Ballet Help Desk

Listeners asked, and Fran Veyette answers! We're bringing back this fan-favorite #NoThirds "Fran's Mailbag" episode, now combined into one extended conversation. Fran breaks down how casting really works, whether principals dance less, what happens when dancers date (and break up), the truth about dogs in the studio, how respect and awareness shape auditions, why community matters, and what young dancers should know about contracts and career readiness.
We've combined Parts 1 and 2 into one LONG episode, so settle in for the full Fran experience.
Interested in working with Fran at Veyette Virtual Ballet School? Check out our Back to Dance Guide for an exclusive discount.
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CiCi Houston-Sudholt, Rehearsal Director at Saint Louis Ballet, discusses the organization's unique approach to dance education that puts students at the center. From integrating all levels of training to tailoring performance opportunities based on individual goals, Saint Louis Ballet adapts to each dancer's needs and aspirations.
In this conversation, CiCi explains the structure of the trainee program and how it prepares dancers for professional careers. We discuss what makes Saint Louis Ballet's second company unique: dancers are part of AGMA and receive full union protections, which sets this program apart from many other post-graduate options. CiCi also discusses how the school balances academics with intensive training, their evolving recruitment and audition processes, and what they look for in prospective students. We explore performance opportunities available to students, how the school encourages dancers to find their own balance between dance and other commitments, and the emphasis on communication and accountability throughout the training process.
If you're trying to understand what post-graduate pathways look like or evaluating whether a student-centered training environment is right for your dancer, this conversation offers practical insight into how Saint Louis Ballet structures their programs.
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We asked you to tell us what you love about the Ballet Help Desk Podcast, what needs to improve, and what topics you want us to cover. And you delivered honest, thoughtful, sometimes tough feedback.
In this episode, we share what you told us: what's working (our honest questioning, insider information, and ballet parent perspective), what we're fixing immediately (audio quality, ad transitions, and tighter editing), and what topics you want more of (younger dancers, international training, and financial transparency).
We're also introducing new formats like Q&A episodes and expanding our content for parents of younger dancers just starting the journey. This is a transparent conversation about what we're doing well, what we're changing, and what's coming next.
Thank you to everyone who participated. This podcast exists because of you, and we're committed to making it better.
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Read Our Ballet School Summer & Year-Round Reviews
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https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

Jayda Hazelett didn't follow the traditional pre-professional boarding school path to a ballet company. The Ballet Hartford corps member grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, trained locally at Project Ballet, attended summer intensives, and chose to pursue college at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music before entering the professional world.
In this Dancer Story, Jayda shares why she chose to stay home for training, how summer intensives supplemented her education, and what the college ballet experience gave her. We also discuss the challenges of pursuing a professional career, the importance of mentorship, pivotal moments that shaped her path, mental health in ballet, and her future aspirations including dreams of Broadway.
After graduating in 2024, Jayda joined Ballet Hartford as an apprentice and was recently promoted to the corps for the 2025-2026 season. If you're wondering whether staying local or choosing the college route means giving up on a professional career, Jayda's story proves there's more than one path forward.
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License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

What does it mean to train dancers without "training them out of being natural"? For Paulo Arrais, founder of Arrais Ballet School in Boston, that question shaped his entire approach to teaching. A former principal dancer with Boston Ballet, Paulo saw gaps in traditional ballet training: rigidity over artistry, pressure over presence. He decided to build a school that addressed them. In this episode, he walks us through his journey from student to performer to educator, the core values that define his school, and how he helps students navigate everything from technical growth to postgraduate ballet training decisions. We also dive into the unique challenges boys face in ballet, how independent schools fit into the larger training ecosystem, and what Paulo believes needs to change in ballet education. This is a candid, grounded conversation about preparing dancers for sustainable, meaningful careers.
If you're exploring pre-professional ballet programs, preparing for ballet auditions, or curious about career pathways in classical ballet, this conversation offers insight into what thoughtful ballet education looks like today.
Learn more about the 2026 Summer Intensive here.
Read reviews of Arrais Ballet School here.
Links:
Read Our Ballet School Summer & Year-Round Reviews: https://reviews.ballethelpdesk.com/
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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI