In this episode, we chat with Cecilia Iliesiu, Principal Dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet and a ballet career coach. As we're headed into audition season, Cecilia discusses the importance of networking in the industry and offers practical tips for aspiring artists on building meaningful connections, setting career goals, and making informed decisions. Her expertise provides essential guidance as dancers start to gather and send out their audition packages. Tune in for valuable advice that can benefit every dancer.

Learn more about Cecilia's career coaching services on her website.

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Buy Corrections Journals
• Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands!
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

Music from #Uppbeat:

https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future

License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Sometimes you just need to talk to other ballet parents! In this episode, we chat with three moderators of large Facebook groups for parents and caregivers of dancers as they spill the tea on what really goes on behind the scenes (hint: it’s sometimes a delicate dance). In our wide-ranging conversation, they share their experiences navigating the challenges and rewards of moderating large communities of dance parents, along with some unexpected situations that left them saying, "Did that really just happen?" Join us for a candid conversation about how these moderators are keeping the support and engagement flowing among ballet parents—because sometimes, a little community goes a long way!

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Buy Corrections Journals
• Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands!
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

Music from #Uppbeat:

https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future

License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

In this episode we sit down with Jaimie Tapper, Head of Performance Coaching at The Royal Ballet, to explore the significant changes she’s witnessed in ballet schools since her own dancing days. Jaimie discusses key challenges today’s ballet students face and questions whether schools are being asked to take on responsibilities they may not be equipped for. She also underscores the importance of cultivating interests outside of ballet. While acknowledging that there’s still much progress to be made, Jaimie remains optimistic about the future of the art form.

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Buy Corrections Journals
• Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands!
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

Music from #Uppbeat:

https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future

License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

In this episode we talk with Rachel Bar, Director of Research and Health at Canada’s National Ballet School, about the comprehensive wellness program designed to support the physical and mental health of ballet students. Rachel shares how the school integrates science-based practices to promote long-term dancer health, foster resilience, and create a positive training environment. Learn more about Canada's National Ballet School on their website

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Buy Corrections Journals
• Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands!
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

In this episode, we sit down with Kathleen to discuss the challenges dancers face in the ballet world, from the pressures of perfectionism to the stigma surrounding mental health. She shares her journey from dancer to advocate, emphasizing the urgent need for change. We explore how her organization is breaking the silence and fostering a culture of wellness in ballet schools, and even why she believes teachers can become powerful allies in creating a healthier, more supportive environment for their students.

Learn more about We Are Minding the Gap on their website

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Buy Corrections Journals
• Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands!
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

In this episode, we sit down with Kristin Deiss and Michelle Loucadoux, Founders of Danscend, to explore the good, the bad and the in-between of social media in the ballet world. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer dancers unprecedented opportunities to showcase their artistry, build communities, and gain visibility, they also bring challenges like unrealistic beauty standards, comparison culture, and mental health pressures. Join us as we discuss the positive and negative impacts of social media on ballet, including insights on how to navigate these digital landscapes while maintaining a healthy relationship with the art form.

Learn more about Danscend on their website: https://danscend.com/

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Buy Corrections Journals
• Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands!
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

This week's special guest is Lauren Richter, a former professional dancer and current Principal of the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education. Lauren reached out to us because she thought it was important to let dancers hear her story. Join us as she recounts her journey through a years-long eating disorder, now in long-term recovery, as both a warning and a message of hope for aspiring dancers.

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands!
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

Additional Resources for Eating Disorder Support

Music from #Uppbeat:

https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future

License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

We sit down with Monika Saigal, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and former professional dancer, who works with professional ballet dancers and ballet students. Monika shares her expertise on the important role of nutrition in a dancer's life and offers valuable insights into the nuances of language surrounding food and how it impacts dancers' perceptions and behaviors. Monika discusses the myth of perfect eating and the importance of embracing a balanced approach. We also explore the practices around weighing ballet students, the contagious nature of disordered eating, and practical strategies for preparing nutritious meals despite a hectic schedule.

Tune in to her Monika's advice on how to support dancers in maintaining a healthy relationship with food while fostering a positive and sustainable approach to their nutrition.

Learn more about Monika:

• Website
• Book
• Instagram: @Nourish.Headtopointe
• Facebook: MonikaSaigalRD

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Discounts On Your Favorite Ballet Brands!
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

Music from #Uppbeat:

https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future

License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI