The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

Caitlin Sloan
  • 5.0 (36)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a podcast for aspiring professional ballet dancers who want to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry. Former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor Caitlin Sloan peels back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer. Along with sharing her industry knowledge, Caitlin interviews top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence. Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.

  1. 106. ENCORE: How to Get the Most Out of Your Summer Intensive

    3d ago

    106. ENCORE: How to Get the Most Out of Your Summer Intensive

    In this solo episode, I dive into everything dancers need to know to make the most of their summer intensives. Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned pre-professional, this episode is packed with insight to help you thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally during one of the most transformative times in your dance training. Key “Pointes” in this Episode🩰Why summer intensives are critical for growth in technique, artistry, and professionalism 🩰The importance of journaling and reflection - before, during, and after 🩰Tips for adjusting socially and forming lasting connections 🩰Staying healthy: sleep, recovery, nutrition, and hydration 🩰Turning your summer intensive into an extended audition and possible job opportunity. Related Blog Posts:➡️ 3 Benefits of Attending a Summer Dance Intensive ➡️ Pack Like a Pro: Essential Items for Your Summer Dance Intensive ➡️ Coping with Missing Home During your Summer Intensive ➡️ Everything Dancers Need to Know Before Their First Partnering Class Join the ConversationHead to my Instagram @TheBrainyBallerina and join my channel “Career Guidance for Dancers” to participate in future episode polls and get exclusive career tips straight to your inbox. Let’s connect! My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina 1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

    24 min
  2. 105. How Dancers Can Prevent Injuries During Busy Seasons ft. Physiotherapist Erika Mayall

    May 25

    105. How Dancers Can Prevent Injuries During Busy Seasons ft. Physiotherapist Erika Mayall

    Physiotherapist and dance medicine specialist Erika Mayall, founder of Allegro Performance + Wellness in Vancouver, BC, joins us to share expert guidance on managing and preventing injuries during a dancer's busiest seasons. Erika breaks down why high-stakes periods like auditions, competitions, and intensives carry such elevated injury risk, and what dancers can do to protect themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. She walks us through how to build a smarter annual training calendar, how fatigue directly increases injury risk, and practical strategies for recovery even when a full night's sleep isn't realistic. Key "Pointes" from this Episode: Why auditions, competitions, and intensives are the highest-risk times of year for dancers. The physical and emotional/mental aspect of dance injuries. Warning signs that a dancer may be heading toward injury. How to tell the difference between normal muscle soreness and an injury. What a well-structured dance season should look like and when to prioritize strength and flexibility vs. rest and recovery. The science behind fatigue and injury risk. Practical tips for recovery when getting more sleep isn't possible.Connect with Erika: Follow Erika on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancephysioerika/ Allegro Performance’s Website: https://www.allegroperformance.com/ Listen to The Dance Physio Podcast: https://www.allegroperformance.com/podcast Links and Resources: BRANDLLET: https://www.brandllet.com/ Complimentary Career Mentoring Consultation: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring Let’s connect! MY WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina Schedule your complimentary career consultation: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

    42 min
  3. 104. Hayley Meier on the Power of Perseverance in a Dance Career

    May 18

    104. Hayley Meier on the Power of Perseverance in a Dance Career

    In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Hayley Meier: dancer, choreographer, and educator currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada Hayley shares her journey from competition studio training to intensive ballet education, and how she ultimately carved out a career that blends performance, choreography, and teaching. We talk about her time dancing with Rochester City Ballet and River North Dance Chicago, including the persistence it took to land her dream job and why not getting hired right away doesn’t mean “no” forever. We also dive into the emotional reality of unexpected career transitions, including the closure of River North, and how that pivotal moment led Hayley toward graduate school at her alma mater, the University of Arizona, and a new creative path in choreography and higher education. This conversation is full of honest insight on navigating uncertainty, building confidence through small daily habits, and why learning to love the process is essential for long-term success in dance. Key “Pointes” in this Conversation: Choosing college over a direct company path to pursue both ballet and jazz and how attending the University of Arizona opened up career opportunities Landing her dream job at River North Dance Chicago and the impact of River North’s unexpected closure on her dance career Navigating the freelance dance scene and redefining her identity beyond performing How graduate school opened the door to choreography and teaching What she loves about teaching at the collegiate level and developing artistry in dancersConnect with Hayley WEBSITE: www.hayleymeier.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/hayleymeier Links and Resources: Brandllet: www.brandllet.com ORZA: www.orzabrand.com (use code BRAINYBALLERINA for 10% off) Let’s connect! My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

