23 February 2023 13:02

Series 5 of the RAD’s ‘Why Dance Matters’ podcast starts with an interview with Tiler Peck

Today the RAD launches series 5 of its podcast, 'Why Dance Matters'. This series features pioneering voices from across the dance and theatre spheres, with a fantastic line-up of stars and changemakers creating waves across the world.

Photo: The Riker Brothers.

The series begins with New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck ahead of the European debut of her highly anticipated work Turn It Out with Tiler Peck & Friends. The second episode sees Tim Arthur get behind the mic to chat about his story and first year as Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Dance.

We then hear from dance changemakers in the Global South: the Singapore-based Raphael Ng whose career began in the dance studio and jetéd to the world of finance, and Brazilian RAD Teacher Ana Maria Campos who speaks to us from this year’s Prix de Lausanne. Francesca Harper, Artistic Director of the dynamic Ailey II, the second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, is also a guest.

In the final episode, we venture outside the world of dance to hear from Giles Terera MBE, the British actor who’s won numerous accolades including the 2018 Olivier Award for Best Actor in the musical, Hamilton.

Speaking on the launch of Series 5, podcast host and journalist David Jays says: ‘We are very excited to launch the fifth season of Why Dance Matters with remarkable people from Brazil, the USA and Singapore, and to hear how dance has shaped their journey. Tiler Peck, one of the world’s great ballerinas, opens the season. Later we’ll hear how RAD ballet can lead to a career in high finance and how the award-winning actor Giles Terera reframes his body for Shakespeare or musicals. We also meet a publisher, a theatre director, a consumer finance champion, a sometime burlesque performer and the RAD’s new CEO – and they’re all the same person! Do join us for the new season.”

'Why Dance Matters' is available on all major streaming platforms. Visit our podcast page to find out more.