The TalkBack

What does the future of ballet look like when women are empowered to lead? In this TalkBack, Julianna sits down with Dance Data Project® Founder Elizabeth Yntema and Communications Director Nancy Dobbs Owen for a candid conversation about female leadership in ballet—and the realities that shape it. We talk motherhood and artistic careers, who gets funded and why, the systems that still create barr...

What does it really mean to “make it” as a professional dancer? In this episode of TalkBack, Pacific Northwest Ballet's Malena Ani, Kuu Sakuragi, and Ballet 5:8 Solo Artist Kayla Kowach unpack the difference between what dancers imagine success will look like—and what a meaningful, sustainable career actually requires. From dream roles and promotions to resilience, artistic growth, and finding...

What does it really take to build a healthy relationship with food, your body, and your work as a professional dancer? In this episode of The TalkBack , Ballet 5:8 Solo Artist Kayla Kowach and Guest Teacher Madison Morris share an honest conversation about body image, nutrition, performance expectations, mental health, and finding balance in the demanding world of professional ballet." Togeth...

What is the difference between art and entertainment? Can entertainment become art? And what responsibility do we have as audiences when we engage with either? Kayla Kowach, Jeremy Slager, and Julianna Rubio Slager unpack these questions in a wide-ranging conversation about the relationship between art and entertainment. From the influence of individualism on creativity to the psychological impact...

Special guest Steven Melendez joins Julianna Rubio Slager for a conversation about accessibility in the arts, the importance of telling new stories, educating audiences and donors, and building a stronger arts ecosystem. Together, they explore how the performing arts contribute to society and why investing in the entire creative community is essential for artists to thrive.

Artistry doesn't magically appear when a dancer turns 18.It's cultivated—class after class, rehearsal after rehearsal, through curiosity, musicality, storytelling, risk-taking, and countless conversations that go far beyond perfect technique. Yet this is one of the most overlooked parts of dance education. In this episode of The TalkBack, Jeremy, Ellington and Julianna answer some of the biggest q...

In this episode, we share the origin story of choreographer, storyteller, and Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager. From a childhood love of dance to the challenges of navigating body image in the ballet world, Julianna reflects on the moments that shaped her voice as an artist and leader. Her journey is one of resilience, creativity, faith, and courage. Rather than fitting into a na...

Season 2 of The TalkBack Podcast by Ballet 5:8 returns June 23rd. In this season of The TalkBack; Jeremy, Kayla, and Julianna will continue to explore conversations on life, faith, and human dignity, challenging the ideas of who ballet is for and what it can say. Catch up on our previous inaugural season where we discuss the artistic process, representation on stage, the future of ballet, and so m...

Do you ever feel like ballet is too abstract you don't know what it means? In this episode of TalkBack; Jeremy, Julianna, and Kayla discuss the artistic process in storytelling work vs abstract work. How to guide an audience through complex storytelling without over-explaining. And the importance of vulnerability in the artistic process. The TalkBack EP 08 | Why Trust is Key in the Artistic Pr...

Why do so many first time fine arts patrons never return? In this episode of The TalkBack; Jeremy, Julianna, and Kayla discuss the first time viewers perspective at the theater and the reasons they may or may not return. They dive into how accessibility can mean so much to audiences and the impact from viewers on seeing their stories brought to life. T he TalkBack EP 07 | Why don't Audiences R...

What does it actually take to build a life in dance — not just a moment? In this episode of TalkBack, we explore career longevity, cross training, boundaries, artistic maturity, and the impact we have on our own internal space, as well as the impact we have on the space between ourselves and others. The TalkBack EP 06 | Staying Human in a Demanding Art Form is now streaming on Spotify and Apple Po...

Jeremy, Julianna, and special guest Ellington dive into romantic relationships on stage - how abuse is showcased in ballet, what is empowering to women, and how storytelling is a skill that can shape the way art is received. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Watch now and head to our website ballet58.org for more

Jeremy, Julianna, and Kayla dive into the realities behind the dance world—breaking down TikTok trends, concert dance barriers, and the bigger question: who actually gets access and opportunities? It’s honest, nuanced, and a conversation you don’t want to miss. Watch now and head to our website for more at ballet58.org

What does the future of ballet and art in general look like in the age of AI?In our latest podcast conversation, Jeremy, Julianna, and Kayla dive into the tension many artists are feeling right now. AI is opening doors—expanding access, speeding up processes, and offering new creative tools we’ve never had before. And at the same time, it raises real concerns around authorship, integrity, and the...

This week on The TalkBack Podcast, Jeremy, Julianna, and Kayla of Ballet 5:8 unpack Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance and why connection matters so much in live performance. What makes a performance unforgettable is not just technique or spectacle. It is presence, honesty, and the felt exchange between artist and audience. We talk about what happens when that connection is strong, what is miss...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of TalkBack by Ballet 5:8.In our very first episode, Jeremy, Julianna, and Kayla go behind the scenes to talk about motherhood, what we wish would change in the dance world, and how we’re building the world of Edgar Allan Poe inside the studio. It’s an honest conversation about process, perspective, and the kind of artistry that can shape a more human and expansive...