Twyla Tharp is the most celebrated American choreographer working today, but that doesn’t mean she’s hoity-toity, and she talks with Kurt Andersen about choreographing to such accessible music at the Beach Boys, Billy Joel and Frank Sinatra.

Plus, how Yillah Natalia decided to become a belly dancer after seeing the video for U2’s “Mysterious Ways.” A reporter has an illuminating — and awkward — talk with her parents about how they became obsessed with the sexiest of dances, the tango. A scientist takes up ballet in his 40s — and applies scientific principles to get better at it. And Christopher Wheeldon shares how he helped bring “An American in Paris” to the stage.