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© 2026 After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast
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Welcome to After Class, a podcast about all things adult ballet. I’m Hannah — your host and fellow dancer — and I'm so glad you're here! Each week I share stories, strategies, and encouragement to help you stay inspired on your ballet journey, because I understand what it’s like to balance real life and ballet dreams. So grab your water bottle (or cup of coffee) and join me for a chat after class...
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In this episode of After Class, I talk about crying in my car last week after ballet class in a moment of frustration and defeat (yep, it happens!), and diving into the lessons I'm learning (work in progress) about patience, self-compassion, and the emotional side of returning to ballet as an adult. If you’ve ever ugly cried after class — or just want a little encouragement — this episode is for you! 🩰 Join the Corps de Ballet for just $3/month using the link below: Follow Hannah on Instagram...
After months (or maybe even years) of practice, do your pirouettes still feel inconsistent, shaky, or unstable? In this episode, I’m joined by Allie Christensen, founder of Dancer Strong, to break down what actually makes a pirouette successful, and why adult dancers often struggle with turns even after years of training. Allie explains the most common reasons dancers wobble or fall out of pirouettes, how to build strength in the standing leg, and what cues are helpful to think about while tu...
Have you ever wished there was an adult ballet program that felt both serious and supportive, where you could train with intention, but without sacrificing your health, confidence, or sense of belonging? In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa, adult dancer and founder of The Ballet Project — a growing adult ballet community in the UK created to give dancers a space where they can pursue real progress through high-quality, science-backed instruction while feeling encouraged, respected, and safe. ...
Have you ever left ballet class with hip or low back pain and wondered… Is this normal? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sebastian Gonzales, D.C., a licensed chiropractor specializing in sports injuries and rehabilitation, to talk about one of the most common concerns adult dancers experience: hip pain and discomfort. This conversation is based directly on listener-submitted questions, and we cover: • How the hips, pelvis, and low back actually work together • What different types of hip pa...
Jealousy isn’t something most of us want to admit, especially as adults. But if you’ve ever found yourself genuinely happy for another dancer while quietly feeling that ache of comparison… you’re not alone. In this solo episode, I’m talking honestly about jealousy in adult ballet — why it feels so complicated, why ballet seems to intensify it, and how to handle it without letting comparison drain your motivation. If you’ve ever struggled with feelings of jealousy, whether in the studio o...
There’s something about pointe shoes that makes them almost impossible to throw away once we’re finished dancing in them. Which is why I LOVE what my guest in this episode is doing... Meet Emily Thorpe, a fellow adult dancer and the founder of PointeReve, a small business that transforms used pointe shoes into beautiful works of art. We reflect on what pointe shoes represent for us as adult ballerinas, the significance and memories they carry, and how turning them into art can feel like a way...
Breathing is something we all do, but most of us were never really taught how to use it as an intentional part of our ballet technique and artistry. In this episode, I’m joined by recurring guest Chelsea Weidmann (The Geeky Ballerina) as we explore breath as one of the core elements of artistry in ballet. Instead of treating breath as an add-on or a reminder, we talk about breath as part of coordination — supporting how we initiate movement, find lightness or groundedness, and shape musical p...
If January didn’t go as planned, this episode is for you. Maybe you started the year motivated and consistent… and then got sick, missed class, or lost momentum. Maybe your ballet routine didn’t restart the way you hoped it would. In this short, encouraging episode, we’re reframing the idea that you’re “behind” and talking about why losing momentum isn’t a personal failure, especially for adult ballet dancers. We’ll explore why consistency matters more than intensity, why your body doesn’t fo...
Adult dancer, does pas de deux feel out of reach or like a long-lost dream? Many of us have been telling ourselves that partnering is only for pre-professionals or company dancers, and that if we didn’t start early, we somehow “missed our chance.” Sound familiar? I’m joined in this episode by Lester and Laurence, founders of Pas De Deux Workshops & Coaching, for an honest, approachable conversation about pas de deux for adult dancers. ✨But first, thank you Jule Dancewear for sponsoring th...
This episode builds on last week's episode about building strong, stable jumps at the barre, so if you haven’t listened yet, start there for the full benefit of the conversation. ✨ But first, thank you Frenchies Hairpins for sponsoring this episode! Get your velvet coated hairpins (my go-to product for French twists and ballet buns) at frenchieshairpins.com and use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your order! In this episode, we continue the conversation with Christina Krigolson, former professi...
