We are back for another bonus episode! This time, Julia and Brandon discuss the recent announcement that Brandon will be leaving Birmingham Royal Ballet in the summer, to join Ballet Zurich. In his own words, Brandon describes his feelings about the decision, from what he's looking forward to dancing in Zurich, through to what he will miss most about BRB. Julia wonders which costumes make the best leaving photos... Get the tissues out - this one's a bit emosh!

Did you really think we would end it there?! To round off season five, and the end of 2022, we have a special bonus episode for you all, because what says happy new year without a bit of open barre?! Today we are joined by the incredible Robert Carter, AKA Olga Supphozova AKA Yuri Smirnov, legendary dancer with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Robert has been trailblazing through the dance world for decades and there's still no stopping him. We discussed what it's like to dance in such...

It's the season five series finale!!! We can't believe that we've come to the end of another season of Open Barre - but here we are! Thank you to all of our amazing listeners, guests, and of course our wonderful sponsors, Dansez. We have such a special guest joining us for the finale - none other than the Nutcracker Prince himself - William Bracewell. As Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, William is one of the few Principal male dancers to star at both Birmingham Royal Ballet and The...

It's episode five and what an exciting ep do we have for you! We are joined by not one, but TWO guests from The Royal Ballet - First Soloist Claire Calvert and Principal Dancer Alexander Campbell! The recently married couple fill us in on their favourite roles, what it's like to work together and the future of their new venture - Prima Dance Academy. Brandon talks about the refurbished production of The Nutcracker at Birmingham Royal Ballet and Julia wonders what the dressing rooms are like...

For episode four of season five, we are joined by the one and only Laura Day! Laura has been dancing with Birmingham Royal Ballet for years, but joins us on Open Barre to discuss her new roles as a Principal Character Artist and an Assistant Répétiteur! We discuss what is was like to play Sancho Panza in the recent production of 'Don Quixote' and we find out how difficult it is to organise the rep for a ballet company. Brandon answers a question from one of our listeners and Julia wonders if...

We have another exciting episode for you all! We are joined by Sabine Naghdi, author of 'Tears Of A Ballet Mum' and mother to Yasmine Naghdi, Principal ballerina at The Royal Ballet and friend of the show! If you haven't read Sabine's book, it's an absolute must read which delves into the detail of what it's like to parent a ballerina on her journey to the top. Elsewhere in the episode, Brandon reflects on some of his favourite memories from White Lodge and Julia admits to not being the...

This week we are joined by Julie Bowers, CEO at BBO Dance and Creator and Executive Producer of Grad Pro. Julie gives us an insight into her amazing career since retiring from The Royal Ballet and she catches up with Brandon to discuss their quest to support dancers through Grad Pro. Brandon also fills us in on his preparations to debut as Franz in 'Coppelia' and Julia wonders if you have to 'act in full' in the studio at all times...

Welcome back to Open Barre! We know it's been a while since our last season, but what an exciting season five do we have for you! Before we get into it though, in this episode, Brandon and Julia catch up on the last few months. Brandon discusses what it was like to guest with Cape Town City Ballet and Julia wonders who picked him up from the airport...

It's our season finale! And it's also Christmas! And we have the most exciting guest joining us! Today we welcome ballet legend, Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, to Open Barre. Leanne talks us through her wonderful career - from her favourite roles to when she knew it was time to retire. She also tells us why she loves coaching and reveals all about her new incredible autobiography 'Built for Ballet'. Brandon reflects on the past episodes of the podcast and Julia wonders what it must be like to dance...

What a special episode we have for you today! Brandon and Julia are joined by Sophie Simpson, Senior Manager at Freed of London. Sophie tells all about what it's like to work at Freed and gives an in depth insight into all things pointe shoes - from how they are made, to how they are fitted onto the soles of some of the biggest names in ballet. Brandon discusses how he knows when a pair of ballet shoes feel right and Julia wonders if the myth of painful pointes is true...

What an exciting episode we have for our Open Barre listeners today! We are joined by ballet legend, Robert Parker, previous Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet and current Artistic Director of Elmhurst Ballet School. Robert delves into his career to date, giving us an insight into his highlights at BRB and what it's like to be AD of Elmhurst. He also reveals his other passion - flying planes! Brandon fills us in on his performance following the opening night of The Nutcracker and...

