Last year on the podcast, Vania Claiborne, Dance Project staff member, choreographer, and educator, hosted a special conversation focused on the experience of some of the Black dance artists connected to Dance Project and the NC Dance Festival. It is such a rich conversation that we wanted to revisit it this year. Vania speaks with Amelia Renee Byrd and Jordan Booker-Medley about the experiences and mentors that have influenced who they are as artists, what it was like to see themselves reflected on the stage for the first time, how they navigate expectations our culture puts on the artistic work of Black choreographers, and what they are looking forward to exploring creatively.

Since this episode was originally released, Jordan has started a new job as Company Manager fellow for Wicked on Broadway. Amelia completed her Artist Residency with Dance Project in December 2021, and you can see and discuss the work she created for the residency in the NC Dance Festival’s next Virtual Dance Discovery Club on March 10.

Links:

Upcoming Virtual Dance Discovery Club: March 10, 6:30-8pm, FREE. Info and register: danceproject.org/ncdf

Connect with these artists on IG:

Vania Claiborne

Amelia Byrd

Jordan Booker-Medley

Info about NCDF call for submissions: https://danceproject.org/ncdf-apply/

To make a gift to the Festival Fund, please visit danceproject.org/give

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IG: @danceprojectinc

FB: NC Dance Festival