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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 she shares an innovative technique she developed to help dancers dye pointe shoes to match skin tones. By offering this simple, affordable solution, she’s contributing to greater inclusivity in ballet, ensuring all dancers can feel beautiful.
Learn more about Lauren Anderson on her website:
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Holiday Gift Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 unique standards of “potential” and “facility” in ballet versus other sports. She also explains how mental flexibility can support a dancer’s growth, while discussing the evolving role of parents as their dancers progress toward potential careers. Don’t miss this deep dive into practical advice and supportive strategies for navigating the ballet world with clarity and resilience.
You can learn more about Elizabeth on her website.
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Holiday Gift Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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Fehlende Folgen?
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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, this episode is for you.
Learn more about AGMA on their website.
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Holiday Gift Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 alive.
Learn more about Next Generation Ballet on their website.
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 helping dancers take that next step toward goal of dancing professionally. If you're a dancer or a parent of one, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Learn more about Grad Pro on their website.
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands! Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 benefit every dancer.
Learn more about Cecilia's career coaching services on her website.
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands! Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 just happen?" Join us for a candid conversation about how these moderators are keeping the support and engagement flowing among ballet parents—because sometimes, a little community goes a long way!
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands! Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 made, Jaimie remains optimistic about the future of the art form.
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands! Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands! Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk -
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 health. She shares her journey from dancer to advocate, emphasizing the urgent need for change. We explore how her organization is breaking the silence and fostering a culture of wellness in ballet schools, and even why she believes teachers can become powerful allies in creating a healthier, more supportive environment for their students.
Learn more about We Are Minding the Gap on their website
Links:
Ballet Help Desk Buy Corrections Journals Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands! Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk -
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 social media on ballet, including insights on how to navigate these digital landscapes while maintaining a healthy relationship with the art form.
Learn more about Danscend on their website: https://danscend.com/
Links:
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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: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskAdditional Resources for Eating Disorder Support
Podcasts — Gaudiani Clinic Eating Disorder Recovery for Adults Dance Nutritionist Rachel Fine | To The Pointe Nutrition The Eating Disorder Foundation (Free Support) Books Sick Enough by Jennifer L. Gaudiani Rehabilitate, Rewire, Recover: Anorexia Recovery for the Determined Adult by Tabitha Farrar Intuitive Eating, A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse ReschMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 balanced approach. We also explore the practices around weighing ballet students, the contagious nature of disordered eating, and practical strategies for preparing nutritious meals despite a hectic schedule.
Tune in to her Monika's advice on how to support dancers in maintaining a healthy relationship with food while fostering a positive and sustainable approach to their nutrition.
Learn more about Monika:
Website Book Instagram: @Nourish.Headtopointe Facebook: MonikaSaigalRDLinks:
Ballet Help Desk Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands! Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 light on the differing impacts of eating disorders on girls versus boys and discusses the pervasive role of shame in these struggles. Join us for a compelling conversation on how schools can continue working toward creating supportive and nurturing spaces within the world of ballet.
Learn more about Dawn:
Website Books Instagram: @Dawn.Smith.TheodoreLinks:
Ballet Help Desk Refresh Your Dance Bag With Exclusive Discounts Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 ballet training can begin to heal from past trauma and create a healthier environment for dancers. Tune in for this wide-ranging conversation where the sole focus is on what's most important -- the health and well-being of our kids.
Learn more about Jennifer:
Website Books Instagram: @BulliedBrainLinks:
Ballet Help Desk Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 future.
Learn more about Chloe:
Website Books Instagram: @Chloe.Angyal.writesLinks:
Ballet Help Desk Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 about Shane:
Athletistry Facebook: Athletistrystudio Instagram: @athletistryLinks:
Ballet Help Desk Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDeskMusic from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI
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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 misunderstandings and hurt feelings, ultimately leading to more effective work in the studio. They also discuss real-world examples from their work, offering practical advice for implementing their strategies in various ballet settings, including why these practices need to be adopted by ballet schools.
Learn more about Nicole and Sarah and the work they do:
Intimacy Direction in Dance Nicole Perry Sarah Lozoff Nicole TikTok and IG: @intimacychorefl Sarah IG @sarahlozoffLinks:
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