The Adult Ballet Studio

Choreographer Stefanie Nelson is in the studio this month! This year marks a milestone for her impactful and groundbreaking contemporary dance company -  the 25th anniversary of Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup. Founded by Stefanie in New York City in 2000, the company has been described as instinctual and untamed, pushing the boundaries of performance while creating meaningful connections between artists, audiences, and communities.Stefanie has staged work all over the world from Lincoln Center and Jacob’s Pillow to international venues across Italy. She is also the founder of Dance Italia, a summer program in Lucca, Italy.Stefanie’s impact extends far beyond the stage as well. In collaboration with AHRC NYC, she launched the Everyone Dance program, providing weekly classes and performance opportunities for dancers with intellectual and developmental disabilities across New York City. This spring, that work took center stage at Columbia University’s Miller Theater with Everyone Dance: Spring 25, a free performance featuring original works by award-winning choreographers—and an audience dance party to close it out.Stefanie also founded The Moving Memory Project, an ongoing initiative that brings together artists, caregivers, and seniors to explore memory, identity, and dementia through performance.She joined The Adult Ballet Studio to talk about 25 years of creating dance — her vision, her collaborations, and how her company continues to bring movement into new spaces of joy, healing, and transformation. Check it out! ​Follow Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup on Instagram: @sndancegroup​Follow Dance Italia on Instagram: @dance_italia​Learn more about Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup: https://www.sndancegroup.org/​Learn more about Dance Italia: https://www.danceitalia.com/​Purchase tickets to SND X West Harlem Arts Alliance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/snd-x-west-harlem-arts-alliance-tickets-1652454208019?aff=oddtdtcreator​Subscribe to The Adult Ballet Studio on YouTube: @adultballetstudioMusic in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to create movement that lasts a lifetime—work that outlives trends, resonates across genres, and moves audiences for generations? World-renowned choreographer Lar Lubovitch joined the studio for a mid-month episode to talk about his creative process and his upcoming projects!For more than six decades, Lar has shaped the landscape of dance with works that are both technically masterful and deeply human. His own company, Lar Lubovitch Dance Company, founded in 1968, has created more than 120 works performed in more than 40 countries.Lar says that from the moment he started dancing, he knew he would be a choreographer. But dance is a journey he began relatively late at 19. He spoke about the freedom his later start in dance gave him to experiment, mix styles, and create work that bridges the divide between ballet and modern dance. All of this propelled him into success as a groundbreaking choreographer. In this interview, he discusses the intersections of his background as a painter and sculptor with his choreography, which he views similarly in brushstrokes and shapes that illustrate the music. He shares that the initial spark of joy seeing dancers move on stage that inspired him to explore dance in the first place is still inspiring him to this day. And he talks about how, at 82, he sees himself as an adult dancer needing to stay engaged with dance even while his experience with the art form evolves as he ages.He also spoke about his work on Broadway, including staging the original Broadway production of Into the Woods, which earned him a Tony nomination, The Red Shoes, winning an Astaire Award, and the Tony-winning revival of The King and I. He has also made contributions to choreography in the field of ice-dancing, creating dances for Olympic skaters and choreographing two ice-dances for television: The Sleeping Beauty (PBS) and The Planets (A&E, nominated for an International Emmy Award, a Cable Ace Award, and a Grammy Award). Finally, he shares the vision behind his new program, Art of the Solo, in which his solo works are brought to life by a cast of dancers as part of The Guggenheim’s Works & Process Series in New York. Check out the conversation!Follow Lar Lubovitch Dance Company on Instagram: @lubovitchLearn more about Lar Lubovitch Dance Company: www.lubovitch.orgPurchase tickets to Works & Process presents Lar Lubovitch: Art of the Solo: https://www.guggenheim.org/event/works-process-lar-lubovitch-art-of-the-soloSubscribe to The Adult Ballet Studio on YouTube: @adultballetstudioMusic in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abigail Keyes is in the studio this month! She is a former CIA political weapons analyst turned professional belly dancer. With a BA in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton and an MA in Dance Studies from Mills College, she blends academic insight with expressive movement and a deep amount of knowledge from her government background. She’s also an educator currently teaching two lecture courses at Skyline College in San Bruno, California.In this episode, we