The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by former principal ballerina and author Gavin Larsen to discuss the full arc of a ballet career - from the innocence of a child’s first class to the quiet, often emotional decision to step away from the stage. With striking honesty and warmth, Gavin retraces her early, formative years as a student in New York, through the rigorous training at the School of American Bal...

In this enlightening episode, we’re joined by Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD — a former ballet dancer turned physician and founder of Hypermobility MD and Bendy Bodies . Dr. Bluestein is a leading expert in hypermobility disorders, especially among dancers, and she’s passionate about educating and empowering those living with conditions like hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). We dive into: What i...

In this candid conversation, I’m joined by Autumn Klein , a principal dancer and accomplished artist whose career includes performing with Texas Ballet Theater , Oklahoma City Ballet , Ballet Frontier , and Ballet North Texas . Autumn, who is also the co-founder of New Narratives Dance , shares her unconventional journey through the dance world - from overcoming gaps in her classical training, ste...

In this week’s solo episode, I’m tackling a topic that comes up often for dancers: comparison. I dive deep into why comparison is a natural human instinct - rooted in evolutionary survival - and how it’s especially amplified in the world of ballet, where mirrors, corrections, and casting are constant. Rather than trying to eliminate comparison, this episode is full of empowering tools to reframe i...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode I sit down with Royal Danish Ballet Principal Ballerina Holly Dorger - a childhood friend whose dance journey has taken her from suburban Michigan to the royal stage of Copenhagen. Holly’s path has been anything but predictable. From training at the School of American Ballet with dreams of joining New York City Ballet, to unexpectedly being offered a contrac...

Join me today as I sit down with Nancy Paradis, a seasoned choreographer, artistic director, and educator with a rich career spanning classical ballet and the commercial dance world. She also leads LA Dance Moves, an innovative company blending dance, music, art and media to create inspiring works. In this inspiring episode, Nancy takes us through her remarkable journey in the dance world - a path...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dance Kaleidoscope Artistic Director Joshua Blake Carter to explore his multifaceted dance journey from a theater-loving high schooler in Atlanta to an influential choreographer and artistic leader in the dance industry. Joshua shares pivotal moments in his development, including his time at the University of Arizona, his early choreographic commissions,...

In this solo episode, I dive into everything dancers need to know to make the most of their summer intensives. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned pre-professional, this episode is packed with insight to help you thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally during one of the most transformative times in your dance training. Key “Pointes” in this Episode 🩰 Why summer intensives are...

In this episode, I am joined by Anne Bak Marine and Lindsay Chirio-Humenay from Eisenhower Dance Detroit to discuss their transformative event, See & Be Seen . This two-day collegiate dance experience connects high school dancers with college dance programs, helping them navigate the often overwhelming path from high school to higher education in dance. Anne and Lindsay share how the program h...

Tanya Trombly, a freelance ballet dancer with over 20 years of professional career experience and founder of Bulletproof Ballerina, sits down with me today to discuss how her stubbornness and tenacity has helped her vision and goals become a reality. We chat about what it’s like to go through the mental and physical challenges that come with relying so much on what you look like and how Tanya over...

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Michelle Thompson - former dancer with Ballet Austin, seasoned educator, and freelance choreographer based in New York City. Michelle shares her remarkable journey from a spontaneous childhood dance debut at a neighborhood party to training at San Francisco Ballet School, a fulfilling 14-year career at Ballet Austin, and her transition into teaching and c...

In this warm and candid episode, I chat with Toby Lewellen about his path from reluctantly signing up for ballet class as a child to spending 11 years as a leading artist at Ballet Arkansas. Though he originally saw it as a stepping stone, Toby stayed for over a decade, drawn in by the community, repertoire, and opportunity to dance featured roles. He shares behind-the-scenes stories about partner...

