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Artwork for Ballet Help Desk
Ballet
Mental Health
Ballet Training
Dance Education
Summer Intensives
Choreography
Bullying
Ballet Competitions
Eating Disorders
Diversity In Ballet
Covid-19
Pointe Shoes
Parental Support
Boys In Ballet
Ballet Education
Nutrition
Auditions
Child Development
Injury Prevention
New York City Ballet

As parents, you play a crucial role in supporting your dancer's ballet path and we know navigating the world of ballet training can be challenging. The Ballet Help Desk podcast is here to help! Tune in for expert insights on supporting your student's ballet education. We cover key topics like summer intensives, ballet competitions, full-time and postgraduate training, health and wellness, boys in ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes197Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsKids & FamilyParenting

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Artwork for Ballet Help Desk

Latest Episodes

Get early access to ad-free episodes and exclusive panel discussions by joining our Patreon

As we all know, the ballet job market is incredibly competitive. But, not all ballet careers involve signing a year-long contract with a company. Some danc... more

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Get early access to ad-free episodes and exclusive panel discussions by joining our Patreon

Fran is back for a conversation about respect in the ballet studio.

We get into the mechanics of a real ballet class. A teacher giving thirty corrections ... more

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Listen to Ballet Help Desk ad-free on Patreon

Ever wonder what it actually takes to move up through the ranks at a major ballet company's school, and what happens once your dancer gets there? We sat down with Adam Sklute, artistic director of Balle... more

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Listen to Ballet Help Desk Podcast ad-free on Patreon

We sit down with Carter Alexander, Chair of the Division of Dance at Southern Methodist University, to find out what sets the program apart from the more ballet-specific schools. Carter walks us... more

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Recent Guests

Adam Sklute
CEO and Artistic Director, Ballet West
Ballet West
Episode: Ballet West's Adam Sklute and Evelyn Cisneros-Legate on the Dancer Training Pipeline
Evelyn Cisneros-Legate
Principal ballet educator and former prima ballerina
Ballet West
Episode: Ballet West's Adam Sklute and Evelyn Cisneros-Legate on the Dancer Training Pipeline
Carter Alexander
Dancer, choreographer, educator, and arts leader; associate professor of practice and chair of the Division of Dance at SMU Meadows School of the Arts
SMU Meadows School of the Arts
Episode: SMU's Carter Alexander on Training Versatile Dancers
Shane Jewell
Executive Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre; co-founder of Ballet Help Desk
Oregon Ballet Theatre
Episode: The Business of Ballet: Shane Jewell, Oregon Ballet Theatre
Peter Stark
President and Director of The Rock School for Dance
The Rock School for Dance
Episode: Peter Stark: When Is It Time to Leave Your Local Studio?
Riley Thomas Weber
Nationally recognized ballet instructor, pointe shoe fitter, and content creator
Independent pointe shoe consultant / influencer
Episode: Riley Weber on Ballet Influencers and Brand Ambassadorships
Kenta Kura
Director of K Ballet Academy, former Royal Ballet School teacher
K Ballet Tokyo / K Ballet Academy
Episode: From the Royal Ballet to K-Ballet Academy: Kenta Kura on Training Japan's Next Generation
Francisco Gella
Choreographer and master educator, CEO/Founder roles in multiple organizations
Francisco Gella Dance Works; Zike's Dance Theater; Nouveau School of Contemporary Dance
Episode: What Does "Elite Ballet Training" Actually Mean for College Admissions?
Julie Friedrich
Professional dancer, mentor, and dance educator
Pre-Professional Dancers Institute; Windward School; LA County High School for the Arts
Episode: What Does "Elite Ballet Training" Actually Mean for College Admissions?

Hosts

Jenny
Host of Ballet Help Desk; long-running contributor with focus on parent guidance and industry transparency
Brett
Co-host; leads discussions on contracts, finances, and industry realities

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 171 ratings
  • Real Deal for Ballet Students and Families - Current and Aspirational

    A great resource and a wealth of knowledge that has been so helpful as my daughter grows in her ballet journey. It has prompted thinking in areas I hadn’t considered and am thankful to the creators of this podcast and also to The Washington School of Ballet/ The Washington Ballet to have shared this resource with their families and dancers.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NaboKaz
    United Statesa month ago
  • I love this podcast!

    Simply Lovely. Not only does this podcast cover literally everything but there are so many interviews and perspectives that you get to hear from.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sayáko
    United States2 months ago
  • Gold!

