Shows
Ballet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast239 ~ Where Are They Now? Bald Ballerina ~ Maggie KudirkaBalancing Pointe Podcast's new mini series is called "Where are they now?". On this series some of the earliest and most popular guests to were asked to send an update on what is gong on in their lives right now. On this episode of "Where are they now?", previous Balancing Pointe guest Maggie Kudirka, otherwise known as the Bald Ballerina shares with us her amazing life updates. Maggie was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer when she was only 23. At that time, the statistics were not in her favor as the life expectancy of a person with her diagno...
2018-01-1000 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast237 ~Where Are They Now? Lauren Fadeley VeyetteBalancing Pointe Podcast's new mini series is called "Where are they now?". On this series some of the earliest and most popular guests to were asked to send an update on what is gong on in their lives right now. On this episode of "Where are they now?", previous Balancing Pointe guest AND Premier Dance Network host Lauren Fadeley Veyette shares with us some updates in her life as a Principal dancer with Miami City Ballet. Following her update, you will her the original interview with Lauren and her husband Francis. This was such a vibrant interview and...
2017-12-1500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast235 ~ Where are they now? Jenelle FigginsBalancing Pointe Podcast's new mini series is called "Where are they now?". On this series some of the earliest and most popular guests to were asked to send an update on what is gong on in their lives right now. On today's episode we catch up with Jenelle Figgins. Since we last spoke with Jenelle, she has not only won the Princess Grace award but was also featured in numerous magazines. Jenelle has also made a shift from Dance Theatre of Harlem, leaving the city of NYC to now dance with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, where she live...
2017-11-1600 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast234 ~ Where are they now? Dylan GutierrezBalancing Pointe Podcast's new mini series is called "Where are they now?". On this series some of the earliest and most popular guests to were asked to send an update on what is gong on in their lives right now. Today, Balancing Pointe is so excited to bring you the VERY FIRST guest on Balancing Pointe podcast from December 2013! Balancing Pointe's first guest is Dylan Gutierrez with the Joffrey Ballet. Dylan still holds such a special place with the podcast as he literally kicked off the the launch of the show. Kimberly admits to being VERY nervous! But as you’ll...
2017-11-0800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast233 ~ Where are they now? Alexa MaxwellOn this mini series, host Kimberly Falker provides an update on some of her most popular Balancing Pointe guests. On today's episode, she shares New York City Ballet corps member Alexa Maxwell's latest life update and then re-publishes Lexi's amazingly inspirational interview from three years ago. For more episodes and more dance related shows, visit the Premier Dance Network: Premier Dance Network Today's show was sponsored by: Bodywrappers
2017-11-0100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast212 ~ Jess Spinner, The Whole DancerToday Kimberly interviews Jess Spinner of The Whole Dancer Program. The interview comes LIVE from Boston. Jess shares with us her journey in dance and how body image struggles led her to becoming a professional in nutrition and ultimately creating The Whole Dancer program to help coach and empower dancers to find their best health both nutritionally but also physically. You can find more information about Jess' program here: The Whole Dancer Premier Dance Network
2016-09-1600 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast200 ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast Celebrates 200 Episodes!!!!!!In Honor of the Celebration of Balancing Pointe's 200th Episode, host Kimberly Falker takes us on her almost 3 years as a podcaster. You'll hear some never been shared stories on how her early days in the creation of the podcast as well as the biggest lesson learned as a parent of an aspiring professional dancer. In this episode Kimberly also dives in deep on the background of the Premier Dance Network which she launched in January 2016 as well as some unique perspective on each of the 8 shows currently featured on Premier Dance Network. And finally, Kimberly tells us about the...
2016-07-1600 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast196 ~ Ashley Ellis ~ Principal Dancer, Boston Ballet & Founder of Rubia WearOn today's episode Kimberly interviews Ashley Ellis LIVE in a quaint garden in South Boston, adjacent to the Boston Ballet studios. Ashley is not only a Principal dancer with the Boston Ballet, but the founder of Rubia Wear leg warmers, one of the hottest items for every dancer these days. Be sure to check out Ashley's trendy and stylish leg warmers here: Rubia Wear Ashley Ellis website Premier Dance Network Boston Ballet
2016-06-2400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast194 -Gina Pero: Dance-preneur, Elite Performance Coach, Speaker, former Radio City RocketteOn this episode Kimberly chats with Gina Pero who will be The Premier Dance Network's newest host to join her network of amazingly talented hosts. Gina Pero has turned her pain from obstacles such as a brain injury, scoliosis, and reverse bullying into her purpose. Going behind the curtain to learn about her and others personal experiences, influences, and triumphs will empower you to take action on the life you really want. The Gina Pero show will feature dialogue from family, professional colleagues, industry experts and performing artists, as she goes beyond one’s achievements and into the jo...
2016-06-2000 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast184 ~ LIVE from Minneapolis with Sarah Daley, Alvin Ailey American Dance TheaterToday's episode comes to you LIVE from the lobby of Sarah's hotel lobby. Sarah was in town with Alvin Ailey''s ballet company to perform in Minneapolis. We met in the lobby and had a great conversation covering topics from tattoos to life on the road and meditation. It was great to reconnect with Sarah. Sarah Daley (South Elgin, IL) began her training at the Faubourg School of Ballet in Illinois under the direction of Watmora Casey and Tatyana Mazur. She is a 2009 graduate of the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in Dance. Ms. Daley has trained at institutions su...
2016-04-2200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast180 ~ Rebecca King, Corps de Ballet - Miami City BalletRebecca King was born and raised in Northern California. She received her ballet training from former San Francisco Ballet School Director and ABT dancer Richard Cammack, former ABT and SFB dancer Zola Dishong, former NYCB dancer Charles Anderson and former Royal Swedish Ballet dancer Katarina Wester at Contra Costa Ballet Centre in Walnut Creek, Calif. King spent two summers studying at San Francisco Ballet School under the direction of Gloria Govrin. Her senior year in high school, she attended The Rock School in Philadelphia. After graduating in 2006, she moved to Miami to train at Miami City Ballet School.
2016-04-0100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast176 ~ Omar Z Robles, Urban Dance PhotographerOmar's first connection with visual storytelling through the art of mime theatre. Omar had the privilege of studying under the tutelage of Marcel Marceau at L’École Internationale de Mimodrame de Paris Marcel Marceau. Later, when he went to college to acquire his B.A in Communications and Arts, he discovered in photography a new way of telling stories without words. With photography he could immortalize the moments for a little longer. He has since explored as many areas of photography as he possibly can. Among these, Omar has found a unique way to photograph dancers athleticism and grit while main...
2016-03-1100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast166 ~ Kimberly Falker, the Host of Balancing Pointe Podcast is in the HOT seat today!On today's episode of Balancing Pointe Podcast the Host, Kimberly Falker is in the HOT seat! Melissa Klapper is the host and asks Kimberly all of the questions you may not know. On this episode she is not uncovering Ballet, but uncovering HER journey in life, in podcasting and in her struggles as a mother of an aspiring ballerina.
