Ballet Help Desk

There's no such thing as a perfect path in ballet, and few people know that better than Francis Veyette, Co-Founder of the Veyette Virtual Ballet School. In part 1 of this episode of #NoThirds, Fran talks about the ups and downs of a dance career, how setbacks can create unexpected growth, and why parental support and trust are critical along the way. He also explains how dancers can better navigate feedback, understand company dynamics, and use peer networks to stay informed. It's a candid look at the messy, unpredictable reality of building a career in ballet, and how to make the most of it. Interested in working with Fran at Veyette Virtual Ballet School? Check out our Back to Dance Guide for an  exclusive discount. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Oğulcan Borova, Head of the Trainee and Studio Company Programs at the Grainger Academy, joins us to explain how the school is structured. The Conservatory provides intensive training, while the Trainee and Studio Company levels serve as postgraduate bridges to professional careers. Borova also discusses Winning Works, the academy's program where guest choreographers set new creations on students, offering them invaluable real-world experience. He also shares how mentorship, performance experience, and financial support combine to help dancers bridge the gap between the classroom and company life. Learn more about the Grainger Academy on their website Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok: @BalletHelpDesk

Ballet Memphis is redefining what it means to be a ballet company. In this conversation, Artistic Director Steven McMahon and Academy Co-Directors Virginia and Brandon Ramey discuss how they've built a company that belongs to its city, one that reflects Memphis's energy, diversity, and creative spirit. They also talk about the realities of running a regional company, the importance of representation on and off the stage, and their belief that ballet's future depends on connection to community. Learn more about Ballet Memphis on their website. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok: @BalletHelpDesk

Eva Stone believes every young woman in ballet should learn to choreograph, and she is on a mission to make that happen. In this episode, the Pacific Northwest Ballet faculty member shares why she sees choreography as essential to developing artistic confidence, voice, and agency in female dancers. She talks about her New Voices program, which gives young women the opportunity to create their own work, and how the experience transforms the way they approach dance, creativity, and leadership. Eva also reflects on her own unconventional path to PNB, the importance of building resilience through rejection, and why empowering dancers to think and create for themselves is key to the future of ballet. Learn more about Eva on her website. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok: @BalletHelpDesk

Dancer Daria Breslin shares her path from early training in Maryland to professional life with City Ballet of San Diego. She talks about the lessons learned at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Nashville Ballet, the importance of mentorship and community, and the realities of auditions and feedback. Daria's story offers an honest look at what it takes to stay grounded, grow as an artist, and find your place in the ballet world.  Learn more about Daria on her Instagram: @daria.ballerina18/ Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok:  Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Eugene Ballet has grown from a small regional company into a thriving school and professional ensemble. Founder Toni Pimble, Artistic Director Jennifer Martin, and School Director Sara Lombardi discuss the company's journey, their approach to dancer training, including how dancers in their Aspirant program move into the company, as well as how they're shaping ballet's future in Oregon and beyond. Read reviews of Eugene Ballet Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok:  Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

In this episode of #NoThirds, we sit down with Fran Veyette, co-founder of Veyette Virtual Ballet School, to talk about the realities of ballet training and the role parents play in a dancer's journey. Fran shares why training smarter is more important than training harder, what families should consider when choosing summer intensives, and how experiences in a company setting can shape a dancer's future. We also look at the parenting side of ballet, including how to support your child while letting them face disappointment, why every child needs a different approach, and the life skills dancers should build early to prepare for a professional career. For parents and dancers, this episode offers practical insights into navigating the highs, lows and big decisions of pre-professional training. Interested in working with Fran at Veyette Virtual Ballet School? Check out our Back to Dance Guide for an  exclusive discount. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Davit Karapetyan, Director of The School of Philadelphia Ballet, joins us to talk about how the school is structured and how dancers move through its levels, from the pre-professional program to PBII and beyond. He explains how auditions are evaluated, what adjudicators look for, and the common mistakes dancers should avoid. We also dig into how scholarships are awarded and renewed, the housing available to students, and what families should consider when deciding if it is time to move to a company-affiliated school. Karapetyan discusses the realities of career planning at the postgraduate level, how many dancers transition into PBII and the main company, and the skills students need both inside and outside the studio before leaving home for residential training. Finally, he shares his perspective on navigating the financial realities of ballet, managing expectations in a competitive field, and what he wishes young dancers and parents better understood about the path to a professional career. Read Reviews of The School of Philadelphia Ballet Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok:  Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI  

Deanna Seay, Training Coordinator at the School of Richmond Ballet, joins us to talk about how dancers move through the school, from early training to the pre-professional program, trainee level, and second company. She explains what adjudicators look for in auditions (and common mistakes), how scholarships work at different levels, and why not all of Richmond Ballet's trainees come from full-time training backgrounds. We also cover when families should consider a company-affiliated school, the culture Richmond Ballet aims to foster, and how students are prepared for both company life and a sustainable professional career. Read Reviews of The School of Richmond Ballet Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok:  Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI  

This is the first episode in our new Dancer Stories series, where professional dancers share their training paths their move into company life. Jaya Dhand talks about her experience at Indiana University, how she got hired by Ballet West 2, and her recent promotion to the main company. She explains the choices that shaped her training, what the audition process was like, and how she adjusted to professional life. Jaya also shares what she wishes she'd known as a student, the realities of dancer finances, and her advice for those preparing to go pro. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Former Pacific Northwest Ballet principals Sarah and Seth Orza share their training backgrounds, the hardest parts of becoming professionals, and the advice that shaped their paths. They talk about company moves, the realities of life onstage, and the transition into founding Orza ballet shoes. The conversation covers prototyping, manufacturing, and the role of their ballet network in building the business, as well as how their experiences as dancers continue to guide their work today. If you want to try out Orza brand shoes, find exclusive discounts on our website. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Fran shares more advice for students in Part 2 of #NoThirds: how respect and awareness shape auditions, why community matters, and what young dancers should know about contracts and career readiness. Interested in working with Fran at Veyette Virtual Ballet School? Check out our Back to Dance Guide for an exclusive discount. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI  

Listeners asked, and Fran Veyette answers! In this #NoThirds "Fran's Mailbag" episode, he breaks down how casting really works, whether principals dance less, what happens when dancers date (and break up), and yes — the truth about dogs in the studio. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Tune back in tomorrow for more of your questions answered. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

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 working alongside Hollywood stars, the unique challenges of filming ballet on camera, and why she thinks the movie still resonates years later. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

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 the trainee and second company programs connect dancers to careers, and the realities of preparing young artists for professional life. From audition advice to navigating low salaries in ballet, David offers clear guidance for students and parents on the path to becoming a professional dancer. You can learn more about CBA on their website. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

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, scoring, advice for first-time competitors, and the role IBC plays in shaping the future of ballet. You can learn more about USA IBC on their website. Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI  

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 the world. Learn more about IBC Helsinki on their website Links: Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Ballet Help Desk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

  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 young dancers, the role of parents, and why leadership today is about more than just perfect technique. Learn more about OKCB School on their website Links: Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Ballet Help Desk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

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, we cover it all. Fran also gets honest about the trade-offs of staying local in after-school training. Plus, we discuss why things like physical therapy access, peer dynamics, and open communication matter so much. This episode offers real talk and helpful insights to guide dancers and parents as they consider the next steps. Learn more about Fran and Veyette Virtual Ballet School More Links: Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Ballet Help Desk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

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 the whole dancer. The school emphasizes self-evaluation, open communication, a supportive environment, and career preparation to nurture artistic and personal growth. Learn more about Mosa on their website Links: Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Ballet Help Desk Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI