Raymond Rodriguez, Dean of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, offers an in-depth look at the school’s advanced levels, graduate program, and pathways into the main company. He shares how PBT supports dancers on their journey, covering everything from relocation advice and program structure to performance opportunities and health initiatives. Plus, insights on auditions, placement decisions, and what sets PBT apart in post-graduate training. You can learn more about Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Schoo...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 91
In this episode we chat with Dominic Walsh of Oregon Ballet Theatre. He shares insights into OBT’s trainee and second company levels, including class sizes, promotion timelines, costs, and performance opportunities. He also discusses health and wellness programs, how he and his team recruit, as well as career support once dancers join the school. For dancers and parents, this episode offers practical advice and a closer look at what sets OBT’s training programs apart. You can learn more about Or...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 90
This week, we’re joined by Erica Fischbach, Director of Colorado Ballet Academy, to talk about the school’s full-time training programs, including the trainee and studio company levels. While the studio company is part of the main company, Erica shares everything you need to know about it. We also discuss how CBA recruits dancers, what interested students can do to be considered for admission, as well as the performance opportunities available at each level. Plus, Erica explains why Colorado Bal...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 89
"Becoming a professional ballet dancer in the United States requires years of training, dedication, and a bit of luck. With only a few thousand full-time positions available, the path is challenging and often uncertain." These words open the DataPointes Guide , a groundbreaking report developed by former dancer Jason Yeung. We sat down with Jason to explore how he used publicly available data to create an insightful resource that highlights which ballet training programs are producing the most p...
Jan 01, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Join us as we talk with Dan Guin, Co-Artistic Director of Boca Ballet Theatre, about their Advanced Summer Performance Workshop. This five-week program offers dancers the unique opportunity to work directly with artistic directors from top ballet companies, gaining invaluable experience and exposure. Dan shares how the workshop has become a launchpad for professional careers and what makes it such a standout summer experience. You can learn more about the Advanced Summer Workshop on their websit...
Dec 25, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 87
Ballet Help Desk interviews Cindy Surman of Boca Ballet Theater about their College Dance Fair, an event that brings together top college dance programs and aspiring dancers. Learn how the fair helps students and parents navigate higher education in dance, what sets it apart, and its role in shaping the next generation of performers. This episode offers practical insights for families weighing college dance as a potential option. You can learn more about the Boca College Dance Fair on their webs...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 86
Kit Holder, Artistic Coordinator of Birmingham Royal Ballet 2, offers an inside look at life within the company, from what a typical day looks like to the performance opportunities they can expect to the career planning support provided. He also addresses how the company prepares dancers for the demands of a professional ballet career, both inside and outside of the studio. Drawing on his graduate education in psychology, Holder shares how empathy and understanding shape his leadership style and...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 85
What’s life like in the Finnish National Ballet Youth Company? Artistic Coordinator Nicholas Ziegler shares his insights on the program, discussing the dancers’ performance schedule, the structure of their compensation as well as the professional opportunities that set this youth company apart. Hear how the program balances intensive training with real-world experience to prepare young dancers for the demands of a ballet career. You can learn more about the Finnish National Ballet Youth Company ...