dive into how dance is more than art—it's protest, resistance, and cultural connection. Abigail shares how accessible, inclusive dance education can empower individuals and communities to push back against oppression, while reclaiming joy and autonomy. We also chat about her book Weird Dance: Curious and Bizarre Dancing Trivia, her viral social media moments, and how ballet itself is evolving—thanks in part to adult dancers showing up, challenging tradition, and reshaping the space. Check it out! Follow Abigail on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abigailrkeyes/Learn more about Abigail’s dancing: https://www.akeyesdance.com/Learn more about Abigail’s writing: https://www.akeyeswriting.com/Check out Abigail and Tim’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Weird-Dance-Curious-Bizarre-Dancing/dp/1510731040Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jess Spinner, former pro dancer turned health, wellness and lifestyle coach for dancers, is in the studio this month! She’s the founder of The Whole Dancer - a platform where she seeks to transform the way dancers approach health, body image, and self-worth both inside and outside of the studio.Jess is a lifelong dancer, but she says her professional career ended partly because of an injury and partly because she never worked through a disordered relationship with food and her body.In 2009 while she was still dancing, she became one of Whole Foods Market’s first Healthy Eating Specialists trained in Nutritarian Plant Based Nutrition. In 2013, she became a Holistic Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and eventually founded The Whole Dancer.Through this platform, she’s worked with aspiring and professional dancers around the world as well as retired dancers, adult ballet students, and dance teachers. And she realized something in the process: True success in dance doesn't come from perfection, but from balance, well-being, and self-compassion.Now, through The Whole Dancer, Jess is empowering dancers to build healthy habits, heal their relationship with food, and finally feel confident in their bodies — without sacrificing their dreams. Check out what she had to say! *As a heads up, this episode addresses body image, weight and diet culture, and disordered eating.Follow Jess on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewholedancer/Learn more about The Whole Dancer: https://www.thewholedancer.com/Check out The Whole Dancer Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-whole-dancer-helping-you-achieve-a-more/id1523504985Follow The Adult Ballet Studio on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eblosfield91Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adult ballet dancer and volunteer studio manager at Dance Theatre Northwest in Washington, Sarah Witherup, joined the studio this month! We spoke about how ballet became not just a passion for her, but a lifeline. As a highly trained endurance athlete, Sarah is no stranger to challenges. But after the loss of her son and at the age of 49, Sarah stepped into a ballet studio for the first time and says it was one of the most difficult and fulfilling steps she’s taken. Discovering ballet began a journey that would intertwine with her gender transition, self-discovery, and healing.In this episode, she talks about what it means to enter the traditional and highly structured world of ballet as a transgender woman, how dance became a vital part of stepping fully into her identity, and the challenges and joys she’s encountered along the way—from pointe classes and performing on stage to unexpected in studio laughs and dress code dilemmas. Sarah also shares the work she’s doing to make ballet more inclusive, including establishing a nonbinary dress code and an adult ballet intensive at Dance Theatre Northwest.Sarah’s story reminds dancers to rethink what grace and strength can look like, to take up space inside and outside of the ballet studio, and to consider the importance of finding a place to belong.Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/witherup2019/Learn more about Dance Theatre Northwest: https://dtnw.org/Check out Dance Theatre Northwest’s Adult Ballet Intensive: https://dtnw.org/adult-summer-intensive-program/Learn about Wear Blue: Run to Remember: https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/Follow The Adult Ballet Studio on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eblosfield91*This episode discusses suicide, depression and PTSD. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. These services are free and confidential.*Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former dancer and senior teaching artist for The National Ballet of Canada, Annemarie Cabri, joined The Adult Ballet Studio this month! Follow Annemarie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemariecabri.dance/Learn more about Cabri Dance: https://www.cabridance.com/Subscribe to Annemarie’s Silver Swans newsletter: https://www.cabridance.com/past-newslettersRegister for the Silver Swans Summer Session for 2025: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBzu3ZgagxeqR4JoDcdxCjlx2QZqQLVfgebpNdEUt_uRDWtA/viewform?pli=1Additional thoughts from Annemarie, lightly edited for brevity:I had a moment of ‘esprit d’escalier.’ This is a new-to-me French expression that means the things you think about after the fact. Elizabeth asked me what it is about ‘every day movement’ that inspires me to create dance? Prior to this question, there was some talk about how we are meant to move and dance, and my fascination with our eight fundamental movement patterns babies sequence through in their first year of life. But what I realize now is that not only do these patterns set us up to be ready learners, and able to function at our highest potential, they also allow us to develop a lot of the attributes found in studying ballet.As a dancer, I’ve been told that I observe and move through the world always from a dancer’s viewpoint. I am not a dancer only when on stage or in the studio. And here lies the connection perhaps to a life philosophy: to move gently in the world and give more than take. This is important to me that ballet is more than the steps or costume or story. Ballet movement, philosophy, and the music that coordinates with ballet includes deep emotions and physical expression. The feeling of ourselves in space and ability to imagine many different ways to move can be deadened as we age. How to simulate the exhilaration we feel and have known in a class when the participants can no longer run?The last question posed by Elizabeth was how do I envision ballet in the future? I would like teachers to bring joy to the students, knowledge of the roots of each step, why they were created, and how we can bring quality of movement to feel and see the artistry that ballet was developed for. People were interested in, and understood, how feeling, seeing, and surrounding oneself in beauty, and things of beauty improved oneself. From inside and out, you could have your world stretched.As for ballet on stage, it’s a big question. Ballet directors are coming together to ask these very serious questions from all around the world. The Dutch National Ballet started the conference ‘Positioning Ballet’ in 2017, and this month for the first time, the conference will be held at Canada’s National Ballet Company. How do we preserve the historic ballets with their gendered roles and story lines in today’s experience? How do we retain the physical history from the original choreographers as we get further and further away from anyone alive today to pass this knowledge on? I would like to see a variety of ballets on stage from the preserved ballet technique and style that was created in the older ballets to new works that take the ballet technique to a new plane. I would like to see the dancers on stage represent our world today. How this is done, I’m not quite sure, but I am hopeful there are creatives who will know how and have the desire to do so.Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kathryn Morgan is in the studio this month! She is a trailblazing ballerina - or bunhead - as she described herself in this interview - who has redefined what a ballet career can look like beyond traditional company life. She began her professional career in 2006 with the New York City Ballet, rising to the rank of soloist before making the difficult decision to leave the company to focus on personal health challenges. She made a return to the stage with Miami City Ballet in 2019. In 2020, in the midst of pandemic shutdowns that challenged every industry — including the performing arts — she went to work to transform the ballet landscape by founding her brand, Kathryn Morgan & Friends. This is a community dedicated to celebrating dancers for who they are, beyond only their technical skills. Her platform offers online classes, workshops, and retreats, emphasizing the joy of dance and creating a supportive environment for adult ballet dancers in particular.Through her online classes, YouTube channel, social media platform, and workshops, Kathryn continues to inspire and empower dancers at all levels, challenging traditional norms for ballet and advocating for a more inclusive culture within the art form. Her willingness to speak out against toxic ballet culture and instead create a welcoming environment in her classes has not only enriched ballet but has sparked meaningful conversations about what being a successful, healthy and well rounded dancer truly looks like.This conversation discusses body image and health struggles particularly related to diet culture and weight, which can be a sensitive topic for some listeners. Those topics are throughout this conversation, so please be kind to yourself and fast forward if you hear something that’s difficult for you. There are two places where that discussion is particularly detailed — around minutes 4:00-11:00 and again during minutes 21:00-27:00. Check out what Kathryn had to say!Follow Kathryn on Instagram: @kathryn_morganVisit Kathryn’s website: www.kathrynmorganonline.comLearn more about Kathryn Morgan & Friends: www.kmandfriends.comSubscribe to Kathryn’s YouTube channel: @kathryn_morganSign up for Kathryn’s upcoming adult ballet retreats: https://www.kmandfriends.com/retreats Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comAd: Support Author Meg Groff and her book Not If I Can Help It: A Family Lawyer’s Battles for Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence and the Poor. A book release party will be held at Puck Live in Doylestown, PA.Purchase her book from Rivertowns Books: https://www.rivertownsbooks.com/book-page/not-if-i-can-help-it-by-meg-groffCheck out her book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219393016-not-if-i-can-help-itOrder her book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/2dahGVDSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adult ballet dancer and board member for the Children’s Dance Theater of Okanogan County in Washington, Rob MacCaul, is in the studio this month! Rob’s story about discovering ballet is a testament to passion, perseverance, and self-discovery. It began in 1982 with a chance encounter at a dance studio in Waikiki—an experience that sparked a lifelong love for ballet. From taking classes in Pasadena to performing on stage as an adult in Seattle, Rob spoke about how ballet helped him discover and express his identity and taught him that he can still challenge himself in adulthood, whether it’s through performing on stage as an adult or taking the step of going en pointe at age 58. His story goes beyond ballet as well. It’s about finding the courage to express himself authentically, navigating societal expectations, and building a community that embraces everyone in dance. Check it out! Follow Rob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rmaccaul Check out the pointe shoe inserts Rob shared: https://perfectfitpointe.com/ Follow The Red Shoes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redshoesdancewear Check out LFW School of Dance, where Rob takes classes: https://lfwschoolofdance.com/ Rob recommended The Dancewear Center: https://www.dancewearcenter.net/ Support The Children’s Dance Theater of Okanogan County: https://www.facebook.com/p/Childrens-Dance-Theater-of-Okanogan-County-100070283439729/ Check out Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo: https://trockadero.org/Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comFollow The Adult Ballet Studio on YouTube! ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@eblosfield91⁠Support this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eduardo Vilaro, artistic director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico, is in the studio this month! Ballet Hispánico was founded back in 1970 by Tina Ramirez, and the company has spent more than five decades celebrating the vibrant diversity of Latino cultures through dance. The company says it’s not just about performances—it’s also about breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and making space for Latino/Latina voices on stages all around the world.Eduardo originally joined the company as a dancer and educator in the ‘80s after taking a class and being hand selected by Tina. After spending his next ten-year chapter as founder and artistic director of Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, his career brought him back to Ballet Hispánico as artistic director in 2009 - becoming the second person ever to head the company since its founding - and CEO in 2015. Born in Cuba and raised in New York, Eduardo not only shaped the company’s contemporary style but has also expanded its reach.We talked about his career and his approach to carrying Ballet Hispánico’s legacy forward. He also shared what he learned from Tina, a trailblazer in New York’s ballet community, and what it means to connect his community with this art form and tell stories through dance that resonate across generations. He spoke about why dance is an important vehicle for Latino artists to honor their heritage and explore their identities. Check it out! Learn more about Ballet Hispánico: www.ballethispanico.org Follow Ballet Hispánico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballethispanico/?hl=en Follow Eduardo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ervilaro/?hl=en Purchase tickets for CARMEN.maquia at New York City Center: https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2024-2025/ballet-hispanico/Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month’s guest for The Adult Ballet Studio is Marilyn Klaus, the visionary artistic director and founder of Ballets with a Twist, a New York City-based ballet company that brings the glamour and charm of Old Hollywood to life through dance. Marilyn’s company redefines classical ballet, adding a pop-culture twist with choreography inspired by iconic American cocktails, like the Mai Tai and Martini, in its signature production, Cocktail Hour: The Show. With original choreography by Marilyn, music by Grammy-nominated composer Stephen Gaboury, and costumes by Catherine Zehr, each performance offers a unique experience, weaving elements of improvisation and Hollywood-inspired drama and humor.In our conversation, Marilyn shares how Ballets with a Twist attracts diverse audiences by making ballet accessible and exciting, bringing it back into the cultural mainstream. We dive into her journey from LA to NYC, her early influences, and how she’s crafted performances that appeal to both ballet enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Marilyn’s passion for reimagining ballet shines through, and this episode offers insight into how she’s breaking new ground in the dance world. Check it out!  Check out Ballets With a Twist: www.balletswithatwist.com Follow Ballets With a Twist on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balletswithatwist/?hl=en And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GotoBalletswithaTwist/ Purchase tickets for Ballets With a Twists’ November show: https://tryonarts.org/event/cocktail-hour-the-show-by-ballets-with-a-twist/Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Limón Dance Company is presenting its 78th season this year,  and on this episode of The Adult Ballet Studio, we have two incredible guests to celebrate: Limón Dance Company Artistic Director Dante Puleio and Choreographer Kayla Farrish! After a career performing with The Limón Dance Company, touring national and international musical theatre productions, television and film, Dante received his MFA from the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on contextualizing mid-20th century dance for the contemporary artist and audience. Dante shares his vision for honoring the company’s rich history while evolving its storytelling to resonate with modern audiences. Kayla is a New York-based dancer, choreographer, director, and photographer who has been commissioned to create a new piece for the company’s upcoming season that examines two of Limón’s previous works, “Redes” and El Grito.” Her multi-disciplinary work has been recognized by Sundance, the New York Times, and the Harkness Promise Award. She was also awarded a Bessie Performance Award for her solo “People Above the Moon.”In this conversation, Dante and Kayla discuss the intersection of ballet and modern dance, the responsibility of preserving history while pushing creative boundaries, and the ways dance can inspire social change. Check it out! Buy tickets to see The Limón Dance Company at The Joyce Theater Nov. 5-10: https://www.joyce.org/performances/132//limon-dance-company. Follow The Limón Dance Company on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limondance/?hl=en Learn more about The Limón Dance Company: www.limon.nyc Follow Kayla Farrish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulloutfarrish/ Learn more about Kayla's work: https://www.kaylafarrish.com/Purchase tickets to Leigh Purtill Ballet Company's upcoming performance, Sweet Sorrow: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sweet-sorrow-a-zombie-ballet-tickets-952037418547Use this access code for a 10% discount on tickets: ADLTBALL10Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea Weidmann joined The Adult Ballet Studio for this episode! She is a ballet instructor and the founder of Geeky Ballerina, a platform offering resources and curriculums for ballet instructors and students alike.Chelsea has been teaching ballet for more than 25 years, She taught for Ballet West Academy for four years and has an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts. She’s fully ABT certified, fully certified in mUvmethod and certified in level 1 of PBT.She says teaching is a big passion for her and has dedicated her time to developing in-depth teaching resources, curriculums for various levels of ballet, and a framework for what she views as the nine elements of artistry, all available on her website.She also has a monthly newsletter and moderates the New Ballet Teachers Group on Facebook. In this episode, Chelsea shares her journey to finding her own space in the ballet world and offers her advice for other dancers to do the same. She also shares insights on developing a classroom for adult ballet dancers versus for kids and teens and ways adults can take care of their mental and emotional well-being while engaging in an art form that is physically demanding. Check it out! Check out Geeky Ballerina: www.geekyballerina.com Follow Chelsea on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@geekyballerina And Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekyballerina/ And Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@geekyballerina5836 Read more about Chelsea’s nine elements of artistry: https://www.geekyballerina.com/elements-of-artistryVote for The Adult Ballet Studio in the arts & design category for the Women in Podcasting Awards! Voting ends October 1st: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/voteMusic in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining the studio for this episode is Helen Banks, owner and CEO of the sustainable dancewear brand, Imperfect Pointes! Helen founded Imperfect Pointes in 2020 out of frustration at the lack of dancewear brands focusing on sustainability. After working in fast fashion and seeing the darker side of the fashion industry, she was upset by the amount of waste going to landfills and the poor working conditions in some factories where dancewear is made. To support her journey in launching a more sustainable method of producing and selling dancewear, she studied sustainable business leadership at the University of Cambridge and is now on a mission to bring about what she calls “a dancewear revolution.”While not a dancer herself, Helen became interested in the dancewear space in part by watching her daughter develop a love