Melissa Klapper is a History professor at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey and asked Kimberly to provide her some information as research for the book she is in the process of researching and writing, Ballet Class: An Ame...
2016-02-0500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast163 ~ Ask Megan! How to feel more confident when auditions are not going well.On each episode Megan answers YOUR questions each and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Today’s question come from:
CRUSHED who wrote in saying "Hi Megan, I am 17 years old and in the middle of Summer Intensive Auditions. Each year since I was 13 years old I have gotten into some very reputable programs (including SAB) and have always received at least one full scholarship. This year not only have I not received ANY scholarship but I have not really received many acceptances. I am SO upset because I work so hard and now I feel this...
2016-02-0100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast162 ~ Ask Megan! What advice does Megan give to her students when she teaches?On each episode Megan answers YOUR questions each and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Today’s question come from:
Amy who is a Ballet Instructor. She recalls many lessons learned from teachers she had as a young aspiring dancer. She wonders what are Megan's most important pieces of advice she tries to pass on to her student's when she teaches.
Megan provides some solid and straightforward advice - you almost feel as if you took one of her classes!
Find Megan Fairchild ~
website/Twitter/Instagram
Do you have a question...
2016-01-2700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast159 ~ Olivier Wevers, Founder and Artistic Director of Whim W'Him dance companyOriginally from Brussels, Belgium, Olivier Wevers is the founder and Artistic Director of Seattle’s critically acclaimed contemporary dance company Whim W’Him. In 2012 Wevers was honored with the City of Seattle’s Mayor’s Arts Award and in 2011 he received the Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship. In both 2011 and 2010 Wevers’ work took home the grand prize award at the Annual Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival in California and he has also been named by Dance Magazine as one of their 25 to watch.
Wevers first began exploring choreography in 2002 while still a Principal Dancer at Seattle’s Pacific Northw...
2016-01-2200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast154 ~ No Dominion Film ~ Magaret Mullin and Nel ShelbyThis episode features two of my previous guests Nel Shelby and Margaret Mullin who are working together on a very special project; a full length documentary called "No Dominion", a film Celebrating the life of the late Ian Horvath, champion for the art of dance and AIDS awareness. The film is the brain child and passion project of Margaret Mullin who is a soloist with Pacific Northwest Ballet. As you will learn in this interview, this has been in Margaret's thoughts since she first saw Ian's work when she was in the 7th grade. As Marg...
2016-01-0700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast152 ~ Ask Megan! HAPPY NEW YEAR with a Leanne Cope, a very special guest from Royal BalletOn each episode Megan answers YOUR questions each and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Today a listener brought Megan a brand new challenge and asked to hear from a Royal Ballet dancer.
As you will hear, NO listener challenge is too great for Megan Fairchild as she brings us an exclusive interview with Leanne Cope from Royal Ballet!
Find Megan Fairchild ~
website/Twitter/Instagram
Do you have a question about Ballet?
YOU can be a part of the show by sending us your questions by click...
2016-01-0500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast148 ~ Dr. Linda Stirrup, author of "Up On My Tippy Toes"Today’s guest is a break from my usual – my guest today is Doctor Linda Stirrup who is a dentist as well as an author of a children’s book series featuring a young girl named Natalie Jean. Up on My Tippy Toes, beautifully illustrated by Reginald William Butler, is the story of a young girl whose resolve to take up ballet begins to crumble when she finds her first class challenging. Will she gain the resolve to return?
2015-12-1800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast141 ~ The Bald Ballerina, Maggie KudirkaMaggie Kudirka was a member of the Joffrey Concert Group in NYC when she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in June 2014. She was only 23 years old and had no risk factors for breast cancer other than being female. Results from a subsequent genetics screening showed that she did not carry the genes linked to breast cancer. Maggie had a large, aggressive tumor that grew very quickly and spread to her bones and lymph nodes. She moved back home to be with her family and began treatment at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Fortunately, h...
2015-12-0400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast134 ~ Margaret Mullin, Soloist ~ Pacific Northwest BalletMargaret Mullin is from Tucson, Arizona. She studied on scholarship at Ballet Arts Tucson with Mary-Beth Cabana and at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and attended summer courses at Ballet Tucson, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School.
Margaret was the recipient of a Thurber Scholarship Award in 2003 and 2004, the 2007 Founding Director Scholarship Award from Angela Whitehill of Burklyn Ballet, and a 2011 Princess Grace Award recipient.
Margaret joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2008. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 2009 and soloist in 2014.
Margaret has choreographed works for Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Choreographers’ Show...
2015-11-2000 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast117 ~ Rebecca King, YAGP Legacy and Soloist with Finnish National BalletMy guest is Rebecca King who a soloist with the Finnish National Ballet. Rebecca is also the daughter of Shelly King who was the Director of Operations for the Youth American Grand Prix. For those you unfamiliar with the Youth American grand prix – or YAGP, it is the largest global network of dance and probably the most popular and well known ballet competitions in the world. Sadly Shelly recently passed away after dedicating the past 12 years of her life to becoming a "ballet mom" to thousands of young dancers all over the world through her dedicated work with YAGP prog...
2015-10-0900 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast113 ~ PS DANCE! Learn about this inspirational documentary promoting Dance Education from the creators.Step inside the halls of five NYC public schools and celebrate dance! Hosted by veteran TV journalist Paula Zahn, PS DANCE! is the new documentary that captures what happens when students have dance in their curriculum. The journey is one of imagination, curiosity, hard work and discipline. In these studios, dance is for every child.
PS DANCE!, two years in the making, interviews 16 kids and captures more than 100 students, who joyfully share the influence of dance on their daily learning. Created by today's guests; award-winning dance filmmaker Nel Shelby, dance ambassador Jody Gottfried Arnhold, and dance education...
2015-10-0200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast109 - Barry Kerollis, Free Lance DancerBarry Kerollis was born in Philadelphia, PA. He began his training at the Chester Valley Dance Academy and continued on scholarship at the Kirov Academy of Ballet and the School of American Ballet. Mr. Kerollis began his professional career in 2003 with the Houston Ballet. The following season Barry joined Pacific Northwest Ballet, where he danced leading and featured roles for seven seasons. He currently works as a Choreographer, Principal Guest Artist, and Instructor based out of Philadelphia.
Barry is also an award-winning choreographer. He was selected out of over 60 applicants to choreograph at the 2014 National Choreographers Initiative...
2015-09-2500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast108 ~ Ask Megan! Today Megan gives advice to Cosette who wants to know how to balance her academic and ballet goals.ASK MEGAN is a weekly show hosted by New York City Ballet's Principal Dancer Megan Fairchild and brought to you by Balancing Pointe Podcast.
On each episode Megan answers YOUR questions each and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Each episode will feature an actual question submitted from someone like you!
Today's question come from:
Cosette who wants to know how to balance her Academic goals with her goal to pursue a career in professional Ballet.
