Ballet Help Desk

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk When the Oscar-winning film  Black Swan hit theaters, audiences were captivated by its haunting portrayal of the ballet world. In this episode, former professional dancer Lauren Fadeley-Veyette shares her experience being cast in the movie and takes us inside the rehearsal studio and film set. She reflects on wo...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk David Morse, Academy Principal and Director of the Professional Training Division at Cincinnati Ballet Academy, joins us to share insights on how the school is structured, what adjudicators look for in auditions, and how scholarships work for students. He also discusses the culture he aims to foster at CBA, how...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Mona Nicholas takes us behind the scenes of the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. She shares how the event is structured, what makes it different from other competitions, and why it attracts dancers from around the world, including professionals. We cover the selection process, scorin...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Nicholas Ziegler, board member of IBC Helsinki, explains how the competition is structured, how dancers are selected, and what makes the event stand out. He shares tips for first-time competitors, talks about the role of the jury and master teachers, and reflects on the rapid growth of ballet competitions around...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk What does it take to raise dancers in today's ballet world? Racheal Nye, Director of the Yvonne Chouteau School and Studio Company at Oklahoma City Ballet, shares why honesty, adaptability, and mental health are essential in training. We talk about the pressures of audition season, how social media influences yo...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk When is it really time for a dancer to move into full-time training? In this episode of #NoThirds, we unpack the big factors that go into that decision. From the benefits of full-time programs and the right age to make the switch to how the social environment and quality of teaching can shape a dancer's growth,...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk MOSA Ballet School was founded by a mother who wanted to create the kind of school she would have wanted her daughter to attend -- a place where students are truly heard and respected. Combining classical ballet, contemporary dance, and holistic training, MOSA focuses on developing not just the performer, but th...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk This is part two of our series with siblings Bryce and Noelle Lee, who bring both the male and female ballet dancer perspective to the conversation. Bryce, founder of the Male Dance Connection, and Noelle share their experiences in ballet, highlighting both the challenges and successes male dancers face. They ta...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk In this two-part series, siblings Bryce and Noelle Lee bring both the male and female ballet dancer perspective to the conversation. Bryce, Founder of the Male Dance Connection, and Noelle share their experiences in ballet, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of male dancers. They discuss the importance of...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk In this conversation, Sarah Wroth discusses the current state of the ballet program at Indiana University, addressing concerns about state mandates and program restructuring. She emphasizes the strong support from the community and alumni, clarifies the differences between degree options, and reassures that curr...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk This is a rerelease of one of our popular episodes from our series on ballet summer intensives. Wondering how much the RAs see of student antics? More than you think! We're talking with Robert Fulton and Camille Kellems, both professional dancers and also RAs at ballet summer intensives. Get ready for a mix of i...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk What do ballet teachers really  want students and parents to understand? In this episode of  #NoThirds , we tackle issues in ballet training from the perspective of the teacher -- what frustrates them, what motivates them, and what they wish families better understood about the training process. From managing ex...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Miriam Landis trained at the School of American Ballet, danced with Miami City Ballet, and now teaches at Pacific Northwest Ballet, all experiences that informed her work as the author of three young adult novels set in the ballet world. In this episode, she talks about the reality of the professional ballet pat...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk In Part 2 of our two-part interview with physical therapist Erika Mayall, we explore how ballet schools are supporting dancer health—and where they still fall short. Erika offers practical advice for dancers and families without access to dance-specific care, busts common ballet injury myths, and shares her favo...

In Part 1 of our two-part interview with physical therapist Erika Mayall of Allegro Performance and Wellness, we dive into why ballet dancers need specialized care from providers who truly understand the unique demands ballet puts on the body. Erika shares her journey into working with dancers, how injury prevention differs for ballet artists, common misdiagnoses, and early warning signs dancers a...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Considering full-time or summer training at Louisville Ballet? Artistic Director Mikelle Bruzina and School Director Christy Corbitt Krieger explain how the school is structured, what the studio company experience involves, and how dancers transition into professional careers. They also share insights on tuition...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Former San Francisco Ballet soloist Madison Keesler shares the twists and turns of her ballet path—from falling in love with dance to navigating career pivots and returning to SFB more than once. She talks about leaving at the height of her career, what she's up to now in New York, and the launch of  Pointe of V...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Ballet competitions are more common than ever—but do dancers really need them? In our latest episode of #NoThirds, Fran weighs in on the role competitions play in today's training landscape. He tackles key questions from parents and dancers alike: Are comps essential for landing trainee or second company spots?...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Victoria Mazzarelli, Artistic Director of the Nutmeg Conservatory, joins us to share what sets this independent ballet conservatory apart. Widely known for its warm and nurturing environment, Victoria covers everything from curriculum and housing to performance opportunities, as well as the school's postgraduate...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk We all know that dancers have their own unique style. Welcome to our interview with the founders of Barre Trash, Lucas Labrador and Louis DeFelice as they let us in on ballet's not-so-glamorous side—with honesty, humor, and a sharp eye for merch. In this episode, they talk about how Barre Trash was born, what th...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Why open a ballet school in San Antonio? Former Pacific Northwest Ballet principals Lindsi Dec and Karel Cruz share what inspired them to found DeCruz Ballet, how their training model stands apart, and where they see their school fitting into the evolving ballet ecosystem. They discuss everything from attracting...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk Silas Farley walked away from his performing career while he was arguably at the top of his game. In this thoughtful and deeply personal conversation, Farley—former New York City Ballet dancer and current choreographer, educator, and leader—reflects on his journey through the ballet world. He shares how his cult...

Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ BalletHelpDesk In Part 2 of our conversation with Fran Veyette, we dig into the realities of postgraduate training—what kind of "help" programs actually offer (and what dancers should be asking for), how long is too long to stay in a bridge program, and why some dancers move quickly into company jobs while others spin their wh...

Jackie Kopcsak, a founding faculty member and Associate Professor of Practice at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, joins us to unpack what makes USC's program unique—from its one-of-a-kind curriculum and career planning resources to how students balance ballet, choreography, and cross-disciplinary training. We discuss what the school looks for in applicants, how students launch into professional...

Postgraduate ballet training is often sold as the final step before a professional contract—but how much of what dancers and parents hear is actually true? In this first episode of a two-part series, Fran Veyette joins us to break down the current state of postgraduate programs. We talk about the rise of bridge-level training, how to evaluate the value of doing a second year in a program, and whet...