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The Adult Ballet Studio
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The Adult Ballet Studio

de Elizabeth Blosfield

NuevoEpisode 50: Skylar Brandt3 de noviembre de 2026 · 41 min
Episodios
53
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cada dos semanas
Último episodio
3 Nov 2026
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Sobre el podcast

The Adult Ballet Studio is a podcast featuring conversations with dancers who have returned to ballet or discovered it for the first time later in life, as well as anyone working to make the ballet industry more welcoming for dancers of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. This podcast celebrates the beauty of ballet with the aim of encouraging dancers to embrace individuality, challenge tradition, and advocate for an industry where age, ability, and background are not obstacles, but sources of strength and diversity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodios 53

  1. Episode 50: Skylar Brandt

    41 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 50

    Welcome to a very special episode of The Adult Ballet Studio! Today, we’re celebrating a milestone: our 50th episode!It's hard to believe we've reached 50 episodes since launching this podcast in August of …

    Notas del episodio

    Welcome to a very special episode of The Adult Ballet Studio! Today, we’re celebrating a milestone: our 50th episode!


    It's hard to believe we've reached 50 episodes since launching this podcast in August of 2023, and I'm so grateful to everyone who has listened, shared their stories, and been a part of this incredible community of dancers who believe that ballet belongs to all of us, no matter our age, background, or ability.


    For this episode, American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Skylar Brandt is in the studio!


    Skylar began her ballet training at six years old at Scarsdale Ballet Studio in New York before going on to study at ABT's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. She joined ABT II in 2009 and steadily rose through the company's ranks, becoming a principal dancer in 2020.


    Throughout her career, Skylar has brought to life some of ballet's most iconic roles. She's also received numerous accolades, including a Princess Grace Foundation Dance Fellowship and recognition on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list.


    But beyond her remarkable accomplishments onstage, Skylar has also used her platform to inspire dancers around the world, encouraging individuality and advocating for yourself. In this conversation, we explore Skylar's journey from a young dancer with big dreams to one of ABT's leading artists, her recent performances, and how she continues to grow and discover new dimensions of herself as a performer. Skylar shares her perspective on finding her own voice as an artist and what she hopes to give back to the art form that has shaped so much of her life.


    Thank you again to everyone who has helped make these first 50 episodes possible. I'm so excited to share this milestone with all of you, and I hope this conversation reminds you that there's a place for you in ballet, wherever you are in your journey. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    The Adult Ballet Studio has merch! https://theadultballetstudio-shop.fourthwall.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. Bonus Episode: Andrea Ziegelman

    31 minTemporada 4

    What does it mean to make dance accessible? Is it simply opening doors to more people, or is it about creating spaces where everyone feels that they truly belong once they’re through the door and into the …

    Notas del episodio

    What does it mean to make dance accessible? Is it simply opening doors to more people, or is it about creating spaces where everyone feels that they truly belong once they’re through the door and into the studio?


    On this bonus episode of The Adult Ballet Studio, Andrea Ziegelman is in the studio! She is the founder and executive and artistic director of Accent Dance NYC, a nonprofit organization that uses the dance to build bridges between communities, celebrate cultural diversity, and bring dance education and performances to children and families across New York City and lower Westchester County.


    Since its founding, Accent Dance NYC has reached more than 45,000 school-aged children, introducing them to movement traditions ranging from ballet and flamenco to West African dance and hip-hop. The company explores important subjects like immigration, identity, and climate change through dance.


    Andrea's own path is fascinating. She grew up in a family of professional classical musicians, trained seriously in ballet from a young age, and studied dance at the University of Utah. She also went on to build a career as an attorney in New York City, while continuing to dance, perform, and teach.


    In our conversation, we talk about Andrea's lifelong connection to ballet, what inspired her to found Accent Dance NYC, and how dance can create understanding and connection across different cultures and experiences.


    We also discuss Accent's October gala, Seen, including a new work by acclaimed ballerina Ingrid Silva, and the ongoing conversation around representation and belonging in the dance world.


