Relative Rhythms | Where Music & Dance Meet

Max Pollak, a pioneering musician and tap dancer, shares his vibrant journey from childhood inspiration, sparked by Fred Astaire, to a successful career that blends tap, body percussion, and Latin influences. He reflects on the profound impact of his mentor, Carnell Lyons, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and community in the arts. Max also discusses the necessity of music theory for tap dancers, his transition to New York City, and his innovative approach of integrating audience participation into performances, creating a dynamic and holistic musical experience.

In this conversation, Rachel Gain, a tap dancer, flautist, and Yale doctoral student, explores the overlooked world of tap dance in academia. They share their journey from flute to rhythm tap, influenced by jazz and improvisation. Rachel delves into the challenges of music notation for tap, emphasizing its embodied, ethical aspects and the limitations of traditional transcription. They advocate for a holistic approach to notation that respects tap's rich culture and improvisational spirit, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding between dancers and musicians.

Tyedric Hill, a dynamic lindy hop dancer and educator with a rich background in vernacular jazz dance, discusses his journey and teaching philosophy. He highlights the essential connections between lindy hop and other Black American dance forms like tap, emphasizing storytelling over technicality. Tyedric dispels myths surrounding the swing community and explores the transformative role of dance in personal and cultural identity. The conversation celebrates improvisation and the deep connections forged through music and movement.

Our interview with tap dancer, musician, and educator, Heather Cornell. Heather co-founded the ground-breaking tap company Manhattan Tap, and has worked with many jazz musicians and tap dancers throughout her career. We talk about her company, her work with legendary bassist Ray Brown, and her approach to tap education. Heather Cornellhttps://www.manhattantap.org/https://www.instagram.com/officialheathercornell/...WEBSITE: ⁠⁠https://www.relativerhythms.com/SUPPORT OUR WORK: https://www.patreon.com/RelativeRhythmsEMAIL US: ⁠relativerhythms@gmail.com⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/relativerhythms/FACEBOOK: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/relativerhythms/TIKTOK: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@relativerhythmsMUSIC:Theme Song: "For the Love of It" by The Adam Price GroupMidroll: "Parallel Realms" from Heather Cornell's album "Making Music Dance", composed by Adriel WilliamsOutro: "NY Nocturne" from Heather Cornell's album "Making Music Dance", composed by Adriel WilliamsMusicians featured on the album are Andy Algire, Tony Romano, Anna de la Paz, Adriel Williams, and Heather CornellPhoto Credit: William FrederkingStart your own podcast with ⁠Riverside⁠!⁠https://riverside.fm/?via=relativerhythms⁠

This is the last part in our 3-part series on Cruise Ship Work. This episode focuses on the cruise ship dancer gig, and their perspective on the job. I interview Mitchell Thomas McCrone and Alexandra Cooney from backstage onboard.We talk about how to get a gig as a cruise ship dancer, what a typical day is like, what the work is like, and all the good, bad, and ugly. We also talk about the differences in treatment between dancers and musicians, and the difference between entertainment and other crew and departments on board. You can follow Mitchell Thomas McCrone on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mitch878/And check out his choreography work athttps://www.instagram.com/jmc_collab/You can check out Alexandra Cooney athttps://www.alexandracooney.com/Follow her on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/wandaaroundtheworld/And her dance clothing brand "Yes Dancer" athttps://www.instagram.com/yesdancer247/WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.relativerhythms.com/⁠SUPPORT OUR WORK: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RelativeRhythms⁠EMAIL US: ⁠relativerhythms@gmail.com⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠@relativerhythms⁠FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠@relativerhythms⁠TIKTOK: ⁠⁠@relativerhythms⁠MUSIC:Theme Song: "⁠⁠For the Love of It⁠⁠" by The Adam Price GroupMidroll: "Cheia e Vazante" by Alexandre PivatoOutro: "Circuito das Aguas" by Alexandre PivatoStart your own podcast with ⁠⁠Riverside⁠⁠!

