After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast

Think watching ballet is just for inspiration? Think again. In this episode, we explore why adult dancers can actually improve their technique, artistry, and understanding just by watching professionals in action — on stage or on screen! Backed by neuroscience, we’ll break down how observation fuels progress and why making time to watch ballet might be just as important as time spent in the studio...

Ever worried you’re breaking an unspoken rule in ballet class? You’re not alone. In this episode of After Class , we’re diving into the most common ballet "faux pas". From standing in the front row to texting during barre, we're sharing the studio slip-up's, fashion mistakes, and technology no-no's to avoid for a successful class. Whether you’re new to ballet or returning...

In this episode of After Class, Hannah shares how she prepared for an adult ballet intensive this summer, and what she did differently from previous years. From mindset shifts to training tweaks, she's breaking down what worked for her and what she recommends to other adult dancer considering an intensive. Whether it’s your first intensive or fifth, you’ll find helpful tips, honest reflection...

In this special episode, we welcome back our co-host Yelena from maternity leave as she opens up about her experience with pregnancy and postpartum recovery as an adult ballet dancer & teacher. From the unique challenges of dancing while expecting to how ballet impacted her strength and body awareness for childbirth, Yelena shares an honest look at navigating this major life transition through...

Is "flat" turnout really necessary as an adult dancer? Is it even possible to improve my turnout? If you've asked yourself these questions, this episode is for you! We're joined by ballet teacher and Geeky Ballerina founder, Chelsea Weidmann, to discuss the history of turnout in ballet, why it’s not as essential as many adult dancers believe, and how to improve your turnout saf...

What happens when life throws you a curveball and you meet it with resilience and a little bit of ballet? In this episode, we're joined by Natalie, who discovered her passion for ballet after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor that required her to give up surfing. We talk about the joy (and challenges) of starting ballet as an adult, the power of dance to bring purpose to our lives, and...

Feeling discouraged in your ballet journey? You're not alone. In this episode, we get real about the emotional ups and downs that come with being an adult ballet dancer — especially when progress feels slow or you're just plain burnt out. With guest co-host, Stacy Santos, we dig into practical tips on how to manage seasons of discouragement and reconnect with the joy of dancing. So if yo...

Have you ever found yourself standing in a dance store, surrounded by tiny skirts that will never work for your adult ballerina body? In this episode, Chelsea shares her inspiring journey from beginner ballet dancer to founder of Dianne Dancewear, a brand creating beautiful, size-inclusive ballet skirts made specifically for adults. We talk about finding confidence in the studio through dancewear,...

With summer intensives approaching, you might be wondering: How can I make sure my body is prepared for the demands of long days in the studio? What can I do now to set myself up for success at a ballet intensive? Luckily, there's A LOT you can do before, during and even after your intensive to take care of your body and set yourself up for long-term success! In this episode, Allie Christense...

Most of us have been personally victimized by a dancewear size chart at some point... Whether it's limited size ranges or leotards with effectively no butt-coverage, we understand how hard it can be for adult dancers to cultivate a ballet wardrobe that makes you feel GREAT. That's why we're so excited to have Maggie Watson (a true ballet-style icon) co-hosting this episode! In it sh...

Oh the world of ballet terminology... It's fancy, its frustrating, it's French... 😳  So what's a dancer to do? Start by listening to this episode! In it, we're breaking down the most commonly used terms in ballet class and explaining what they actually mean and how they're used. We know how overwhelming a class can be, but if you understand these words, you'll be dan...

Are you struggling to reach the next level in your ballet training? The secret to improving might be in your linking steps... Linking steps (also referred to as "transition steps" or "connecting steps") are often not broken down in adult ballet classes, which can leave us feeling like we're just fumbling through the choreography. If you want to feel like you're thrivi...

Join us for a short, chatty episode about the most random items in our dance bags... And don't forget to head over to Instagram this week to vote on our poll (to wash or not wash your ballet slippers) and answer the question, "What's the strangest thing in YOUR dance bag?" It's a short and light-hearted one, so grab your beverage of choice and let's get into it! Follo...

Do you ever feel like it's either all or nothing when it comes to making your ballet training worthwhile? I mean, if you can't make it to an hour+ technique class, what's the point - right?  In this episode we talk about how to fit ballet into your busy schedule, even if you only have 5 minutes! Join us as we dive into practical tips and strategies for managing your time as an adult...

In this (possibly controversial) episode, we're diving into the topic of artistry. In modern ballet culture, it's often overshadowed by the more physical and technical elements, but is that a good thing? What makes a dancer truly captivating to watch? What makes a performance memorable? Artistry is a hallmark of every great dancer, and lucky for us adults, it's possible at any age a...

Wondering if you're ready to start pointe training as an adult ballet dancer? In this two-part series, we're breaking down the many facets of pointe readiness (physical, technical, and mental) to help you determine if/when to take the leap into the wonderful world of pointe. ◡̈  In this second episode, we're focusing on the mental side of pointe readiness and providing practical tip...

Wondering if you're ready to start pointe training as an adult ballet dancer? In this two-part series, we're breaking down the many facets of pointe readiness (physical, technical, and mental) to help you determine if/when to take the leap into the wonderful world of pointe. ◡̈  In this first episode, we're focusing on the physical and technical "checklists" you can use to...

The social media side of ballet is kind of a mixed bag... Some things are great and others, well..... not so much. Like most things in life, it's really what you make it. In this episode, we talk about the pro's & con's of consuming ballet content, and how you can avoid digital overwhelm and get the most out of social media as an adult dancer. Everything you want to know - like...

Is it possible to do an entire podcast episode on tights, you ask? Well... We did! ◡̈ There's a lot to consider when it comes to choosing your best pair of tights - things like style, color and fit, just to name a few! In this episode, we're breaking down all of the options available to adult dancers and sharing our personal favorites. So the next time you walk into a dance store or peru...

We can't believe today is the one year anniversary of the podcast - what a fun ride it's been! Thanks to your support, we've been able to hit some incredible milestones and bring on some very special guests. In today's celebratory episode, we're sharing our personal highlights, listener feedback and plans for the coming year. 2025 is going to be full of all the ballet topi...

As passionate adult dancers, we want to be able to enjoy ballet for the rest of our lives. But how can we actually achieve that? The answer probably isn't what you'd expect... Join us as we talk to Allie Christensen about the unique physical challenges that adult dancers face, and how to train for both longevity & maximum performance now. Through her years of experience training adul...

Have you every wondered what it's like to try another style of dance? In this episode, we're sharing our personal experiences training in styles very different from ballet (like cabaret, salsa, flamenco and bachata). How did our ballet background affect the learning process? What lessons did we learn by exploring other styles? We're answering these questions and more... So grab a co...

For many of us, the center portion of a ballet class is when things start to feel a bit more.... Stressful? Overstimulating? Overwhelming? We've been there! In this episode we talk about ways that you can feel more confident in the center portion of class, no matter your level. Join us for a combination of technique tips and etiquette advice that will help you kick center overwhelm to the cur...

Pointe shoes are a bit like snowflakes - no two pairs are the same! In this episode, we're spilling the tea on how we each prepare our shoes and what we put inside them. As an amateur (Hannah) and a professional (Yelena), our feet are super different and so are the methods we use to prepare and comfortably wear our shoes. So if you're looking for suggestions (or you're just a pointe...

Knowing when we're ready to "move up" in ballet can be so challenging! As adult dancers, most of us will never be told which level of class to take or when we're ready to advance - we're left to make those decisions on our own. So how can you determine for yourself if it's time to start taking more difficult classes? We're here to help! In this episode, we talk a...