Great jumps don’t start in the air, they start at the barre! In part one of this two-part conversation, I’m joined by Christina Krigolson, founder of Face the Barre, to address some of the most common challenges adult dancers experience in petite & grande allegro, and break down how adult dancers can build stronger, more confident jumps starting at the barre. We talk about how plié, tendu, and dégagé prepare your body for jumping, common habits that make jumps feel heavy or unstable...
Looking polished and confident in your dancing isn’t always about doing more — often, it’s about small the details. In this fan-favorite episode from the After Class archives, we’re revisiting three small but powerful elements that can instantly elevate how you look and feel as an adult ballet dancer: hands, eyes, and head placement. We break down the subtle choices that make a big difference — from properly extending your fingers, to activating your eye line, to holding your head with intent...
With many studios closing or shifting schedules during the holidays, staying consistent with ballet can feel especially challenging. In this fan-favorite episode from the After Class archives, we’re revisiting 4 simple, realistic ways to keep your ballet practice alive — even when regular classes aren’t available. From taking online classes with friends to creating a personal growth plan that actually fits real life, these strategies are designed to help adult ballet dancers stay motivated, c...
In today’s episode of After Class, I’m sharing my favorite ballet books I read in 2025 — a mix of ballet fiction, biographies, memoirs, and educational reads, many of which we read together in The Bunhead Book Club (my Instagram-based book club, which will be open to new members in January 2026 — email me at thebusybunhead@gmail.com to join us) 😄 These books deepened my understanding of ballet as both an art form and a lived experience, offering insight into technique, history, and the person...
If you love feeling organized, refreshed, and clear-headed heading into a new year, this episode is for you. We're decluttering your dance bag, cleaning out your dancewear drawer, reviewing your subscriptions, organizing your journal, locking in your 2026 goals, and setting up your schedule so you can enter 2026 feeling focused and ready to grow. But first, thank you Jule Dancewear for sponsoring this episode! If you're looking for a supportive new leo, flattering tights, or soft legwarmers, ...
Ever wish you’d started ballet sooner? You’re not alone. But today's guest is living proof that "late" might actually be right on time... In this episode of After Class, Hannah sits down with Merry King, a university professor who decided in her 30's to chase a lifelong dream of dancing professionally. Together, we unpack that familiar ache of “If only I’d started sooner,” why so many adult dancers carry it, and how reframing your timeline can transform the way you show up in the studio...
Whether you're shopping for a fellow adult ballet dancer or treating yourself (you go, girl 😌) these gift ideas are a mix of functional, stylish, and self-care items that make dance life better. Each of these products I LOVE and stand behind in terms of quality and performance. And for many of these brands, I was able to obtain discount codes to pass along to you, because I know the bunhead life ain't cheap. Don't forget you can now WATCH the episode on YouTube! I hope you enjoy these ...
Today, I sit down with fellow adult dancer, Katy, to talk about her ingenious method for designing and maintaining a ballet training schedule. But first, thank you Jule Dancewear for sponsoring this episode! If you're looking for a supportive new leo, flattering tights, or soft legwarmers, look no further. 👀 Use code AFTERCLASS15 for 15% off your order at juledancewear.com ✨ In this conversation, Katy shares her honest journey from professional burnout to rediscovering ballet as an adul...
What happens when ballet stops being your whole identity, and starts becoming your joy again? In this heartfelt conversation, Hannah talks with Kelsey, adult ballet dancer and founder of Rose & Clay Jewelry, about rediscovering passion, balance, and creativity when life takes an unexpected turn. Kelsey shares how her relationship with ballet has evolved from pre-professional burnout to dancing purely for joy, and how in a season of disappointed hopes, she found creative fulfillment in bui...
Ever wonder what makes a truly great ballet student? The kind of student who gets the most out of their classes, and experiences growth and improvement over time? In this episode, I sit down with Julie Leung of Broche Ballet to talk strategies and tips adult dancers can use to be a great student and experience more progress and fulfillment in the studio as a result. Julie shares the habits and mindsets she personally uses to be successful, the common misconceptions that hold adult dance...
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