In the latest episode of Open Barre we are joined by our first international guests! Lauretta Summerscales and Yonah Acosta, Principal dancers with Munich Ballet, join us to discuss what it feels like to dance and rehearse together whilst being in a relationship off stage. We hear more about their incredible careers to date and what they love about dancing in Germany. Brandon discusses the key to creating on stage chemistry and Julia wonders whether backstage couple fights are ever taken onto...

What an exciting episode we have for you all today! We are joined by The Royal Ballet's recently promoted Principal - Anna Rose O'Sullivan!!! We find out how Anna Rose first heard the news that she would be promoted and she gives us an insight into how she's preparing for her upcoming live stream of Romeo and Juliet. Brandon discusses the importance of eye contact during a performance and Julia wonders whether she's created the perfect Open Barre drinking game...

It's Season Four! We're back with a bang this season with some amazing guests but in our first episode of the season, Brandon and Julia chat about the darker side of ballet as we approach Halloween. Brandon let's us in on his favourite ballet villain and Julia wonders whether dancers ever get scared of each other when in character...

It's our first birthday!! We can't believe that it's already a year ago that we first launched Open Barre. In this special episode, our hosts look back on the past year and talk about performance in a post-Covid world. Brandon reveals what's coming up next season at BRB and Julia wonders if 'ballet running' is hard to do...

It's the Season 3 Finale!!! In the last episode of the season, Brandon and Julia are joined by the one and only Yasmine Naghdi, Principal ballerina with The Royal Ballet. Yasmine explains what it takes to pour your heart into a role and talks us through the discipline needed to develop ballet technique. Brandon and Yasmine reminisce about their time together at The Royal Ballet School and Julia wonders what it feels like to do the famous Swan Lake fouettés...

Today, our hosts are back chatting together, just the two of them! Many topics are covered in today's episode, from questioning certain moments in ballet, to discussing works that are rarely revived. Brandon explains how scheduling decisions are made for a company and Julia wonders how to safely create the 'death pile' in Romeo & Juliet...

What an episode we have for you today! Romany Pajdak, Soloist with The Royal Ballet, joins our hosts to discuss her career and reveals what it's like to dance with the corps de ballet. Romany discusses what it felt like to be promoted to Soloist, and Brandon reflects on his first solo role at Birmingham Royal Ballet. Julia wonders what it feels like to lead the shades in La Bayadere...

To celebrate Mother's Day weekend we have not one, but two exciting guests joining us at Open Barre! Nathalie Harrison, former ballerina with The Royal Ballet, discusses her experiences balancing motherhood with a busy dance schedule, whilst Mathias Dingman, Principal dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet, fills us in on what it's like being a dad to two young boys. Brandon talks about his admiration for ballet parents and Julia wonders what it's like to return to pirouettes after giving birth...

We are so excited to be joined by former Royal Ballet Senior Soloist and teacher extraordinaire, Mr David Peden! Mr P gives us some insight into what it’s like to teach a ballet class, whilst Brandon reminisces about his time spent at The Royal Ballet School. We find out what Mr P’s ‘fantasy ballet’ would be and Julia wonders where dancers stand at the ballet barre…

It's Season Three!!!! We are back and can't wait for you all to hear what we have in store for this exciting new season. As we approach Valentine's Day, our Open Barre hosts discuss romance in ballet and take a look at some of the most romantic works on stage. Brandon reveals some of his favourite romantic lead roles to dance and Julia wonders what happens if you're just not feeling 'in the mood...'

It's Christmas!!! And it's our season finale! Joining us today is the Drosselmeyer of all Drosselmeyers - the incredible Gary Avis MBE, Principal Character Artist with The Royal Ballet. Gary tells us all about the roles that have shaped his career and what it it feels like to step into the shoes of each character - from noblemen to dollmakers! Brandon gives us the low down on the energy it takes to do the sword fight in 'Romeo & Juliet' and Julia wonders if 'ballet acting' can be taught...

We are so excited to welcome Jonathan Lo, Music Director of Northern Ballet, to Open Barre! Jonny has conducted orchestras all over the world and most recently hit our screens conducting for The Royal Ballet: Back on Stage live stream. He gives us all the goss on what it's like to manage an orchestra and conduct for a ballet. Brandon explains why he often wants the music louder and Julia wonders why conductors get so animated on their podium...

Joining us for episode four is Grace Blundell, former ballerina with The Royal Ballet, and Founder of GB Ballet and Fitness. Grace gives us the inside scoop on ways to stay fit and healthy and tells us what life after The Royal Ballet looks like. Brandon discusses his exercise regime and Julia wonders how dancers build their stamina...