    And, of course, we bring it back to adult ballet and what meaningful access to dance really looks like for dancers of all ages. We discuss how we can create more welcoming spaces for adult dancers, and why it's never too late to see yourself as part of the dance community. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    The Adult Ballet Studio has merch! https://theadultballetstudio-shop.fourthwall.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Episode 49: Isabella Rubietta

    35 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 49

    Isabella Rubietta, dancer, choreographer and founder of Minnesota Ballet Collective, is in the studio this month!Isabella began dancing at just three years old, exploring ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater …

    Notas del episodio

    Isabella Rubietta, dancer, choreographer and founder of Minnesota Ballet Collective, is in the studio this month!


    Isabella began dancing at just three years old, exploring ballet, tap, jazz, and musical theater before dedicating herself to classical ballet at the age of ten. She went on to train at Ballet Royale of Minnesota, perform with Twin Cities Ballet, and attend summer programs including with American Ballet Theatre and Kansas City Ballet.


    Today, she is in her fourth season with Minnesota Ballet Collective, an organization that she founded in 2023. Minnesota Ballet Collective is committed to empowering advanced ballet dancers through creativity, collaboration, and artistic growth. The Collective also places a strong emphasis on building an inclusive and supportive community.


    Her story doesn’t stop with dance! She holds a degree in biology, has explored choreography through her work at the University of Minnesota, where she has begun law school.


    In our conversation, we talk about her journey from young dancer to artist, what she has learned from performing and choreographing, her experiences with Minnesota Ballet Collective, and the ways ballet has shaped how she thinks about public health, community, and advocacy. We also talk about the pressure and expectations that come with being a dancer, the importance of creating more inclusive spaces in ballet, and what it means to build a life that doesn’t fit neatly into just one career or identity. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    The Adult Ballet Studio has merch! https://theadultballetstudio-shop.fourthwall.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Episode 48: Maureen Footer

    39 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 48

    Maureen Footer is an author and cultural historian whose work explores the ways artists, designers, and creators shape the culture around them, and she joined The Adult Ballet Studio this month!Maureen is the …

    Notas del episodio

    Maureen Footer is an author and cultural historian whose work explores the ways artists, designers, and creators shape the culture around them, and she joined The Adult Ballet Studio this month!


    Maureen is the author of several acclaimed books on fashion, architecture and design, and her newest book takes her into the world of dance with Feel the Floor: Restoring the Life and Legacy of Jazz Choreographer Buddy Bradley, published by Beacon Press.


    The book tells the story of Buddy Bradley, a Black choreographer and teacher whose career began during the Harlem Renaissance and eventually took him from Broadway to London’s West End. There, his work helped transform theatrical dance. Bradley taught and influenced some of the biggest performers of his era, and his choreography drew from tap, jazz, ballroom, folk dance and mime.


    Bradley’s influence also extended into classical ballet. His work helped shape the movement vocabulary of many choreographers, including George Balanchine, and contributed to the development of what would become neoclassical ballet. Yet, despite the reach of his influence, Bradley’s name largely disappeared from mainstream dance history, especially in the U.S. Feel the Floor seeks to change that by restoring Bradley’s story.


    Maureen is also a lifelong ballet enthusiast and serves on the boards of New York City Ballet, the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library, and the American Friends of the Paris Opera Ballet.


    We talk about Bradley’s remarkable legacy, the ways racism and cultural hierarchies have shaped what gets preserved in dance history, and what his story can teach us about influence, inclusion and belonging in the world of ballet. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]

    The Adult Ballet Studio has merch! https://theadultballetstudio-shop.fourthwall.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Episode 47: Jen Alden

    41 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 47

    Jen Alden is in the studio this month! She is a choreographer, director, arts leader, and financial executive whose work spans professional performance, arts advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and community …

    Notas del episodio

    Jen Alden is in the studio this month! She is a choreographer, director, arts leader, and financial executive whose work spans professional performance, arts advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. 


    She trained with the State Ballet of Oregon, Eugene Ballet, and the University of Oregon before performing as a soloist with the State Ballet of Oregon and dancing with contemporary companies in Portland. Along the way, she also developed a love for musical theater, choreographing her first production, West Side Story, at just 17 years old.


    After moving to Tulsa, Jennifer co-founded what is now Oklahoma Movement, a nonprofit contemporary dance organization dedicated to using movement as a catalyst for conversation and change. Over the past 15 years, she's created more than 15 evening-length works exploring topics including mental health, addiction, social inequality, women's issues, and systemic racism. In 2020, the organization shifted its focus beyond performance to emphasize outreach, advocacy, and education, reflecting a belief that movement has the power to connect communities and inspire meaningful dialogue.


    Jennifer's impact extends beyond the studio too! She's choreographed for Tulsa Opera, Theatre Tulsa, Tulsa Symphony, and numerous productions throughout the region, while also serving as chief financial and operating officer of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. There, she's helped secure funding to support one of Oklahoma's most important cultural institutions.


    In this conversation, Jennifer challenges the idea that artists have to choose between creativity and practicality. We talk about balancing careers in both finance and the arts, building sustainable pathways for artists, creating welcoming spaces for adult dancers, and using dance to explore some of the most complex issues facing our communities. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    The Adult Ballet Studio has merch! Shop here!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  6. Bonus Episode: Larry Keigwin

    6 minTemporada 4Extra

    Larry Keigwin, dancer, choreographer and artistic director of KEIGWIN + COMPANY, joined The Adult Ballet Studio for a bonus episode! Keigwin is a native New Yorker, choreographer, and curator who has danced his …

    Notas del episodio

    Larry Keigwin, dancer, choreographer and artistic director of KEIGWIN + COMPANY, joined The Adult Ballet Studio for a bonus episode! Keigwin is a native New Yorker, choreographer, and curator who has danced his way from the Metropolitan Opera to Broadway and back. He has created 30 works, including his community-based piece for all ages - Rhapsody - that kicked off Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City festival this year.


    This community dance work featured 40 New Yorkers, and the group was made up of dancers and non-dancers of all ages and backgrounds. Each version of Rhapsody is shaped by its location and ensemble of dancers and celebrates making art, humanity and shared space. Lincoln center’s Summer for the City festival is even more dance focused than before thanks to the launch of The Pasculano Collaborative for Contemporary Dance, which anchors this year’s festival. The season features New York-based talent as well as artists from around the world, wellness events, and education initiatives that are all offered for free or choose-what-you-pay. The collaborative also paves the way for Lincoln Center’s inaugural Contemporary Dance Festival – a new festival that will be offered each summer and winter. Check it this interview with Larry!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]

    The Adult Ballet Studio has merch! Check it out: https://theadultballetstudio-shop.fourthwall.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  7. Episode 46: Erica Centola

    38 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 46

    Erica Centola, founder of Tournesol Dance in Rochester, New York, is in the studio this month! Have you ever felt like ballet wasn't built for your body—or because you started later, took a long break, or don't …

    Notas del episodio

    Erica Centola, founder of Tournesol Dance in Rochester, New York, is in the studio this month! Have you ever felt like ballet wasn't built for your body—or because you started later, took a long break, or don't fit the "traditional" dancer mold, you somehow don't belong in the studio? Erica is so good at dispelling those myths and encouraging dancers at any stage of their lives or training to do what they love!


    Tournesol Dance is an adult-only ballet school that's redefining what serious ballet training can look like for adult dancers. A former histology technician turned ballet teacher and studio owner, Erica combines her understanding of anatomy and biology with an individualized approach to teaching. She helps adult students build stronger technique while rediscovering confidence, creativity, and joy.


    In this conversation, we talked about why dance is so much more than exercise. We explored how ballet can help heal the mind, reduce stress, reconnect us with our creative selves, and become a powerful source of resilience in adulthood.


    Erica also shared her journey back to ballet after a long hiatus and why she ultimately created the kind of ballet school she wished had existed for adult dancers all along— where adults are taken seriously, given thoughtful corrections, and offered real opportunities to grow and perform. Check it out!




    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]

    The Adult Ballet Studio has merch! Check it out: https://theadultballetstudio-shop.fourthwall.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  8. Bonus Episode: Omari Wiles

    7 minTemporada 4Extra

    Tony-winning choreographer Omari Wiles is in the studio for a bonus episode! Omari is the founder and artistic director of The House of NiNa Oricci and Les Ballet Afrik, and he recently made his Broadway debut …

    Notas del episodio

    Tony-winning choreographer Omari Wiles is in the studio for a bonus episode! Omari is the founder and artistic director of The House of NiNa Oricci and Les Ballet Afrik, and he recently made his Broadway debut and won a Tony along with Arturo Lyons for their choreography on Cats: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway. 


    Les Ballet Afrik’s piece, New York Is Burning, was presented this year at Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City Festival as part of the outdoor Dance Encounters series, and I spoke with Omari afterwards about what it means to see vogue and ballroom culture represented on some of the world’s biggest stages. Check it out!