Megan reflects on some of her struggles with her personal experiences taking college courses at Fordham.
2015-09-2300 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast106 ~ Ask Megan! Today Megan shares with us WHY Coppélia is her favorite role to dance.ASK MEGAN is a weekly show hosted by New York City Ballet's Principal Dancer Megan Fairchild and brought to you by Balancing Pointe Podcast.
On each episode Megan answers YOUR questions each and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Each episode will feature an actual question submitted from someone like you!
Today's question come from:
Stephanie who wants to what Megan's favorite role is to dance.
Megan really gives us great insight into her personal experience with this role.
Do you have a question about Ballet?
YOU can be a pa...
2015-09-2100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast105 ~ Ksenia Ovsyanick, Soloist English National BalletMy guest Ksenia Ovsyanick is a Soloist with the English National Ballet. She is from Tihvin, Russia and began her training at received her training at the Belarus State Ballet College. After competing in the Prix de Lausanne, Ksenia was offered the opportunity to move to London to train with the English National Ballet. In 2013 she became First Artist and then in 2014 she was promoted to Soloist. Ksenia received ‘Outstanding Female Performance’ (Classical) at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards 2012 and in 2014 was nominated for the Company’s Emerging Dancer Award.
Ksenia provides thoughtful insight and compelling advice...
2015-09-1800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe PodcastBONUS - Reflection on 100 shows!In this episode, host Kimberly Falker reflects on the life lessons she learned from 100 episodes and makes an exciting announcement at the end.
2015-09-0500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast98 ~ Colby Damon - Choreographer BalletXColby Damon has spent his entire life exploring various types of movement. Born and raised in Richmond VA, Colby was active in various sports as a young child, including snow skiing and sailing, but he found his true calling in the arts, and began formal classical ballet training at age 7 at the Richmond Ballet. At age 15, he left home to attend the Virginia School of the Arts in Lynchburg, VA, a pre-professional boarding high school for dancers, and spent his summers training at the Boston Ballet. Upon graduation, Colby joined the Sacramento Ballet, where for five years he performed...
2015-08-2100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast96 ~ Ida Praetorius, Soloist ~ Royal Danish BalletIda Praetorius, a soloist with Royal Danish Ballet has become one Denmark's upcoming stars. In 2012 she was named" best female dancer" by the prestigous Erik Bruhn COmpetition in Toronto. Since that time she has continued to rise through the ranks at Royal Danish Ballet, most recently being promoted to soloist.
Ida is humble and sweet and appreciative of being able to live her dream as a ballerina.
Balancing Pointe's website
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Pointe Magazine article on Ida
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Ida's vimeo of S...
2015-08-1400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast94 ~BalletX 's Stratospheric Choreographer Matthew NeenanMatthew Neenan began his dance training at the Boston Ballet School. He later attended the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and the School of American Ballet in New York. From 1994-2007, Matthew danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet and 2007, Matthew was named Choreographer in Residenceat the Pennsylvania Ballet.
Matthew’s choreography has been featured and performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet, BalletX, The Washington Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet West, Ballet Memphis, Milwaukee Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, Ballet Met, Oklahoma City Ballet, Juilliard Dance, New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute, Sacramento Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Indiana Univers...
2015-08-0700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast93 ~ ASK Megan! Megan Fairchild hosts today's show and interviews Sara MearnsThis week Megan takes over as the host of the show and interviews New York City Principal Dancer Sara Mearns. Perhaps a first ever experience.
Megan and Sara are not only dancers but very great friends, so this episode feels like you are sitting with them in their home or over coffee.
Megan asks great questions that really help give an authentic peak into the life of a professional dancer. Sara shares her favorite roles, as well as how deeply recently deceased Albert Evans' death has affected her on a daily basis. The interview is aut...
2015-08-0300 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast92 ~ Inspirational Warrior! Cassie MayoCassie Mayo is the Founder and Head Coach of OST. She has trained for the past 12 years under Boston Ballet & Alvin Ailey Professional and 30 year Studio Owner Karen Brown. She has been dancing since she was 6 years old, and helping out with classes since she was 8 years old. She taught her first class in 2010 and has been teaching for 5 years, coaching for 3 years, and running OST for the second year in a row. Cassie was training with the hopes of a pre-professional career until she was diagnosed with RSD/CRPS. She has been battling that for the past 5 years i...
2015-07-3100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast91 ~ ASK Megan! This week Megan provides more insight into working on BroadwayThis week Megan answers two of our listener's questions. ASK MEGAN is a weekly show hosted by New York City Ballet's Principal Dancer Megan Fairchild. On each episode of this show Megan will be answering YOUR questions each and every Monday. Each episode will feature an actual question submitted from someone like you!
Today's questions come from:
- Bethany who asks Megan about how she can use her Broadway experience to bring a fresh perspective to ballet;
- Florrie who asks Megan how she maintains a healthy balance in life in her busy life...
2015-07-2700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast90 ~ Entrepreneurial Ballerina ~ Lara O'Brien Muñoz, Principal - Carolina BalletToday's guest is Lara O'Brien Muñoz who is a Principal dancer with Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, North Carolina. Laura began her journey in Ballet in Chicago training with the School of Ballet Chicago. At aget 17 she spent two years studying at the School of American Ballet in NYC as well as being chosen as a Dance American National Cultural Exchange scholarship student and was chosen to train at the Royal Danish Ballet for two months. In 2001 Lara joined Carolina Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet. In 2011 Lara was promoted to Principal. Lara has now joined the rank...
2015-07-2400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast87 - Laurie McSherry-Gray ~ Royal Ballet of FlandersLaurie McSherry-Gray is a half-soloist with The Royal Ballet of Flanders. Laurie trained at The Royal Ballet School in London and then joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet, after which he spent some time with Angel Corella’s company, Corella Ballet, in Spain, where his repertoire included both traditional ballets and modern classics. My previous guest Joshua McSherry-Gray is Laurie’s identical twin brother who has traveled much of the same journey into professional ballet. Both Josuha and Laurie are extremely close and bring a unique perspective on what it takes to make it the world of professional ballet.
2015-06-2200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast86 ~ Joshua McSherry-Gray ~ English National BalletJoshua McSheery-Gray grew up in Hull, England a small town near the Yorkshire Coast. After finding his love of ballet and dance, Joshua and his identical twin brother made their way to London where they trained at the Central School of Ballet and the Royal Ballet Upper School. Upon their graduation , both Joshua and his brother Laurie accepted their first professional position with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Once in New Zealand, Joshua realized that his true dream was to dance with one of the major companies in his home country. He made his way back to London where he...