Dec 04, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 84
We're re-releasing one of our most popular episodes! Ballet Help Desk sat down with Francis Veyette, former principal dancer with Pennsylvania (now Philadelphia) Ballet, Co-Founder of the Veyette Virtual Ballet School and newly appointed Rehearsal Director & Outreach Manager for Indianapolis Ballet . In this episode, Fran breaks down loaded terms like potential, facility, and body type, offering a practical understanding of what they mean. He also shares insights into the qualities dancers n...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 83
In this episode, we’re joined by Lauren Anderson, the first Black principal dancer with Houston Ballet, and Dr. Jessica Klanderud, a professor of African American history and ballet parent. Lauren reflects on her groundbreaking career, shares her thoughts on ballet competitions, and discusses the industry's ongoing diversity challenges. Dr. Klanderud discusses the roots of traditionalism and why “Ballet is pink” just won’t work anymore. She also introduces Our Pointe, her YouTube channel where s...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 82
In this episode, Elizabeth Sullivan, a mentor to pre-professional dancers, discusses the concept of mental fitness and why it’s essential for ballet parents. We explore the challenges of guiding young dancers through an increasingly complex ballet landscape—where training opportunities are vast, but professional roles remain limited. Elizabeth offers insights into setting realistic expectations for audition season, from summer intensives to professional opportunities, and sheds light on the uniq...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 81
In this episode Griff Braun, National Organizing Director of the American Guild of Musical Artists, discusses the role of unions in the ballet world. Griff shares insights into AGMA’s advocacy for dancer rights, safety, and equitable treatment, including their recent work supporting the dancers of Dallas Black Dance Theater. He illustrated the challenges and victories in labor relations and why union representation is key for today’s dancers. For anyone interested in how AGMA supports the arts, ...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 80
In this episode, we talk with Caitlin Sloan, the Brainy Ballerina, about her approach to audition coaching. Caitlin explains how she helps students develop personalized audition strategies that consider more than just ballet, setting them up for success in and beyond the studio. Learn more about Caitlin and The Brainy Ballerina on her website . And, don't forget to check out her Audition Hub for all her great resources to help your dancer! Links: Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals Support...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 79
In this episode, Jess Spinner of The Whole Dancer shares her approach to helping ballet dancers navigate the audition circuit. She offers strategies for auditioning, advice on setting a personalized audition plan that aligns with the type of job they’re aiming for, and insights on the mental, physical, and emotional preparation needed to stay grounded and confident throughout the process. Learn more about Jess and The Whole Dancer on her website . Links: Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 78
In this episode, Philip Neal, former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and current Artistic Director of Next Generation Ballet, shares insights on shaping up and coming dancers, while championing the art of ballet. Neal discusses his transition from performing to directing, the importance of mentorship, and how he helps his dancers find placements in trainee and second company positions. He also highlights the balance between fostering excellence and keeping the passion for the art form...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 77
In this episode, we sit down with Julie Bowers, former Royal Ballet dancer and founder of Grad Pro, an innovative program designed to help dancers bridge the gap between training and professional careers. Julie shares how her experiences and insights into the challenges dancers face in today's job market, especially post-Covid, led her to create the organization. We discuss the various programs offered, including postgraduate training, career mentoring, and international showcases, all aimed at ...
Oct 09, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 76
In this episode, we chat with Cecilia Iliesiu, Principal Dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet and a ballet career coach. As we're headed into audition season, Cecilia discusses the importance of networking in the industry and offers practical tips for aspiring artists on building meaningful connections, setting career goals, and making informed decisions. Her expertise provides essential guidance as dancers start to gather and send out their audition packages. Tune in for valuable advice that can ...
Oct 02, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Sometimes you just need to talk to other ballet parents! In this episode, we chat with three moderators of large Facebook groups for parents and caregivers of dancers as they spill the tea on what really goes on behind the scenes (hint: it’s sometimes a delicate dance). In our wide-ranging conversation, they share their experiences navigating the challenges and rewards of moderating large communities of dance parents, along with some unexpected situations that left them saying, "Did that really ...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 74
In this episode we sit down with Jaimie Tapper, Head of Performance Coaching at The Royal Ballet, to explore the significant changes she’s witnessed in ballet schools since her own dancing days. Jaimie discusses key challenges today’s ballet students face and questions whether schools are being asked to take on responsibilities they may not be equipped for. She also underscores the importance of cultivating interests outside of ballet. While acknowledging that there’s still much progress to be m...
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 73
In this episode we talk with Rachel Bar, Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School, about the comprehensive wellness program designed to support the physical and mental health of ballet students. Rachel shares how the school integrates science-based practices to promote long-term dancer health, foster resilience, and create a positive training environment. Learn more about Canada's National Ballet School on their website Links: Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals D...
