Ballet Help Desk

• Kansas City Ballet's Summer ChoreoLab for Makers & Movers

  Oliver Till, Artistic Director of Kansas City Ballet School, walks us through ChoreoLab, their unique summer program that pairs aspiring dancers with emerging choreographers. The program runs two tracks: Movers (dancers 17+) and Makers (choreographers 18-24). Instead of traditional technique classes, participants collaborate on original work, learning about lighting, costume design, and tech rehearsals along the way. The focus is on the creative process, not just the final product, with dancers exploring new movement styles they wouldn't encounter in standard training. Oliver explains the application process, including in-person auditions for dancers and portfolio-based selection for choreographers. He discusses why the program culminates in a ticketed performance to raise the stakes, and how they've incorporated mindfulness sessions to support mental well-being during the intensive creative process. If you're interested in choreography, want to understand how professional work gets made, or are looking for a summer program that goes beyond technique, this episode breaks down what makes ChoreoLab different. Links: Read Our Ballet School Summer & Year-Round Reviews Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok:  Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI Takeaways: The Mover track is for aspiring dancers aged 17 and up. The Maker track is for aspiring choreographers aged 18 to 24. The program emphasizes collaboration between dancers and choreographers. Participants learn about lighting, costume design, and tech rehearsals. The focus is on the process of creation rather than just the final product. Dancers are encouraged to explore new movement styles and techniques. The application process includes in-person auditions for movers. Makers are selected based on their choreographic ideas and experience. The culmination performance is a ticketed event to enhance accountability. Mindfulness sessions are introduced to support dancers' mental well-being.  

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• Colorado Ballet Gets Creative: Two Unique Summer Programs

  Erica Fischbach and Sean Omandam from Colorado Ballet Academy break down two of their specialized summer programs: the Choreographic Workshop and the Young Dancer Intensive. The Choreographic Workshop immerses older students in a professional-style setting where they learn to pick up choreography quickly, work with mentors, and develop their artistic voice. Artist talks expose participants to what life is like as a professional ballet dancer. The location? You'll want to hear where this program takes place -- it's an environment that enhances creativity in a way most studios can't match! The Young Dancer Intensive is designed for younger students, balancing quality training with fun activities outside the studio. What sets it apart? It's one of the only programs like it that offers housing where parents and kids can stay together, providing comfort and support for younger dancers taking their first step into intensive training.  Learn more about these ballet summer intensives on their website: https://coloradoballet.org/Academy-Summer-Programs Links: Read Ballet School Summer & Year-Round Reviews  https://reviews.ballethelpdesk.com/ Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok:  Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI Takeaways: The Choreographic Workshop lets students experience what it's like to be a professional ballet dancer. The location of the Choreographic Workshop provides a unique and inspiring environment for creativity. Mentorship is a key component of the programs.  Students learn to pick up choreography quickly, simulating a professional setting. Artist talks provide insights into various career paths in dance. The Young Dancer Intensive is designed for younger students, focusing on fun and quality training. Parents can accompany younger dancers, providing comfort and support. Activities outside of dance enhance the overall experience for students. Both programs emphasize both technical skills and artistic expression. Students leave with a stronger sense of self and confidence.  

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• Washington School of Ballet's Summer Repertory Programs

  Before you listen, please consider taking our podcast survey to help us improve what we do:  https://forms.gle/mwTPzuHu1Nmdf9CeA Katie Sopoci Drake and Zoica Tovar from the Washington School of Ballet break down their Junior and Senior Repertory Week programs in this episode. The two programs serve different levels of dancers, and our guests explain how each one works and what participants can expect. They discuss the school's teaching methods, how they work with different learning styles, and what it takes to move from student training to professional dancing. The conversation covers mentorship structures, choreography opportunities for participants, and performance requirements at each level. Katie and Zoica also share what traits they look for in successful dancers and how artistic director Edwaard Liang's involvement shapes the training experience. If you're researching summer intensives or want to understand how pre-professional ballet training works, this episode provides a practical look at what happens during these programs and why the school structures them the way they do. Learn more about The Washington School of Ballet's Summer Programs here: https://www.washingtonballet.org/nw-summer-intensives/ Takeaways: The Junior Repertory Experience is designed for aspiring dancers aged 12-17. The Senior Repertory Experience mirrors a company training week for dancers aged 15-22. Both programs culminate in a performance for family and friends. Edwaard Liang's involvement enhances the quality of training and choreography. Dancers learn to adapt quickly to different styles and choreographers. The programs focus on building stamina, artistry, and technical skills. Students are encouraged to ask questions about their future careers. Choreography and composition classes are integral to the training. The audition process is open to video submissions. The programs aim to develop well-rounded artists, not just professional dancers. Links: Read Our Ballet School Summer & Year-Round Reviews: https://reviews.ballethelpdesk.com/ Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok:  Music from #Uppbeat:https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

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• How to Approach Audition Season Like a Pro with Jess Spinner

  Audition season is here again, and we're revisiting one of our most requested conversations. In this episode, Jess Spinner, founder of The Whole Dancer, breaks down how dancers can create an audition approach that actually works for them. She shares strategies for choosing auditions, tailoring a plan to the type of job you're pursuing, and managing the mental, physical, and emotional pressure that comes with this time of year. Learn more about Jess here: https://www.thewholedancer.com/audition-coaching/   Schedule a  free consultation: https://calendly.com/jess-spinner/complimentary-dancer-coaching-blwc-clone?month=2025-11   Links: Buy Corrections Journals Support Ballet Help Desk Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk TikTok: @BalletHelpDesk

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• #NoThirds: Bullying In Ballet - What Parents Need To Know (Part 2)

  Before you listen, please consider taking our quick podcast survey so we can continue improving the show. Link: https://forms.gle/Uf3Xx3XyEUzBtQw69 In Part 2 of our #NoThirds series on bullying in ballet, we dig deeper into accountability, emotional health, and what it actually looks like to navigate harmful dynamics inside dance environments. Our guests explore how parents, students, and schools can recognize the signs of toxic training, respond to concerning behavior, and create space for honest conversations about what dancers are experiencing. As we address listener questions, we discuss the importance of listening closely to children, understanding the emotions behind their reactions, and knowing when a parent needs to step in. We also look at how communication with school leadership can resolve issues, why empowering dancers to speak up matters, and how consistent check-ins at home help identify problems early. The episode touches on the influence of social media and the value of reviews in pushing programs to improve. Part 2 continues the conversation parents and dancers need right now. Learn more about Kelsey Fyffe: https://www.livemindfullypsychotherapy.com/dancers-athletes Interested in working with Fran at Veyette Virtual Ballet School? Check out our Back to Dance Guide for an  exclusive discount: https://ballethelpdesk.com/backtoschool/ Links: Shop Our Back to Dance Guide: https://ballethelpdesk.com/backtoschool/ Buy Corrections Journals: https://ballethelpdesk.com/corrections-journals/ Support Ballet Help Desk: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JBTG3G2W77EJ8 Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk Facebook: BalletHelpDesk Key Takeaways • Accountability is essential for healthy dance environments • Understanding a child's behavior helps address bullying • Open conversations about feelings support emotional awareness • Toxic training situations can affect long-term mental health • Parents need to recognize when intervention is needed • Communication with school administration is part of the solution • Parents should stay proactive in protecting their child's well-being • Encouraging dancers to use their voices can reduce bullying • Regular check-ins at home help identify problems early • Reviews and feedback can drive meaningful change in schools Music from #Uppbeat: https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

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