2015-06-1500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast85 - Jenelle Figgins ~ Dance Theatre of HarlemJenelle Figgins began her training at the historic Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While training, she received scholarships to attend Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Kennedy Center Residency and Summer Intensive. Ms. Figgins went on to attend SUNY Purchase New York on partial scholarship and in 2011 received her B.F.A. with honors in dance. Following her graduation she accepted a full scholarship to attend Springboard Danse Montreal. In 2013 Jenelle began dancing with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
2015-06-0800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast84 - The Triple Threat ~ Designer Reid BartelmeReid Bartelme is truly one of the most diversely talented and comprehensively successful guests I have yet to interview. Reid grew up in SoHo surrounded by music and the arts. When he was nine years old Reid moved to New Jersey to study voice at The American Boychoir School in NJ whicch is one of only two boychoir boarding schools in the U.S. In high school Reid was accepted to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy where he continued his vocal training. When he was 16 years old Reid discovered his interest and talent in dance after taking a general dance...
2015-06-0100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast83 - Kaitlyn Gilliland - Live from School of American BalletToday's interview comes LIVE from School of American Balley with Kaitlyn Gilliland.
Kaitlyn's journey in Ballet began before birth. She was born into a most prestigious legacy of ballerinas. Her grandmother is renowned choreographer and founder of Minnesota Dance Theater and and "Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy" which just celebrated its 50th anniversary and is Minnesota's longest running Nutcracker. Kaitlyn's mother, Lise Houlton danced with American Ballet Theater and Stuttgart Ballet and took over the leadership of MDT in 1995. Kaitlyn began her training at the Minnesota Dance Theatre before moving to New York at age 16 to train with the Schoo...
2015-05-1800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast82 ~ LIVE from Lincoln Center Plaza - Kaitlyn GillilandToday's interview comes LIVE from Lincoln Center Plaza in NYC with Kaitlyn Gilliland.
Kaitlyn's journey in Ballet began before birth. She was born into a most prestigious legacy of ballerinas. Her grandmother is renowned choreographer and founder of Minnesota Dance Theater and and "Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy" which just celebrated its 50th anniversary and is Minnesota's longest running Nutcracker. Kaitlyn's mother, Lise Houlton danced with American Ballet Theater and Stuttgart Ballet and took over the leadership of MDT in 1995. Kaitlyn began her training at the Minnesota Dance Theatre before moving to New York at age 16 to train with t...
2015-05-1500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast81 ~ "Coffee Talk" - Filmmaker Nel Shelby and Host Kimberly Falker talk about life.In this episode I share with you one of my pre-show chats with guest Nel Shelby. You will hear us discuss Ballet, our kids and how we are so impressed by Wendy Whelan. This is your chance to get to know my guest in a much more personal level.
Balancing Pointe Website
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PS Dancer! website
Wendy Whelan's "Restless Creature"
2015-05-1100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast80 - Nel Shelby -Film Maker, Videographer, PhotographerNel Shelby Productions is New York City’s premier source for dance videography, editing promotional films and live-streaming performance.
Now, Nel Shelby Productions has grown from a one-woman show to a thriving operation with an excellent team of creative videographers, editors, marketing minds, client relations and project managers. Nel’s company is deeply dedicated to the preservation of dance through documentation of live performances, while also focusing on digital marketing and promotion with fully edited marketing reels, documentaries and dance films.
Nel’s company has filmed more than 700 dance events and performances in traditional theaters, outdoor...
2015-05-0800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast79 ~ Sarasota Ballet's Director Iain WebbBorn in Yorkshire, England, Iain started ballet at the age of 14 and moved to London at 16, where he trained for two years with The Rambert School of Ballet, a year at The Royal Ballet School and a further year as an apprentice with The Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet where he was offered a full time position.
In 1989 he transferred to The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden. In 1996, Iain Webb retired from The Royal Ballet, but was invited back as a guest artist to give three farewell performances. After retiring as a dancer, he was invited by Matthew Bourne to...
2015-05-0400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast78 ~ So You Think You Know Tyce Diorio?Emmy Award winning Tyce Diorio is first and foremost a dancer but most famously known for his work as a choreographer and guest judge for Fox T.V. Network So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). His work on this show has helped to promote and elevate dance to a much greater and main stream level.
Before becoming a choreographer Tyce began as a dancer. He grew up in NYC and wound up in LA after competing on Star Search.
Tyce has danced on tour with Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson and Ricky Martin as well...
2015-05-0100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast77 ~ Ballet 422 - Ellen Bar, Producer ~ Part TwoBallet 422 Producer Ellen Bar is the wife of Director Jody Lee Lupas and shares with Balancing Pointe more about her experience in producing this most amazing documentary that made its world debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2014 and is now being presented in movie houses all over the U.S.
In 2011, after 13 years as a professional ballerina, Ellen became the Director of Media Projects at NYCB, where she is responsible for developing and producing the company's film and video content. In less than two years, she has worked with some of the best young filmmakers in...
2015-02-2700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast76 ~ Ballet 422 - Producer Ellen Bar ~ Part OneBallet 422 Producer Ellen Bar is the wife of Director Jody Lee Lupas and shares with Balancing Pointe more about her experience in producing this most amazing documentary that made its world debut at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2014 and is now being presented in movie houses all over the U.S.
In 2011, after 13 years as a professional ballerina, Ellen became the Director of Media Projects at NYCB, where she is responsible for developing and producing the company's film and video content. In less than two years, she has worked with some of the best young filmmakers in...
2015-02-2000 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast75~ Lauren Fadeley Veyette & Francis Veyette, Principal Dancers with Pennsylvania Ballet - Part 2Today I continue with Part Two of my interview with Lauren and Francis as we dive deeper into turning hurdles or disappointments into opportunities to learn and grow. As you will hear, Francis leaves the interview to meet with a friend ~ Matthew Neenan who will be a guest in an upcoming episode. Before he leaves, however, he shares with us his words of wisdom for aspiring dancers. Lauren and I continue our discussion as she shares with me what it was really like to to dance in the hit movie, "Black Swan". (she still received royalty checks from that e...
2015-02-1300 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast74 ~ Lauren & Francis Veyette, Principal Dancers with Pennsylvania Ballet - Part 1Today I am bringing to you another husband & wife team, Lauren and Francis Veyette. You may recognize the last name from a few of my previous interviews and this is because Francis is Andy Veyette’s brother. This also means that Megan Fairchild, Robbie Fairchild and Tiler Peck are all intertwined not only through ballet but also through marriage. You’ll hear today that they spend most of their holidays together and the six of them are extremely close. I truly loved this interview for so many reasons – one because of the most unique journey taken by Lauren in dance. She...
2015-02-0600 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast73 ~ Grier Cooper - Author of WISHGrier began ballet lessons at age five and left home at fourteen to study at the School of American Ballet in New York. She has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer.
Her work has been praised as “poignant and honest” with “emotional hooks that penetrate deeply.” She writes and blogs about dance in the San Francisco Bay Area and has interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers includin...
2015-01-2300 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast72 - Laura Mead ~ Dancer with Jessica Lang DanceLaura Mead grew up in Austin, Texas and Berkeley, California. She received her BFA from Juilliard, where she performed the works of Paul Taylor, Mark Morris, Ron K. Brown and Eliot Feld, among others. Upon graduation, she joined American Repertory Ballet. She traveled North America with the tour of Twyla Tharp's Movin' Out. Laura originated the principal role of Betsy in Ms. Tharp's Broadway musical Come Fly Away, for which she received an Astaire Award nomination. Jessica Lang Dance (JLD) is a New York City-based dance company dedicated to creating and performing the work of Jessica Lang. JLD enriches and...
2015-01-1600 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast71 - Precious Adams, English National BalletPrecious Adams began her training in Ballet in Michigan at the Academy of Russian Ballet. When Precious was just 11 and 12 years old, she moved to Toronto, Canada where she trained at the National Ballet School. From there she moved to Monte Carlo and trained at the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco. This was not her last stop as Precious wound up moving to Moscow, Russia to train at the elite Bolshoi Ballet school where she also specialized in the Russian Language. While at the Bolshio, Precious entered and won two awards at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland. Today...
2014-12-1900 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast69 - Megan Fairchild - Broadway "On The Town"Today my guest is Megan Fairchild, a Principal dancer with the New York City Ballet (NYCB) and now a lead on Broadway. Megan recently embarked upon a journey in dance that is WAY outside her typical day-to-day comfort zone. Megan has temporarily traded the illustrious stage at the David Koch Theater where she dances as a principal ballerina with the NYCB and has moved to Broadway - 42nd street to be exact and is not only dancing, but singing and acting as a lead one of this season's hottest shows - the revival of Jerome Robbins "On the Town"!
...
2014-12-1200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast68 ~ Ellen Bar, NYCB Director of Media Projects (and former NYCB soloist) - Part TwoEllen Bar attended the School of American Ballet for eight years before she was asked to join the New York City Ballet as a corps member in 1998 and promoted to Soloist in 2006.
In 2005, Ellen danced in the stage revival of Jerome Robbins’ NY Export: Opus Jazz, during which she and fellow soloist Sean Suozzi developed the idea to re-imagine the ballet for film, shot on location in present-day New York City.
Together, they developed and produced the feature-length 35mm film adaptation NY EXPORT: OPUS JAZZ and the accompanying documentary A BALLET IN SNEAKERS, which premiered at So...
2014-12-0500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast67 ~ Ellen Bar, NYCB Director of Media Projects (and former NYCB soloist) - Part OneEllen Bar attended the School of American Ballet for eight years before she was asked to join the New York City Ballet as a corps member in 1998 and promoted to Soloist in 2006.
In 2005, Ellen danced in the stage revival of Jerome Robbins’ NY Export: Opus Jazz, during which she and fellow soloist Sean Suozzi developed the idea to re-imagine the ballet for film, shot on location in present-day New York City.
Together, they developed and produced the feature-length 35mm film adaptation NY EXPORT: OPUS JAZZ and the accompanying documentary A BALLET IN SNEAKERS, which...
2014-11-2800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast66- James Whiteside, Principal dancer ABTBorn in Fairfield, Connecticut, James Whiteside began his training at age nine at the D’Valda & Sirico Dance and Music Centre, where guest faculty included Charles Kelley, Franco De Vita and Raymond Lukens. He continued his training at the Virginia School of the Arts for one year under the direction of Petrus Bosman and David Keener. In 2002, Whiteside joined Boston Ballet II, where he continued to train under the tutelage of its director Raymond Lukens, now director of ABT’s National Training Curriculum. Whiteside joined the corps de ballet of Boston Ballet in 2003 and became a second soloist in 2006. He w...
2014-11-2100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast65 - Kathryn Morgan ~ from NYCB to You Tube sensationKathryn Morgan began studying ballet at age three at Mobile Ballet in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama. She attended the summer program at the School of American Ballet in 2004 and enrolled as a full time student that fall. Kathryn joined New York City Ballet as an apprentice in June of 2006 and became a member of the corps de ballet of the Company in February of 2007. In October 2009, Kathryn was promoted to soloist.
In August of 2012 Kathryn left NYCB due to a long-term struggle with hypothyroidism (an under-functioning thyroid). The condition is difficult for anyone to deal with, b...
2014-11-1400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast64 - Nao Kusuzaki, Soloist Houston BalletNao Kusuzaki was born in Ehime, Japan and grew up in Japan, Washington D.C., and Boston. In Japan, Ms. Kusuzaki trained at the Yatsuzuka Ballet. In the United States she trained with Mary Day and Patricia Berrend at the Washington School of Ballet and with Tatiana Legat, Laura Young, and Sydney Leonard at the Boston Ballet School. Ms. Kusuzaki has danced professionally with Boston Ballet for five seasons. In 2004 Nao joined Houston Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet. In 2008 she was promoted to Soloist.
2014-11-0700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast63 ~ Sarah Daley - Alvin AileySarah Daley(South Elgin, IL) began her training at the Faubourg School of Ballet in Illinois under the direction of Watmora Casey and Tatyana Mazur. She is a 2009 graduate of the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Program in Dance. Ms. Daley has trained at institutions such as The Kirov Academy, National Ballet School of Canada, The San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, and intensives such as Ballet Camp Illinois and Ballet Adriatico in Italy. She is a recipient of a Youth America Grand Prix Award and an ARTS Foundation Award. She was a member of Ailey II and joined the...
2014-10-3100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast62 - Tiler Peck & Robbie Fairchild, Principal Dancers - NYCB - Part TwoToday I continue my interivew with Tiler and Robbie. In this episode they share more about dancing with the New York City Ballet, offer advice to aspiring dancers and share a bit about their upcoming wedding.
2014-10-2400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast61 ~ Tiler Peck & Robbie Fairchild, Principal Dancers - NYCB - Part OneTiler Peck was born in Bakersfield, California. She began her dance training at the age of seven, studying privately with former Bolshoi Ballet Principal Dancer Alla Khaniashvili in Hollywood. At the age of 11 she began studying at Conjunctive Point in Culver City, California, with former New York City Ballet dancers Colleen and Patricia Neary. During this time she also studied with former NYCB Principal Yvonne Mounsey at Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica. At the age of 12, Ms. Peck entered the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, for most of the 2000-2001...
2014-10-1700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast60 ~ Ask la Cour, Principal - NYCB - Part TwoToday I continue with my interview with Danish born Ask la Cour who is a Principal dancer with NYCB. He began his training at the Royal Danish Ballet before coming to the U.S. in 2002 where he has danced with NYCB ever since.
Today Ask shares with us how difficult it was to move through a severe injury as well as how exciting it was to be a part of the tribute to 911 on the roof top of one in the early morning.
Ask finishes his interview with some great advice - applicable to everyone.
2014-10-1000 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast59 ~ Ask la Cour, Principal - NYCB - Part OneAsk la Cour was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and began his dance training at the age of nine at the Royal Danish Ballet School, where he studied with Niels Balle, Adam Lüders, and Colleen Neary. He joined the Royal Danish Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2000. Mr. la Cour joined New York City Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in the fall of 2002, was promoted to the rank of soloist in May 2005, and became a principal in February 2013.