    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]

    The Adult Ballet Studio has merch! Check it out: https://theadultballetstudio-shop.fourthwall.com/

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  9. Episode 45: Laura Victoria Ward

    48 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 45

    Laura Victoria Ward is in the studio this month! She is a choreographer, somatic movement educator, musician, painter, performer, and maximalist artist. Her work intersects with ballet, theater, geometry, punk …

    Notas del episodio

    Laura Victoria Ward is in the studio this month! She is a choreographer, somatic movement educator, musician, painter, performer, and maximalist artist. Her work intersects with ballet, theater, geometry, punk rock, and self-acceptance. And she’s so talented at all of it!


    She is the artistic director of Octavia Cup Dance Theatre, a contemporary ballet company known for creating surreal, expressionistic works that push beyond traditional ballet vocabulary while still remaining in conversation with it. She’s also a movement analyst and a somatic movement educator.


    Laura’s work makes space for contradiction, experimentation and complexity through the structure of ballet and the joy of improvisation. We discussed what belonging looks like in dance, and why some of her work wasn’t initially well received by audiences and how she pushed past it to create meaningful work that resonates. She also gave advice about connecting with mentors, collaboration and doing work you believe in. Check out our conversation!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  10. Episode 44: Reed Luplau

    36 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 44

    Reed Luplau is in the studio for this mid-month episode! He’s a dancer, choreographer, and performer and has built such a multifaceted and versatile career in the performing arts. He trained at the Australian …

    Notas del episodio

    Reed Luplau is in the studio for this mid-month episode! He’s a dancer, choreographer, and performer and has built such a multifaceted and versatile career in the performing arts. He trained at the Australian Ballet School and performed with Sydney Dance Company, and he’s appeared in the original Broadway casts of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, and the 2015 revival of Fiddler on the Roof. As a choreographer, his work has spanned Broadway, opera, concert dance, large-scale live events, and festivals across the United States and Australia.


    Now, he’s bringing his own work to the stage with the world premiere of How Will I Remember This, a new dance narrative presented by Reed Luplau Works in association with the Institute for American Musical Theatre. This piece is inspired by the history of Eldorado — the legendary queer cabaret nightclub in Weimar, Berlin, shut down by the nazis in 1933. The piece explores memory, identity, loss, and erasure through movement, music, and theatrical storytelling. The production will play for three performances only on May 22, 23, and 24, 2026, at the IAMT Theater in New York City. The link to purchase tickets is below!


    In this conversation, we talk about Reed’s path from ballet to Broadway, the artistic transitions that shaped his career, and why dance became the medium through which he wanted to tell this story. We also talk about starting ballet late, mentorship and accessibility in the performing arts, and the importance of creating more inclusive dance spaces. Check out our conversation!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  11. Episode 43: Anne Easterling

    44 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 43

    Anne Easterling, founder and director of The Ballet Club, is in the studio this month! The Ballet Club is a New York–based school that Anne launched in 2011 with a mission to make ballet accessible to students …

    Notas del episodio

    Anne Easterling, founder and director of The Ballet Club, is in the studio this month! The Ballet Club is a New York–based school that Anne launched in 2011 with a mission to make ballet accessible to students of all ages.


    Anne brings decades of experience to her work as both a performer and educator. She began her professional dance career performing classical and modern repertoire across the United States and Europe, and she also trained as a competitive figure skater. Since then, she’s been teaching ballet and developing an approach to training that blends strong classical technique with creativity and individuality.


    She has an MFA in Dance from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and has taught at Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Hispánico, Peridance Center, and 92nd Street Y.

    At The Ballet Club, Anne has created a unique environment welcoming everyone from toddlers as young as 18 months to adult students well into their 70s. Her philosophy centers on the idea that ballet is not just for performance or for a select few, but a lifelong practice that supports both the body and the mind.


    In this episode, we talk about Anne’s journey into dance and how her experiences in both ballet and figure skating shaped her artistic path. We explore her teaching philosophy — including what she means when she says “ballet is for the brain” — and how she approaches working with adult beginners who might feel intimidated or unsure about starting later in life.


    We also dive into The Ballet Club’s curriculum, the importance of staying a student even as a teacher, and why performance opportunities can be transformative for dancers of all ages.


