It's A Question Of Balance with Ruth Copland

Should Children Be Paid To Learn? | An Interview with Jon Ronson

Broadcast on 4 April 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

This week we consider ‘Should Children Be Paid To Learn?’ According to research papers quoted in Education Week and the Journal of Human Resources a dozen states in America have offered financial incentive programs to students ranging from students being paid to read to receiving in some instances hundreds of dollars for good grades. But should children be paid to learn? Michael Sandel in his book What Money Can’t Buy states that economic reasoning suggests that two incentives should work better than one but there is also the possibility that the monetary incentive will undermine the intrinsic one leading to less reading over time. Is there any harm in offering children financial incentives if it gets them to do the work? What life lessons do you think children might learn from being offered money to read, or get better grades, rather than learning to motivate themselves? Could it be teaching them that studying is a chore? Or would they perhaps gain an intrinsic love of reading, for example, as a by-product of learning for pay? What do you think? 

For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Hour 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with Jon Ronson

This week as her special guest from the arts Ruth Copland is pleased to be interviewing internationally best-selling writer, journalist, screenwriter, radio presenter and film-maker Jon Ronson. If you enjoy the interview you can meet Jon in person at Bookshop Santa Cruz on Friday April 10th at 7:30 PM for a talk and book-signing. Born in Wales, Jon currently lives in London and New York. Author of nine books and numerous articles, Jon’s non-fiction books, The Psychopath Test; Them: Adventures with Extremists; Lost at Sea; and The Men Who Stare At Goats have all been international and New York Times bestsellers. The Men Who Stare At Goats was adapted into a film starring George Clooney, and The Psychopath Test is to be adapted into a thriller starring Scarlett Johansson. Jon is a documentary film-maker, directing, writing and hosting by turns; his many films include Stanley Kubrick's Boxes and The Secret Rulers of the World. His first fictional screenplay, called Frank and written with Peter Straughan, won the British Independent Film Awards Best Screenplay award. Jon is currently writing and directing a silent comedy, The Dog Thrower. In the UK Jon writes regularly for The Guardian newspaper and has produced and presented radio shows including the BBC Radio 4 show Jon Ronson On… which has been nominated for a Sony Award four times. In the US he’s a regular contributor to the Public Radio International show This American Life and GQ magazine. Jon’s latest book So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed has just come out. 

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

^{*Images by Emli Bendixen}

Should You Have the Right to be Forgotten on the Internet? | An Interview with Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket

Broadcast on 28 March 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

This week we consider ‘Should you have the right to be forgotten on the internet?’ Last year, the Court of Justice ruled that Europeans have the right to ask Internet search engines like Google to remove links from their name to information that is inadequate, irrelevant, no longer relevant or excessive. Removal is not automatic, the decision is reached by weighing the person’s privacy against the public’s right to know. This ruling has become popularly known as the right-to-be-forgotten. Americans do not currently have this right. How do you feel about that? Would you like to be able to control what information about you can be accessed through internet searches? Is it a problem our past follows us so closely now? Or are there benefits to society from this? Should you have the right to be ‘forgotten’ on the internet? What do you think? 

For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Hour 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with Daniel Handler

This week as Ruth Copland’s special guest from the arts she is pleased to be interviewing internationally renowned, best-selling writer and musician Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket. Born in San Francisco, Daniel is the author of five novels under his own name and as Lemony Snicket, has written numerous highly popular books including the best-selling series All The Wrong Questions as well as A Series of Unfortunate Events, which has sold more than 60 million copies, was the basis of a feature film starring Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, and Jude Law, and is to be produced as a Netflix original series. In addition, Daniel has written with artist and author Maira Kalman Why We Broke Up, which won the Michael J. Printz Honor and has worked with Kalman on the book Girls Standing on Lawns and the soon-to-be-released Hurry Up and Wait. Daniel also works extensively in music, serving as the adjunct accordionist for the music group The Magnetic Fields and collaborating with composer Nathaniel Stookey and songwriter Stephin Merritt. His latest book for adults We Are Pirates is in the opinion of Neil Gaiman “the strangest, most brilliant offering yet from the mind behind Lemony Snicket”.

