Stanton Welch and Julie Kent join the Conversations on Dance podcast this week and reflect on nearly three years leading Houston Ballet, praising the dancers’ versatility, focus, and the engaged Houston community, and describing the value of sharing leadership. They discuss how the company’s identity is shaped by having a prolific choreographer as artistic director in Stanton and what they look for in dancers. Looking ahead, they highlight a variety of works still to come this season including Welch’s new 12-minute piece to Mason Bates featuring electronics and live percussion, and they outline how Welch’s Giselle differs musically and dramatically, with expanded characters and staging, while Kent coaches intention and relationships. For more information on performances still to come this season, visit houstonballet.org. Houston Ballet 25/27 Season announced here: https://www.houstonballet.org/seasontickets/2026-2027-season-announced/ Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome Back Catch Up 02:14 Partnership Leading Together 03:01 Studio Time And Support 04:21 Choreographic Hub Culture 07:54 Auditions Finding Versatility 13:35 Season Variety Story Ballets 18:44 Programming And Identity 21:39 New Work Alice Topp 25:43 Staging Hazards and Effects 25:57 Avatar as Ballet Pitch 26:22 More Dancers on Stage 27:17 New Work Mason Bates 29:08 Reimagining Giselle 31:32 Coaching Story Over Steps 34:39 Technique vs Artistry Debate 38:12 Season Highlights Dances 39:50 Rehearsal Timing and Stamina 41:21 Next Season Tease and Farewell LINKS: Website: conversationsondancepod.com Instagram: @conversationsondance COD Merch Listen to COD on YouTube Join our email list Sponsorship information Hosted on Acast.