Chairman of The Ballet Association, supporting Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, as well as Chairman of the British Friends of Ballet Nacional de Cuba. A key figure on the English and Cuban ballet scene, David brings a wealth of historic dance knowledge with him, which he shares generously while interviewing artists throughout the year. David’s long-standing chairing and organizational efforts have ensured an unparalleled continuous and strong bond between the public and the artistic companies. His eloquence and wit are second to none and his contribution to the cultural scene is significant.

Joshua Beamish founded MOVETHECOMPANY in 2005 and his works have since extensively toured throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Outside of the company, he has created in collaboration with The Royal Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, Dutch National/Het Nationale Ballet Junior Company, Cape Town Opera, Vancouver Opera, New York City Ballet Principals Wendy Whelan for Restless Creature and Ashley Bouder for The Ashley Bouder Project, Martha Graham Company Principal dancer Lloyd Knight, Compania Nacional de Danza de Mexico, Ballet Edmonton, Cape Dance Company/South Africa, Toronto Dance Theatre, Ballet Kelowna, Santa Barbara Dance Theater, the Universities of Alberta, Missouri and Simon Fraser, Purchase College at SUNY and The Juilliard School, Ballet Jorgen Canada and Kansas City’s Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance, among others.

In her four decade long career, Buglisi has made an indelible impact on the field of dance. Renowned for highly visual, imagistic dances that use literature, history and heroic archetypes as a primary source, Buglisi’s ballets are sweeping, passionate and always rooted in a strong physical technique. She is a prolific choreographer creating more than 100 ballets for Buglisi Dance Theatre and commissioned worldwide including Suspended Women on the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre (premiere: 12/12/14 at New York City Center); Ninfee for the Richmond Ballet; her full-length The Four Elements for the Flamenco Festival presented in Madrid, Sadler’s Wells, London and New York’s City Center; Ananda Shankar Performing Arts Company, India; the Shanghai Song and Dance Ensemble, China; the Martha Graham Dance Company, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Joyce Trisler Danscompany, Teatro Danza Contemporanea di Roma for which she was a co-founder in 1969; American Repertory Ballet; Ailey II; and Ice Theatre of New York.

Peter Paul is Program Director at Re:Wild and specializes on the conservation of tortoises and freshwater turtles, by facilitating and conducting natural history research, trade monitoring and analysis, and policy work, in partnership with like-minded individuals, organizations and institutions. Peter Paul is regarded as a “walking encyclopedia” by his peers and has a critically endangered turtle named after him, The Myanmar narrow-headed softshell turtle (Chitra vandijki).

Leah is a poet, essayist, short story and nonfiction writer from Moscow, currently living in New York. She earnt her MFA from City College of New York where she is currently Adjunct Professor in the English Department. Founder and Director of WordShedNYC Reading Series and an Editorial Associate for Fiction literary magazine, Leah has also collaborated on various poetry/visual art projects with choreographers, dancers, musicians and videographers, experimenting with cross genres, multimedia and poetry.

Antonia Franceschi is a Time Out Award Winner for Outstanding Achievement In Dance and is an alumni of The New York City Ballet, selected by George Balanchine.

Works have been created for her by Balanchine, Robbins, Martins, Lubovitch, Baldwin, McGregor, Clarke, Armitage, Phillips, and van Laast. As a young dancer, while still in high school, she starred in the films Fame and Grease. Before joining NYCB, she danced in Makarova and Company and was partnered by Sir Anthony Dowell.

Mara is an Italian dancer and a former Principal of The Royal Ballet and has worked with numerous notable choreographers, including Kenneth MacMillan, Cathy Marston, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Mats Ek, Jiri Kylian and William Forsythe. Some of her performances were broadcast by the BBC. She joined The Royal Ballet as an Artist in 1992 aged 18 and was promoted to First Artist in 1995, Soloist in 1998 and Principal in 2003, retiring at the end of the 2012/13 Season.

Cullen holds a BA in Environmental Science and Policy from Duke University and an MA and Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Columbia University. Her research focuses on seed dispersal and pollination by bats. Cullen has co-authored a book with botanists from the New York Botanical Garden entitled Seed Dispersal by Bats in the Neotropics and manages with Bat Eco-Interactions database online at www.batbase.org. Cullen currently lives in Houston, works with her family on business matters and philanthropy, and serves as the acting director and chair of the board of the Cullen Trust for Health Care. She also serves on the boards of the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, Houston Parks Board, Houston Advanced Research Center, Lone Star Coastal Alliance, and the Turtle Conservancy.

Eric is an American entrepreneur, conservationist, and filmmaker. Eric began his career as an artist, educated at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, and Parsons School of Design. Much of his early work was displayed in group shows with other upcoming artists of the day, the earliest in 1981 which was curated by Keith Haring. He continued to make and show his art throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s.

