Dominique Dempsey: Dismantling White Supremacy within Dance Communities.

Dominique Dempsey: Dismantling White Supremacy within Dance Communities.

by | Feb 22, 2021 | Podcast

“The pursuit of being anti-racist is a living state of being.”

In this episode we speak with Dominque Dempsey. We discuss dance as a means of cross-cultural communications, embodied knowledge, and a soft-power. We also speak about ways to create a level playing field in dance classrooms, the importance of understanding the history of dance forms, and not placing an emphasis on any one style being the foundation of all dance.

About Dominque: Dominique also known as the dancing diplomat is a student- researcher, choreographer, innovator and collaborator. She is currently a senior at American University Double majoring in international relations and dance. She is extremely passionate about foreign policy, international arts advocacy and dance accessibility. Dominique founded AU’s chapter of movement exchange which strives to offer accessible dance classes to youth in the local DMV community and to those abroad.

Follow Dominque on Instagram: @ddomodd

Support our podcast: https://www.patreon.com/movementtowardchange

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Instagram: @movementtowardchange 

Gianni Di Marco: Teaching adaptive dance and creating opportunities to diversify the ballet community.

Gianni Di Marco: Teaching adaptive dance and creating opportunities to diversify the ballet community.

by | Feb 2, 2021 | Podcast

“Life is about staying in the flow, regardless of how the wave comes and hits you.” 

In this episode we speak with Gianni Di Marco. We discuses his experience teaching adaptive dance to children with down syndrome and autism,  challenging and rewarding aspects when teaching the adaptive population, shifting norms within ballet, letting life lead us, finding motivation during challenging times and more. 

About Gianni: Gianni is a professor of dance at the Boston Conservatory teaching ballet technique. He founded the Adaptive Dance program with Michelina Cassella, a program for children with Down Syndrome and Autism, at Boston Ballet Center for Dance Education. He then started the Step by Step! Program for children with autism at the Berklee College of Music Institute for Arts Education and Special Needs. Gianni has danced professionally with many ballet companies, including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Festival Ballet Providence. 

If you have further questions for Gianni, you can contact him through our website.