Pushing Over the Box

Join Jasmine as Ingrid Thoms shares her experiences and challenges as a dancer navigating the competitive world of ballet. She discusses the nerves associated with company classes, the importance of being respectful, and the dynamics within dance companies, highlighting the learning curve involved in adapting to these environments.

In this conversation, Skylar Brandt discusses her journey of personal growth during a period of injury. She reflects on how the injury provided her with a rare opportunity to take a break from her rigorous dance schedule, which she had not experienced since childhood. Skylar emphasizes the importance of recovery, self-care, and the mental challenges that come with taking time off, including feelings of FOMO. Ultimately, she highlights how embracing this time led to significant personal development.

In this conversation, Erica shares her journey from a young dancer to a professional ballet dancer, discussing her early experiences, education, and the challenges she faced in the competitive world of ballet. She reflects on the support from her family, the transition to professional life, and her current role as a teacher. Erica also touches on the balance between her career and family life, her views on success, and the sacrifices made along the way.

Join Jasmine Jain as she chats with Chiara Ajkun and Abbi Johnson about their passion for ballet and the journey from young dancers to inspiring leaders in the dance world. Chiara shares her story of growing up in a dance studio and how her love for choreography blossomed, while Abbi talks about the importance of individuality and curiosity in young dancers. Together, they discuss how dancers should take care of their bodies and not push through injuries, the importance of building up young dancers, and how to make ballet more accessible. It's a heartwarming conversation filled with insights and inspiration for anyone who loves dance!

In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Miro Magloire, founder and artistic director of New Chamber Ballet, shares his journey from a young musician to a prominent choreographer in New York City. He discusses his early influences in music, the transition to dance, and the founding of his own ballet company. Miro emphasizes the importance of collaboration, the audition process, and the challenges of balancing artistic vision with practical realities. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring dancers, encouraging them to follow their instincts and take responsibility for their own artistic fulfillment.

In this debut episode, Jasmine sits down with New York City Ballet principal dancer Isabella LaFreniere to talk about the realities behind the spotlight from navigating pressure to finding purpose in the pursuit of perfection. Together, they explore what it really means to perform under pressure, why resilience matters, and how passion fuels artistry at the highest level.