We're rereleasing a podcast we aired back in the late spring. Tune in to hear everything you need to know on how your older teens can maximize success at their summer intensive. 

As a close-out to our Summer Intensive Boot Camp, we're releasing an episode that talks about getting ready to send your young dancer off to a ballet summer intensive.  Tune in for tips for making the most of your dancer's time away! Summer Intensive Boot Camp: https://ballethelpdesk.com/summer-intensive-bootcamp/

Tune in for our conversation with Deidre Byrne, Artistic Director of Maryland Youth Ballet. Deidre takes us through how they counsel students on how to choose which summer intensives to audition for and ultimately attend. She looks at it from the perspective of a student at a local school and discusses what they see as the most important things a student should try to get out of a summer intensive.   https://www.marylandyouthballet.org/  

We sat down with Lauren Fadeley-Veyette to discuss how Kansas City Ballet School handles ballet summer intensive auditions. KC Ballet School is part of the National Summer Intensive Audition (NSIA) Tour and part of our conversation covered the pros and cons of the NSIA. We also covered a lot of ground on both in-person and video auditions. Tune in to hear the whole interview!

Join us as we chat with Kelly Myernick, Rehearsal Director and Principal Teacher for Houston Ballet Academy. Our conversation covered a broad range of topics related to ballet summer intensive auditions, including what she loves to see, what dancers shouldn't do, the pros and cons of submitting video auditions and even what the admission rate to the Houston Ballet Academy Summer Intensive is! Tune in for a great conversation!

Tune in for our chat with Emily Brunner, a professional dance photographer based in the Philadelphia metro area. Emily shares invaluable insights on camera positioning, perfect lighting techniques, and the secrets to capturing stunning audition photos and videos. Emily Brunner Photography: https://www.emilybrunnerphotography.com/  

Boys face unique challenges in ballet and summer intensives are no different.  Join us as we sit down with some seasoned parents of male ballet dancers to discuss hurdles they've all had to overcome as well as how each family took a unique approach to attending summer ballet intensives

Join us as Ballet Help Desk sits down with Robert Fulton, a dancer with Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Co-Founder of Ballet Scout. Robert takes us through not only how Ballet Scout can help with sourcing auditions, but he also talks, in detail, about what dancrs should consider when conducting their searches, thing to consider about programs and what matters in evaluating potential summer intensives. And, don't forget to check out the Ballet Help Desk Summer Intensive Boot Camp!

Can you believe it's already time for ballet summer intensive planning? You're thinking, "we just finished this summer! Well, buckle up! It's time for researching and developing that summer intensive audition list. Jenny and Brett give you a detailed overview of how to get it all done! Check out everything else you need to nail summer intensive season here: https://ballethelpdesk.com/summer-intensive-bootcamp

As the kickoff to the Ballet Help Desk Summer Intensive Boot Camp, Brett and Jenny discuss what matters in a summer intensive and how dancers should think strategically about them. Ballet Help Desk also covers what dancers should consider in evaluating all of the programs out there. 

Ballet Help Desk sits down with Francis Veyette, a former principal dancer with Pennsylvania (now Philadelphia) Ballet and the Co-Founder of the Veyette Virtual Ballet School. In this episode, we tackle all of those loaded terms like potential, facility, and body type. Fran helps demystify what they all mean and also talks about what traits a dancer needs to have to be successful.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Hailey Kolker and Sergey Gordeev, two senior members of Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the world's largest student ballet competition. In this episode, we delve into the impact of YAGP on the world of dance, exploring its influence on young dancers and the broader dance community. Hailey and Sergey offer unique perspectives on the journey of budding dancers, discussing the myriad opportunities provided by YAGP. Tune in to gain valuable insights...

In this episode, we chat with Peter Merz, the Regional Tour Director of the ADC IBC ballet competition.  Peter's extensive experience and knowledge in the field provides a no-nonsense look at the inner workings of ADC IBC, its role in shaping the ballet landscape, and the impact it has on aspiring dancers worldwide. If you're seeking straightforward, factual information about ballet competitions and the role they play in the dance community, this episode is a valuable resource. Peter's...

Join us as we sit down with Vasile Petrutiu, the founder of the World Ballet Competition, to hear him explain why he founded the event as well as why it’s different from the other ballet competitions in terms of scoring and transparency. And, be sure to listen as Mr. Petritiu lets us in on some pretty wacky things that happened over the years!  

Robert Fulton is a talented dancer working with NBT and a co-founder of Ballet Scout. He was very generous with his time. We covered a wide variety of topics including sharing the story of how Ballet Scout came into existence and how it serves as a valuable resource for all dancers looking to connect with auditions available in their local area.

Join us as we chat with Jennifer Ringer and James Fayette, former dancers of the iconic New York City Ballet, who now offer their expertise as respected judges in the ballet competition world. Hear their thoughts on how ballet competitions fit into the overall training regime, what they love to see from competitors and more!  

 In this episode, we are joined by Patrick Frenette, a dancer with the American Ballet Theater and one of the co-founders of the Boys Ballet Summer Intensive. Mr. Frenette shares his insights into the challenges and triumphs of boys who dare to dance through a candid conversation, heartfelt anecdotes, and valuable advice, shedding light on the transformative power of dance and the importance of breaking gender stereotypes in the ballet community.   Boys Ballet Summer Intensive:...

Peter Stark, President and Director of The Rock School For Dance Education, has long been known as the Pied Piper of boys ballet training. Join us as we get his expert insights on how he effectively recruits, trains and sends male ballet students off into the professional world.

Join us as we sit down with Deirdre Miles-Burger, a distinguished ballet competition judge with years of experience in the dance world. Ms. Miles-Burger helps pull back the curtain on what judges really think. What do judges love to see from competitors on stage? What are some no-nos? Why do some students not place yet still make it to finals? What's the role of costumes? How much does potential play a role vs. flawless performances? And, who is really making all the decisions? Ms. Miles...

Join us for an exclusive episode where we dive into the world of ballet competitions with none other than the esteemed Peter Stark, President and Director of The Rock School For Dance Education. As a renowned figure in the dance community, Peter brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our discussion. In our conversation, we explore the intricacies of ballet competitions, from the rigorous training required to the emotional and artistic challenges dancers face on their journey to the...

In this episode, we sit down with, Ilya Kozadayev, Associate Professor of Ballet at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, to explore the myriad benefits of participating in ballet competitions. Ballet competitions have long been a stage where aspiring dancers showcase their artistry, technique, and dedication. Mr. Kozadayev brings his extensive experience and unique insights to the forefront, shedding light on how these competitions can shape and elevate a dancer's journey. Join...

Join us as Mark Carlson and Sandra Kerr, both former professional dancers and the co-owners of International Ballet School in Denver, CO, share their combined decades of experience in guiding young dancers toward success in both ballet competitions and professional careers.  We discuss their unique approaches to teaching, performance, and mental preparation. From the rehearsal studio to the competition stage, this episode delves into the heart of what it takes to master this art form. Mark...

Step behind the curtain and into the world of ballet competitions with Katya and Arkadiy Orohovsky, two esteemed ballet coaches and mentors. In "From Studio To Stage," the first in our series on ballet competitions, we delve into the meticulous art of preparing ballet dancers to compete. We also learn how parents can best support their dancers and how competitions fit into the overall training mix. Both former professional dancers with a wealth of experience, Katya and Arkadiy understand the...

Welcome to the Ballet Help Desk Cross Training Series Recap! In this series, we've delved deep into the world of ballet cross training, uncovering the secrets to building resilience and bouncing back stronger than ever before. Hosted by Jenny Huang and Brett Gardner, two parents of advanced level ballet dancers, this podcast recaps the invaluable insights, tips, and stories shared by our incredible guests throughout the series. Whether you're a seasoned ballet parent, a fitness enthusiast,...

Dancers focus on cross-training as part of their overall ballet training regimen. But, often, they forget how much mental cross-training they need to do to maintain their emotional health. Elizabeth Sullivan, a ballet wellness coach, joins us to discuss how dancers can maintain their emotional health while dealing with the pressures of high level ballet training, especially when coming back from an injury.  Elizabeth also spends some time discussing what she would like to see change with...