Eva Stone believes every young woman in ballet should learn to choreograph, and she is on a mission to make that happen. In this episode, the Pacific Northwest Ballet faculty member shares why she sees choreography as essential to developing artistic… click here to listen

Dancer Daria Breslin shares her path from early training in Maryland to professional life with City Ballet of San Diego. She talks about the lessons learned at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Nashville Ballet, the importance of mentorship and community,… click here to listen

Eugene Ballet has grown from a small regional company into a thriving school and professional ensemble. Founder Toni Pimble, Artistic Director Jennifer Martin, and School Director Sara Lombardi discuss the company’s journey, their approach to dancer… click here to listen

In this episode of #NoThirds, we sit down with Fran Veyette, co-founder of Veyette Virtual Ballet School, to talk about the realities of ballet training and the role parents play in a dancer’s journey. Fran shares why training smarter is more… click here to listen

Davit Karapetyan, Director of The School of Philadelphia Ballet, joins us to talk about how the school is structured and how dancers move through its levels, from the pre-professional program to PBII and beyond. He explains how auditions are… click here to listen

Deanna Seay, Training Coordinator at the School of Richmond Ballet, joins us to talk about how dancers move through the school, from early training to the pre-professional program, trainee level, and second company. She explains what adjudicators look… click here to listen

This is the first episode in our new Dancer Stories series, where professional dancers share their training paths their move into company life. Jaya Dhand talks about her experience at Indiana University, how she got hired by Ballet West 2, and her… click here to listen

Former Pacific Northwest Ballet principals Sarah and Seth Orza share their training backgrounds, the hardest parts of becoming professionals, and the advice that shaped their paths. They talk about company moves, the realities of life onstage, and the… click here to listen

Fran shares more advice for students in Part 2 of #NoThirds: how respect and awareness shape auditions, why community matters, and what young dancers should know about contracts and career readiness. Interested in working with Fran at Veyette Virtual… click here to listen

Listeners asked, and Fran Veyette answers! In this #NoThirds “Fran’s Mailbag” episode, he breaks down how casting really works, whether principals dance less, what happens when dancers date (and break up), and yes — the truth about dogs… click here to listen

When the Oscar-winning film Black Swan hit theaters, audiences were captivated by its haunting portrayal of the ballet world. In this episode, former professional dancer shares her experience being cast in the movie and takes us inside the rehearsal… click here to listen

Academy Principal and Director of the Professional Training Division at Cincinnati Ballet Academy, joins us to share insights on how the school is structured, what adjudicators look for in auditions, and how scholarships work for students. He also… click here to listen

Mona Nicholas takes us behind the scenes of the USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi. She shares how the event is structured, what makes it different from other competitions, and why it attracts dancers from around the world,… click here to listen

Nicholas Ziegler, board member of IBC Helsinki, explains how the competition is structured, how dancers are selected, and what makes the event stand out. He shares tips for first-time competitors, talks about the role of the jury and master teachers,… click here to listen

  What does it take to raise dancers in today’s ballet world? Racheal Nye, Director of the Yvonne Chouteau School and Studio Company at Oklahoma City Ballet, shares why honesty, adaptability, and mental health are essential in training. We talk… click here to listen

When is it really time for a dancer to move into full-time training? In this episode of #NoThirds, we unpack the big factors that go into that decision. From the benefits of full-time programs and the right age to make the switch to how… click here to listen

MOSA Ballet School was founded by a mother who wanted to create the kind of school she would have wanted her daughter to attend — a place where students are truly heard and respected. Combining classical ballet, contemporary dance, and holistic… click here to listen

This is part two of our series with siblings Bryce and Noelle Lee, who bring both the male and female ballet dancer perspective to the conversation. Bryce, founder of the Male Dance Connection, and Noelle share their experiences in ballet,… click here to listen