In this solo episode, I’m diving into one of the most requested topics from my community: how high school dancers can find meaningful opportunities to grow in their dance training and career path. I’m addressing your biggest challenges in finding opportunities including time, finances, and location. Tune in for practical (and inspiring!) advice for dancers who want to take the next step in their c...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Ayça Anıl , professional ballerina and founder of Bodhi Core , to explore the intersection of artistry, movement, and holistic wellness. From dancing principal roles at Istanbul State Opera and Ballet to becoming the first Turkish ballerina to dance professionally in the UK , Ayça’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. We talk about her prestigious...

In this episode I’m joined by Mizuki Sako, a professional dancer whose career spans ballet, contemporary, commercial work, and film performing with LA-based companies including the REALM company, LA Dance Moves, Psychopomp Dance Theater and Disneyland. Mizuki shares her experiences navigating the professional freelance dance world and finding artistic fulfillment across different styles and medium...

In this episode, I sit down with Ane Arrieta, a company dancer with the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company. Ane takes us through her unique path, from training at the Academy of Newport Contemporary Ballet in Rhode Island to discovering modern dance in college, and ultimately joining one of the most prestigious dance companies in the world. Ane shares behind-the-scenes insights into life as a G...

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the art of building a professional dance network. Whether you're auditioning for companies, seeking freelance opportunities, or looking to expand your dance career, networking is essential. I’m sharing my five key strategies—the "Five B’s"—to help you create meaningful connections that lead to lasting career success. Key “Pointes” in this Episode: 🩰 Why net...

Join us in today’s episode as we talk with Dr. Nicky Keay, a medical doctor specializing in dance and exercise endocrinology. With a deep passion for both hormone health and the world of dance, Dr. Keay offers expert advice for optimizing athletic performance through personalized approaches to endocrine health. As a lifelong ballerina, Dr. Keay brings her unique understanding of both medical and d...

In this episode, I'm joined by Krystle Frey, former professional dancer and founder of Pivot Ball Change. We get into Krystle’s journey from student to professional dancer, and how her experiences shaped her path as a podcast host and business owner. Key topics: ✨Krystle's early dance journey and training in Wisconsin ✨Her professional dance career which started while she was still in high schoo...

I am thrilled to be joined by Nicole Sabella, a multi-passionate dance professional who spent a decade performing with the Mark Morris Dance Group. Founder of The Nourished Dancer , she is now a dedicated dance educator, certified integrative nutrition health coach, and EFT tapping practitioner. Nicole opens up about her early dance training, her transition from college into the professional world...

In this episode I am joined by Lars Nelson, a professional dancer with New York City Ballet since 2010. Lars shares his captivating journey from singing in the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys to falling in love with ballet during a performance of The Nutcracker . He discusses his rigorous training in Michigan, his transformative experiences at the School of American Ballet, and his transition f...

In this solo episode, I’m going behind the scenes of the business side of the Brainy Ballerina to share the financial realities of being a dancer and business owner. From passive income to diversifying revenue sources, I share actionable advice for dancers looking to secure financial stability while pursuing their artistic careers. If you're a dancer looking to supplement your performance career,...

In this episode, I was joined by Diana Crowder , the Founder and Artistic Director of Pegasus Contemporary Ballet.  Diana shares her journey from dancing with companies like Tulsa Ballet and Texas Ballet Theater to creating a company that reflects her artistic vision. We dive into the journey of building a contemporary ballet company from the ground up, the challenges of entrepreneurship in t...

In this episode, I was joined by Emily Speed, founder and artistic director of AVID Dance, a project-based dance company presenting classical ballet through a modern lens. Emily shares her journey dancing with renowned companies like Alabama Ballet, Ballet Tucson, Colorado Ballet, and Ballet Idaho. Now a principal guest artist and visionary leader, she discusses her mission to make ballet accessib...

In this insightful conversation, I speak with Brittney Feit, a former professional dancer with Tulsa Ballet turned nationally certified school psychologist pursuing her Ph. D. Brittney's journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and using her artistry to help others. We discuss Brittney’s unconventional path in the ballet world, overcoming physical challenges, and navigating interpersonal dynamic...