Deborah Gruenberger, an innovation and communication strategist, is the Founder and Creative Director of Gerety, a London-based design and marketing consultancy. Specializing in innovative solutions for start-ups and businesses poised for growth or change, she combines her creative skills with strategic acumen to steer companies towards success.

As an active angel investor, she champions impact businesses and supports underrepresented founders, bringing a wealth of experience to her roles as a board member, lecturer, and startup mentor. Passionate about the arts and environmental sustainability, Deborah is thrilled to bring her expertise in branding and marketing to Vildwerk's advisory board. Her vision is to harness the power of creative communication in promoting environmental conservation through the transformative medium of dance and performing arts.

With a background in psychology, physics, business administration and mathematics, Oliver successfully spent the last few decades of this professional life in banking. His main private interest has always been the interplay of science and art, in particular with the aim of making the planet a better place. Venturing from motion prediction to codifying dance to modelling behavioral risks to protecting the Bavarian biotope, he is a strong advocate for combining artificial with natural intelligence.

David K. Israel has been writing music for dance since he was in high school. He’s worked with choreographers such as Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Fatima Robinson, Melissa Toogood, Silas Farley, and Steven Melendez to name some. His music has been performed worldwide with bands such as The American Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the Semperoper Orchestra in Dresden. David’s first novel was published by Random House and he’s written and produced screenplays and TV series, as well. For more info visit davidkisrael.me

Shane is starting his tenure as Executive Director of Oregon Ballet Theater in January 2023. With over 20 years’ experience in the performing arts administration, including his appointments as General Manager of Gibney Dance in New York City, Executive Director of Orlando Ballet, Oklahoma City Ballet and OK Mozart International Music Festival, Shane is a team player par excellence and the epitome of strategic thinking and development for the performing arts.

Professor Emeritus Juvik researches tropical forest climate, hydrology, ecology, paleo-ecology and international wildlife conservation and ecological studies. His most important contribution internationally in the climatological field is the development of the “Juvik Fog Gauge,” now used worldwide to provide standardized fog measurements. He is also an international expert on tortoises and Senior Scientist at The Turtle Conservancy, as well as a most gifted storyteller with a profound and intelligent sense of humor.

Founder and Educator at Terrapin Nesting Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the Diamondback terrapin, their nests and hatchlings on Long Beach Island, N.J. Kathy spearheaded this charity and runs its educational outreach programs to the public and school systems.

Journalist, author and professor Peter Laufer reports on borders, identities and migration along with the relationships of humans to other animals. A former and longtime global correspondent for NBC News, he’s covered the requisite wars and earthquakes, coups and elections. His NBC documentary on Americans in prisons overseas received the James Polk Award and his broadcast journalism has won a plethora of other prizes. His books include studies of the Mexican-U.S. frontier crises, the collapse of the Iron Curtain and a natural history quartet that looks at turtles, butterflies, exotic pets and animal abuse.

Public Relations and Membership Director at Turtle Conservancy, Maximilian is an Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leader and Arts graduate from Emory University. His many artistic and creative talents, approachability, problem solving skills and positive outlook on matters make him a great pleasure to work with.

Russ is an American Anthropologist and has written several books for both popular and scientist audiences, and authored more than 300 scientific papers. He holds a Ph.D and M.A. from Harvard University and a B.A from Dartmouth College and is Re:wild’s Chief Conservation Officer.

Fernando Montaño is from Buenaventura, an economically-deprived city on the Pacific coast of Colombia. At the age of 14 he won a scholarship to the National Ballet School of Cuba. This opportunity came at a considerable cost to his family who made significant sacrifices to support the experience. In Havana he won international competitions, and then joined the Cuban National Ballet. From Havana he went to Italy and then to the UK when, in 2006, he joined the Royal Ballet where he became a Soloist. Fernando has performed all over the world both on Royal Ballet Company tours, but also independently, often in support of charity work and other cultural initiatives.

Tasha is a business entrepreneur and the founder of NYC Dance Week and FitEngine.com. A director of Tendu Inc. and co-owner of LifeSpan Pilates NYC, Tasha is a former athlete, gymnast and dancer and held numerous pro bono offices, such as former President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, NYC.

Briana Reed (St. Petersburg, FL.) began her dance training at The Academy of Ballet Arts, studying Ballet, Pointe, Jazz and Russian Character. Ms. Reed continued her studies at The Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School under the direction of Reginald Yates studying Ballet, Pointe, Martha Graham technique and West African dance.

Maurice was one of the Founders of the Turtle Conservancy and served as Secretary and as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for a long time. He holds a degree in natural resource management and studied under the renowned John Behler at the Bronx Zoo for over eight years. During his time at the Bronx Zoo, Maurice completely renovated the aquatic filtration and lighting systems in the reptile house and installed the Zoo’s first reverse osmosis system that allowed for the breeding of amphibians in unprecedented numbers.

