The Background Dancer

The Background Dancer

Jason Yap

Episodes 88
Avg. Duration 48m
Activity Dormant
Since Feb 2021
Latest Episode Nov 2025

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
100%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

The Background Dancer sheds light on critical aspects underpinning the dance and performing arts industry through topics ranging from management, entrepreneurship, education, technology, fashion, choreography, politics, interdisciplinarity, media and wellness. Host Jason Yap details fascinating and useful information to help deepen your knowledge of all things offstage, while exploring and preparing together for a post-performance career. Listen in for a bi-weekly conversation with dance lovers from across Asia, Europe and the US, sharing experiences and practices that are both intimate and insightful. Jason is a dance artist, multidisciplinary producer and psychology graduate himself. Despite not pursuing it vocationally, he has still adopted many of psychology's approaches throughout his professional life - the concept of multiplicity and the performing arts as a 'whole that is bigger than the sum of its parts' ecosystem. Ready to talk all things dance? Join us as we begin to foreground Dance in the Background!

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Recent Episodes

S3E10 Dance's Last Slalom | J-Cast

Nov 24, 2025 1h 43m

What concerns weigh heaviest on your mind as a dancer or dancemaker? How do these challenges manifest across different regions of the world? To explore these pressing questions, I’ve gathered two of…

S3E9 Performing towards Performance Arts | VestAndPage

Nov 17, 2025 1h 11m

What is the difference between contemporary dance and performance art?This fusion finds profound representation in the work of VestAndPage, the renowned artist duo comprising Verena Stenke (Germany)…

S3E8 Business with the Brainy Ballerina | Caitlin Sloan

Nov 10, 2025 1h 1m

While counseling often addresses past experiences and emotional healing, coaching takes a forward-focused approach, empowering individuals to set goals, maximize potential, and achieve personal and…

S3E7 Conversation with a Dance Counsellor | Terry Hyde

Nov 03, 2025 1h 8m

As we know, dance demands immense physical, emotional, and mental commitment, of which pressures of perfection, rejection, and competition can weigh heavily on dancers. Hence, addressing these…

S3E6 Communing Dance in Skool | Lauren Ashlee Messina

Oct 27, 2025 55m

For far too long, the word “community” has been tossed around as a trendy buzzword, often diluted by vague interpretations and overuse, particularly in the world of dance. Add “online” to the mix,…

S3E5 Podcast Killed the Radio Star | Sharmilla Ganesan

Oct 20, 2025 1h 22m

Growing up in Malaysia, where arts and culture often faced censorship issues due to political sensitivities, I had limited exposure to unfiltered cultural reporting. That changed significantly when I…

S3E4 Putting My Heels Down | Kara Tatelbaum

Oct 13, 2025 1h 8m

It takes a true dreamer to become a dancer, but grit and a bit of luck are often necessary to navigate this challenging world and bring that dream to life. Many dancers know the feeling—when…

S3E3 Contexting Education Policy & Reform | Angela Pickard

Oct 06, 2025 1h

With the boom in dance universities and academies worldwide over the past two decades, aspiring dancers today may feel spoiled for choice. Yet, identifying true gems among these institutions is…

S3E2 Anatomy of Choice | Alexandra Beller

Sep 29, 2025 1h 3m

Alexandra Beller is a choreographer, director, teacher, and writer who has worn many hats throughout her career, and was widely known as a member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company between…

S3E1 A Depth Within | Winston Reynolds

Sep 22, 2025 56m

After dedicating the past three years to exploring the world of dance through two full seasons focused on its most innovative pioneers and trailblazers, it’s time to shift gears toward a select few…

S3E12 Growing Older, Dancing Deeper | Sharon Brach

Sep 14, 2025 58m Bonus

Bonuses don't end with just the one, as we have yet another fascinating character to introduce to the Background family. What does ageing actually mean in dance? To tackle an issue haven't discussed…

S3E11 Choreographing Your Dance Career | Janaea Rose Lyn

Sep 07, 2025 56m Bonus

Before diving into yet another fascinating season of dance changemakers, we first have some bonus episodes to wet your appetite! Season 3 is primarily about multi-faceted artists who wear many hats…

S2E22 Finale: Season 2 Review Part 2

Feb 09, 2025 24m

We have come full circle yet again and successfully completed another full season of the most niche dance content you can find! Part 2 of the season round-up provides a quick run-through episodes 11…

S2E21 Finale: Season 2 Review Part I

Feb 02, 2025 23m

We have come full circle yet again and successfully completed another full season of the most niche dance content you can find! Part 1 of the season round-up provides a quick run-through episodes 1…

S2E20 Dance of International Relations | Urmimala Sarkar Munsi

Jan 19, 2025 56m

Established as an independent, non-profit organization, WDA-AP originated as the Asia Pacific Dance Alliance in Hong Kong in 1988. It later became part of the global body, World Dance Alliance (WDA),…

S2E19 Access to AXIS | Nadia Adame

Jan 05, 2025 1h 4m

Founded in 1987, California-based AXIS Dance Company has long been at the forefront of redefining dance and disability. Through world-class productions that challenge perceptions, AXIS quickly…

S2E18 Palette of the Modern Impresario | Paul Seaquist

Dec 22, 2024 1h 1m

One of the most persistent misconceptions surrounding classical ballet is the notion that they are too old-fashioned and rigid. However, true arts enthusiasts recognize its inherent diversity and…

S2E17 Talking Circus with CircusTalk | Stacy Clark

Dec 08, 2024 59m

The memory of my first-ever invert on a pole — when I hung upside down—remains vivid as if it happened yesterday. That experience with the circus arts community in Malaysia opened my eyes to a vast…

S2E16 Accelerating the Dance Creative | Carole Edrich

Nov 24, 2024 48m

Positioned as a pre-seed collaborative social enterprise, DanceGRiST was established with the noble objective of elevating the income and status of dancers, multi-skilled artists, and other…

S2E15 Inside Industry Auditions | Danny Hindmarsh

Nov 10, 2024 59m

Shifting from performer to entrepreneur requires not just passion but also a high tolerance for risk and uncertainty. Without a strong appetite for the unpredictable journey ahead, many dancers shy…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Background Dancer have?

The Background Dancer has published 88 episodes since February 2021, covering topics in Arts, Business.

Is The Background Dancer still active?

The Background Dancer is currently dormant with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 48m.

How do I contact The Background Dancer for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Background Dancer, including email and social media links.

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