MSP 179: Durham

The Durham Dance & Arts Community with Anna Barker, Jessi Knight, Kristin Taylor Duncan, and Stacy Wolfson

Durham, North Carolina, is a mid-sized city known for its vibrant mix of innovation, collaboration, and creativity. Frequently ranked as one of the best places to live in the US, it boasts a thriving arts, culture, and culinary scene. With a strong sense of community, Durham takes pride in its commitment to inclusivity and diversity. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on four inspiring Durham-based dance artists: Anna Barker, Jessi Knight, Kristin Taylor Duncan, and Stacy Wolfson. Resourceful and deeply passionate, these dancers not only support one another but also fully embrace the creative freedom they've found in Durham, along with its unique joys and challenges. Our conversation explores the journeys that brought each artist to Durham and how the city has influenced their work. They share insights into its geography and connections to the Triangle and Triad regions, discussing how these factors shape their artistic processes. The discussion also tackles the challenges of building a dance community and reflects on its role within the local arts landscape. Looking ahead, the artists articulate their visions for the future of their community, the changes they hope to see, and what makes their dance lives in this city so deeply meaningful. Don’t miss this heartfelt and inspiring exploration of creativity, connection, and community. Tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

·       An introduction to today’s topic and each of our special guests.

·       What drew these artists to Durham and how it has influenced their artistic journeys.

·       Insight into the geography of Durham; the Triangle and Triad.

·       How dance artists navigate the various challenges of making work in Durham.

·       Where in the community artists can come together in Durham or its surroundings.

·       Reflections on where dance fits into Durham's art landscape and why.

·       A breakdown of the different changes or developments they’d like to see in the dance community and how they envision their contributions to it. 

·       What is special to Kristin, Jessi, Anna, and Stacy about their dance life in Durham. 

Podcast Guests:

Anna Barker is a choreographer, mover and Pilates instructor based in Durham NC.

Jessi Knight is a dancer, teacher, and choreographer from NC who has evolved and reinvented herself many times over the years through grace and art making and with her tribe.

Kristin Taylor Duncan is a dancer, choreographer and dance educator from Durham, North Carolina, producing dance works for film, stage and alternative space.

Stacy Wolfson (Artistic Director of The Bipeds Dance Theatre) is a choreographer, dancer, singer, mama of teenagers, wife, and Pilates studio owner (Bull City Pilates and Massage).

For more on this episode and artists: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast

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