    For those who are curious about starting ballet as an adult, Anne shares insights into her on-demand course, All You Need to Know Before You Begin Ballet Class, designed to help beginners build confidence, understand the structure of class, and take those first steps in a supportive way. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield  | [email protected]

    Support 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.

  12. Episode 42: Anabella Lenzu

    39 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 42

    Anabella Lenzu joined the studio this month! She is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, educator, and scholar whose career spans more than 35 years across the globe. She is the founder and …

    Notas del episodio

    Anabella Lenzu joined the studio this month! She is an internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, educator, and scholar whose career spans more than 35 years across the globe. She is the founder and artistic director of Anabella Lenzu/DanceDrama, a dance theatre company in New York City.


    Anabella brings together ballet, modern, tango, and dance theatre, and she’s taught in more than 50 institutions worldwide. She currently teaches at NYU and Peridance Center in New York City. In addition to her performance and teaching career, Anabella is also a published author and the president of the American Dance Guild.


    In this conversation, we explore her journey into dance and what led her to pursue it as a lifelong career, how her experiences across cultures have shaped her artistic voice and teaching philosophy, and what drew her to choreography as a means of expression.


    We also dive into her newest book, Teaching and Learning Dance Through Meaningful Gestures, and unpack ideas like active imagination, the role of gesture in movement, and why visual documentation can be such a powerful tool for dancers.


    She gives advice on how to approach dance with a sense of wholeness, how to navigate fear or self-doubt in the studio, and how to embrace your own body as a source of experience, history, and identity. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  13. Episode 41: Peter Stathas & Lauren Twomley

    34 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 41

    Peter Stathas, founder and artistic director of Peter Stathas Dance, and company dancer Lauren Twomley, are in the studio this month for a conversation that stretches across generations of New York dance …

    Notas del episodio

    Peter Stathas, founder and artistic director of Peter Stathas Dance, and company dancer Lauren Twomley, are in the studio this month for a conversation that stretches across generations of New York dance history!


    Peter and Lauren talk about how embracing curiosity and risking the unexpected keeps dance fresh, meaningful, and connected across generations. Peter began his dance career at SUNY Purchase before performing with the José Limón Dance Company. Then, he spent 30 years as a physical therapist and entrepreneur before returning to choreography in 2016. He talks about how emotional the experience was for him of returning to dance and gives his advice for other dancers who are stepping back into the studio or back on stage after some time away. In 2018, the duet Assuage sparked the creation of his company, rooted in a mission to create dance that reflects the human experience while advocating for sustainability, collaboration, and equity in the field.


    In February of this year, Peter Stathas Dance Company presented its program, What We Hold, a cross-generational program at the Mark Morris Dance Center. The evening brought works from the 1980s back into the studio and onto the stage — not as a form of nostalgia, but as a living conversation across time, as the company describes it. These pieces were set on a new generation of dancers navigating today’s dance landscape.


    Born in Brooklyn and a graduate of SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Arts Management, Lauren is one of those dancers. She has worked with a range of choreographers and has performed masterworks by Martha Graham, José Limón, and Merce Cunningham. She joined the Limón Dance Company in 2019 and now serves not only as a dancer with Peter Stathas Dance, but also rehearsal coordinator and social media manager. She’s also a teaching artist with the José Limón Dance Foundation, where she explores the deconstruction of Limón Movement Principles to make the technique more accessible and approachable.


    In this interview, we talk about lineage, how dancers are constructing a moment in time and becoming part of history in the process, what it means to carry someone else’s artistic work in your own body, and how love, care, and devotion make a sustainable life in dance. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  14. Episode 40: Elizabeth Yntema

    44 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 40

    Dance Data Project President and Founder Elizabeth Yntema is in the studio! Liza founded Dance Data Project in 2015 to shine a light on gender disparities in leadership, compensation, and programming in the …

    Notas del episodio

    Dance Data Project President and Founder Elizabeth Yntema is in the studio! Liza founded Dance Data Project in 2015 to shine a light on gender disparities in leadership, compensation, and programming in the dance industry, and since then, DDP has become a global force for accountability and change. Liza and her team are breaking down barriers in the dance field, revealing the data behind funding, leadership, and gender disparities, and showing how anyone — from dance fans to leaders of companies and boards of nonprofits — can use this information to create real change.