    This podcast has been my go-to resource for my son’s ballet dance journey. We are a swim and golf family with 0 dance knowledge. My son also started late so their episodes on the ins and outs have been helpful with summer intensives, auditions, pre-pro training, and post graduate realities. They attract excellent guests and ask great questions. Thank you for this offering!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dcurbanexperiment
    United States5 months ago
  • My 9 year old ballet boy and I love your podcast

    This is the best resource I have found and words cannot express my gratitude. I have made it through all episodes and we have listened to many twice. I found this podcast shortly after taking my son to an open audition for Nashville Ballet’s Nutcracker in 2024. We live over an hour away and thought this would just be a good experience for our son. We expected he would be a mouse and we could graciously say “no thank you we live too far,” but he was cast as Fritz. Then he fell in love. I st... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeyondMovement
    United States9 months ago
  • Hello

    I am Florence and I’m a teenage dancer and I would just like to say thank you to my parents for being the best dance parents Andi hope to insue a dance career and do competition dancer

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ★❤︎︎theater kid florence❤︎︎★
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The hosts ask probing questions and bring transparency to complex ballet topics.
Episodes are considered a reliable resource for navigating summer intensives and professional paths.
Listeners praise diverse expert guests and candid, honest conversations.
Fans describe it as essential for ballet parents, with practical, battle-tested advice.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Business of Ballet: Shane Jewell, Oregon Ballet Theatre
Q: What safeguards exist to prevent pay‑to‑play or donor influence from affecting castings and opportunities for dancers?
The organization adheres to AGMA and keeps donor influence separate from casting decisions. There are defined base wages per union agreements, with flexibility negotiated to protect performers' long‑term employment and avoid favoritism, along with ethical guidelines and labor attorney oversight.
The Business of Ballet: Shane Jewell, Oregon Ballet Theatre
Q: How does a co‑production affect ownership and rights when multiple companies collaborate on a new work?
Ownership mainly concerns sets and costumes, not choreography or music rights, which remain with the creator and composer. The production is funded collaboratively with start‑up funds and a clear spending cap; if costs exceed, all co‑producers decide together. This model reduces individual risk while expanding repertoire.
The Business of Ballet: Shane Jewell, Oregon Ballet Theatre
Q: Can you walk us through how the budget works and how decisions in programming translate into the numbers for dancers?
Budget is split between earned revenue (tickets and school) and contributed revenue (donations). Programming decisions directly affect what shows run, dancer pay, and overall compensation, with mandatories like dancer salaries set first, followed by non‑mandatory items like marketing and further programming depending on revenue realities.
SMU's Carter Alexander on Training Versatile Dancers
Q: So through auditions, what does the process look like at SMU?
Prospective students audition on campus with ballet, modern, and jazz (plus afro-modern); there are four on-campus live auditions plus video options; emphasis is on expressive movement and potential, not just flawless technique, to determine admission to the dance program and then university enrollment.
SMU's Carter Alexander on Training Versatile Dancers
Q: What percentage would you say double major? Because I think that's really interesting just because of what you've heard other places about how hard it is to do.
Double majoring is common and encouraged; the schedule accommodates multiple techniques and academic classes, with many students pursuing two or more majors alongside their BFA in dance.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ballet Help Desk

What is Ballet Help Desk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A practical, parent-focused show that pulls back the curtain on ballet training, programs, and careers. Across episodes, listeners get guidance on summer intensives, training pathways, contracts and pay, and navigating the job market for dancers, with insider perspectives from studio leaders, educators, and industry advocates. The show tends to feature candid conversations about transparency, wellbeing, mentorship, and long-term planning, helping families evaluate training options, scholarships, and pathways from student to professional. A notable quality is the mix of grassroots family-focused advice with views from high-level educators and company leaders, making it useful for both first-time listeners and families deep into the ballet jo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ballet Help Desk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ballet Help Desk:

1. The Brainy Ballerina Podcast
2. Conversations on Dance
3. Engagement Party
4. Political Gabfest
5. Ballet Science

How many episodes of Ballet Help Desk are there?

Ballet Help Desk launched 3 years ago and published 197 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ballet Help Desk?

Recent guests on Ballet Help Desk include:

1. Adam Sklute
2. Evelyn Cisneros-Legate
3. Carter Alexander
4. Shane Jewell
5. Peter Stark
6. Riley Thomas Weber
7. Kenta Kura
8. Francisco Gella

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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