Count 9

Benjamin Goodly narrates his latest short story, which was just accepted and published in the Seattle Star. Sign up for Benjamin's email list at benjamingoodly.com for future updates about publication dates and discounts. The story can be found in print form at https://www.seattlestar.net/2021/02/smoke-and-lights/

Catherine went the "safe" route after high school and earned an industrial engineering degree from USC. When she graduated into a recession, she couldn't find a job, so she decided to pursue a career on the stage. She went on to land roles in several tours and Broadway shows. When she felt the need to get choosier with her performing, she tried working for a startup and was attracted to the way software engineers are in demand and can work on their own terms. Through several starts and stops, including a few more Broadway roles, she completed a coding bootcamp and got started as a software engineer at Stitch Fix. When the pandemic hit, she founded the Slack community Artists Who Code with her husband to empower more artists to find flexible, meaningful work in tech at any stage of their performance career. Learn more at www.artistswhocode.com and follow Catherine @cattricafort.

Francis and Lauren Veyette have had illustrious careers as principal dancers. When they were asked to coach a YAGP variation remotely for a student in Kansas, their passion for holistic training and desire to expand access to professional training, regardless of location, quickly grew into an innovative new studio: the Veyette Virtual Ballet School. Francis and Lauren train students not only in technique, but also the mental, physical and emotional tools they'll need in the competitive ballet industry. Since the start of the pandemic, VVBS has expanded its offerings, bringing new entrepreneurial challenges and rewards. Learn more at veyettevirtualballetschool.com, and follow @veyettevirtualballetschool on Instagram.

Season 1 of the Count 9 Podcast ends with a focus on concrete resources for your career transition. First, Pivot for Dancers is a comprehensive new community founded by Kaylee Randall. Learn more at pivotfordancers.com. Then, host Benjamin Goodly interviews the program directors and coordinators for the LEAP program at St. Mary's College. The Liberal Education for Arts Professionals (LEAP) Program provides professional dancers and other performing artists a unique path to access higher education. Learn more at https://www.stmarys-ca.edu/liberal-education-for-arts-professionals-leap

Since we recorded our interview, Brett was awarded the inaugural Alexa Rose Foundation Fellowship, so I had to catch up with him and get chapter 2 of the story! He's also remained active as a dancer and talks about a film project that just wrapped with LED Boise. Follow Brett's journey @btperry, @meadowlarkfarmidaho, @ledboise, and @alexarosefoundation.