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

_{*Images by Meredith Heuer.}

Do We Still Need Physical Community? | An Interview with Bob Fitch

Broadcast on 21 March 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

We consider ‘Do we still need physical community?’ With the rise of technology we are increasingly becoming more individualised and physically isolated. Do we still need physical community or can internet community suffice? Community can be defined as a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. One participant in a survey described community as ‘about belonging. It is a place that supports me in many ways - friends, neighbours, jobs, resources, play time. It is home’. Can virtual community provide these things? Our online friendships can be relatively shallow with quantity trumping quality. How real/genuine is virtual support? When it is so easy to ‘like’ something or enter a quick comment is the support’s worth diluted? Are virtual and physical community just different but equally valuable? What does community mean to you and where do you look for it? What do you think? 

For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Hour 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with Bob Fitch

This week as my special guest from the arts I’m pleased to be interviewing iconic photographer and photo-journalist Bob Fitch. Bob’s photo archives are a principal source for the iconic images of the peace, social justice and cultural movements of the last 60 years including intimate photo documentary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Black Civil Rights Movement; Cesar Chavez and the United Farmworkers; Dorothy Day and the Catholic Workers; Joan Baez and David Harris and the Draft Resistance; Fathers Phillip and Daniel Berrigan; Congressman Ronald V. Dellums and other participants in this vibrant period of history. Such is the quality and significance of Bob’s work that in October 2013 Bob's images were acquired by Stanford University to establish the Bob Fitch Photographic Archive at the Stanford University Libraries. Bob’s photographs have also been featured in two Smithsonian traveling exhibits. Bob moved to Watsonville, CA in 2008 where he manages his photo archives and, although affected by Parkinson’s disease, remains active in community empowerment programs. 

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Who is Responsible For Our Health? | An Interview with Reif Larsen

Broadcast on 7 March 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

This Saturday March 7th 8-9 PM on It’s A Question Of Balance with Ruth Copland we consider ‘Who is responsible for our health?’ In the past few decades we have seen more and more moves towards regulation aimed at helping us to be healthier. The Mayor of New York’s attempt to limit the size of sugary drinks was finally shot down but was he right to try to stem the tide of obesity by helping people when they don’t seem able to help themselves? Or was he interfering with people’s rights to choose what is best for them? Legislation banning smoking in public areas has successfully reduced second-hand smoke linked to many health problems. A triumph for health or another nail in the coffin of personal choice? Should the government’s role in health be limited to education rather than also encompassing regulation? Or is health not the government’s business at all? And what about producers of unhealthy products? Should they be regulated or is it up to us to just say No? What do you think? Who is responsible for our health? 

For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Hour 2: Begins at 0:54 minutes (Audio at bottom of the page) Interview with Reif Larsen

This week as my special guest from the arts I’m pleased to be interviewing best-selling author and film-maker Reif Larsen. Reif’s first novel, The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet, was a New York Times bestseller, is currently translated into 27 languages, and was adapted into a movie by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (of Amélie fame). Vanity Fair commented ‘The Selected Works of T S Spivet about a 12-year-old genius cartographer from Montana, is like nothing you’ve ever picked up…it is steeped in poignancy, humour and wisdom.” Reif’s writings have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Tin House, One story, The Millions, Asymptote Journal, and The Believer. He studied at Brown University and has taught at Columbia University, where he received an MFA in fiction. Reif is currently serving as the writer-in-residence at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Reif is also a film-maker and has made documentaries in the USA, UK, and Sub Saharan Africa. 

Reif’s new book I Am Radar has just come out and is as highly original as Reif’s first book taking in quantum physics, forgotten history, a secretive group of puppeteers and scientists, who stage experimental art for people suffering under war-time sieges, and encompassing environments around the globe. 

If you enjoy the interview, you can meet Reif in person at Bookshop Santa Cruz on March 11th at 7 PM for a talk, Q&A and book signing. 

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Why Are We So Busy? | A Tribute to Sam Andrew

Broadcast on 28 February 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

Hour 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes (Audio at bottom of the page) A Tribute to Sam Andrew

 

Photos: Left: Sam Andrew by Keizo Yamazawa; Middle: Ruth Copland & Sam Andrew; Right: Big Brother and The Holding Company by Lisa Law.

This week I am featuring a tribute to Sam Andrew of Big Brother and the Holding Company who sadly passed away in the arms of his wife, Elise, on Thursday,  February 12th in San Francisco. Sam was a friend and previous guest on It’s A Question of Balance and was a phenomenal human being. The first interview I did with Sam was backstage at the Monterey Pop Festival 45 year celebration. As a tribute to Sam I am featuring excerpts from these two interviews.