    51 min
  4. 103. The Reality of Raising a Professional Dancer with My Mom, Brenda Younker

    May 11

    103. The Reality of Raising a Professional Dancer with My Mom, Brenda Younker

    In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by my mom, Brenda Younker, for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to raise a professional dancer. After hearing from so many parents who feel overwhelmed trying to navigate the ballet world, I decided to bring my mom on the pod to share her firsthand experience. We dive into everything, including the whirlwind of pre-professional training, summer intensives, injuries, college decisions, and ultimately building a professional dance career. From backstage memories and pointe shoe fittings to navigating casting disappointments and learning how to communicate through difficult decisions, this episode is filled with insight, humor, and heartfelt advice for dancers and parents alike. Key “Pointes” in this Episode My late start in ballet at the age of 10 and how quickly my training accelerated The emotional and logistical reality of navigating summer intensives and pre-professional opportunities How parents learn the “language” of the ballet world alongside their dancers The pressure of making career-defining decisions at a very young age Choosing between college and a direct professional path The importance of dancers developing identities outside of ballet Advice for parents on supporting their dancer without overstepping Why dancers need trusted adults and mentors outside of their parentsLinks and Resources: Brandllet: www.brandllet.com ORZA: www.orzabrand.com (use code BRAINYBALLERINA for 10% off) Let’s connect! My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

    58 min
  5. 102. The Evolution of a Ballet Career with Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch

    May 4

    102. The Evolution of a Ballet Career with Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch

    In this episode of the Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I am joined by Stanton Welch, Artistic Director of Houston Ballet and internationally renowned choreographer. Stanton shares the unconventional path that led him to ballet, from growing up backstage with his parents, principal dancers with the Australian Ballet, to falling in love with dance at 16 and training at San Francisco Ballet School before joining The Australian Ballet. We talk about his transition from dancer to choreographer to artistic director, how his creative process has evolved over the years, and what inspires him when creating new works. Stanton also gives an inside look at how he programs seasons for Houston Ballet, what he looks for in dancers during auditions, and the type of culture he strives to create within the company. A major focus of this conversation is Youth America Grand Prix and Houston Ballet hosting the YAGP Finals for the first time. Stanton shares valuable advice for dancers navigating competitions, auditions, setbacks, and social media in today’s dance world. He discusses why competitions are about far more than winning, how directors actually evaluate dancers, and the importance of resilience and long-term career thinking. This episode is full of insight for aspiring professional dancers, teachers, and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes realities of building a sustainable career in ballet. Key Points From This Episode: Why Stanton Welch didn’t start ballet until age 16 How he began choreographing while still dancing professionally and what keeps him inspired all these years later How Houston Ballet approaches company culture What makes a dancer stand out in auditions and competitionsConnect with Stanton & Houston Ballet WEBSITE: https://www.houstonballet.org INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/houstonballet Links and Resources: Brandllet: www.brandllet.com ORZA: www.orzabrand.com (use code BRAINYBALLERINA for 10% off) Let’s connect! My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

    35 min
  6. 101. Inside The Workshop: The Training Opportunity Professional Dancers Have Been Waiting For with Courtney Anderson