for ballet. Imperfect Pointes’ main objectives are to create a community where everyone who loves ballet can feel included through representation, diversity, and body positivity, and to make sure that the company isn’t adding to landfills and is helping to keep plastic waste out of oceans. The company is committed to repairing, reusing and recycling while aiming for zero waste. All of Imperfect Pointes’ products are made from recycled materials, such as nylon.Helen also wants to encourage the broader ballet community to make changes by educating other dancewear brands on switching to more sustainable production practices. In this episode, she shares tips about what everyone, from individual dancers to studios to brands and companies, can do to practice sustainability. Check it out! Follow Imperfect Pointes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imperfectpointes and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imperfectpointes?lang=en Check out Imperfect Pointes’ dancewear and blog: https://imperfectpointes.com/ Find Imperfect Pointes products on Tutulist: https://www.tutulist.com/s?keywords=imperfect%20pointes Read The Guardian article, US and UK citizens are world’s biggest sources of plastic waste - study: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/30/us-and-uk-citizens-are-worlds-biggest-sources-of-plastic-waste-studyVote for The Adult Ballet Studio in the arts & design category for the Women in Podcasting Awards! Voting ends October 1st: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/voteMusic in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pirkko Markula, contemporary dancer and professor of socio-cultural studies of physical activity at the University of Alberta in Canada, is in the studio!She has a Ph.D in kinesiology and major sport sociology from the University of Illinois. Beyond academia, she’s a dancer herself, previously training in the Dance Department at the University of Illinois with an emphasis on Merce Cunningham, Paul Taylor,  and José Limón techniques. She is currently a choreographer and dancer for Initial 6, a contemporary dance company for dancers above the age of 40 at the University of Alberta.Combining her love for movement and academia, one of her areas of research is dance and exercise in contemporary culture, with an emphasis on dance and the aging process. Through her Psychology Today blog, Fit Femininity, she examines how adult ballet dancers discover a new sense of self in a ballet class. A collection of essays Pirkko edited alongside colleagues and students in January 2018, titled “The Evolving Feminine Ballet Body,” explores a range of topics regarding the ways ballet has influenced contemporary culture throughout its evolution. In this episode, we discuss how the ideal ballet body - both celebrated and criticized at times - has evolved alongside ballet as an art form, how ballet has contributed to broader cultural narratives, and especially, how body ideals in ballet have influenced societal views of femininity, beauty, and womanhood. Check it out!**This episode discusses body image and touches on disordered eating, which can be a sensitive topic. That discussion begins around 14:00 and continues until 29:00, for any listeners who want to skip ahead.  Follow Pirkko’s Psychology Today blog, Fit Femininity: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fit-femininity Check out The Evolving Feminine Ballet Body essay collection: https://a.co/d/3IZotEW Read Pirkko’s article, What We Can Learn From Women Who Take Adult Ballet Classes: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fit-femininity/202302/what-we-can-learn-from-women-who-take-adult-ballet-classes Vote for The Adult Ballet Studio in the arts & design category for the Women in Podcasting Awards! Voting ends October 1st: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/voteMusic in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Adult Ballet Studio has another special guest for this episode! Cecelia Beam, faculty member for adult ballet and dance classes for people with Parkinson’s at San Francisco Ballet, is in the studio.Cecelia is a former dancer, training at School of American Ballet in New York City and graduating from the high school ballet program at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After dancing in Oakland, California, North Carolina, Indiana and New York, Cecelia found teaching. She earned a master’s degree in ballet at Indiana University and has taught ballet at universities and private ballet schools, including Mills College, Indiana University, and San Francisco Ballet School. She has a passion for teaching ballet for adults, and in addition to that, she manages and is the lead teacher for San Francisco Ballet School’s Dance Class for People with Parkinson’s and has coordinated San Francisco Ballet Adult Education Programs for more than 15 years.She shared some of the ways she structures her classes to make them as inclusive as possible while remaining committed to ballet technique and challenging her students. She also talked about the ways she’s seen ballet change throughout her time studying it, and where she hopes things are headed in the future. Check it out! Learn more about Cecelia and