Maurice spent his youth seeking out the wildest parts of the northeastern United States. His passion for reptiles and amphibians blossomed at the age of six when his father gave him a box turtle found crossing a road. Despite growing up in the New York City area, Maurice’s first turtle ignited his passion for finding and hatching turtle eggs from nests threatened with destruction. He is an avid conservationist and in his spare time enjoys spending time kayaking and exploring the outdoors with his family.

Henning Rübsam is a choreographer and dancer based in New York City. He is the artistic director of SENSEDANCE, a faculty member of The Juilliard School and Fordham University, and a visiting guest professor at Texas Academy of Ballet (Carolyn Bognar, director). He is the dance curator for Arts at Work and a resident choreographer for Hartford City Ballet.

Olivia Gintel Rudkevich has worked as a free-lance ballet and contemporary dancer in the New York area for many years. She received her training at Houston Ballet Academy and Miami City Ballet School before joining the Joffrey Ballet trainee program. She has danced professionally with the Orlando Ballet, and Connecticut Ballet. She has a B.A. from the University of Miami in Theatre Arts with a musical theatre concentration. She loves teaching and has taught and Walnut Hill school for the Arts. More recently, Olivia has danced with the Benjamin Briones Ballet company for the last four years. In addition to being a member of the company, Olivia worked as the Development Director helping to organize a variety of fundraising events for the company. Olivia raised funds for Dana Faber challenge while running the Boston Marathon and was invited to become a board member of the Friends of Connecticut Ballet, where she helped plan its annual gala event. She participated in development work to the benefit of St. Jude Children’s Hospital and engaged in numerous other charitable development events. Olivia is thrilled to be on the board of vildwerk.!

Considered by the international press as one of the most active and recognized composers of the musical scene, Felipe Pérez Santiago has received several prizes, awards and recognitions in Europe, United States and Latin America and his music has been commissioned and performed in more than 40 countries.

Donna is an editor and publisher of academic and reference books in a wide range of subjects, including environmental studies, marine life, and the oceans. She has worked with major cultural institutions, libraries, museums, and non-profit associations throughout the world to support their mission and work. She is also committed to the arts, particularly dance and theater, and has been a ballet student at Alvin Ailey and Steps on Broadway for many years.

Nazir is Founding Member and Secretary-General at Focused on Nature, a Geneva based non-profit organization with a mission is to assist in the conservation and protection of threatened and endangered species, as well as habitat conservation efforts when and where possible. Nazir is currently also serving on the Board of Directors of ICVolunteers, an international non-profit organization specialized in the field of communication. Nazir’s experience includes 30+ years of environment, international business, management, negotiations and diplomatic experience.

Nanci Weissgold is a co-leader of Alston & Bird's Financial Services & Products Group. She advises financial institutions and financial service providers on issues relating to mortgage lending and mortgage servicing, valuation, and other consumer lending issues as part of her national regulatory compliance practice.
Nanci is a frequent speaker and presenter at legal and industry conferences and webinars, and has published
numerous articles on mortgage banking, valuation, and consumer finance related topics. Nanci is a Fellow of
the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers and serves on the nominating committee for the Board of Regents. She is peer rated in the Martindale-Hubbell® directory as AV Preeminent®, the highest level of professional excellence. Nanci is nationally ranked by Chambers USA in Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance), and in 2018, she was honored by the Burton Awards as a recipient of a “Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award.”

CHRISTOPHER (Director & Choreographer) trained at The Royal Ballet School and joined The Royal Ballet in 1991. In 1993, he joined New York City Ballet and was promoted to Soloist in 1998. He was named NYCB’s first Resident Choreographer in July 2001. Since then, Christopher has created and staged productions for many of the world’s major ballet companies,San Francisco Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet, The Mariinsky Ballet, The Paris Opera Ballet and Hamburg Ballet among others.

Based in NYC, YYDC is not for profit contemporary dance company dedicated to the teaching, production and performance of original choreographic works by founder and artistic director, Yue Yin. Over the past decade, Yin has refined and expanded an original movement vocabulary – FOCO Technique™ — a fusion inspired by the Chinese dance, folk, ballet and contemporary dance movement. The vision for YYDC is to incorporate this signature movement style in original company productions and choreographic commission, to produce original, dynamic, emotionally and physically charged performances under the direction of Yue Yin and to present the works nationally and internationally; to establish and develop FoCo Technique™ into a globally recognized training method for professional dancers as well as dance practitioners; To cultivate audiences’ interest in dance especially in contemporary dance by presenting artistically responsible and socially conscious works.