A State of Dance

David Choate: A Revolution Comes Full Circle

This month's guest is David A. Choate, Jr., Founder  and Producing Artistic Director of Revolution Dance Theatre. David is an African American public speaker, dancer/choreographer, lighting designer, writer, director and theatrical producer. In his current role, he has written, choreographed and produced several original performances including the region's only African American Nutcracker experience, "Hot Chocolate". He has participated in several tours, had his work displayed on nationally syndicated television and is proud to be responsible for Emmy nominated choreography. An alumnus of Cincinnati's School of Creative and Performing Arts, Mr. Choate later attended Union Institute and University, where he majored in Business Administration. Most recently, he graduated from the Executive Business Accelerator, of the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Choate considers himself passionate about two things, the arts and people, using a passion for one to fuel the other. The mission of his work remains to advance equity, tell marginalized stories and uplift African American culture and experiences. OhioDance: A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of  each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  44 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

Rhythm Revival: Lynn Dally's Journey to the Global Stage

This month's guest is Lynn Dally. Lynn is a pioneering tap dancer, choreographer, and educator whose artistry helped define the modern tap renaissance. A co-founder of the groundbreaking Jazz Tap Ensemble in 1979, Dally fused the improvisational spirit of jazz with the rhythmic precision of tap, bringing the form to concert stages around the world and re-establishing tap as a serious contemporary art. In 2001, Dally became the first tap dancer ever awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in Choreography, affirming her trailblazing role in expanding the boundaries of rhythm dance. Her choreography celebrates musical collaboration, syncopation, and the voices of women in tap—work that includes the acclaimed documentary Gotta Move: Women in Tap and the nation’s first conference dedicated to female tap artists. Through her performances, teaching, and global outreach, Lynn Dally has preserved tap’s lineage while propelling it forward. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of dancers who see in her career a bridge between tap’s vernacular roots and its vibrant, evolving future. OhioDance: A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  44 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

Deep Roots, Strong Branches: Raising Community with Suzan Bradford Kounta

This month's guest is Suzan Bradford Kounta. Suzan is a dancer, choreographer, educator, and cultural leader dedicated to the preservation and celebration of West African traditions. She is the first African American woman to serve as Executive Director of Columbus’s historic Lincoln Theatre, where since 2009 she has guided its vision and operations while championing its role as a cultural anchor for the community. As co-founder and Artistic Director of the Thiossane West African Dance Institute—now celebrating 25 years—Suzan has built a nationally respected company and educational program devoted to passing on the dance, music, and cultural heritage of West Africa to future generations. Her work emphasizes not only cultural preservation but also physical and mental wellness, youth empowerment, and community building. Suzan’s artistic and academic contributions extend into higher education and public life. She has served nearly a decade as adjunct faculty in The Ohio State University’s Department of Dance, previously taught at Antioch College, and is regularly invited to share her expertise at universities, conferences, and community gatherings across the country. Her dedication to the Central Ohio arts community spans more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership, arts advocacy, and intergenerational mentorship. Having studied extensively in Senegal, Suzan continues to travel biannually to deepen her knowledge of traditional West African dance and culture. She has taught and choreographed for countless schools, community centers, treatment programs, and professional stages, fostering spaces where the arts are a constant source of resilience and connection. Forward-thinking and committed to collective action, Suzan embodies the belief that “as the world turns, the arts remain the constant variable for humanity.” OhioDance  A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  42 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

From Havana to the Heights: Dancing in Community with Cervilio Miguel Amador

This month's guest is Cervilio Miguel Amador. Cervi  is a multifaceted artist, entrepreneur, and transformative figure in  the dance world. He received his education and training at the  Vocational Ballet School in Camagüey, Cuba, and the National Ballet  School of Cuba. Cervi began his professional career with the National  Ballet of Cuba, starting as a Corps de Ballet dancer and later advancing  to the role of Corifeo (demi-soloist). In 2004, he joined Cincinnati  Ballet as a Soloist, and in 2006, he was promoted to Principal Dancer,  becoming one of the youngest in the company’s history. After  retiring as a Principal Dancer during the 2019-2020 season, Cervi  transitioned to the role of Rehearsal Director, where he focused on  coaching and mentoring dancers both inside and outside the studio. He  also played an active role in the Cincinnati Ballet’s Diversity, Equity,  Inclusion, and Accessibility Task Force, advocating for sustainable  change for current and future dancers. In  September 2023, the Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees appointed Cervi  as Interim Artistic Director. In this capacity, he actively planned the  repertoire for upcoming seasons, curated and commissioned new works,  and collaborated with the leadership team to shape his artistic vision  for the company. Cervi has been instrumental in fostering community  partnerships and broadening the reach of the art form both locally and  internationally. The Cincinnati Ballet Board of Trustees appointed Cervi  as permanent Artistic Director in December 2024. OhioDance  A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  42 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.

Dance Revolutionary Mary Verdi Fletcher - Boss Lady of CLE

This month's guest is pioneering artist, advocate, and cultural leader, Mary Verdi Fletcher. Mary is a nationally celebrated pioneer in physically integrated dance and a leading voice for disability rights in the arts. As President and Founding Artistic Director of the Dancing Wheels Company & School, she has spent over four decades reshaping the landscape of American dance, championing access, artistry, and equity for performers of all abilities. One of the first professional wheelchair dancers in the U.S., Mary founded Dancing Wheels in 1980, followed by a groundbreaking school in 1990, which quickly became a global hub for inclusive dance training. Under her leadership, the company has performed for over 6 million people, developed a repertory of 100+ works, and toured internationally, educating communities on the power and beauty of integrated dance. Mary's contributions extend far beyond performance. She played a pivotal role in the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and led efforts that secured public transportation access nationwide—earning her the nickname “The Rosa Parks of Cleveland.” She was also instrumental in establishing Ohio’s personal care assistance program, promoting independent living for thousands. Her advocacy has garnered numerous accolades, including an Emmy Award, the Cleveland Arts Prize Lifetime Achievement Award, the Governor’s Award for Arts Education in Ohio, and national honors from Dance/USA. She has served on key arts and disability boards and committees, influencing cultural policy and arts education nationwide. Mary continues to innovate through virtual programs, teacher certification initiatives, and upcoming publishing projects, ensuring that access to the arts remains a right—not a privilege. Her legacy is a profound testament to how one individual can change laws, perceptions, and possibilities for generations to come. OhioDance  A State of Dance is a six-part series coming out the fourth Friday of   each month through November 2025. This podcast is driven by the OhioDance mission to secure the foothold of dance in Ohio through  increasing visibility, firming viability, and elevating the position of  dance in Ohio. In  2016, a five-person team set out on a mission to capture the  achievements of persons and institutions who have shaped the intricate  diversity of dance history and practice within the state of Ohio and  weave them together in an easily accessible digital format. This we call  the OhioDance Virtual Dance Collection. As of 2025 we have highlighted  42 individuals and institutions. The team has traveled over 5000 miles  and interviewed hundreds of individuals in all five regions of Ohio.⁠ vdc.ohiodance.org⁠ [https://us2.mailchimp.com/mctx/clicks?url=http%3A%2F%2Fvdc.ohiodance.org&xid=7457ab4d48&uid=6658474&iid=0aa4c26b4e&pool=cts&v=2&c=1690495018&h=3d08a0a96f0253c527182e727095a91239c27228891ad793c1d128808ab1f4d3] If you like what you are listening to and are not a member of OhioDance, you can go to⁠ ohiodance.org⁠ [https://ohiodance.org/] and  click the membership button to join and receive the many benefits that  come with your membership. You can also donate through our purple donate  button.