Why Dance Matters

In its podcast series, the Royal Academy of Dance asks remarkable people from the world of dance and beyond and all corners of the globe, why dance matters.

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 even surprise.

Ways to listen

Find our podcast on all the platforms listed here. Or, you can also listen by selecting an episode below.

Episode 4: Ana Maria Campos

Broadcast date: 16 March 2023

Ana Maria Campos is a Royal Academy of Dance teacher from Brazil. She has travelled widely and lived in several different countries – dance and dance teaching are wonderfully portable skills. As an RAD examiner, she also visits dance schools all over the world – how does she calm the nerves of young dancers and help them give their best? And as someone who has dedicated their career to dance and helping others dance, she will know better than most why dance matters.

Find out more about Ana Maria Campos below.

Series 5

Episode 1: Tiler Peck

Broadcast date: 23 February 2023 Tiler Peck, one of the world's great ballerinas, opens the new season of Why Dance Matters. The California-born dancer is…
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Episode 2: Tim Arthur

Broadcast date: 2 March 2023 We visit the Royal Academy of Dance's global headquarters in London to meet its new chief executive – the ebullient…
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Episode 3: Raphael Ng

Broadcast date: 9 March 2023 Raphael Ng began his career in the ballet studio – only to leap effortlessly into high finance. Based in Singapore,…
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Episode 4: Ana Maria Campos

Broadcast date: 16 March 2023 Ana-Maria Campos – Brazil. Ana Maria Campos is a Royal Academy of Dance teacher from Brazil. She has travelled widely…
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Previous series

Series 1

May – July 2021. Interviews include Xander Parish, Cathy Marston, Phil Chan and Céline Gittens.
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Series 2

September – November 2021. Interviews include James Whiteside, Leanne Benjamin, Libby Clegg and Ralph Heimans.
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Series 3

February – April 2022. Interviews include Carlos Acosta, Joyce DiDonato, Hofesh Shechter and Harper Waters.
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Series 4

October – November 2022. Interviews include Akram Khan, Dame Monica Mason, Charlotte Edmonds, and Jay Jay Revlon.
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RAD is an independent educational charity and does not receive regular government funding. Every penny we make goes back into the work we do. You can support us by either naming a seat or making a donation.
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