(479) Zimmi Coker, American Ballet Theatre ballerina

(479) Zimmi Coker, American Ballet Theatre ballerina

Author: Michael Sean Breeden & Rebecca King Ferraro January 21, 2026 Duration: 46:15

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by American Ballet Theatre ballerina Zimmi Coker. Zimmi recounts how, as a former dance herself, her mother gently guided her through her initial training, how she fell in love with ABT and began to receive plum roles in major full length works, and, most harrowingly, how she overcame a devastating injury that had her pulling out of performances and in searing pain for more than a year and a half. Zimmi will be performing featured roles in ABT's upcoming seasons at the Koch Theater and the MET in New York City; follow her on instagram at @zimmi9 for further updates on her casting. 


Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondance

LINKS:


Website: conversationsondancepod.com


Instagram: @conversationsondance


COD Merch


Listen to COD on YouTube


Join our email list


Sponsorship information


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


For anyone who has ever watched a performance and wondered about the life that happens in the wings, Conversations on Dance offers a rare and thoughtful backstage pass. Hosted by former Miami City Ballet dancers Rebecca King Ferraro and Michael Sean Breeden, this award-winning podcast builds on a simple, powerful premise: the most compelling stories in dance aren't always told under the lights. Since 2016, their interviews have provided an essential, grounded look at the art form, moving far beyond reviews or technique to explore the real human endeavors behind the curtain. Each episode is a deep, considered dialogue with the field's most influential voices-not only dancers and choreographers, but also the musicians, directors, and educators whose work shapes the entire ecosystem. Listening feels like pulling up a chair in a studio lounge, where the conversation might cover the gritty reality of a choreographer's creative process, the collaborative tension with a composer, or an educator's philosophy on cultivating the next generation. The hosts' own professional backgrounds inform a dialogue that is both knowledgeable and genuinely curious, fostering connections between the art and its audience. This podcast consistently uncovers the discipline, vulnerability, and sheer hard work that define a life in dance, making the vast world of performance feel intimately accessible. It’s for the dedicated student, the lifelong enthusiast, and the simply curious-anyone who believes understanding the struggle and joy behind the steps only deepens the appreciation of the final, fleeting bow.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Conversations on Dance
Podcast Episodes
(496) Paul Boos, Repetiteur and former Balanchine dancer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:59
Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondanceToday on the Conversations on Dance podcast we are joined by Paul Boos, Repetiteur and former Balanchine dancer. Paul re…
(492) Amy Watson, Artistic Director of the Royal Danish Ballet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:51
Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondanceOn today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Amy Watson, Artistic Director of the Royal Danish Balle…
(491) Co-founders of Barre Trash, Lucas Labrador and Louis DeFelice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:34
Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondanceOn today's episode of "Conversations On Dance", we are joined by Lucas Labrador and Louis DeFelice, co-founders of Barre…
(487) Royal Danish Ballet soloist Tobias Praetorius [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:33
Listen to Conversations on Dance ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/conversationsondanceOn today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by Royal Danish Ballet soloist Tobias Praetorius. He takes…