    At 60 years old, Liza faced rejection that almost meant DDP didn’t happen, but her relentless drive turned an idea into a powerful movement for equity and transparency in dance. In this episode, she shares the story of starting DDP from scratch and how its research exposes the gender gaps and systemic bias shaping the industry. She also shares a first look at a new project DDP is working on that will continue its work of empowering women, emerging artists, and companies to challenge the status quo and create new paths.


    We talk in this episode about strategies that dancers, donors, and arts advocates can use to support women-led initiatives and advocate for fair funding and inclusive leadership. We also talk about why data-driven advocacy is essential and how small actions, like thanking donors or getting to know the community, can ripple into meaningful industry-wide change. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield  | [email protected]

    Support 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.

  15. Episode 39: Nancy Dobbs Owen and Junyla Silmon

    38 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 39

    This month’s episode is the first part of a two-part series of interviews with Dance Data Project! Dance Data Project is an organization that promotes gender equity in the dance industry, including in ballet …

    Notas del episodio

    This month’s episode is the first part of a two-part series of interviews with Dance Data Project! Dance Data Project is an organization that promotes gender equity in the dance industry, including in ballet companies, by providing metrics-based research that is free and accessible to the public. Through its research, programming, resources, and advocacy, DDP showcases and uplifts women throughout the dance industry and provides data to inform decisions on inclusivity and moving the industry forward. The organization was founded by Elizabeth Yntema, who will be joining the podcast later in February!


    For this episode, DDP’s external communications lead Nancy Dobbs Owen and senior research consultant and team training lead Junyla Silmon are in the studio!

    Junyla is a performer and choreographer whose career spans concert dance, immersive theater, and contemporary companies. She began with Dance Data Project as an intern and now leads research and training. As a performing artist, she has worked with Susan Marshall, Roderick George, and Kayla Farrish, among others. Junyla is also a company member of Company SBB//Stefanie Batten Bland. As a choreographer, her work was presented at the 2022 Upsurge Dance Festival.


    Nancy has decades of experience as a professional dancer, choreographer, educator, and arts administrator alongside a career in academia. She’s served as external communications lead for Dance Data Project since spring 2025. Her research focuses on how training, tradition, and embedded power systems intersect, affecting equity and accessibility in dance leadership. She currently serves as an assistant professor of dance at Southern Utah University and is a staff writer for LA Dance Chronicle. She’s danced with regional ballet, modern, and contemporary companies and has numerous theater credits, including the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera. She is also an award-winning choreographer for both stage and film, with award recognition from the Ovations, Stage Scene LA, and BroadwayWorld.com. Check out their interview!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  16. Episode 38: Claire Waite Brown

    47 minTemporada 4 · Episodio 38

    Happy new year! Claire Waite Brown is in the studio this month! She’s the host of the Creativity Found podcast and the founder of the Creativity Found directory and community, all dedicated to helping grown-ups …

    Notas del episodio

    Happy new year! Claire Waite Brown is in the studio this month! She’s the host of the Creativity Found podcast and the founder of the Creativity Found directory and community, all dedicated to helping grown-ups reconnect with their creative spark. On her podcast, Claire speaks with people who’ve found — or re-discovered — their creativity later in life, unpacking their childhood experiences with the arts, the detours that pulled them away, and the brave, often joyful journeys back.


    But Claire doesn’t just share these Creativity Found stories — she’s living one herself. In her 40s, Claire joined a hip hop dance group for adults, stepping into an entirely new dance style after studying contemporary dance for years. She talks openly about how challenging, humbling, and joyful it was to be a beginner again. She’s also returned to her love of theatre through improv and pantomime, and even started Creativity Found having never podcasted before, proving that you don’t need permission, experience, or a perfect plan to begin.


    Claire describes herself as someone who isn’t afraid to take creative risks, and through her work, she’s realized something powerful: she has her own Creativity Found story coming back to so many of her creative passions in adulthood. She’s also a book editor and a dance fitness instructor! If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to start something creative, or if you’ve felt the pull to return to something you once loved, this episode is for you. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]

    Support 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.