2014-10-0300 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast58 - Lauren Lovette, Soloist NYCBLauren Lovette was born in Thousand Oaks, California and began studying ballet at the age of 11 at the Cary Ballet Conservatory in Cary, North Carolina. She attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, during the summers of 2004 and 2005 and enrolled at SAB as a full time student in 2006. In October 2009, Ms. Lovette became an apprentice with NYCB and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in September 2010 and was promoted to soloist in February 2013.
2014-09-2600 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast57 - A Recent NYCB Guest Shares Great News!My recent guest NYCB apprentice Isabella Lafreniere shares with Balancing Pointe some really great news. Tune in to hear first hand exactly what is so exciting!
2014-09-1900 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast56 - Lexi Maxwell, Corps de Ballet ~ NYCBToday’s guest Lexi Maxwell is a Corps de Ballet member of the NYCB. She shares with us some of her ups and downs and how grateful she is to be dancing with NYCB as it is truly a dream come true for her.
Lexi grew up in Minnesota where she started her ballet training at Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT). When she was 14 years old, Lexi moved to Pennsylvania where she spent three years training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB). When she was 17, Lexi spent the summer at SAB and was asked to stay for their...
2014-09-1200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast55 - Isabella LaFrenieare, Apprentice ~ NYCBIsabella is a graduating high school senior who is also dancing professionally as an apprentice with NYCB a prestigious honor provided to few. Isabella grew up living in many states but wound up for many years living in Illinois in a suburb outside of Chicago. She would travel 1 1/2 hours each way into the city to train at the Joffrey Ballet. When Isabella was entering into her 9th grade year she auditioned for the School of American Ballet (SAB) winter term and was accepted. SAB which is the official training academy of the New York City Ballet.
After the SAB...
2014-09-0500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast54 - Daniela Aldrich, Apprentice ~ NYCBToday I am talking with Daniela Aldrich who from Carlisle Pennsylvania and who now dances as an apprentice with NYCB. Daniela spent two years at the School of American ballet before being asked to be an apprentice.
Nearly all of the current members of New York City Ballet received training at the School of American Ballet and entered the Company through the Apprentice Program, which is jointly administered by NYCB and SAB. Only students enrolled at the School are eligible for apprenticeships. NYCB does not hold auditions.
Each year, NYCB Ballet Master in Chief Peter Mar...
2014-08-2900 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast53 - Mikayla Lambert, School of American Ballet, NYCMikayla Lambert high school senior and a student of the School of American Ballet which is the official training academy of the New York City Ballet, which was established in 1934 by legendary choreographer George Balanchine and philanthropist Lincoln Kirstein as the first and most essential step in their quest to create an American classical ballet company.
SAB, located at New York City's Lincoln Center, is today the premier ballet academy in the United States, training more students who go on to become professional dancers than any other school. SAB's former students fill the ranks of the New...
2014-08-2200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast52 - Jordana Dumec ~ Soloist, National Ballet of CanadaToday I am chatting with a super sweet and vivacious soloist Jordana Dumec. Jordana grew up in NYC but wound up moving to Toronto when she was in 10th grade to train year round. Her journey in dance reflects a true LOVE and passion for what she does every day.
Jordana Daumec was born in New York City and trained at Studio Maestro in New York City and Canada’s National Ballet School. She joined The National Ballet of Canada as an Apprentice in 2003 and was promoted to Second Soloist in 2010.
2014-08-1500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast51 - Trygve Cumpston, Corps de Ballet ~ The National Ballet of CanadaIn this episode I talk with Trygve Cumpston who was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He trained at the School of Classical Ballet and Dance, Orlando Ballet School and San Francisco Ballet School. Mr. Cumpston joined The National Ballet of Canada as a RBC Apprentice in 2012 and joined the Corps de Ballet in 2013.
Recently, Mr. Cumpston danced in the Canadian premiere of Nijinsky by John Neumeier as well as The Nutcracker and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Also in this episode I share with you my first ever giveaway - and your chance to win. My...
2014-08-0800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast49 - MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet Company - Melissa LineburgMy guest today is Melissa Lineberg, who dances with the MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet Company located in Washington DC. MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet was founded in 2010 to catalyze the creation and public presentation of innovative, accessible, and thoughtful contemporary ballet. Melissa not only shares with us some of MOVEIUS's exciting upcoming performances and the mission of MOVEIUS, but also of her personal journey in dance. As a trained classical ballerina, Melissa originally had her sights set on joining a classical ballet company. Upon graduation from college, Melissa embarked on almost a year of auditioning for a ballet company before she auditioned and was h...
2014-08-0100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast48 - Nichelle Strzepek, Dance AdvantageNichelle Strzepek is the founder of Dance Advantage, an all inclusive dance website providing blogs, dance links, and information for all stages of dance life. Dance Advantage provides solotuions, inspiration, motivation and tips on dance training and teaching. If you would like to connect with Nichelle and Dance Advantage, you can follow her at DanceAdvantage.net.
2014-07-2500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast47 - Amy Seiwert, ChoreographerAmy Seiwert is a choreographer and Artistic Director of im'ij-re a contemporary dance company. Amy moved to San Francisco in 1999, the same year she won the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur Choreography Competition in Quebec, after a nineteen year performing career (Smuin Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, LA Chamber Ballet). Amy is currently the Choreographer in Residence at Smuin Ballet. Her work is also in the repertory of Ballet Austin, Sacramento, Colorado, Oklahoma City, Carolina and American Repertory Ballets as well as Robert Moses KIN and Ballet Nouveau Colorado. Amy was named one of "25 to Watch" by Dance Magazine and one of...
2014-07-1800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast46 - Some Dance Company - Encore! ~ Ask La Cour, NYCB & David Fernandez, ChoreographerToday's guests are NYCB Principal dancer, Ask La Cour and Choreographer,David Fernandez who are working tirelessly, co-producing a most amazing event coming up on the night of April 28 in NYC ~ Some Dance Company - Encore!
The event will feature 8 pieces choreographed by David Fernandez, performed by over 40 of NYC's finest dancers from some of the most prestigious dance companies. The event will raise money for "Career Transition for Dancers", which helps recently retired dancers with assistance in re-defining and re-designing the next chapter of their lives.
Important to know is that each of the d...
2014-07-1100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast45 - Madison Geoghegan - Royal New Zealand BalletBorn in Cincinnati, America Madison began dancing at the age of five. She trained pre-professionally at a local studio, Ballet Tech of Ohio, under the direction of Claudia Rudolf Barrett. At sixteen, Madison was accepted into University of North Carolina School of the Arts. While attending UNCSA, Madison was awarded the Melissa Hayden Endowed Scholarship. She was chosen to perform such leading roles as Sugar Plum, both Odette and Odile inSwan Lake, and in George Balanchine'sValse Fantaisiepas de deux. Madison graduated from UNCSA in May 2012 and joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet in September for The TelstraClear Season of Giselle.
