Get To The Pointe with Kali Kleiman

One part inspiration, two parts humble determination, and lots of bits of great advice, audition tips, and stories of grit and grace and you've got Caroline Love!  A first year student at Ballet West Academy with roots in Dallas, Texas! Caroline shares how a late start provided her with loads of dedication!  Competitions were always about the experience and the take-aways, and because she stayed true to herself and her goals, she received interest from multiple schools and had the ability to choose where she wanted to be.  In this world, doing what you are passionate about is the prize, and doing it where you choose to do it, is like the icing on the cake!    Enjoy sweet Caroline!

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Unica Dancewear!

Episode 11 turns out to be a cleansing breath of fresh air, as we discuss sexual and cultural diversity in the arts, the benefits of performing arts high schools, programs like the National YoungArts Foundation, competitive dance, mental health, and the realization that BALLET is a essential building block of technique for contemporary dancers specifically.  There is so much to discuss when it comes to growth and understanding of ourselves and this beautiful artform!  Join us in a discussion you are already apart of!

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In Episode Ten, I am joined by the lovely Ashley Lew, who happens to be one of my very first ballet friends that I met at YAGP finals when I was ten! Ashley has a training journey that many will be able to identify with! She shares that body image, mental health, FAITH, and family are all important aspects of your training journey! Finding the right balance of these important aspects may be hard to find, but “if it’s part of GODS plan for you, HE will make a way”, says Ashley! Her faith is a beautiful reminder and I’m so excited for you to hear!

A perfect episode to get you in the holiday spirit!  Olivia shares her journey, and her gratitude for the opportunities that have been placed in front of her is overflowing!  Gratitude is one of the surest ways to live a happy life, and Olivia is beyond happy as a American Ballet Theatre Studio Company Member!  ABT Studio Company Director, Sasha Radesky and faculty were able to pull off the impossible and create a safe and healthy bubble for the Stu.Co. members this semester, and the result is something magical!  You'll be able to see  Olivia and the rest of Studio Company's work in the New Year; although it was reportedly more fun than work!  Enjoy the episode and Merry Christmas to all!  May the new year bring us closer together and back on stage!

Just when I thought that 2020 was looking up, she had another surprise in store for me!  I had to hit the pause button on the PODCAST and on training for a few weeks, but getting back into the swing makes those few days in November seem like a hazy dream.  Gigi Horton-Sibble and my mom, Megan, help me tell the story.  Don't worry, your regular guest will return shortly! 

This week we are joined by Texas Ballet Theatre newcomer Jackson Bayhi!  This native Houstonian's journey began with ballroom then took a turn to ballet, at 16 years old!  He got a late start and jumped in at the age when his peers were getting very serious, and didn't let a couple of "no's" detour him!  Jaxx took the momentum he could feel around him and channeled all of his energy into improving and learning ballet technique!  Jackson's a born entrepreneur at heart and he shares his thoughts on preparing to support his passion for this ballet life while innovating in other areas!  He also shares about Summer Intensives and the transition from student to Studio Company Member and beyond!  His high energy and big ideas make him so much fun!  

This podcast is owned and operated by Kali Kleiman. It does not represent the views, positions, or opinions of any of the schools, businesses, or the company’s that my guests or I are have attended or are currently associated with. All audio is property of Kali Kleiman and not for private use, unless written authorization is obtained.

A license to use the media Stravinsky Dance From Petroushka was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy which is available for review upon request.

Episode seven is really something special!  Hanhi offers a new perspective on dance competitions that we haven't discussed on the podcast yet.  For Hanhi, who was born in Vietnam, international ballet competitions like Canaan Dance, Youth America Grand Prix, and ADC IBC - Youth International Ballet Competition connected her to schools that provided scholarships for her training that have been life changing!  They afforded her the opportunity to train at Kirov Academy of Washington DC, Ellison Ballet, The Bolshoi Ballet Academy, and now Nationale Balletacademie- The Dutch National Ballet Academy!  Now, in her final year of highschool, she will be able to pursue a associates or bachelors degree in coordination with Academie voor Theater en Dans !   AND hear how an international student experienced the pandemic.  I admire Hanhi so much and so thankful she joined me as a guest! Episode will be live tomorrow morning whereever you get your podcasts!

This podcast is owned and operated by Kali Kleiman. It does not represent the views, positions, or opinions of any of the schools, businesses, or the company’s that my guests or I are have attended or are currently associated with. All audio is property of Kali Kleiman and not for private use, unless written authorization is obtained.

A license to use the media Stravinsky Dance From Petroushka was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy which is available for review upon request.

Episode six with Tia is full of good information.  Tia is currently at The Royal Ballet School in London and is blissfully happy there!  Her journey is unique as she had some fun projects like a hit TV show, a movie, and a docuseries all in the works while she was very busy training and competing in international ballet comp's.  Tia shares from the heart and proves that not all journeys look the same!  

This podcast is owned and operated by Kali Kleiman. It does not represent the views, positions, or opinions of any of the schools, businesses, or the company’s that my guests or I are have attended or are currently associated with. All audio is property of Kali Kleiman and not for private use, unless written authorization is obtained.

A license to use the media Stravinsky Dance From Petroushka was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy which is available for review upon request.

This episode coincides with the announcement of the 2021 candidates for the Prix de Lausanne!  Ava shares wonderful insight to her training as she prepared for the event, where in 2020 she took home the Silver Medal and the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation's Best Young Talent Prize; all at just 15 years old!  Ava is also from Dallas, Texas and trained at Elite Classical Coaching under the Direction of Catherine Lewellen.  As one of the winners of the Prix de Lausanne, her prize was to select and train at the school of her choice.  Ava currently trains at the John Cranko Schule in Stuttgart, Germany! 

This podcast is owned and operated by Kali Kleiman. It does not represent the views, positions, or opinions of any of the schools, businesses, or the company’s that my guests or I are have attended or are currently associated with. All audio is property of Kali Kleiman and not for private use, unless written authorization is obtained.

A license to use the media Stravinsky Dance From Petroushka was purchased under Pond5's Content License Agreement, a copy which is available for review upon request.

Episode Four has it all!  Taela shares her past as a rhythmic gymnast and how she still applies her training into her ballet technique!  Taela also shares her experience as a black ballerina and how diversity inclusion is helping students feel more secure in today's classroom.  Summer intensive auditions and personal stories of how Kali and Taela found out they were invited to Winter Term at SAB, and the happy memories of performing in Lecture Demonstrations are humorously shared.  Taela also gives us some behind the scenes stories about the upcoming Disney+ documentary, "On Pointe" that are fun to hear as we anxiously await the series premier!