Ideas change everything

Performance

A collection of TED Talks (and more) on the topic of Performance.

Video playlists about Performance

The Butterfly Effect: Talks from the TEDinArabic Summit

In March 2023, 17 speakers from across the world gathered in Doha for the inaugural TEDinArabic Summit. From climate change and politics to sports and fashion, enjoy this sweeping selection of talks.

Why art is essential to democracy

Art invites viewers into perspectives and ways of life different from their own -- and with that, helps foster a sense of empathy required for democracy. Learn about the creative avenues art takes in giving power to the people.

How art shapes conversation

Powerful art makes people talk. These TED Talks bring context and nuanced perspectives to subjects surrounding history, race, socioeconomics and more.

The magic of the human voice

From beat-boxing battles to a digital choir of 2000 people, these talks celebrate the beauty and versatility of the human voice.

See all playlists on Performance

Talks about Performance

Akoth Jumadi & MR. LU*

East African sound meets cosmic trap

Turkana Sessions

A musical journey through Turkana

Ghetto Classics Dance

A brilliant blend of ballet, hip-hop and African dance

David Larbi

Joy will find you — if you let it

Courtney Marie Andrews

"May Your Kindness Remain" / "If I Told"

Sean Bankhead

How a viral choreographer makes his moves

Jason "Poo Bear" Boyd, Elise Hu

A songwriting battle with my AI clone

PARTYOF2

"FEEL LOVE" / "POSER"

Charlene Kaye

How to become a K-pop superstar — in 7 minutes

Louis VI

The language you're fluent in — but forgot how to hear

Jackie Lebo

An art movement built on ancestral wisdom

"The Minister of Loneliness"

Oz Pearlman

The art of reading minds

A spicy take on parenting, happiness and sex

Joshua Bell

300 years of classical music in 18 minutes

Yijia Tu

A multigenerational musical journey

See all talks on Performance

Exclusive articles about Performance

A brief history of tap dance (and why it’s still a great art form)

Here’s how the dancer, teacher and dance historian Andrew Nemr is trying to make tap dance relevant again.

Posted Nov 2015

Each of us bears the imprint of a friend met along the way

How a performance by Rives conjured a much-loved poem for Helen Walters, and helped her develop a new appreciation for the art of poetry. Maybe.

Posted May 2014

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