2014-07-0400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast44 - Kent Becker, "Curtain Call" Photographer Kent Becker is a ballet fan who lives in in New York City. Years ago he began to blend his passion for photography with his love for ballet when he began taking photographs of dancers during their Curtain Calls. These amazing photos capture the myriad of emotions dancers display during this moment. From elation to gratitude and every emotion in between, Kent has a gift of capturing a magical moment in these dancer's lives. You can find Kent's work at www.notmydayjobphotography.com.
2014-06-2700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast43 - Jillian Vanstone ~ Principal Dancer, National Ballet of CanadaJillian Vanstone was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia where at age six she began ballet studies at the Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts. Within two years she had already determined that dance was her life’s calling. In 1994 she passed the rigorous audition process to be accepted into Canada’s prestigious National Ballet School in Toronto where she later earned two coveted awards.
Following her graduation Vanstone entered the National Ballet of Canada in 1999, was promoted to second soloist in 2003, to first soloist three years later before being appointed a principal in 2011.
2014-06-2000 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast42 - Gabrielle Lamb, ChoreographerGabrielle Lamb is a native of Savannah, Georgia and was trained at the Boston Ballet School. She joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal in 2000 and was promoted to soloist in 2003. In 2009 moved to New York City and began working with choreographer Pontus Lidberg, as well as Morphoses, then under the direction of Christopher Wheeldon.
Her repertoire as a performer also includes principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Luca Veggetti and Shen Wei.
She won the 2009 National Choreographic Competition of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and in 2013...
2014-06-1300 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast41 - Helen Pickett, Choreographer - Part TwoIn this Part Two interview with Helen Pickett, she shares more about her journey into choreography and some of the amazing experiences she has had along the way.
2014-06-0600 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast40 - Helen Pickett, Choreographer - Part OneHelen Pickett, born in San Diego, California, studied dance at The San Francisco Ballet School under the direction of Lew Christensen and Michael Smuin, and later, Helgi Tomasson.
In 2005, Mikko Nissinen, director of the Boston Ballet, offered Helen her first choreographic commission,Etesian. The New York Choreographic Institute awarded her a Fellowship Initiative Grant in 2006. In the same year and through 2008, Helen choreographed for Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Louisville Ballet and Ballet X. In 2007, Dance magazine named Helen one of "25 to Watch". She received a Choreographic Residency from Jacob's Pillow in 2008. From 2009 through 2011, H...
2014-06-0500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast37 - Emery LeCrone, Choreographer - Part TwoSince the premiere of her first ballet in 2006, Emery LeCrone has choreographed more than fifty dance pieces and her highly acclaimed choreography has attracted numerous grants and new commissions across the country.
Ms. LeCrone has premiered new ballets for The Juilliard School’s annual New Dances program, the New York City Ballet’s renowned New York Choreographic Institute, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim’s iconic Works & Process performing arts series. She has also worked with many esteemed regional dance companies including Oregon Ballet Theatre, Colorado Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and North Carolina Dance Theatre among many others.
...
2014-05-2300 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast36 - Emery LeCrone, Choreographer ~ Part OneSince the premiere of her first ballet in 2006, Emery LeCrone has choreographed more than fifty dance pieces and her highly acclaimed choreography has attracted numerous grants and new commissions across the country.
Ms. LeCrone has premiered new ballets for The Juilliard School’s annual New Dances program, the New York City Ballet’s renowned New York Choreographic Institute, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim’s iconic Works & Process performing arts series. She has also worked with many esteemed regional dance companies including Oregon Ballet Theatre, Colorado Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and North Carolina Dance Theatre among many others.
2014-05-2200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast35 - Jessica Lang, Founder & Artistic Director Jessica Lang Dance - Part TwoFounded in 2011, Jessica Lang Dance (JLD) is a New York City-based dance company dedicated to creating and performing the work of Jessica Lang. JLD enriches and inspires global audiences by immersing them in the beauty of movement and music. Hailed as "a master of visual composition" by Dance Magazine, Lang seamlessly incorporates striking design elements and transforms classical ballet language into artfully crafted, emotionally engaging contemporary works.
Since the company's inception, marked by Lang's receipt of a Joyce Theater Artist Residency supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, JLD has garnered significant attention and acclaim, thrilling audiences...
2014-05-1600 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast34 - Jessica Lang - Choreographer - Part OneJessica Lang has attained rare levels of success as a female choreographer continuously working with ballet companies across the U.S. and abroad since 1999. She is noted for her artfully crafted, emotionally engaging work and has been described as having "established a reputation for concocting ingenious choreographic interactions between dancing bodies and the movements of striking set and costume pieces." Kansas City Star. Lang has created more than 80 works on companies.
Lang has received numerous grants for her work on ballet companies from organizations including the Jerome Robbins Foundation, the NEA, and the Choo San Goh Foundation...
2014-05-0900 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast33- Amy Brandt, Pointe Magazine "Ask Amy" Advice columunistAmy Brandt was born in Libertyville, Illinois, where she received her initial dance training at Dancenter North, the Ruth Page Foundation and the Milwaukee Ballet School. She later joined the Milwaukee Ballet, where she danced featured roles in works by Antony Tudor, George Balanchine, Simon Dow, Jean Paul Comelin and Alonzo King,among others. She joined The Suzanne Farrell Ballet in 2003, where her repertoire included featured roles in Balanchine Agon, Pas de Dix, Diamonds, La Valse,Divertimento No. 15. In 2005, she performed in honor of Ms. Farrell at the nationally televised Kennedy Center Honors. Ms. Brandt has also freelanced extensively...
2014-05-0200 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast32 - Brooke Lockett, Australian Ballet CorypheeBrooke Lockett began dancing at the age of three in her home town of Ballarat, studying classical ballet with Trudy and Lisa Harris. At the age of 13 she was accepted into The Australian Ballet School Junior Program; in 2002 she was accepted into the School's full-time program and moved to Melbourne to pursue her training. In 2004 and 2005, Brooke participated in The Dancers Company tour around regional Australia before joining The Australian Ballet in 2006. Since then she has had many on-stage highlights and has enjoyed many international tours with the company, including those to the UK, Auckland, Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris and N...
2014-04-2500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast31 - Sarah Steele, Tulsa BalletToday's guest is Sarah Steele, a 19 year old member of the Tulsa Ballet Company who was born in New York and began her ballet training at Nunnbetter Dance Theater in Bergenfield NJ under the direction of Leath Nunn. At 16 Sarah began professional level training and coaching with Valentina Kozlova at Valentina Kozlova's Dance Conservatory of New York (VKDCNY). While attending VKDCNY, Sarah also completed High School at Professional Children's School in NYC. She is the recipient of a gold medal from the Tanzolmp International Ballet Competition in Berlin, Germany and a silver medal from the Boston International Ballet Competition...