Big Brother and The Holding Company, was originally composed of Janis Joplin, Peter Albin, Sam Andrew, James Gurley and Dave Getz. As a singer, songwriter, composer, and guitarist and founding member of Big Brother and The Holding Company Sam Andrew had multiple hits and three platinum albums to his name. A prolific songwriter all his life, Sam wrote his first song when he was six and by the age of 15 had his own band and weekly TV show, an Okinawan version of American Bandstand. Of his early compositions, "Call on Me" and "Combination of the Two" have been two of Big Brother’s most enduring classic tracks and are still concert favorites today. Sam Andrew and Janis Joplin also recorded an album together as the Kozmic Blues Band called ‘I Got Dem Old Kozmic Blues Again Mama’. Sam and original band mate James Gurley produced some of the greatest psychedelic guitar solos of all time. In February of 1997, Guitar Player magazine listed the work of Sam and James on "Summertime" as one of the top ten Psychedelic solos in music history. 

When Big Brother stopped performing in 1972, Sam moved to New York where he studied harmony and counterpoint and also scored several films in the US and Canada as well as writing two string quartets and a symphony. Sam remained in the east for eight years before returning to San Francisco where he began playing clarinet and saxophone. He was also an artist of note.

After Big Brother reunited in 1987, Sam provided a wonderful variety of fresh new songs to the band. A sensitive and thoughtful man, his personality is reflected in the lyrics of his beautiful ballads. When Big Brother was not not on the road, Sam pursued his solo project, The Sam Andrew Band. His last CD released in 2014 is Coast to Coast (On A Piece of Toast).

Sam will be sorely missed by fans, friends, and family but, despite the sadness, I know that all who knew him or were touched by his music will be glad that his presence graced their lives.

This week as a tribute to Sam It's A Question of Balance is featuring excerpts from Ruth Copland's two interviews with Sam Andrew. 

For more information go to Www.bbhc.com and to www.cdbaby.com/cd/andrewdaviesnieveswall to purchase his last CD.

To give money to the Sam Andrew Medical and Memorial Fund to help Sam's wife go to www.youcaring.com/memorial-fundraiser/sam-andrew-medical-expense-memorial-fund/305292

For more info on It's A Question Of Balance go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Is the Truth Necessary to a Successful Society? | An Interview with Sheila Jeffries

Broadcast on 7 February 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

We consider ‘Is the truth necessary to a successful society?’ What place does the truth have in our society today? There’s politicians who it seems a lot of people doubt are telling the truth a lot of the time, there’s excessive advertising everywhere stretching the truth to its limits and at times breaking the limits, and there’s the tabloid magazines which never seem to let the truth get in the way of a salacious story. Evidence from religious texts dating from antiquity shows that lying and deception have been of concern to humans for millennia but is the truth still important? Do we link truth with honour in our dealings? What would a world be like where no one expected the truth? Is the truth necessary to a successful society? What do you think? 

For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with Sheila Jeffries

This week as my special guest from the arts I’m pleased to be interviewing Sheila Jeffries, artist and best-selling author of the runaway success Solomon’s Tale, a cross-over story for children and adults about a beautiful cat who can see angels and who chooses to reincarnate to help a family go through the traumas of separation and poverty. A writer of long standing, Sheila had four full-length children’s novels published before she even left school. These books continued to sell worldwide for many years. She later wrote eight more children’s books published by Methuen, Blackie and Scholastic, as well as a recent project Talking to Fairies published by Element. In addition, Sheila has written three non-fiction books. Her follow-up book to Solomon’s Tale - Solomon’s Kitten has been enthusiastically received. Her most recent publication The Boy With No Boots has just come out and is a spell-binding saga set in Somerset at the turn of the last century. As well as being a writer Sheila is also a successful artist with solo exhibitions of her work shown in galleries in London and the West Country in England. Clairvoyant from childhood, Sheila has developed her interest in esoteric subjects, particularly healing and sacred geometry, influences of which can be seen in both her writing and art. As well as having successful careers as an artist and author, Sheila has brought up a family, taught Special Needs Children, helped run a small-holding and planted and nurtured a fifty acre wood with her husband Ted, which they call the Forest of Dreams.

