MSP 169: Julie Lemberger

Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast

Enjoying the Art, Expression, and Freedom of Dance with Julie Lemberger

Welcome to the latest episode of the Movers and Shapers podcast, where today we're delighted to welcome our guest, Julie Lemberger. Julie is a multifaceted individual — she's had a life as a dancer, dance photographer, and educator. She has dedicated over 15 years to capturing the ephemeral beauty of concert dance. Her lens has encapsulated the essence of New York City's dance scene at the turn of the 21st century. Julie's stunning dance photography has graced the pages of prestigious publications like The New York Times, Dance Magazine, and numerous national and international journals and websites since 1993. Join the conversation to hear about what sparked her interest in dance, why she was initially turned off of modern dance, and how her ballet journey led her to places like The Netherlands, Germany, and New York. We delve into her diverse dance ventures and then pivot to hear about her transition to Plan B: starting college. Julie shares the fascinating intersection of her worlds; photography and dance, and articulates the emotions she experiences when capturing dance through her camera. Don't miss out on this intriguing discussion! Tune in now to hear all this and much more. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

· We discover how The Nutcracker sparked Julie’s interest in dance.

· Her thoughts on being more of an artist and enjoying ballet for the artistry of it.

· Why she decided to stick to the discipline of ballet while growing up.

· Julie shares a turning point, and realization, in her dance career.

· She delves into her time in Europe (The Netherlands, Germany, England).

· We are transported forward, back to New York, and her other endeavors at the Graham School, Jacob’s Pillow, and more.

· Her Plan B: starting college.

· Why starting college was the saddest day of her life.

· She recalls the time she got her first camera, at age 23.

· When the two worlds collide: dance and photography.

· What Julie enjoyed most about dance photography: her master’s degree experience.

· She expresses what taking photos of dance makes her feel.

· Julie highlights what she’s excited about, and what gives her energy, these days.

“I realized that having my photographs judged was so much easier than having my body and my dancing judged.” — Julie Lemberger

A former dancer, Julie Lemberger photographs dance in New York City for 30 years, and whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Dance Magazine and many other journals, books and digital platforms. Check out her coloring book Modern Women: 21st Century Dance.

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