This week, it's just us and Julie, the heart and soul of Broche Ballet!

Julie’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. With no dance background but a varied musical education, she discovered ballet at 17 and it was love at first sight.

While studying computer science in New York, she filled her free time with as many dance classes as possible, even training privately. She pushed her limits, auditioned for summer intensives and spent seven weeks immersed in ballet training.

Balancing a programming career with her passion wasn’t easy and she nearly walked away. But life had other plans for her.

When her beloved teacher, Beth, could no longer teach, Julie stepped in. What started as a temporary job became a calling. She moved to Denver, opened Broche Ballet, and grew it from a handful of private lessons to the thriving community we are part of now.

Did you know that the International Adult Ballet Festival she founded is now in its 4th year?

Tune in as Julie shares the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, why she’s dedicated to teaching adults and what it takes to follow your passion even when the path is uncertain. 💕🩰✨

In this episode of Broche Banter, it's just me—just me and YOUR questions! I’m diving into some of the most common challenges adult ballet dancers face, including:✨ How to self-improve when taking recorded classes alone✨ If you only have time for barre or center, which should you prioritize?✨ Where to start when working on double pirouettes✨ Why balancing is so hard—what is proprioception, and how does it help?✨ Should you take private lessons? Are they worth it?Have a question you'd love me to answer on a future episode? Drop me an email at [email protected]—I’d love to hear from you!

In this inspiring episode, we’re excited to welcome back Kelsey Maloney-Steiner, co-founder of Facet Dance Collective.

Their latest production, "Garden of Dreams“, an adaptation of the classic Nutcracker ballet, has just premiered, and Kelsey opens up about the doubts, frustrations and setbacks that come with creating a large-scale performance.

We dive into the reality of stage fright and the challenge of watching yourself on video after a live performance. Kelsey reminds us that everyone, who has ever created something big started small and made mistakes. What truly matters is the willingness to learn and grow.

This episode is a powerful reminder to take risks and bring our creative visions to life.

What’s the dream that lives in your heart?

Get in Touch:

Facet Dance Collective: www.facetdancecollective.com

Instagram: @facetdancecollective

This week, we welcome back Erica for an inspiring conversation about her adult dance studios in Rochester, New York, where dancers of all levels—ballet and jazz alike—get the chance to shine. From competition teams to breathtaking performances with her Rochester Adult Ballet Company, she shares how she’s creating opportunities for adults to step on stage and live their dance dreams.We also dive into the art of partnering, exploring how each dancer’s unique anatomy impacts ballet technique. Plus, you won’t want to miss Erica’s behind-the-scenes stories from their production of A Nightmare Before Christmas—from auditions to the thrill of filling seats in the audience.➡️ rochesteradultballetcompany.com➡️ tournesoldance.com

This week, we’re excited to welcome Allie, a dancer-turned-coach with an inspiring story of resilience and discovery. Like many dancers, Allie once believed that aches and pains were just part of the job—until a serious hip injury sidelined her completely. After traditional methods failed, she took a leap of faith and turned to strength training. The result? Her pain vanished!

Now, as a coach for dancers of all ages, Allie is on a mission to redefine how we approach injury prevention, recovery, and conditioning. In this episode, we dive deep into the benefits of cross-training and strength work, strategies to build physical and mental stamina, and actionable ways to keep ballet training safe and sustainable for dancers at any age.

Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just starting your ballet journey, you’ll learn how to move smarter, honor your body’s unique needs, and take better care of the amazing instrument that carries you through every step. Don’t miss this empowering conversation!

***Absolute Beginners Guide To Strength For Adult Dancers

https://app.arketa.co/iframe/alignfitnessbyallie/series/zY6ammrrZXCl0qjtIBNT

***7 Day Free Trial of Dancer Strong Platform

https://www.dancerstrongprograms.com/pricing

***Allie on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/alignfitnessbyallie/

***Allie on Youtube

anva.com

***Email Allie at [email protected]

This week, we sit down with Dennis to hear his inspiring journey into the ballet world. Starting from humble beginnings with YouTube videos, Dennis opens up about the challenges he faced—feeling like an outsider, encountering unreliable teachers, and coming close to quitting ballet altogether. Everything changed when he discovered Julie’s class, where he's been dancing consistently for the past eight years.

This week on Broche Banter, we’re thrilled to chat with Bianca Starr, who’s been dedicated to teaching adults since 2010—defying the naysayers who said she could never make a living from this!

Join us for fun, touching, and insightful moments as we explore topics like creating safe spaces for body and soul, and the importance of structure when giving feedback. We also dive deeply into the true essence of ballet.

Spoilers: It’s not about high legs or big jumps. It’s about presence.Also, Bianca reminds us that the essence of ballet is available to everyone. Everyone.

If you’d like to work with Bianca, don’t miss "Ballet by the Beach" retreat in California (May 2025), just ahead of the legendary IABF in Florida

➡️https://www.biancalily.com/beachballet.html

➡️https://www.internationaladultballetfestival.com/

Music takes center stage in this week’s episode as we welcome the talented Bruno Raco to the show! A professional musician from Italy with over 20 years of experience, Bruno has been steeped in the world of music since childhood. While other kids played with toys, Bruno’s favorite “toy” was a piano—and it sparked a lifelong passion.

In this episode, we dive into his journey: from navigating the challenges of becoming a professional musician to the art of playing live for ballet classes every day. We’ll chat about talent, perfect pitch, and why figuring out where your phone’s ringtone is coming from can sometimes feel like a brain teaser.

Get ready to fall in love with music all over again as we explore the harmony between artistry and discipline in Bruno’s extraordinary career.

🎵 Listen now: https://brunoraco-balletclassmusic.bandcamp.com/music

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring story of Catie Wells,

whose ballet journey is a testament to the power of tenacity and

passion.

Catie opens up about her childhood struggles with intimidating

ballet classes and how The Nutcracker suddenly ignited her love for

dance.

Unfortunately, health challenges forced her to pause and

explore horseback riding instead.

Yet, her love for ballet never faded

and in her 20s, she returned to the barre. Today, she not only

performs but also teaches, sharing her love for dance with others.

Listen as Catie compares the experience of learning ballet and

horseback riding as a child versus an adult.

Her passion and unwavering dedication will leave you inspired to pursue your own dreams—no matter the obstacles.

After all, ballet is magical, and Nutcracker dreams really can come true!

TW: Eating Disorders

In this heartfelt episode, we’re joined by Grace—dancer, dance photographer, and advocate for self-compassion. Starting her ballet journey as a young adult, Grace now finds joy in jazz, lyrical contemporary, and ballet, using dance as a source of structure, focus, and self-care.

Grace opens up about her experiences with body image and eating disorders, sharing how ballet has taught her to value her body and build confidence. Together, we explore the emotional and technical aspects of dance, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces for dancers at every level and age.

Whether you’re a dancer or simply seeking inspiration, Grace’s story is a powerful reminder to take up space unapologetically and embrace your worth.

Watch Grace perform:

https://app.brocheballetonline.com/m/PgMovdA5

https://app.brocheballetonline.com/m/p23o7qsU

Get in touch with Grace and her fabulous teachers:

https://www.gracepictures.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/gracepicturesuk

https://www.instagram.com/karenestabrook/

https://www.instagram.com/kathrynsiandance/

https://www.instagram.com/ebufferd/