    Apr 27

    101. Inside The Workshop: The Training Opportunity Professional Dancers Have Been Waiting For with Courtney Anderson

    In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Courtney Anderson - former dancer with San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and now the founder of The Workshop. The Workshop is a series of 5 week-long summer intensives created for professional dancers seeking deeper artistic growth, expanded versatility, and meaningful creative process. Dancers will work with internationally recognized choreographers and répétiteurs including: Jim Vincent, Répétiteur for Nacho Duato Glenn Edgerton, Répétiteur for Jiri Kylian Courtney Richardson, Répétiteur for David Dawson Cindy Welik- Salgado, Répétiteur for Crystal Pite Jill Johnson, Répétiteur for William Forsythe Omar Roman De Jesus, Director of Boca Tuya Sidra Bell, Director of Sidra Bell Dance New York Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Choreographer Babatunji, Choreographer Houston Thomas, ChoreographerThis intensive is perfect for professional dancers looking to explore movement more deeply, refine their partnering and improvisation skills, and strengthen their artistic voice, particularly when approaching contemporary work or new creations. Key “Pointes” in this Episode: Key differences between dancing in the U.S. vs. Europe Why artistry (not just technique) is what actually gets you hired How The Workshop is filling a major gap in the dance industry Why investing in your training as a professional can change the trajectory of your careerLearn more about The Workshop: WEBSITE: www.theworkshop.dance INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/theworkshop.dance Links and Resources: ORZA: www.orzabrand.com (use code BRAINYBALLERINA for 10% off) Let’s connect! My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

    51 min
  7. 100. How the Decisions that Scared me Most Shaped my Dance Career

    Apr 23

    100. How the Decisions that Scared me Most Shaped my Dance Career

    I can’t believe we made it to the 100th episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast!!! Only a small percentage of podcasts make it this far, and I’m so grateful to you for making this show part of your week. I wouldn’t be here without you. In honor of 100 episodes, I’m reflecting on one theme that has shaped my entire dance career: doing things that scare me. Key “pointes” in this episode: My MASSIVE fear of public speaking growing up, and how teaching dance was the first step in helping me gain confidence What it felt like to move across the country alone for my very first company contract, and the doors that it opened for me How showing my face and using my voice completely changed the trajectory of The Brainy Ballerian My experience with choreography and how saying “yes” before feeling ready opened new doors Why having a safe space to try things (without pressure to be perfect) makes all the differenceMy biggest takeaway: the only way to know if you can do something is to try. Here’s to the next 100 episodes! Let’s connect! My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina 1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

    27 min
  8. 99. A Decade as Artistic Director of EMERGE125 with Tiffany Rea-Fisher

    Apr 20

    99. A Decade as Artistic Director of EMERGE125 with Tiffany Rea-Fisher

    This week on The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Tiffany Rea-Fisher: Artistic Director of EMERGE125, award-winning choreographer, and a true force in the dance world. Tiffany shares her journey from growing up as a competition kid on the West Coast, to discovering modern dance at SUNY Purchase, and now celebrating her 10th season leading EMERGE125, a contemporary modern dance company in New York City. Tiffany’s perspective on leadership, from servant leadership to a more collaborative, transformative model, is something every dancer (and human!) can learn from. I am incredibly inspired by the way she builds a company culture rooted in both rigor and joy, where dancers feel seen, valued, and empowered to bring their full selves into the room. Key "Pointes" from this Episode: What Tiffany looks for when hiring dancers Her concept of “disruption through inclusion” and why diversity is a creative superpower The role artists play in shaping culture and reminding us to be brave How motherhood has influenced her leadership style and boundaries Building a financially sustainable arts organization through challenging times Why community is the key to longevity in the dance industryConnect with Tiffany: EMERGE125 WEBSITE: https://emerge125.org/ EMERGE125 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/emerge125/ TIFFANY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/treafisher/ Links and Resources: ORZA: Use code ‘BRAINYBALLERINA’ for 10% off: https://orzabrand.com/ Complimentary Career Mentoring Consultation: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring Let’s connect! MY WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina Schedule your complimentary career consultation: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

    47 min
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5
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a podcast for aspiring professional ballet dancers who want to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry. Former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor Caitlin Sloan peels back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer. Along with sharing her industry knowledge, Caitlin interviews top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence. Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.

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