2014-04-1800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast30 - Melanie Atkins Varga, Boston Ballet - Part TwoIn Part Two of the interview, Melanie Atkins Varga talks about auditions. As a frequent Summer Intensive Adjudicator, she provides us with a "behind the scenes" look into what the adjudicators look for in the auditioning dancers. Melanie provides insight and advice on how to prepare and approach auditions and also shares with us the best outlook on auditions in general. Her sage advice and inside look into auditions is a valuable tool for dancers and their parents at any stage of their dance career.
2014-04-1100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast29 - Melanie Atkins Varga, Boston Ballet - Part OneMelanie Atkins Varga is a full time faculty member at the Boston Ballet School as well as the company's Childrens Ballet Mistress. Melanie's teaches dancers from the pre-professional division all the way through to the trainees. Melanie trained at Walnut Hill School of the Arts after her family moved from England to Massachusetts. After graduating high school Melanie trained at the School of American Ballet in New York City before being chosen by Suzanne Farrell and Paul Mejia to join Mejia's company in Fort Worth Texas. After a few years of training and performing under this acclaimed master teacher, M...
2014-04-0400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast28 - Miko Fogarty, Moscow IBC 2013 Gold MedalistSixteen year old Miko was born in London in 1997 and moved to the US when she was two years old. Currently she trains with Tatiana Pali and Alyona Yakovleva-Randall at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory, and Kaoru Jinushi in Japan. Between 2008-2010 she returned to London three times to train at the Royal Ballet School's International Summer Program where she danced solo in the final performances and received the Commendation Award each year she attended.
Miko was listed as one of The Most Influential People of 2011 in the Dance Spirit Magazine and has received worldwide recognition for her...
2014-03-2800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast27 - Jessica Wallis, Ballet in ClevelandJessica Wallis is the founding director and and inspiration behind Ballet in Cleveland, a non-profit classical ballet presentation company specifically committed to the presentation and promotion of classical ballet. Ballet in Cleveland hosts professional ballerinas and dancers to discuss classical ballet and its unique attributes as an art form, offering master classes to dancers from far and wide, thereby promoting and fostering appreciation for the art. By keeping its focus on classical ballet, Ballet in Cleveland can direct efforts solely to the presentation of professional classical ballet artists and ballet advocates of the highest quality and level of professionalism...
2014-03-2100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast26 - Barre Food Bar-Part TwoThe Barre Story
In 2010, professional ballet dancers Julia Erickson and Aaron Ingley set out to create Barre Food, a health-minded snack bar that provides exceptional nutritional fortification specifically for the elite athleticism and precision artistry of a dancer. As all professional dancers do, they experienced physically demanding rehearsals coupled with little time to eat. Dissatisfied with the energy bars on the market, Julia retreated to her own kitchen and developed an easy-to-consume, highly nutritious and great tasting bar. Marketing her creations to colleagues in the studio and students at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, they quickly developed a...
2014-03-1400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast25 - Julia Erickson & Aaron Ingley- Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre - Part OneJulia Erickson
Julia Erickson, originally from Seattle, is a Principal Dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She is also the creator and co-owner of Barre-Real Food Bars, alongside Aaron Ingley. You may also recognize Julia from Gaynor Minden pointe shoe ads.
Julia began her training at age seven in Level 1 at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She continued training on scholarship at PNBS and later at San Francisco Ballet School. She toured to Europe and Asia with PNB and danced with the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet for two seasons, prior to joining Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2001.
2014-03-0700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast24 - Sabi Varga - Soloist, Boston Ballet - Part TwoSzabolcs (Sabi) Varga received his training at the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 1997 he was named Best Young Dancer at the International Rudolf Nureyev Competition. Upon graduation he joined Alberta Ballet under the direction of Mikko Nissinen. There he performed principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Helgi Tomasson, and Christopher Wheeldon. In 2002 Nissinen invited Varga to join Boston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He was promoted to second soloist in 2004 and to soloist in 2006. Varga is married to former Boston Ballet soloist Melanie Atkins, who is currently Children's Ballet Mistress and faculty...
2014-02-2800 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast23 - Sabi Varga - Soloist, Boston Ballet - Part OneSzabolcs (Sabi) Varga received his training at the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 1997 he was named Best Young Dancer at the International Rudolf Nureyev Competition. Upon graduation he joined Alberta Ballet under the direction of Mikko Nissinen. There he performed principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Helgi Tomasson, and Christopher Wheeldon. In 2002 Nissinen invited Varga to join Boston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He was promoted to second soloist in 2004 and to soloist in 2006. Varga is married to former Boston Ballet soloist Melanie Atkins, who is currently Children's Ballet Mistress and faculty...
2014-02-2100 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe PodcastVALENTINE'S DAY Special ~Heather Ogden & Guillaume Côté ~ Principal Dancers, National Ballet of CanadaGuillaume and Heather joined the National Ballet of Canada around the same time – in the late nineties, becoming Principal dancers in 2004 and 2005. And although they knew each other for years, it was not until many years later that they began dating.
They discovered a chemistry between each other when they were paired together but did not act on this discovery for quite some time.
Their chemistry was strong on stage, so Heather and Guilluame were paired for many lead roles and the audience loved what they saw.
Today, the couple look forward to sp...
2014-02-1500 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe PodcastVALENTINE'S DAY Special ~ Megan Fairchild & Andy Veyette, NYCB Principal DancersToday's special episode of Balancing Pointe Podcast celebrates the holiday of Love as I interview one of ballet's most famous married couples, Megan Fairchild and Andy Veyette, both principal dancers with the New York City Ballet.
Megan and Andy met when they were both rising stars at the New York City Ballet and were married in July 24, 2011 in the backyard of Crabtree’s Kittle House, in Chappaqua, N.Y.
When Andy first met Megan, he began to pursue her, but she knew of his “bad boy” reputation and did not immediately fall for him.
Even...
2014-02-1400 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast22 - Ekaterina Shchelkanova, Open World Dance Foundation - Part TwoEkaterina Shchelkanova, a former soloist of American Ballet Theatre and Kirov Ballet, established the Open World Dance Foundation in 2010 after recognizing that the art form she loves could help the many orphans in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia. Through Open World Foundation, she also runs a successful summer intensive program, presenting students a rare opportunity to train with master teachers with a direct connection to Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Ekaterina, or Katya, began her journey in St. Petersburg, Russia. From the time she was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a dancer. In 1988, she graduated from...
2014-02-0700 minBallet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast01-Balancing Pointe- Host Kimberly Falker introduces the PodcastIn this first episode of Balancing Pointe the Podcast host Kimberly Falker shares what the subscriber can expect from the podcast, information about the producers, and the inspiration behind creating this podcast. Kimberly shares the mission of the podcast to educate, motivate, inspire and ultimately provide tips on how to succeed not only in dance, but also in life. Hear about the enlightening interviews to come that will provide the listener with perspectives from different viewpoints along the journey. From aspiring ballet apprentices to principals, choreographers, writers, film makers and photographers, these personal stories of these amazingly hard working...
2013-12-0100 min