Ballet Help Desk

As the mother of a young dancer, I find this podcast very enlightening. Brett and Jenny listen to their listeners’ feedback and continually pivot to bring on fascinating guests who peel back yet more layers of the onion that is the ballet world. Their curiosity—and their guests’ transparency—drives the show. The hosts don’t pretend to know everything, and they don’t hesitate to get to the heart of even the most taboo issues. I can’t wait to hear who they’ll talk to next. Essential listening!

Ballet is a space that thrives secrets, and this becomes extremely challenging to navigate for parents and children who want to peruse the art form professionally. Thanks so much for demystifying the ballet world. One of my favorite episodes is the most recent one with Shane W. I appreciate his candor and willingness to share his wealth of experience. I also appreciate your questions and thoughtfulness throughout the interview. As a mother of Black dancers, I am often stunned at the coded (and not so coded ways) my dancers have been made to feel as if they do not belong.As they grow in the art, it has become more hard for them to realize that their teachers, who they have worked with for years, can have such challenging expectations for them based on their body type or race. I had them listen to this episode of your podcast and it opened up some space for a much needed conversation and encouragement for self- advocacy when I am not around.

This podcast has been so helpful. I really appreciate the variety of topics and guests that have been presented, and the quality of questions—even tough questions—that Brett and Jenny ask. Grateful to have this resource at the time in our family’s journey where we needed it the most!

While I enjoy the podcast as a whole and am loving getting a peek into the way that companies and bridge programs work, I just loved listening to this one with PBT director Adam McKinney. The way he is advocating for artists and putting his money where his mouth is sounds revolutionary and is so refreshing and heartening. Thank you, Adam! As the mother of a developing dancer aspiring to join the profession, I have held concerns for her about some of these issues in the back of my heart. The culture has not always been healthy and has not always acted in support of the artist. Hearing someone at the top of such an influential organization in the field speak the way you do gives me hope for her future in ballet.