  17. Episode 37: Emily Sayre Smith

    38 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 37

    This month’s guest became a professional ballerina, not because someone told her she could, but because someone told her she couldn't. When an early ballet teacher told young Emily Sayre Smith that her leg …

    Notas del episodio

    This month’s guest became a professional ballerina, not because someone told her she could, but because someone told her she couldn't. When an early ballet teacher told young Emily Sayre Smith that her leg shape meant she’d never make it, she did what any stubborn kid would do: she set out to prove them wrong. And she did.


    Emily is a former pro dancer and memoirist, and she’s in the studio this month! She’s danced her way across two continents and discovered that even the most disciplined ballerinas aren’t perfect—they’re brave. Emily is a classically trained ballet and modern dancer who found an escape in ballet, a way to move out of the fear and chaos of her life and into her body and the music. She earned scholarships, traveled to London to dance at the Stella Mann College of Performing Arts, and ultimately, found love waiting for her in the dance studio and on stage.


    Her debut memoir, Smartass: Memoir of a Mouthy Girl, published this year in October and is a blend of humor, grit, queerness, art, and survival—written, as Emily admits in this interview, because she really, really didn’t want to clean her house. Emily’s own journey includes addiction, sobriety, reinvention, and more than a few brushes with dance royalty. She speaks about how ballet shaped her, saved her, and sometimes nearly broke her. She also discusses body image in the ballet world, the culture shock of dancing abroad, what it meant to come out as gay as a young ballerina in 1981 during the AIDS crisis, and why she thinks everyone - even basketball players - should try ballet. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  18. Episode 36: Wesley Wray

    34 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 36

    What happens when a kid with a dream steps onto a Broadway stage for the first time? It’s pure magic. Wesley Wray is a an actor, musical artist, and BFA student at the University of Michigan, who is making his …

    Notas del episodio

    What happens when a kid with a dream steps onto a Broadway stage for the first time? It’s pure magic. Wesley Wray is a an actor, musical artist, and BFA student at the University of Michigan, who is making his broadway debut this season in the Tony award winning show Buena Vista Social Club, and he joined the studio this month!


    His career path has already spanned ballet, Afro-Caribbean movement, modern dance, music, theatre, film, and beyond. He shared his experiences in Buena Vista Social Club, backstage stories, and the audition process! And in a beautiful full circle moment, he talked about the Broadway dance workshop he recently taught at Ailey Extension, which invited dancers of all ages and levels to learn choreography from the show and experience the power of dance as community.


    Wesley has roots with Alvin Ailey, studying at The Ailey School’s professional division summer intensives and AileyCamp Miami. He shared what his time studying at Alvin Ailey taught him about establishing safe dance spaces to explore multi-disciplinary training, and how that can shape you as an artist.


    We also talked about his experience working with Tony winning choreographers Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck on Buena Vista Social Club and how ballet technique supports hybrid movement styles in the show. And he gives his best advice for adult dancers, emerging artists, and anyone who has the courage to try something new. Check it out!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  19. Episode 35: Kadeem Alston-Roman

    42 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 35

    Kadeem Alston-Roman is in the studio this month! He is a Brooklyn, New York-based wellness coach, choreographer and theater artist who helps people find balance, peace, and happiness in their daily lives. What …

    Notas del episodio

    Kadeem Alston-Roman is in the studio this month! He is a Brooklyn, New York-based wellness coach, choreographer and theater artist who helps people find balance, peace, and happiness in their daily lives. What makes Kadeem’s work especially powerful is the way he bridges the worlds of dance, wellness, and theater. After spending more than a decade creating performances that fuse movement and mindfulness through Full Force Wellness and Dance Repertory, a company he co-founded, he later founded his wellness company, Kadeem One.


    In this episode, we dive into Kadeem’s journey as a dancer and choreographer, how his work in the wellness space continues to shape his artistry and teaching, and the importance of creating a sense of belonging in ballet - a field that can feel very exclusive. Kadeem shares his advice for dancers who are still finding their place in that world. For all of the adult ballet dancers listening, Kadeem has a message for you: stop worrying about what other people think, and dance because you love it. Whether at the barre, on stage, or simply moving through life, Kadeem reminds us through this conversation that purpose and joy are always worth pursuing. Check it out!


    A staged reading of Hidden in Plain Sight: The Story of Alice Barker will take place on November 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. at Dancewave Studio at 182 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217. Follow @hips1940 on Instagram for more information about the show or email [email protected]. 