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

What Do You Want From the News? | An Interview with Tony Smith aka Boyfriend Academy

Broadcast on 31 January 2014 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

We consider What do you want from the news? Do you get it? Print media can give much more detailed information on stories than TV - is this something you consider in how you get your news? A publication like The Economist has specific experts to report on different areas. Do you expect journalists to have specialist knowledge of the subjects on which they are reporting? What responsibility do you feel the media has to ensure the information they give is accurate? Do you think positive stories should feature in the news too? What do you think? 

 For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with Tony Smith

This week as my special guest from the arts I’m pleased to be interviewing award-winning music producer, composer, songwriter, and artist manager Tony Smith aka Boyfriend Academy. Fusing electro pop, trip hop, dubstep, hip hop, industrial and electronica, Boyfriend Academy represents an electronic music aesthetic that’s sexy and sophisticated. Working on projects in cities across the country including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and beyond, Boyfriend Academy has composed and produced original music for short films, fashion shows, modern dance performances, art shows, online media, burlesque shows, television commercials and special events. What sets Boyfriend Academy apart in the electronic music world is the broad palette of influences Tony Smith draws upon, including Jazz, soul, hardcore, metal, and rap. Over the past few years, as well as creating original works, Boyfriend Academy has remixed an eclectic group of artists, from Rufus Wainwright to Theophilus London, and including Janis Joplin and Barry Manilow. Tony has received many accolades including Best Electronic Artist – 2012 Silicon Valley Music Awards; Best Performing Artist – 2012 RAW San Jose; the ASCAP Plus Award 2012; and Best Overall – 2012 Silicon Valley ArtShots. In addition to his music work, Tony spends time helping with outreach and awareness efforts for ovarian cancer. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Tony found his way to Los Angeles via San Jose, which he came to as a software engineer. Always passionate about music and technology, in his work as Boyfriend Academy Tony has successfully and creatively combined his two loves. 

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Is Moral Flexibility Acceptable in the Name of Security? | An Interview with Kathleen Crocetti

Broadcast on 24 January 2014 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

We consider ‘Is Flexible Morality Acceptable in the Name of Security?’ Attending to the news can be sobering. Conflicts continue around the world, US planes have apparently been targeted for bomb threats and a young Colorado woman has been sentenced to four years in jail for trying to provide material support to the militant group Islamic State. In addition, the controversial interrogation methods of the CIA and the US government continue to be in the news. It is easy to see threat everywhere. In such a world is it possible to maintain ethical standards? Or is it essential to modify our moral stance as necessary to protect our citizens? How do you feel about violating international law and the Geneva Convention in the name of security? Do you feel it is OK to relinquish some civil rights as an American citizen to increase the chances of terrorists being identified? Do you think our position as a moral leader in the world is undermined if our own ethics as a country are mutable? If we use the methods of the enemy can we maintain moral superiority? Is flexible morality acceptable in the name of security? What do you think? 

For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com 

HOUR 2: Begins at 0:54 minutes Interview with Kathleen Crocetti 

This week as my special guest from the arts I’m pleased to be interviewing live in the studio Kathleen Crocetti, award winning conceptual artist, Gail Rich Award Recipient, and 2009 California middle school art educator of the year. Known for creating artworks that challenge people to address and become more involved in social and political issues, a vital part of Kathleen’s artistic practice is community building through facilitating large community art projects where the contributions of individuals come together to create a greater whole. Her Site Specific Community Based Installations began in 1994. Kathleen is most interested in distilling complex social issues into visual metaphors that are readable and engaging to both participants and viewers. This creates situations that bring people together and fosters dialog. She has initiated and overseen many of these community art projects in Corralitos, Watsonville, Santa Cruz, and also a community built mural at a United Nations building in Palestine as a gift of love from Santa Cruz to the people in Gaza. Kathleen studied Sculpture at Mary Washington University and has an MFA from Norwich University in Montpelier. She has taught art for 20 years, the last 12 at Mission Hill Middle School in Santa Cruz. Her work has appeared in multiple one person shows, juried shows, and group shows throughout California and America.

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Can You Be Pro-Life and Pro-War? | An Interview with Tad Williams

Broadcast on 17 January 2014 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

We consider ‘Can you be pro-life and pro-war?’ Many people who are against abortion are not opposed to war and the lives that are taken, both military and civilian, including women and children. Is there an inconsistency here? Or is it reasonable to support the protection of life in some circumstances and not in others? Some faiths, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, are conscientious objectors because they believe taking life is always wrong. Other people argue that killing in war can be just in certain circumstances. But does this mean that abortion may be the right choice in certain circumstances too? Once we open the door that some lives can be taken, who has the moral imperative to decide which lives those should be? The question this week is not about whether war or abortion are wrong, but rather is there an inconsistency in being for some lives and not others? What do you think? 

