Today, let’s dive into how adults are currently taught ballet. We’ll talk about adult open programs, which are how many of us learn ballet, we’ll talk about what to even teach adults, and how to structure a program for busy adult lives.

A little preview of what to look forward to in the season, plus a strong message about the power of classical ballet to transform lives and why we should open it to more people.

Today, I’ll be giving you a sneak peek of season 2 of Broche Banter. Season 2 will be a little different format, and I’ll be directly addressing fears, anxieties, questions, and concerns that we heard from dancers in season 1.  We’ll be focusing in on the question: How good can you really get when you started ballet late? Can you learn pointe? Pirouettes? Get more flexible? Get your extensions? Perform? Learn ballets? Partner? Is it too late for me to dance?

Today on the show, I chat with Julia, a ski instructor who recently began ballet as an adult. We talk a little bit about how she finally decided to pursue ballet, first getting started following along on YouTube and then joining my online studio soon after that. We also dive into the incredible similarities between skiing and ballet and how both need an incredible amount of control over rotating our legs. The day after we recorded the episode, she reported back that she had told her other...

Today on the show, I chat with India, who’s a professional ballerina and Floor Barre instructor living in France. We talk about what Floor Barre is, why we think adults should be taken seriously in their ballet education, and a little about the hierarchical system of professional ballet in France. It’s a fascinating conversation full of so many tidbits about ballet history, ballet itself, and inspiration. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Robin. She danced a little when she was young, and then returned to it as an adult, even getting en pointe for the first time as a grownup. We talk about the joy of the little wins in ballet, her experience on the board at her wonderful adult-only local ballet studio, and the interesting differences between home ballet and studio ballet. Robin has a wonderfully cerebral outlook on the ballet world that you’re sure to enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Hannah, the creator of the Wonder of Ballet blog for recreational dancers. We talk about so many topics, about how to feel like you belong in the ballet world, getting en pointe as an adult, and how we hope the world of adult and recreational ballet will continue to change and grow. Enjoy

Today on the show, I chat with Marieke, who lives in the Netherlands and dances ballet. We talk about her winding journey as a ballet dancer, but also about mindfulness, ego, and how she has learned to quiet the judgemental mind and love to dance. I hope you love this episode as much as I do. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Veronica K, who runs an online ballet cross-training and injury prevention platform. We talk about a wide range of topics, including physical therapy, cyberbullying, and popular fake or unrealistic before/after photos. It’s an awesome conversation where we get a chance to compare notes on how we help ballet work for adult dancers and regular everyday human bodies. But, the best part is that you will get to hear Veronica’s unique perspective from her...

Today on the show, I chat with Kara, a Celtic singer, and musician who also shares her love of traditional Celtic arts with her many adult students. She also started ballet a few years ago and is about to get en pointe for the first time. We connect on so many levels as teachers of adult students about the notion of it being “too late” or of a person being “too old” and about expressing ourselves in the arts at any age. It’s really a touching conversation and Kara’s kind and passionate soul...

Today, I chat with Mic, a long-time piano teacher and professional musician who recently started ballet. 2020 was a really hard year for musicians, but Mic is so happy that it gave her the opportunity to pursue her love of ballet. We connect on so many topics including why art matters, the learning process of a technical artform like ballet and piano, and why we love ballet. Her kind and warm heart will surely leave you smiling. Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Alyssa about her experiences finding her way back to ballet as an adult. She shares her love of dance and her winding journey to find a ballet studio to call home. She hopes that by sharing some of her struggles with different levels, teachers, and studio situations will help you feel less alone with challenges you might face, and help you keep pushing to find the right environment for you to blossom into the dancer of your dreams. Follow her story on Instagram...

Today on the show, I chat with Madame Olga, a celebrity teacher in New York City and online on Instagram and her streaming service Madame Olga Television. She is known for her true Russian style of teaching, but even more so for bringing humor to the ballet studio to help dancers find their perfect 5th position through love, light, and positivity. If you haven’t experienced a class with Madame Olga, I highly recommend that you hit pause, go to Instagram.com/madameolgav or search Madame Olga...

Today, I chat with Harmony, who recently achieved her goal of her first pair of pointe shoes before her upcoming 50th birthday! We talk about her absolute undying love of ballet, what it was like for her to take her very first ballet class a little over a year ago, and why she thinks anyone with dreams of ballet should just get started and hop in with us! Follow Harmony’s story on instagram @ballet_harmony. Enjoy!

