The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

119. Your Audition Season Starts NOW: The Timeline Every Dancer Needs

Audition season can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. In this solo episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m walking you through my recommended timeline for

118. Ballet Idaho Artistic Director Garrett Anderson on Staying Curious in a Dance Career

In this week’s episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I sat down with Garrett Anderson, Artistic Director of Ballet Idaho, to talk about his journey from professional d

117. From Professional Ballerina to PhD with Caroline Simpkins of Ballet Science

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, former professional ballerina Caroline Simpkins shares her inspiring journey from professional ballerina to earning a PhD

116. Inside Vanessa Mlyniec's First Season with New York City Ballet

What does it take to go from a competition dance studio to the stage of New York City Ballet? In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Vanessa Mlyn

115. ENCORE: Side Gigs I've Had as a Professional Dancer

It’s no secret that many dancers in the industry are underpaid and overworked. And while we’re pushing for change, the reality is that many of us will take on side gigs t

114. Following your North Star in a Dance Career with Shannon Quirk

What does it take to sustain a professional dance career for 15 years while always finding new ways to grow as an artist? In this episode I’m joined by Madison Ballet co

113. Breaking the Burnout Cycle in Dance with Rylie Beck of Inner Studio

What if becoming a stronger dancer had less to do with pushing harder and more to do with creating space to breathe? In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m

112. Inside Louisville Ballet's Innovative College Partnership with Jill Marlow Krutzkamp

What happens when a ballet company invests in its dancers' futures both on and off the stage? In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Jill Marlow

111. From Ballet to Broadway Tours with Ashley Talluto

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by professional dancer Ashley Talluto to talk about the realities of building a career in New York City. Ashl

110. Land More Dance Teaching Opportunities (What Studio Directors Want You to Know)

In this solo episode of the Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m sharing practical advice for professional dancers and aspiring teachers looking to connect with studio owners an

109. What Dancers and Parents Need to Know About College Dance Programs with Ashley Thorndike

Ashley Thorndike is a licensed clinical professional counselor, longtime dance educator, and founder of Dance and College Counseling. With a PhD in Dance Studies, an MEd

108. How the Pandemic Unexpectedly Launched Kendall Lademann's Dance Career

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by professional dancer (and one of my former students!) Kendall Lademann for a full-circle conversation on the

107. Dance as Medicine with Arts in Health Professional Kate Webb Berk

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by former professional dancer and Arts in Health professional Kate Webb Berk to explore the powerful connectio

106. ENCORE: How to Get the Most Out of Your Summer Intensive

In this solo episode, I dive into everything dancers need to know to make the most of their summer intensives. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned pre-prof

105. How Dancers Can Prevent Injuries During Busy Seasons ft. Physiotherapist Erika Mayall

Physiotherapist and dance medicine specialist Erika Mayall, founder of Allegro Performance + Wellness in Vancouver, BC, joins us to share expert guidance on managing and

104. Hayley Meier on the Power of Perseverance in a Dance Career

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Hayley Meier: dancer, choreographer, and educator currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Dance at t

103. The Reality of Raising a Professional Dancer with My Mom, Brenda Younker

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by my mom, Brenda Younker, for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to raise a professional danc

102. The Evolution of a Ballet Career with Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch

In this episode of the Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I am joined by Stanton Welch, Artistic Director of Houston Ballet and internationally renowned choreographer. Stanton sh

101. Inside The Workshop: The Training Opportunity Professional Dancers Have Been Waiting For with Courtney Anderson

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Courtney Anderson - former dancer with San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, The Suzanne Farr

100. How the Decisions that Scared me Most Shaped my Dance Career

I can’t believe we made it to the 100th episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast!!! Only a small percentage of podcasts make it this far, and I’m so grateful to you for m