Elizabeth Gillaspy and Jessica Zeller of Texas Christian University join us to break down what makes TCU’s dance program unique—from its dual emphasis on ballet and modern, to performance and choreographic opportunities, to how it prepares… click here to listen

Michael Bearden, Director of the University of Oklahoma School of Dance, joins us to talk about what makes OU’s program stand out. With three distinct tracks—ballet, modern, and pedagogy—OU offers a robust performance schedule, new choreographic… click here to listen

Allison DeBona took the road less traveled—college before company—and it led to a successful ballet career. In this episode, she breaks down why she chose Indiana University, what she gained from the experience, and how the college route stacks up… click here to listen

Pointe shoe fittings can feel like a mystery—but Riley Weber, a well-known pointe shoe fitter for Nikolay, is here to break it all down! In this episode, we talk about what to expect at a fitting, how to tell if a fitter knows what… click here to listen

Boys in ballet face unique challenges—but also unique opportunities. In this episode of #NoThirds, Fran Veyette gets real about training, summer intensives, scholarships for boys, and what needs to change to better support young male dancers on… click here to listen

Before stepping onto pointe, make sure you’re ready. Dr. Selina Shah, a sports and dance medicine specialist, shares what dancers and parents need to know— from the ideal starting age to strength exercises, medical evaluations, and the impact of hypermobility. With experience treating professional… click here to listen

Pacific Northwest Ballet School operates differently from many other company-affiliated programs. In this episode, Denise Bolstad, Managing Director of PNB School, breaks down what sets it apart. We explore the structure of the Professional Division,… click here to listen

Elizabeth Yntema and Tracey Bonner, from the Dance Data Project, join us to discuss their mission to shine a light gender inequity in ballet. They share how their data-driven research highlights gaps in leadership roles, how parents and dancers can use their findings, and… click here to listen

Tai Jimenez, Director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem School, joins us to discuss her journey in ballet and her vision for training the next generation of dancers. She breaks down the school’s structure, why DTH remains an afterschool program, her… click here to listen

Introducing #NoThirds, an unfiltered look at what really happens behind the scenes in ballet. Ballet Help Desk is joined by Fran Veyette, as he pulls back the curtain on the realities of training, company life, and the industry’s unspoken… click here to listen

Christopher Alloways-Ramsey recently took the helm at Orlando Ballet School, and we sat down with him to discuss his vision, challenges, and what’s next for the school. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on the structure of the academy,… click here to listen

Grace Holmes, the head of San Francisco Ballet School, joins us to discuss her vision for the school, from training curriculum and performance opportunities to scholarships and student wellness. We also discussed the culture at SFBS, recent changes to… click here to listen

The European ballet training system has long been admired, but how does it really compare to training in the U.S.? In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Potreck, founder of Aus Dancers Overseas, to discuss the key differences, the biggest… click here to listen

We sit down with Cynthia Harvey to discuss the Prix de Lausanne, one of the world’s top ballet competitions. Cynthia shares how she got started in ballet, key moments in her training, and the teachers who influenced her career. We also explore the… click here to listen

Join us for a conversation with Brittany Cavaco, founder of The Ballet Agency. Brittany explains how her agency connects top-tier dancers and ballet artists with media projects, elevating the quality of ballet in entertainment. She also shares how… click here to listen

Raymond Rodriguez, Dean of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, offers an in-depth look at the school’s advanced levels, graduate program, and pathways into the main company. He shares how PBT supports dancers on their journey, covering everything from… click here to listen

In this episode we chat with Dominic Walsh of Oregon Ballet Theatre. He shares insights into OBT’s trainee and second company levels, including class sizes, promotion timelines, costs, and performance opportunities. He also discusses health and… click here to listen

This week, we’re joined by Erica Fischbach, Director of Colorado Ballet Academy, to talk about the school’s full-time training programs, including the trainee and studio company levels. While the studio company is part of the main company, Erica… click here to listen