    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield  | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  20. Episode 34: Stefanie Nelson

    32 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 34

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    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!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  21. Episode 33: Lar Lubovitch

    34 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 33

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    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!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  22. Episode 32: Crystal Nicholls

    54 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 32

    Crystal Nicholls is in the studio this month! She is a wellness coach and former West End dancer born in Barbados and now based in London.Crystal spent six years in The Lion King on the West End, and she also …

    Notas del episodio

    Crystal Nicholls is in the studio this month! She is a wellness coach and former West End dancer born in Barbados and now based in London.


    Crystal spent six years in The Lion King on the West End, and she also danced on cruise ships, and in TV, commercials, and film projects before transitioning into the health and wellness space for the performing arts. She’s spoken about how performing eight shows a week, while an amazing experience, was also relentless and led to a sense of burnout.


    That experience ignited another passion for her: helping other performers feel their best. During the 2020 lockdowns, Crystal got to work retraining as a holistic health coach and nutrition specialist. With a BFA in Performance Dance and more than a decade on the stage, she combines lived experience with science-backed strategies in her coaching work. Her clients include West End performers, commercial dancers, TV actors, companies, and even performers who are transitioning into new careers.


    She spoke with me about her journey from dancer to coach and how she works to support performer health and change the narrative each dancer carries about their body and their career. She also shared some behind the scenes stories and insights from her dance career and gave her best advice to adult dancers about how to hold on to joy when dancing, balance busy lives, and ways they play a crucial role in the wellness conversation.


    I loved hearing from Crystal about why health and wellness shouldn’t be a luxury, but one of the foundations of dance as an art form. Check it out!



    The Adult Ballet Studio is now on YouTube! @adultballetstudio


    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  23. Episode 31: Abigail Keyes

    1 h 6 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 31

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    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!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  24. Episode 30: Jess Spinner

    42 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 26

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    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.



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  25. Episode 29: Sarah Witherup

    46 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 29

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    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.



    *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 - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  26. Episode 28: Annemarie Cabri

    34 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 28

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    Former dancer and senior teaching artist for The National Ballet of Canada, Annemarie Cabri, joined The Adult Ballet Studio this month!



    Additional 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 - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  27. Episode 27: Kathryn Morgan

    47 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 27

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    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!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Ad: 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.



    Support 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.

  28. Episode 26: Rob MacCaul

    40 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 26

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    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!




    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/

    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Follow The Adult Ballet Studio on YouTube! ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@eblosfield91⁠


    Support 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.

  29. Episode 25: Eduardo Vilaro

    38 minTemporada 3 · Episodio 25

    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 …

    Notas del episodio

    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!



    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Support 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.

  30. Episode 24: Janine Kovac

    52 min

    Janine Kovac joined the studio for this episode! As a retired professional dancer turned award-winning author, she shares her journey from the stage to the page after a twelve-year international ballet career …

    Notas del episodio

    Janine Kovac joined the studio for this episode! As a retired professional dancer turned award-winning author, she shares her journey from the stage to the page after a twelve-year international ballet career spanning Iceland, Italy, and the U.S. Her latest memoir, The Nutcracker Chronicles: A Fairytale Memoir, intertwines her personal experiences in ballet with stories from one of ballet’s most iconic tales, offering a reflection on ambition, artistry, and identity. It’s available now from She Writes Press!


    Janine’s accomplishments extend beyond the stage as well. As a graduate of UC Berkeley, she has authored multiple books. Her memoir, Spinning: Choreography for Coming Home, won a National Indie Excellence Award, and she’s been published in outlets such as Salon, Writer’s Digest, and Publishers Weekly. Janine’s contributions to literature have earned her fellowships, residencies, and literary awards, solidifying her reputation as a voice in both the ballet and literary worlds.


    In this episode, Janine discusses her transition from the demanding world of professional ballet to the equally challenging and sometimes much more solitary world of writing. She talks about how her dance background shapes her creative process today, the parallels and differences between dance and writing, and why she’ll always identify as a ballet dancer. She also discusses her experience teaching adults and how amateur adult dancers can find their identity in a ballet studio too. Check it out!





    Music in this episode:

    Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky

    Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod

    Barroom 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=USUAN1100310

    Artist: http://incompetech.com/


    @eblosfield | [email protected]


    Support 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.

Aquí están los 40 episodios más recientes de 53. Los anteriores están en el feed del podcast.

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