This podcast episode is a little different. Many of us are re-entering lockdowns, again feeling separated from our communities, and maybe even wondering what’s the point of it all. Looking ahead at a difficult winter, wondering how we’ll make it through.  So, I wanted to take a moment, inspired by the season of giving thanks on Thanksgiving, to share my story. The last time I shared my own story on the podcast was episode 11 in June, right after I made the decision to close the studios....

Today, I chat with Tom who lives across the pond in the UK. He’s always been fascinated with ballet, but only started dancing a few years ago. Before that, he began his journey with mindfulness practice, which helped pull him out of a dark time. That led him to yoga, and finally now to ballet. He now teaches both yoga and mindfulness, and enjoys ballet for the purity of the movement, and strives to enjoy every step of the journey without getting caught up into goals. The process and...

Today, I chat with Patricia, the creator of Late to the Party Ballet blog and Instagram account. She started ballet 6 years ago, after doing ice hockey, hip hop, a little pole dancing, and then ballet. She cares for her son who has cerebral palsey. Her incredible breadth of life experience gives her a very unique perspective on ballet, and our conversation winds to many fascinating places, from the concept of turnout and how it relates to her son’s cerebral palsey, to anxiety, and cross...

Today, I chat with Kat all the way from Tasmania in Australia. She started ballet just a few weeks before lockdown. She’s also a writer and an illustrator, and we discuss the similarities and differences between how one learns those artistic pursuits and how she’s learning ballet. She also provides a fun look into the experience of a beginner, so whether it’s been a while since you had to think about pointing your toes, or if you still can’t remember to point them, you’ll enjoy her fresh...

Today, I chat with Jamie. She’s legally blind and despite only being able to see light, dark, shapes and colors, Jamie started ballet 3 years ago after attending a magical sensory-friendly ballet performance. About 2 years before that, she had decided to grab the bull by the horns and embarked on a weight-loss journey, losing about 120 pounds. From performing in her local community, to her dreams of pointe, ballet keeps her motivated, brings her joy, and is a wonderful spark in her life....

Today, I chat with Danielle in The Netherlands. After a magical experience watching a ballet performance as a child, she danced for several years in her youth. She stopped dancing at the age of 13, and returned to ballet at age 40 after having her second child. From ballet to the oboe to crocheting, Danielle loves to try fun new things, work hard, and persevere through challenges. Her positive and determined attitude is bound to inspire you and leave a smile on your face. Enjoy!

Today, on the show, I chat with Elizabeth from The Whole Pointe. We talk about her journey starting ballet at age 14 and getting her first professional contract at age 19. But, that didn’t come without its challenges, and we talk about her experience with disordered eating and how she has rediscovered her self-worth after spending her ballet career at the bottom of the ballet hierarchy. The conversation winds to many lovely topics, including the exciting future possibilities of the...

Today, on the show, I chat with Kelsey. She started ballet during grad school after retiring from a competitive swimming career in high school and college. Much of her ballet training to date has been in classes with teenagers. We go deep about a traumatic event in Kelsey’s life that led her to be diagnosed with PTSD. This event caused her to work through perfectionism and body image challenges, and she turned to dance to express that which she had no words for. She believes mental health...

Today on the show, Julie chats with Jana, who is one of the two fabulous Ballerinas by Night, a staple of the YouTube and social media world of adult ballet.  We talk about the challenges we have faced through the COVID time, the mixed relationship with ballet that we and our fellow dancers have felt, and just take a minute to commiserate.  We hope that if you’re in the same boat, you’ll find some solace in the conversation, and we hope to leave you with some food for thought.  Enjoy!

Today, I chat with Rosy, a kind soul, private ballet coach for adults, and a professional dancer. Even though this was the first time we’ve met, we quickly connected over so many topics, including mental health challenges that dancers and athletes face, a little about our own mental health running our businesses, and why we both love working with adult dancers. Enjoy!

Today on the show, I chat with Lucy all the way from Belgium. We talk about her experience moving all over as a child, and how she walked into her first ballet class just 2 years ago! Just as much as she used to love the flow state of surfing as a teenager off the coast in Morocco, she loves ballet for the magic of quieting her internal chatter. Enjoy!