Intimacy direction in dance. What the heck is it, why is it important and how can these practices be brought into ballet training? Our guests, Nicole Perry and Sarah Lozoff, respected intimacy coordinators who have consulted with RudduR Dance as well as American Ballet Theater, share their expertise on how effective communication between dancers can help to build trust, respect, and improve collaboration.

Perry and Lozoff explain how setting boundaries and having open conversations can prevent misunderstandings and hurt feelings, ultimately leading to more effective work in the studio. They also discuss real-world examples from their work, offering practical advice for implementing their strategies in various ballet settings, including why these practices need to be adopted by ballet schools.

Learn more about Nicole and Sarah and the work they do:

• Intimacy Direction in Dance
• Nicole Perry
• Sarah Lozoff
• Nicole TikTok and IG: @intimacychorefl
• Sarah IG @sarahlozoff

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
• Facebook: BalletHelpDesk

In this episode, we revisit one of our earliest topics: "What would you have done differently as dance parents?" Join us as we reflect on our journey, sharing the mistakes we made and the invaluable lessons we learned along the way. Tune in for honest insights and practical advice for every ballet parent.

We'll also tackle other listener questions such as:

• At what age should dancers start full-time training?
• How to gracefully decline an acceptance to summer programs.
• Strategies for financing ballet training.

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Ballet Help Desk Summer Intensive Essentials Guide
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk

Music: #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

In our first episode of Dancer Stories, Jenny and her daughter Abbey share how Abbey got her first ballet contract.

Tune in to hear how a meeting about dorm policy violations at a summer intensive turned into an apprenticeship offer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

After a last-minute decision to attend the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Company Experience, Abbey's unexpected journey underscores the importance of seizing opportunities—you never know where they might lead!

Learn more about Pittsburgh Ballet Theater on their website.

Interested in following Abbey's career? You can find her on Instagram @abbeyahuang

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Ballet Help Desk Summer Intensive Essentials Guide
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk

Music: #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

We're talking with Robert Fulton and Camille Kellems, both professional dancers and also RAs at ballet summer intensives. Get ready for a mix of insider info that's helpful for parents as well as hilarious anecdotes as Robert and Camille let us in on what really goes on behind the scenes. From dorm antics to practice mishaps, they’ve seen it all—and they're here to spill the tea. Whether your dancer is gearing up for their first intensive or they've been around the block a few times, you won't want to miss this candid and entertaining chat!

Robert and Camille are also the founders of Ballet Scout. You can learn more about what they do on their website.

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Ballet Help Desk Summer Intensive Essentials Guide
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk

Music: #Uppbeat:

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

License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Tune in as we chat with Adam McKinney who has just finished his first year as artistic director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Hear about McKinney's own background to learn how it impacted his career as a male ballet dancer and how it informs his leadership at PBT. We also got a sneak peek at McKinney's plans for the coming years, both in terms of programming as well as policies he's putting in place to help improve the lives of company dancers.

You can learn more about Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre on their website.

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk

Join us as we talk with Alicia Graf Mack, the first person of color and the youngest ever to head the Dance Department at Juilliard. Our conversation covered not only how the program is structured, but also the current state of the job market, what Juilliard dancers do once they graduate as well as the school's cross-over academic program that allows students to take some academic classes at Columbia University. Ms Graf Mack also talked about one of their newer programs tailored for dancers ages 10-18 called the Juilliard Dance Experience. This program will take place in late fall 2025 in New York and on tour in a yet to be announced location.

Learn more on Juilliard's website.

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk

We're joined by Melonie Buchanan Murray, the Director of the School of Dance at the University of Utah. Our conversation covered a variety of areas, including the repertoire the dancers typically perform, admissions standards, the emphasis Ms. Murray puts on mental health awareness, how injuries affect grading and how students can get a BFA in Ballet that includes a teaching emphasis. She also let us in on the joint training program that the University of Utah has with Ballet West! Learn more about the dance program at https://www.dance.utah.edu/

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk

We're joined by Susan Stowe, Chair of the Department of Dance at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Stowe discusses the various tracks students can follow in the dance department, including degrees in ballet, jazz or modern dance and gives us a sneak peek at their latest initiative. Beginning Fall 2024, Point Park University's dance program in partnership with the School of Education will offer a Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education Certification Pre-K through 12 program. She also discusses where the school recruits students as well as what careers the school's graduates pursue. For more information visit: Point Park University School of Dance

Links:

• Ballet Help Desk
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk