Ballet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast

Margaret Mullin is from Tucson, Arizona. She studied on scholarship at Ballet Arts Tucson with Mary-Beth Cabana and at Pacific Northwest Ballet School, and attended summer courses at Ballet Tucson, and Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Margaret was the recipient of a Thurber Scholarship Award in 2003 and 2004, the 2007 Founding Director Scholarship Award from Angela Whitehill of Burklyn Ballet, and a 2011 Princess Grace Award recipient. Margaret joined Pacific Northwest Ballet as an apprentice in 2008. She was promoted to corps de ballet in 2009 and soloist in 2014. Margaret has choreographed works for Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Choreographers’ Showcase and Next Step performances. In 2012, she choreographed her first ballet, Lost in Light, for the Company. She has also choreographed works, performed as a guest artist, and served as guest teacher for Ballet Tucson and Ballet Arts School in Tucson. Margaret has recently teamed up with Balancing Pointe's previous guest Nel Shelby to produce an amazing film called

My guest is Rebecca King who a soloist with the Finnish National Ballet. Rebecca is also the daughter of Shelly King who was the Director of Operations for the Youth American Grand Prix.  For those you unfamiliar with the Youth American grand prix – or YAGP, it is the largest global network of dance and probably the most popular and well known ballet competitions in the world.  Sadly Shelly recently passed away after dedicating the past 12 years of her life to becoming a "ballet mom" to thousands of young dancers all over the world through her dedicated work with YAGP program.  I know she has made a difference in lives throughout the globe and will continue to be greatly missed. I caught up with Rebecca in Tampa, Florida during the YAGP Regional Competition.  At the time of our interview, Rebecca was finishing up her contract with the National Theater Prague and was just about to start her new contract with the Finnish National Ballet. Rebecca flew in from the Czech Republic for YAGP Regionals to serve the as

Step inside the halls of five NYC public schools and celebrate dance! Hosted by veteran TV journalist Paula Zahn, PS DANCE! is the new documentary that captures what happens when students have dance in their curriculum. The journey is one of imagination, curiosity, hard work and discipline. In these studios, dance is for every child. PS DANCE!, two years in the making, interviews 16 kids and captures more than 100 students, who joyfully share the influence of dance on their daily learning. Created by today's guests; award-winning dance filmmaker Nel Shelby, dance ambassador Jody Gottfried Arnhold, and dance education consultant Joan Finkelstein, PS DANCE! shows that dance can be viewed as core curriculum at all levels PreK-12. Currently, there are close to 400 dance teachers serving New York City's 1,800 public schools, 192 of whom hold a New York State dance teacher license. With a significant new education budget allocation to support arts in schools, this is a definitive moment in New York City arts educat

Barry Kerollis was born in Philadelphia, PA. He began his training at the Chester Valley Dance Academy and continued on scholarship at the Kirov Academy of Ballet and the School of American Ballet. Mr. Kerollis began his professional career in 2003 with the Houston Ballet. The following season Barry joined Pacific Northwest Ballet, where he danced leading and featured roles for seven seasons. He currently works as a Choreographer, Principal Guest Artist, and Instructor based out of Philadelphia. Barry is also an award-winning choreographer. He was selected out of over 60 applicants to choreograph at the 2014 National Choreographers Initiative in Irvine, CA. In 2015, Barry was selected as a finalist in both the McCallum Theatre’s 18th annual Choreography Festival and the Visions Choreographic Competition. Mr. Kerollis has also received an Outstanding Choreographer award at the Youth America Grand Prix. Beyond these achievement, Barry has created works for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, Seattle’s “Men in Dan

ASK MEGAN is a weekly show hosted by New York City Ballet's Principal Dancer Megan Fairchild and brought to you by Balancing Pointe Podcast. On each episode Megan answers YOUR questions each and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Each episode will feature an actual question submitted from someone like you! Today's question come from: Cosette who wants to know how to balance her Academic goals with her goal to pursue a career in professional Ballet.  Megan reflects on some of her struggles with her personal experiences taking college courses at Fordham.  Do you have a question about Ballet?   YOU can be a part of the show by sending us your questions ~ it is EASY! Simply go to BalancingPointe.com and click on the "Leave Your Question Here" tab on the side of the page.  From there follow the directions and you are all set. If you like the show, please take a moment to stop by ITunes and leave us a rating and review.  And be sure to stop by: Contribute to my Indiegogo Campaign here! Balancing Pointe Website -

ASK MEGAN is a weekly show hosted by New York City Ballet's Principal Dancer Megan Fairchild and brought to you by Balancing Pointe Podcast. On each episode Megan answers YOUR questions each and every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Each episode will feature an actual question submitted from someone like you! Today's question come from: Stephanie who wants to what Megan's favorite role is to dance.  Megan really gives us great insight into her personal experience with this role.  Do you have a question about Ballet?   YOU can be a part of the show by sending us your questions ~ it is EASY! Simply go to BalancingPointe.com and click on the "Leave Your Question Here" tab on the side of the page.  From there follow the directions and you are all set. If you like the show, please take a moment to stop by ITunes and leave us a rating and review.  And be sure to stop by: Contribute to my Indiegogo Campaign here! Balancing Pointe Website - SUBMIT your questions here! Megan Fairchild's website NYCB Website with Megan

My guest Ksenia Ovsyanick is a Soloist with the English National Ballet.  She is from Tihvin, Russia and began her training at received her training at the Belarus State Ballet College.  After competing in the Prix de Lausanne, Ksenia was offered the opportunity to move to London to train with the English National Ballet.  In 2013 she became First Artist and then in 2014 she was promoted to Soloist. Ksenia received ‘Outstanding Female Performance’ (Classical) at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards 2012 and in 2014 was nominated for the Company’s Emerging Dancer Award.   Ksenia provides thoughtful insight and compelling advice to aspiring dancers.  I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Ksenia and feel blessed to have her as a guest on my show. Contribute to my Indiegogo Campaign here! Balancing Pointe Facebook Page  Twitter - Balancing Pointe Ksenia Facebook page Ksenia Twitter 

In this episode, host Kimberly Falker reflects on the life lessons she learned from 100 episodes and makes an exciting announcement at the end.

Colby Damon has spent his entire life exploring various types of movement. Born and raised in Richmond VA, Colby was active in various sports as a young child, including snow skiing and sailing, but he found his true calling in the arts, and began formal classical ballet training at age 7 at the Richmond Ballet. At age 15, he left home to attend the Virginia School of the Arts in Lynchburg, VA, a pre-professional boarding high school for dancers, and spent his summers training at the Boston Ballet. Upon graduation, Colby joined the Sacramento Ballet, where for five years he performed soloist and principal roles.  While living in California, Colby also began studying Qi Gong and Chen style Tai Ji Quan with renowned Grandmaster Bing Fan YeYoung, and eventually received certification to teach. In 2007, Colby relocated to Brooklyn, NY, in order to explore life's options, and to pursue a career as a freelance artist. While living in New York, Colby also began studying other forms of Chinese Martial arts, including

Ida Praetorius, a soloist with Royal Danish Ballet has become one Denmark's upcoming stars. In 2012 she was named" best female dancer" by the prestigous Erik Bruhn COmpetition in Toronto. Since that time she has continued to rise through the ranks at Royal Danish Ballet, most recently being promoted to soloist. Ida is humble and sweet and appreciative of being able to live her dream as a ballerina.   Balancing Pointe's website Balancing Pointe's twitter Pointe Magazine article on Ida Ida's Twitter Ida's Instagram Ida's vimeo of Swan Lake

Matthew Neenan began his dance training at the Boston Ballet School. He later attended the LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts and the School of American Ballet in New York. From 1994-2007, Matthew danced with the Pennsylvania Ballet and 2007, Matthew was named Choreographer in Residenceat the Pennsylvania Ballet. Matthew’s choreography has been featured and performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet, BalletX, The Washington Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet West, Ballet Memphis, Milwaukee Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Tulsa Ballet, Ballet Met, Oklahoma City Ballet, Juilliard Dance, New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute, Sacramento Ballet, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Indiana University, Opera Philadelphia, and LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts (NYC), among others. In 2005, Matthew co-founded BalletX with fellow dancer Christine Cox. BalletX had its world premiere at the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival in September 2005 and is now the resident dance company at the prestigious Wilma Theatre. BalletX ha

This week Megan takes over as the host of the show and interviews New York City Principal Dancer Sara Mearns.  Perhaps a first ever experience. Megan and Sara are not only dancers but very great friends, so this episode feels like you are sitting with them in their home or over coffee.   Megan asks great questions that really help give an authentic peak into the life of a professional dancer. Sara shares her favorite roles, as well as how deeply recently deceased Albert Evans' death has affected her on a daily basis. The interview is authentic and dives in deep into Sara Mearn's journey in ballet. Sara's vibrant energy keeps things light hearted and fun. Today's question come from: - Natalie who is 12 years old and lives in Hong Kong.  Her favorite dancers are Sara Mearns and Megan Fairchild so she was hoping Sara could come on to the show. Do you have a question about Ballet?   You can be a part of the show by sending us your questions ~ it is EASY. Simply go to BalancingPointe.com and click on the "Leave Yo

Cassie Mayo is the Founder and Head Coach of OST. She has trained for the past 12 years under Boston Ballet & Alvin Ailey Professional and 30 year Studio Owner Karen Brown. She has been dancing since she was 6 years old, and helping out with classes since she was 8 years old. She taught her first class in 2010 and has been teaching for 5 years, coaching for 3 years, and running OST for the second year in a row. Cassie was training with the hopes of a pre-professional career until she was diagnosed with RSD/CRPS. She has been battling that for the past 5 years in 80% of her body. She has overcome all the odds, but because of all the injuries and treatments, she was not able to continue with her career. This past year was quite a year. Thankfully she started coaching and is using her knowledge and continuing to grow in the field of Dance Medicine and Exercise Science. She also runs RSD/CRPS 4 a Cure, which she founded in 2012. Cassie is a public speaker and goes around to schools and churches sharing her st

This week Megan answers two of our listener's questions.  ASK MEGAN is a weekly show hosted by New York City Ballet's Principal Dancer Megan Fairchild.  On each episode of this show Megan will be answering YOUR questions each and every Monday.  Each episode will feature an actual question submitted from someone like you! Today's questions come from: - Bethany who asks Megan about how she can use her Broadway experience to bring a fresh perspective to ballet; - Florrie who asks Megan how she maintains a healthy balance in life in her busy life as a Broadway star. Megan provides very thoughtful and personal answers to these questions. Do you have a question about Ballet?   You can be a part of the show by sending us your questions ~ it is EASY. Simply go to BalancingPointe.com and click on the "Leave Your Question Here" tab on the side of the page.  From there follow the directions and you are all set. If you like the show, please take a moment to stop by ITunes and leave us a rating and review.  And be sure to

Today's guest is Lara O'Brien Muñoz  who is a Principal dancer with Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Laura began her journey in Ballet in Chicago training with the School of Ballet Chicago. At aget 17 she spent two years studying at the School of American Ballet in NYC as well as being chosen as a Dance American National Cultural Exchange scholarship student and was chosen to train at the Royal Danish Ballet for two months.  In 2001 Lara joined Carolina Ballet as a member of the Corps de Ballet.  In 2011 Lara was promoted to Principal.  Lara has now joined the ranks of Entrepreneurs as she recentl opened her own Ballet studio "Tutu Dance Raleigh" which focuses on teaching children age-appropriate motor skills and the fundamental principles of ballet while exposing them to the world of classical music and enchanting stories of famous ballets. Balancing Pointe website Balancing Pointe Facebook Twitter - Balancing Pointe Carolina Ballet - Lara Bio Tutu School Tutu School - Facebook Twitter - Lara O'B

Laurie McSherry-Gray is a half-soloist with The Royal Ballet of Flanders.  Laurie trained at The Royal Ballet School in London and then joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet, after which he spent some time with Angel Corella’s company, Corella Ballet, in Spain, where his repertoire included both traditional ballets and modern classics.  My previous guest Joshua McSherry-Gray is Laurie’s identical twin brother who has traveled much of the same journey into professional ballet. Both Josuha and Laurie are extremely close and bring a unique perspective on what it takes to make it the world of professional ballet.

Joshua McSheery-Gray grew up in Hull, England a small town near the Yorkshire Coast.  After finding his love of ballet and dance, Joshua and his identical twin brother made their way to London where they trained at the Central School of Ballet and the Royal Ballet Upper School.  Upon their graduation , both Joshua and his brother Laurie accepted their first professional position with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Once in New Zealand, Joshua realized that his true dream was to dance with one of the major companies in his home country.  He made his way back to London where he auditioned and was accepted into the prestigious English National Ballet.  Joshua has been dancing with ENB since 2009 and absolutely loves his "job". Balancing Pointe website English National Ballet - Joshua McSherry-Gray Balancing Pointe Facebook

Jenelle Figgins began her training at the historic Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While training, she received scholarships to attend Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Kennedy Center Residency and Summer Intensive.  Ms. Figgins went on to attend SUNY Purchase New York on partial scholarship and in 2011 received her B.F.A. with honors in dance. Following her graduation she accepted a full scholarship to attend Springboard Danse Montreal.  In 2013 Jenelle began dancing with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.  

Reid Bartelme is truly one of the most diversely talented and comprehensively successful guests I have yet to interview.  Reid grew up in SoHo surrounded by music and the arts.  When he was nine years old Reid moved to New Jersey to study voice at The American Boychoir School in NJ whicch is one of only two boychoir  boarding schools in the U.S.  In high school Reid was accepted to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy where he continued his vocal training.  When he was 16 years old Reid discovered his interest and talent in dance after taking a general dance class with Jack Ferver.  Reid wound up double majoring in Dance and Music at Interlochen.  After this, Reid attended SUNY Purchase for college to continue his pursuit of dance.  Reid also continued his vocal training on the weekends with a private teacher in NYC.  Shortly into his time at Purchase College, Reid realized he wanted to pursue a career in dance rather than just dabble in it on the side.  Because of this he left college to pursue this path

Today's interview comes LIVE from School of American Balley with Kaitlyn Gilliland. Kaitlyn's journey in Ballet began before birth.  She was born into a most prestigious legacy of ballerinas.  Her grandmother is renowned choreographer and founder of Minnesota Dance Theater and  and "Loyce Houlton's Nutcracker Fantasy" which just celebrated its 50th anniversary and is Minnesota's longest running Nutcracker.  Kaitlyn's mother, Lise Houlton danced with American Ballet Theater and Stuttgart Ballet and took over the leadership of MDT in 1995.   Kaitlyn began her training at the Minnesota Dance Theatre before moving to New York at age 16 to train with the School of American Ballet. She attended full-time for one year and in 2004 received the school’s Mae L. Wien Award for outstanding promise. From 2006 to 2011, Ms. Gilliland danced with the New York City Ballet, performing corps, soloist, and principal roles. Due to an injury, Kaitlyn retired from NYCB in 2011 and pursuing an equally grueling goal as a pre-med stud