We are thrilled to talk with Vivian, who launched an adult ballet program at ‘The Russian Ballet School’ in Toronto, founded by her parents, Natalia and Edward, in the 90s.

What started as a single weekly class five years ago has grown into a successful program where adults of all backgrounds and ages can enjoy Vaganova levels 1-3, pointe classes, stretch, conditioning, and a performance opportunity.

Vivian’s mission is to make ballet accessible and welcoming to everyone. She’s dismantling the fear and outdated judgments that keep people from pursuing their passion, bringing this timeless art form into the modern world.

💓 Tune in and be inspired by Vivian’s simple yet powerful message: follow your heart, no matter how scared you are. 💫

Learn more about the program: ➡️ https://www.therussianballet.com/programs/adults

That sinking feeling when you see yourself in the mirror or on video? You're not alone.

Also, what you're seeing isn't objective. It’s filtered through your inner critic, distorting the image and potentially even hindering your progress.

Same as with any tool, we have to learn how to use the visual feedback.

Tune in to learn how to master the mirror and the video, and watch them become your secret weapons for technical breakthroughs.

Your fastest dancing days aren't behind you. You can absolutely improve your speed at any age!

This episode will help you find out which areas you need to work on to see results. Is it your body, your mind, your technique, or maybe the way you practice that’s weighing you down?

Get ready to unlock those flying feet, either at the barre in a furiously fast frappé or across the floor in a playful petit allegro or both!

🌟 Plus: Don't miss Julie’s three bonus tips that will help you rediscover the joy in playing with speed, even when you mess up.

Listen quickly and let us know which tip you needed to hear!

In this episode, Julie reveals how her diverse hobbies have helped her grow as a dancer and ballet teacher. While some dancers worry that pursuing other hobbies might dilute their focus, Julie believes they benefit our ballet journey. Every activity broadens our horizon, enhancing our technique, artistry, and mental resilience.Through singing lessons, Julie conquered fear and stage fright; jiu-jitsu built her confidence; powerlifting taught her to discern beneficial pain from harmful; and cross-stitching cultivated the patience essential for ballet.Discover how these and other hobbies made her the empathetic, creative, and resilient teacher and dancer she is now, and get inspired that each of your various passions complements each other, and brings you a full and wonderful life.✨ Above all, be inspired to live fully and embrace all your passions. ✨

Join us for a heartwarming episode as we sit down with Tara, a vibrant soul whose passion for greyhounds and ballet connected her with our host, Julie.

Back in school, Tara loved performing in musicals and bands, but never imagined ballet would capture her heart until she tried it at university.

She overcame serious injuries and the demands of three pregnancies, rebuilding her strength multiple times, but never gave up. Eventually, her determination led her to achieve a dream she never thought possible: dancing on pointe. That same passion fuels her ongoing dreams. Now, she’s crafting her first album as a musician and aspiring to perform at the IABF.

Tune in for a dose of sparkling energy, openness and perseverance as Tara motivates us to never give up on ourselves and chase our dreams!

Connect with Tara on Instagram at @double_double_frappe

Feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of a full ballet class? You’re not alone! Each session is packed with thousands of micro-skills impossible to master all at once.

In this week’s episode, Julie unveils how her modular approach transforms overwhelming classes into clear, empowering steps that accelerate your progress.

Drawing from her diverse background in music, programming, math, and ballet, Julie reveals how isolating skills - like polishing a facet of a gemstone - unlocks faster growth and a deeper understanding of your own body.

🚀 Discover how Julie’s approach can help you be systematic in your practice and dance with more confidence and joy in your next class or performance. 🌟

In an era where we constantly look up information and no longer have to memorize information, memory skills can feel rusty.In this episode, we share tips and tricks to boost your memory and learn ballet combinations faster.Remembering combinations is a key part of ballet, and Julie learned this the hard way. She recounts an initially embarrassing experience with a teacher that became a pivotal turning point in her journey.✨ We hope this episode inspires you to train your memory and, in a world reliant on devices, empowers you to start trusting yourself again to recall what matters.Keep your brain sharp and discover how to memorize those beautiful ballet combinations with confidence.

👀 Uncovering Blind Spots: Hidden Challenges in Adult Ballet Learning 🩰

Ever wonder what hidden patterns shape our ballet journey?

This week, we uncover how daily movement habits and our body’s unique history of injuries, sports, or stress, shape our practice in ways we didn’t expect as beginners.

We’ll also take a good look at the challenges of working with a mirror, our attitude towards perfection and the myths about learning.

🪞 Let’s unveil our blind spots together! Once we see them, we can dance through them with grace and purpose.

In this uplifting episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Elizabeth, passionate dancer and journalist whose love for ballet was sparked at age three. Through her podcast, The Adult Ballet Studio Podcast, Elizabeth beautifully blends her passions for dance and storytelling.

She opens up about her struggle to find a sense of belonging in ballet as an adult, and we explore ways teachers and students can foster a more inclusive, welcoming environment through small, meaningful gestures of kindness.

💖 Join us as we discuss the many ways ballet can enrich our lives and why its future must be more accessible and inclusive. This episode is your reminder that there’s a place in ballet for you exactly as you are.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Grace, a passionate dancer and performer,  as we dive into the art of choreography. Discover the magic of telling stories and expressing emotions through the universal language of movement, without a single word.

We’ll explore practical steps to start choreographing your own piece, from finding inspiration to navigating the exhilarating ups and downs of the creative process—a journey that’s challenging yet deeply rewarding.

🌟 Dance is a powerful way to communicate, inviting you to learn, experiment, and grow with every step. The world is waiting for your unique stories—bring them to life in your own beautiful way.

Ready to take the stage? The International Adult Ballet Festival offers dancers of all levels the space, the support, and the spotlight to showcase their choreography and shine.

https://www.internationaladultballetfestival.com/