A conversation with Wendy Whelan, Virginia Johnson, Lourdes Lopez, Arlene Shuler, and Lynn Garafola. Four accomplished dancers share their stories of how they took the initiative to develop concert careers outside of their home companies and how they express and manage their own public identity. Wendy Whelan, who has enjoyed a 30 year career with the New York City Ballet (NYCB), is the inaugural Lida Orzeck Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at Barnard. Now artistic director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Virginia Johnson was a founding member and principal dancer with the company for more than 20 years. Cuban-born Lourdes Lopez, artistic director of Miami City Ballet since 2012, had a 24 year career with the NYCB. Arlene Shuler is the president and CEO of New York City Center, where she began her career as a dancer with The Joffrey Ballet. Leading the conversation is Barnard?s own Lynn Garafola. Information dance.barnard.edu