her classes at SF Ballet: https://www.sfballet.org/artist/cecelia-beam/  Learn about Cecelia’s work with the Parkinson’s Foundation: https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/stories/cecelia-beam  Donate to the Parkinson’s Foundation: Donate here! Learn about SF Ballet’s adult program and Dance Class for People with Parkinson’s: https://www.sfballet.org/school-community/adult-programs/parkinsons/ Email Cecelia: ceceliasballetclass@gmail.com Vote for The Adult Ballet Studio in the arts category for The People's Choice Podcast Awards! Voting ends July 31. https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signupMusic in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker Daniel Watt is in the studio for this episode! Dan is producer and director of the award-winning documentary “Everybody Dance” — currently available on iTunes, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime, which is offering it for free in recognition of the month of July as Disability Pride Month.The film follows five kids with different disabilities and their families as well as their dance teacher, Bonnie Schlachte, as they prepare for their end of year recital. Bonnie is founder and director of Ballet For All Kids, a non-profit program that teaches classical ballet and other dance styles using The Schlachte Method - a certified curriculum developed by Bonnie to accommodate all abilities, body types, and learning styles in ballet. The film explores how dance has changed the lives of these kids and many others studying through Bonnie’s organization.“Everybody Dance” won in the category of best direction of a documentary at the 2023 Chita Rivera Awards. It was a 2022 Cleveland International Film Festival nominee, premiered at the 2024 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and most recently, was nominated for an Emmy in the independent programming category in Los Angeles.Dan began his dance career in Cleveland, Ohio, and continued studying in New York City and Los Angeles. He performed with the Joffrey Ballet in Los Angeles before transitioning into a career in film, in which he spent five years in film development at Columbia Pictures and five years working at Syco Entertainment, a London-headquartered music, television, and film production company founded by Simon Cowell with Sony Music Entertainment. Dan has previously worked on the 2013 documentary “One Direction: This Is Us” and was a producer on the award-winning documentary “The Center: Gibbons and Guardians.”He joined the podcast to talk about the process of creating “Everybody Dance,” his dance and film career, the importance of taking risks and following your passion, and what projects he’s working on next. Check it out! Watch Everybody Dance for free on Amazon Prime for Disability Pride Month: https://www.amazon.com/Everybody-Dance-Bonnie-Schlachte/dp/B0B5KLD2JD Follow Everybody Dance documentary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybodydancedoc Follow Daniel Watt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancindanw Learn more about Bonnie Schlachte and Ballet for All Kids: https://www.balletforallkids.com/Vote for The Adult Ballet Studio in the arts category for The People's Choice Podcast Awards! Voting ends July 31. ⁠https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup⁠Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield  | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julie Dupas, founder of Amsterdam Amateur Ballet and Morlaix Ballet Camp, is in the studio for this episode! After beginning ballet in her 20s and noticing a lack of performance opportunities for adult ballet dancers, Julie founded Amsterdam Amateur Ballet, an inclusive and affordable amateur adult performance group based in Amsterdam. She also founded international summer camp Morlaix Ballet Camp, in which adult dancers take class, learn and perform a complete ballet alongside professional dancers in the course of eight days.Julie studied jazz as a form of dance for most of her childhood and eventually went on to become a scientist with a PhD in biology. She taught biology for five years before deciding to switch careers, founding two ballet non-profits and working as a pilates instructor. She joined the studio to discuss how her science background has served her in ballet, how dancers can build strength and flexibility with pilates, and what she hopes adults take away from her classes. She also discussed the anxieties, and ultimately, the benefits of making a mid-career shift and her advice for other adults beginning ballet later in life. Check it out! Follow Julie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julie.pilates.ballet/ Learn more about Amsterdam Amateur Ballet: https://amsterdamamateurballet.com/ Check out Morlaix Ballet Camp: https://morlaixballetcamp.com/ Learn why The Australian Ballet dancers quit stretching before class: https://dancemagazine.com.au/2019/09/why-the-australian-ballet-dancers-quit-stretching/#:~:text=The%20Australian%20Ballet%20dancers%20now,a%20great%20risk%20reduction%20strategy.Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/ @eblosfield | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adriana Pierce is a dancer, choreographer, and director based in New York City, and she joined the studio to talk about her work elevating queer artists in ballet, creating community, and her career in classical ballet as well as musical theater! Adriana is the founder of Queer the Ballet, an initiative with the mission to widen the scope of classical ballet by producing queer work by queer dance artists. Queer the Ballet says on its website that it seeks to “queer” our ballet spaces and explore choreography often absent from ballet stages.After training at School of American Ballet, Adriana began her dancing career with New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet before realizing another dream of hers - working in Broadway, film and tv! She appeared in the 2018 Broadway revival of Carousel, in Steven Spielberg’s 2021 West Side Story film, and in the 2019 limited series on FX, Fosse/Verdon. She’s currently the associate director and associate choreographer for Justin Peck’s “Illinoise" on Broadway. Adriana’s other choreographic work features movement and partnering that allows dancers of all genders equal agency, dismantling the traditional gender dynamics of dance. Her choreography has been performed by American Ballet Theatre, Carolina Ballet, Columbia Ballet Collaborative, Ashley Bouder Project, and more. She’s also completed residencies with Center for Ballet and the Arts at NYU and Bridge Street Theatre, and she was recognized by Dance Magazine as one of 25 to watch in 2022. Follow Adriana on Instagram: @adriprc Follow Queer the Ballet on Instagram: @queertheballet Check out Adriana’s work: www.adrianapierce.com Support Queer the Ballet: www.queertheballet.com/donate Get tickets to Queer the Ballet’s upcoming performance, Dream of a Common Language: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36678/production/1194112?performanceId=11435956 Get tickets for Illinoise: https://illinoiseonstage.com/tickets/Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sander Blommaert is in the studio for this episode! He’s the founder and director of Blommaert Ballet School in Birmingham, England, and a former first artist at The Royal Ballet company. Since the school’s official founding in 2021, BBS has become known as an audition preparation school, working with young students pursuing professional ballet careers as well as offering classes for all ages. Over the last two years, students studying with BBS have secured over 100 places at vocational schools. Sander spoke about his time dancing professionally at The Royal Ballet company, his work as an instructor and ballet school owner, as well as his work with the adult ballet community. Founding BBS in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns made him realize that offering online one-on-one teaching services as well as online classes is an important part of his school’s mission to expand access to ballet. Sander also shared that he taught 100 ballet classes in 100 days over Instagram live during the pandemic shutdowns, raising seven thousand pounds for the UK’s National Health Service. Check out the episode to hear more! Follow Sander on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanderblommaert/ Follow Blommaert Ballet School on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blommaertballetschool/?hl=en Check out Blommaert Ballet School: https://www.blommaertballetschool.com/ Get involved with Ballet On Demand: www.balletondemand.com  Continue Sander’s work supporting the NHS: https://nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/donate/Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ballet instructor, classroom teacher, mom and former pro dancer Leigh Brockman Horowitz is in the studio for this episode! She’s talking about mental health, physical health, brain science, neurodiversity in ballet and the arts, and more. Leigh is a certified ballet and character dance teacher who has been teaching dance for more than twenty years. She is currently based in St. Louis, where she teaches adult ballet. She’s served as a faculty member at the Center of Creative Arts in St. Louis and in the ballet department at Loyola University in her native city of New Orleans. Leigh has made it her mission to spread the knowledge of ballet and make it as accessible as possible, especially through her Instagram content as Sassy Southern Ballet Mama! As someone with ADHD and multiple sclerosis, much of her work focuses on how the ballet world can become more accommodating for neurodivergent dancers or those with mental and physical health challenges. She discusses how teachers can create classrooms that accommodate all types of learners and what her journey with her mental and physical health has taught her about working with adult ballet students. Check it out! Follow Leigh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassysouthernballetmama/ Stay tuned for updates about Leigh’s work: www.sassysouthernballetmama.com Music in this episode:Waltz of the Flowers - TchaikovskyBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeodBarroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310Artist: http://incompetech.com/@eblosfield | theadultballetstudio@gmail.comSupport this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.