eat — Emily Harrison
September 17, 2019 09:30 - 29 minutes - 34.3 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Emily Harrison, a registered dietitian nutritionist, public speaker, and experienced writer, who has worked alongside hundreds of dancers to encourage healthy eating and positive body image. Emily, who is an elite-level ballet dancer, has garnered both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nutrition from Georgia State University. She now resides in Atlanta, Georgia and spearheads her own private practice — Nutrition for Great Performances — whe...
Episode 24: You Are What You Eat — Emily Harrison
September 17, 2019 09:30 - 29 minutes - 34.3 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Emily Harrison, a registered dietitian nutritionist, public speaker, and experienced writer, who has worked alongside hundreds of dancers to encourage healthy eating and positive body image. Emily, who is an elite-level ballet dancer, has garnered both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nutrition from Georgia State University. She now resides in Atlanta, Georgia and spearheads her own private practice — Nutrition for Great Performances — whe...
23: Silence the Critics — Kathryn Morgan
September 10, 2019 09:30 - 45 minutes - 52.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Kathryn Morgan, an accomplished ballerina who, in spite of an autoimmune illness, has become a multimedia dance superstar — running a YouTube channel nearing 160,000 subscribers, recording her own podcast, and writing a regular column for Dance Spirit Magazine. Kathryn studied at the School of American Ballet, danced for the New York City Ballet, and is currently a soloist at the Miami City Ballet. Morgan also serves as a judge for the Yout...
Episode 23: Silence the Critics — Kathryn Morgan
September 10, 2019 09:30 - 45 minutes - 52.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra sits down with Kathryn Morgan, an accomplished ballerina who, in spite of an autoimmune illness, has become a multimedia dance superstar — running a YouTube channel nearing 160,000 subscribers, recording her own podcast, and writing a regular column for Dance Spirit Magazine. Kathryn studied at the School of American Ballet, danced for the New York City Ballet, and is currently a soloist at the Miami City Ballet. Morgan also serves as a judge for the Yout...
22: Finding Tomorrow’s Stars — Alexei Moskalenko
September 03, 2019 09:30 - 32 minutes - 37.3 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Alexei Moskalenko, Assistant Artistic Director at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Alexei, a graduate of the Moscow Bolshoi Ballet Academy and the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, came to the United States with a touring ballet company and eventually opened his own ballet school, before transitioning into his work with Youth America Grand Prix. During his incredible 20-year run with the YAGP, Alexei has served as a judge, Tour Director...
Episode 22: Finding Tomorrow’s Stars — Alexei Moskalenko
September 03, 2019 09:30 - 32 minutes - 37.3 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Alexei Moskalenko, Assistant Artistic Director at the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Alexei, a graduate of the Moscow Bolshoi Ballet Academy and the Moscow State Academy of Choreography, came to the United States with a touring ballet company and eventually opened his own ballet school, before transitioning into his work with Youth America Grand Prix. During his incredible 20-year run with the YAGP, Alexei has served as a judge, Tour Director...
Episode 21: From Montana to Mikhailovsky — Julian MacKay
August 27, 2019 09:30 - 31 minutes - 36.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Julian MacKay — a ballet dancer whose award-winning ballet skills and striking physical features have gained him worldwide notoriety in both dance and fashion circles. Julian, who is the first American to graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy with a full Russian diploma, has amassed gold medals from some of the world’s top ballet competitions and is now, at age 19, a First Soloist at The Mikhailovsky Theater. Julian has also bridged the gap...
21: From Montana to Mikhailovsky — Julian MacKay
August 27, 2019 09:30 - 31 minutes - 36.4 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Julian MacKay — a ballet dancer whose award-winning ballet skills and striking physical features have gained him worldwide notoriety in both dance and fashion circles. Julian, who is the first American to graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy with a full Russian diploma, has amassed gold medals from some of the world’s top ballet competitions and is now, at age 19, a First Soloist at The Mikhailovsky Theater. Julian has also bridged the gap...
Episode 20: Elevating through Educating — Cory-Jeanne Houck-Cox
August 20, 2019 09:30 - 33 minutes - 38.6 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Cory-Jeanne Houck-Cox, a choreographer, teacher, regional and national dance adjudicator, and retired prima ballerina. During her run as a ballerina, Cory-Jeanne gained recognition nationally and internationally, having performed for American presidents and having co-created and performed award-winning pieces for the Kennedy Center. Houck-Cox’s true passion is in educating others to love the art of dance, having served as a teaching artist or a...
20: Elevating through Educating — Cory-Jeanne Houck-Cox
August 20, 2019 09:30 - 33 minutes - 38.6 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra interviews Cory-Jeanne Houck-Cox, a choreographer, teacher, regional and national dance adjudicator, and retired prima ballerina. During her run as a ballerina, Cory-Jeanne gained recognition nationally and internationally, having performed for American presidents and having co-created and performed award-winning pieces for the Kennedy Center. Houck-Cox’s true passion is in educating others to love the art of dance, having served as a teaching artist or a...
Episode 19: Let Loose and Leave Your Heart on Stage — Skylar Campbell
August 13, 2019 09:30 - 28 minutes - 32.9 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Skylar Campbell, Principal Dancer at The National Ballet of Canada. While Campbell has spent the majority of his career at The National Ballet of Canada, his quick rise to stardom has been recognized internationally, including gaining a mention in Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch in 2015” list. Skylar has also been awarded a Bronze Medal in the Pas de Deux category at the 2009 Youth American Grand Prix and was a finalist in the 2009 prix de La...
19: Let Loose and Leave Your Heart on Stage — Skylar Campbell
August 13, 2019 09:30 - 28 minutes - 32.9 MBThis week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra chats with Skylar Campbell, Principal Dancer at The National Ballet of Canada. While Campbell has spent the majority of his career at The National Ballet of Canada, his quick rise to stardom has been recognized internationally, including gaining a mention in Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch in 2015” list. Skylar has also been awarded a Bronze Medal in the Pas de Deux category at the 2009 Youth American Grand Prix and was a finalist in the 2009 prix de La...