Sep 11, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 72
In 2017, Kathleen Gaines shared her experience with depression in a Dance Magazine article titled “ Why Are We Still So Bad at Addressing Dancers’ Mental Health? ” The article quickly went viral, becoming one of the most-read in the magazine’s history, and inspired the creation of her organization, We Are Minding the Gap. In this episode, we sit down with Kathleen to discuss the challenges dancers face in the ballet world, from the pressures of perfectionism to the stigma surrounding mental heal...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 71
In this episode, we sit down with Kristin Deiss and Michelle Loucadoux, Founders of Danscend, to explore the good, the bad and the in-between of social media in the ballet world. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer dancers unprecedented opportunities to showcase their artistry, build communities, and gain visibility, they also bring challenges like unrealistic beauty standards, comparison culture, and mental health pressures. Join us as we discuss the positive and negative impacts of...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 70
This week's special guest is Lauren Richter, a former professional dancer and current Principal of the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education. Lauren reached out to us because she thought it was important to let dancers hear her story. Join us as she recounts her journey through a years-long eating disorder, now in long-term recovery, as both a warning and a message of hope for aspiring dancers. Links: Ballet Help Desk Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands! Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram...
Aug 21, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 69
We sit down with Monika Saigal, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and former professional dancer, who works with professional ballet dancers and ballet students. Monika shares her expertise on the important role of nutrition in a dancer's life and offers valuable insights into the nuances of language surrounding food and how it impacts dancers' perceptions and behaviors. Monika discusses the myth of perfect eating and the importance of embracing a balanc...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 68
In this episode, we sit down with Dawn Smith-Theodore, a licensed therapist and author of the book Tutu Thin: A Guide To Dancing Without An Eating Disorder. In our conversation about ballet wellness programs, Dawn talks about the crucial role that teachers play in ensuring the success of these programs in ballet schools. During our conversation we explore the importance of trust and open communication in fostering a healthy environment where ballet students can truly thrive. Dawn also sheds ligh...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Why do we claim to have zero tolerance for bullying when it remains pervasive in society? In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Fraser to discuss the profound impact of bullying on the human brain. Jennifer uses scientific evidence to illustrate how bullying hurts not just youths' self-esteem and emotions, it has a physical impact on their growing brains. We also discuss the notion of how tough love , old school and other terms continue to be used to excuse toxic behavior, along with how ba...
Jul 31, 2024•2 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 67
We're joined this week by Chloe Angyal, author of the widely regarded ballet book, Turning Pointe. Chloe addresses such issues as the "ballet brain" and how if affects dancers' willingness to accept problematic practices in the ballet world. We also discuss why she thinks ballet is in crisis, including how we tend to gloss over the authoritarian parts of the art, why claiming traditionalism is actually antithetical to the history of ballet and why she's cautiously optimistic about ballet's futur...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 66
Join us for a candid conversation with Shane Wuerthner, former professional ballet dancer and current master trainer and teacher to hear him talk about how wellness programs in ballet schools have evolved since he was in training. Shane also weighs in on what he thinks of coded language, the power imbalance that exists in ballet as well as how improving diversity in ballet really needs to start with increasing diversity in ballet schools. Tune in to hear all of this and much more! Learn more abo...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Intimacy direction in dance . What the heck is it, why is it important and how can these practices be brought into ballet training? Our guests, Nicole Perry and Sarah Lozoff, respected intimacy coordinators who have consulted with RudduR Dance as well as American Ballet Theater, share their expertise on how effective communication between dancers can help to build trust, respect, and improve collaboration. Perry and Lozoff explain how setting boundaries and having open conversations can prevent ...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 64
In this episode, we revisit one of our earliest topics: "What would you have done differently as dance parents?" Join us as we reflect on our journey, sharing the mistakes we made and the invaluable lessons we learned along the way. Tune in for honest insights and practical advice for every ballet parent. We'll also tackle other listener questions such as: At what age should dancers start full-time training? How to gracefully decline an acceptance to summer programs. Strategies for financing bal...
Jun 26, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 63