This is the second part in our 3-part series on Cruise Ship Work. This episode focuses on the cruise ship musician gig, and their perspective on the job. I explain how to get the gig, dealing with agents, and what gear you need as a musician to get on board.I also interview Brazilian guitarist Alexandre Pivato about his experience as a cruise ship musician to get a slightly different perspective than just my own. W talk about navigating relationships on board, some of the tricky parts about cruise ship work as a musician, and working with different nationalities and cultures. You can follow Alexandre Pivato on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alexandreboyna/...WEBSITE: ⁠⁠https://www.relativerhythms.com/SUPPORT OUR WORK: https://www.patreon.com/RelativeRhythmsEMAIL US: ⁠relativerhythms@gmail.com⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/relativerhythms/FACEBOOK: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/relativerhythms/TIKTOK: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@relativerhythmsMUSIC:Theme Song: "For the Love of It" by The Adam Price GroupMidroll: "Nascente" by Alexandre PivatoOutro: "Encontro das Aguas" by Alexandre PivatoStart your own podcast with ⁠Riverside⁠!⁠https://riverside.fm/?via=relativerhythms⁠

This is the first part in our 3-part series on Cruise Ship Work. This episode focuses on what it's like to work on a cruise ship. I talk about requirements to get on board, such as visas, STCW's, medicals, etc. I also cover the living accommodations, crew life, night life, getting off the ship, and interpersonal relationships. I go over all the pros and cons of ship life, and go into some detail about some of the darker things to watch out for if you decide to work on ships. CONTENT WARNING: In this episode we cover topics such as alcohol, drugs, sex, prostitution, sexual abuse, worker abuse, and racism....WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.relativerhythms.com/⁠SUPPORT OUR WORK: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RelativeRhythms⁠EMAIL US: ⁠relativerhythms@gmail.com⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠@relativerhythms⁠FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠@relativerhythms⁠TIKTOK: ⁠⁠@relativerhythms⁠MUSIC:Theme Song: "⁠⁠For the Love of It⁠⁠" by The Adam Price GroupMidroll: "A Rainy Night at the Inn" by A Carousing ConsortOutro: "A Pirate Lullaby" by A Carousing ConsortStart your own podcast with ⁠⁠Riverside⁠⁠!

Our Premiere for Season 2! We talk about what we've been up to over the past 6 months, and our goals and plans for the upcoming season. A nice short re-introduction to us, and a teaser for what's to come!...WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.relativerhythms.com/⁠SUPPORT OUR WORK: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RelativeRhythms⁠EMAIL US: ⁠relativerhythms@gmail.com⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠@relativerhythms⁠FACEBOOK: ⁠⁠@relativerhythms⁠TIKTOK: ⁠⁠@relativerhythms⁠MUSIC:Theme Song: "⁠⁠For the Love of It⁠⁠" by The Adam Price GroupStart your own podcast with ⁠⁠Riverside⁠⁠!

Our final episode of the season! We talk about our takeaways and what we learned, and then invite some special guests to come on and share some holiday wishes and wisdom. WEBSITE: ⁠⁠https://www.relativerhythms.com/SUPPORT OUR WORK: https://www.patreon.com/RelativeRhythmsEMAIL US: ⁠relativerhythms@gmail.com⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠@relativerhythmsFACEBOOK: @relativerhythmsTIKTOK: ⁠@relativerhythmsMUSIC:Theme Song: "For the Love of It" by The Adam Price GroupIncidental Music: "Good King Wenceslas" "In Dulci Jubilo" "Es Ist Ein Ros entsprungen" "Quem Pastores laudavere" "Es kommt ein schiff geladen" "Béthléem" "Coventry Carol" "Remember, O Thou Man" and "In the Bleak Midwinter" all recorded by A Carousing ConsortOutro: "Christmas on My Mind" by Jon BellStart your own podcast with ⁠Riverside⁠!⁠https://riverside.fm/?via=relativerhythms⁠

Anita Feldman, a tap dancer, educator, and composer, is known for her innovative acoustic tap dance instrument and rich collaborations with various composers. In this conversation, she shares the creative journey behind designing this unique instrument and the synthesis of tap dance with new music. Anita also candidly discusses balancing her career with motherhood and the collaborative magic between dancers and musicians. Her reflections on community resilience highlight the significant role of artists in recovery after Hurricane Helene.