Ballet Help Desk Jenny Huang and Brett Gardner
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As parents, you play a crucial role in supporting your child's ballet path and we know navigating the world of ballet training can be challenging. We're here to help! Join us for interviews with experts from all areas of the ballet world to learn how you can best support your dancer's training. See more at www.ballethelpdesk.com
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Phil Chan, Co-Founder Final Bow For Yellowface
Tune in to our latest episode featuring Phil Chan, co-founder of Final Bow for Yellowface, as we discuss the issue of Orientalism in ballet. Phil talks us through how his organization is actively combating stereotypes and Orientalist tropes within the art form. We also hear how major ballet companies are joining the movement, signing the Final Bow For Yellowface pledge to promote diversity and inclusion on stage.
Final Bow For Yellowface Gold Standard Arts Foundation Ballet Help Desk Submit Year-Round Reviews Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk -
Tim O'Keefe, Artistic Director, Texas Ballet Theater
In this episode, we sit down with Tim O'Keefe, Artistic Director of Texas Ballet Theater, for an insightful discussion on the company's repertoire and his approach to artistic direction. We also explore the Texas Ballet Theater Studio Training Company, which offers aspiring dancers a platform to hone their skills. Join us for a candid conversation on the artistry and dedication shaping the Texas Ballet Theater's next generation of dancers.
LINKS:
Texas Ballet Theater Ballet Help Desk Submit Year-Round Reviews Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk -
Mavis Staines & Keith Morino Discuss The Company Life Experience at Canada's National Ballet School
Mavis Staines has been described as a visionary dance educator who has revolutionized the way dance is taught, performed, witnessed and shared across Canada and around the world. Over her 30-year tenure as Artistic Director of Canada’s National Ballet School, she has cemented the School’s reputation as the leading champion of programming excellence, access, and inclusion in dance.
Join us as we chat with her along with NBS faculty member, Keith Morino, about the school's post-graduate training known as the Company Life Program. This wide ranging conversation covered everything from what they've seen change post-Covid to how dancers enter the program, what a typical day looks like and how dancers work with individual mentors to help launch students into careers.
LINKS:
Canada's National Ballet School Ballet Help Desk Submit Year-Round Reviews Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk -
Christopher Hird Takes Us Inside Sarasota Ballet's Studio Company
Christopher Hird, Director of Education for Sarasota Ballet joins us to discuss post-graduate training programs. Hird brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation, having dedicated his career to shaping the next generation of ballet artists. From fostering technical proficiency to encouraging artistic expression, Hird shares the secrets behind cultivating well-rounded dancers who can comfortably move from the studio to the stage.
LINKS:
Sarasota Ballet School Ballet Help Desk Submit Year-Round Reviews Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk -
Chatting With Christopher Ruud, Second Company Manager & Rehearsal Director, Kansas City Ballet
Ballet Help Desk sat down with Christopher Ruud, Second Company Manager and Rehearsal Director at Kansas City Ballet. This wide-ranging conversation covered everything from how the post-graduate levels are structured to performance opportunities to how students typically move through the ranks of the school. Chris also touched on the channels through when they recruit students as well as how they help students make that jump to the professional stage.
LINKS:
Kansas City Ballet School Ballet Help Desk Submit Year-Round Reviews Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk -
Inside Indiana University's Ballet Program with Sarah Wroth
We sat down with Sarah Wroth, Chair of the Department of Ballet at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, to hear all about IU's ballet program. University ballet programs are becoming an ever more viable means to a professional ballet career and IU is a leader is turning out well-trained and mature, employable dancers. Tune in to hear about the myriad opportunities that exist for IU ballet students including a huge performance schedule, the chance to choreograph on other students and the ability to add a second emphasis of academic study.
Be sure to also check out IU's collaboration with Phil Chan, co-founder of Final Bow For Yellowface as the school stages a completely reimagined version of Petitpa's classic yet problematic, La Bayadère. This newly staged version, renamed, Star on the Rise: La Bayadère ... Reimagined, is sure to get people talking! Performances take place March 29 and 30 are available to watch online for free.
Links:
Star on the Rise Live Stream IU Jacobs School of Music Ballet Help Desk Submit Year-Round Reviews Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
Customer Reviews
Thank you
Thank you for your episodes on bridge/ trainee/ 2 nd company programs. Each and every episode seems to uncannily read my mind and discuss something I am navigating with my 18 yr old pre professional dancer!
I take such guided advice and knowledge away from each and every person who is interviewed.
Although my husband and I danced professionally for over 28 yrs we did not grow up or train in the USA. Thank you for helping us !
Real information finally!
For a parent and dancer, the ballet field is difficult to navigate when there is so little information available. The Ballet Helpdesk has been a wonderful resource for us to better understand how to navigate this field. Thank you so much for conducting the interviews and providing so much insight!
Such a great resource!
I can’t remember what I was searching for when I stumbled on to the Ballet Helpdesj podcast but boy am I glad I found them!! They provide so much timely and valuable info! Especially for moms like me who didn’t grow up in the ballet world and have not yet been exposed to it until one of our kids gets involved in it. I’ve listed to every podcast and will continue to do so. Thank you for helping us navigate this journey and for providing transparent info. Be sure to check out their summer intensive and full year reviews on their website as well! Thank you Ballet Help Desk!!