Conversations on Dance | Ballet & Dance Careers

This week we are joined by Ashley Bouder, Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet. Ashley began her training at age 6 at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale Weary.  In 1999 she moved to New York City to attending the School of American Ballet full time.  She was named an apprentice the following June with the New York City Ballet and was promoted to Principal in 2005.   She is now the artistic director of The Ashley Bouder Project which had it’s most recent run last week in New York.  Today we talk with her about her career, how she works to make herself more versitle, how she returned to dancing after having a baby, and if a run for political office is in her future.

This week we are joined by Ashley Bouder, Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet. Ashley began her training at age 6 at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale Weary.  In 1999 she moved to New York City to attending the School of American Ballet full time.  She was named an apprentice the following June with the New York City Ballet and was promoted to Principal in 2005.   She is now the artistic director of The Ashley Bouder Project which had it’s most recent run last week in New York.  Today we talk with her about her career, how she works to make herself more versitle, how she returned to dancing after having a baby, and if a run for political office is in her future.

This week we are pleased to welcome Jessica Wallis, Ballet in the City founder.  If you are a regular listener, you have heard us talk about Ballet in the City in the past as they have been one of our sponsors from the very beginning.  We were so happy to sit down with Jessica in Miami a few weeks ago to hear more about how her organization come about.  Jessica studied ballet through highschool until an injury ended her dreams of becoming a professional dancer.  After attending college and becoming a school teacher, she realized she needed something more.  So she quit her job and created Ballet in Cleveland, an organization designed to present ballet in her home town, an area starved for classical ballet after the closing of San Jose Cleveland Ballet.  As her project grew, she decided to create Ballet in the City and implement this model in other locations across the country.  This Sunday she is presenting us for a live Conversations on Dance master class and the recording of a live podcast in Columbus Ohio.  If you are in the area, come dance with us!  Register now at balletinthecity.org/programs-and-events.html.

This week we are pleased to welcome Jessica Wallis, Ballet in the City founder.  If you are a regular listener, you have heard us talk about Ballet in the City in the past as they have been one of our sponsors from the very beginning.  We were so happy to sit down with Jessica in Miami a few weeks ago to hear more about how her organization come about.  Jessica studied ballet through highschool until an injury ended her dreams of becoming a professional dancer.  After attending college and becoming a school teacher, she realized she needed something more.  So she quit her job and created Ballet in Cleveland, an organization designed to present ballet in her home town, an area starved for classical ballet after the closing of San Jose Cleveland Ballet.  As her project grew, she decided to create Ballet in the City and implement this model in other locations across the country.  This Sunday she is presenting us for a live Conversations on Dance master class and the recording of a live podcast in Columbus Ohio.  If you are in the area, come dance with us!  Register now at balletinthecity.org/programs-and-events.html.

This week we are joined by Kathryn Morgan, former soloist with the New York City Ballet.  Born and raised in Mobile Alabama, Kathryn moved to New York City in 2004 to train at the School of American Ballet to continue her ballet education. In June 2006 she joined NYCB as an Apprentice and was promoted to Corps member the following year. In 2012 an autoimmune illness forced her to leave the company in order to regain her health.  After leaving, she built a wildly popular YouTube channel and has developed a loyal social media following.  Kathryn is back to dancing now and in addition is teaching master classes, speaking around the country, has her own podcast and app, and has more in the works.  Today we speak with Katie about her time with New York City Ballet, her meteoric rise, the difficult decision to leave the company, and what she loves about her career as it is today.

This week we are joined by Kathryn Morgan, former soloist with the New York City Ballet.  Born and raised in Mobile Alabama, Kathryn moved to New York City in 2004 to train at the School of American Ballet to continue her ballet education. In June 2006 she joined NYCB as an Apprentice and was promoted to Corps member the following year. In 2012 an autoimmune illness forced her to leave the company in order to regain her health.  After leaving, she built a wildly popular YouTube channel and has developed a loyal social media following.  Kathryn is back to dancing now and in addition is teaching master classes, speaking around the country, has her own podcast and app, and has more in the works.  Today we speak with Katie about her time with New York City Ballet, her meteoric rise, the difficult decision to leave the company, and what she loves about her career as it is today.

Today we are joined by Peter Boal, Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet.  After completing his training at the School of American Ballet, Peter became a member of the New York City Ballet in 1983 and was promoted in Principal in 1989. While still dancing with the companu dancing, from 1997-2005 Mr. Boal also served as a full-time teacher at SAB and was in fact one of Michael’s teachers during this time.  In 2005 he retired from New York City Ballet after 22-years, and immediately became Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet School.   Join PNB on March 17th-26th for their Director’s Choice program, an evening designed by Mr. Boal to bring the audiences and the dancers new works each season.  For ticket information visit pnb.org.

Today we are joined by Peter Boal, Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet.  After completing his training at the School of American Ballet, Peter became a member of the New York City Ballet in 1983 and was promoted in Principal in 1989. While still dancing with the companu dancing, from 1997-2005 Mr. Boal also served as a full-time teacher at SAB and was in fact one of Michael’s teachers during this time.  In 2005 he retired from New York City Ballet after 22-years, and immediately became Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet School.   Join PNB on March 17th-26th for their Director’s Choice program, an evening designed by Mr. Boal to bring the audiences and the dancers new works each season.  For ticket information visit pnb.org.

This week we are delighted to welcome Fabrice Camels, Joffrey Ballet Principal Dancer.  Fabrice was born in France and began dancing at the age of three.  He completed his ballet training at the Paris Opera Ballet school before venturing the the United States where he trained at the Rock School and danced with Pennsylvania Ballet. In 2002, he joined the Joffrey Ballet under the direction of Gerald Arpino. Mr. Calmels holds the Guiness World Record for The Tallest Ballet Dancer in the world at 6’ 6”.  Today we talk with Fabrice about his decision to come dance in the states, the challenges that come with his impressive height, his outside projects, and how he came to be an IMG model.

This week we are delighted to welcome Fabrice Camels, Joffrey Ballet Principal Dancer.  Fabrice was born in France and began dancing at the age of three.  He completed his ballet training at the Paris Opera Ballet school before venturing the the United States where he trained at the Rock School and danced with Pennsylvania Ballet. In 2002, he joined the Joffrey Ballet under the direction of Gerald Arpino. Mr. Calmels holds the Guiness World Record for The Tallest Ballet Dancer in the world at 6’ 6”.  Today we talk with Fabrice about his decision to come dance in the states, the challenges that come with his impressive height, his outside projects, and how he came to be an IMG model.