For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 2: Begins at 0:53 minutes Interview with Tad Williams

This week as my special guest from the arts I’m pleased to be interviewing Tad Williams, internationally best-selling fantasy and science fiction author. Having been in the business of writing for over 20 years, Tad has an extensive body of work comprising stand-alone novels Tailchaser’s Song, The War of The Flowers and Caliban’s Hour; multi-volume series: Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn; Otherland; and Shadowmarch; the noir fantasy Bobby Dollar books; as well as comics published by DC Comics, a series of young-adult books written with his wife, Deborah Beale, The Ordinary Farm Adventures, and also short fiction, essays, and screenplays. Tad is known for his extremely original ideas and meticulous world-building and his work has been translated into more than 20 languages. Tad has been described as a true legend of fantasy writing. His most recent publication is the third book in the popular Bobby Dollar series; he is currently working on a sequel trilogy to the epic Memory, Sorrow and Thorn called The Last King of Osten Ard. Tad lives in the Santa Cruz area with his wife, Deborah Beale, their two children, and more cats, dogs, turtles, pet ants and banana slugs than they can count!

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

Should Bartering Be Part of the Economy? | An Interview with Tandy Beal

Broadcast on 10 January 2015 on KSCO AM 1080, KOMY AM 1340 and KSCO.com Live Stream.

'It's A Question Of Balance' balances the intellectual with the creative. The show combines a debate topic with an arts interview because discussion and creativity are two of the most vital ways we engage in the world.

For more info on Ruth and the show go to www.itsaquestionofbalance.com

HOUR 1: Talk With Listeners' Views

We consider ‘Should bartering be part of the economy?’ A barter economy is a cashless economic system. Barter has seen a resurgence in recent years due to economic insecurity, unemployment and low wages. In addition, the pervasiveness of the internet and social networking has increased the chance of matching people’s bartering needs successfully and so bartering has become more appealing because you probably can get the trade you want. Many people also enjoy the sense of community and connectedness amongst traders. However, some see bartering as a potential threat to a capitalist economy and also possibly open to abuse by people receiving welfare. In addition, the IRS considers a barter transaction the equivalent of a buy and trade transaction so it is subject to tax. Have you engaged in bartering? Should bartering be taxed? Do you see bartering as competing with the dollar currency? Or even as subverting capitalism? Is it a positive or negative in the economy?

What do you think? For more info on the show and to hear past shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com 

HOUR 2: Begins at 0:54 minutes Interview with Tandy Beal

This week as my special guest from the arts I’m pleased to be interviewing Santa Cruz local Tandy Beal, internationally regarded dancer, choreographer, and artistic director celebrating 40 years of Tandy Beal and Company this year. Tandy's creative work springs from a sense of the great mystery of being here on this strange planet. Joy, wonder, and celebration balance her interest in the ineffable. She weaves these varied emotions into exuberant theatrical mosaics. Her solos have multi-media, storytelling, dance, humor and original music by Jon Scoville. Tandy began her career at age 16 touring world-wide with Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre, performing off-Broadway, appearing as a guest with Atlanta Ballet, Momix, Remy Charlip, Murray Louis, Oakland Ballet, Carolyn Carlson in France and Bobby McFerrin, with whom she has worked for over 30 years. She has made 100+ works for her own company touring four continents. Her diverse career has led her to opera, circus, music videos, corporate events, solo shows, animation, horse spectacles, commercials, and fundraising extravaganzas. In addition, Tandy served as Artistic Director for the Moscow Circus in Japan for 2 years and for the Pickle Family Circus for 10 years.

Tandy has worked with many composers, including Art Lande, Lou Harrison, John Adams, SoVoSó and for 40 astonishing years with her co-conspirator, Jon Scoville. She was the choreographer for Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, MTV and the Emmy award-winning PBS special, Voice/Dance. She received awards from the American Film Institute to make a film on Hildegard von Bingen, and the San Francisco Museum of Performance and Design chose Beal for their video project Four Dance Icons of the West. Tandy has also taught at the Centre National de la Danse Contemporaine (France), 30 years at the University of Utah as an annual guest artist, UC Santa Cruz and chaired the Cabrillo College Dance Dept. 

For more info and to hear previous shows visit www.itsaquestionofbalance.com