What an exciting episode we have for our Open Barre listeners today! We are joined by ballet legend, Robert Parker, previous Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet and current Artistic Director of Elmhurst Ballet School. Robert delves into his career to date, giving us an insight into his highlights at BRB and what it's like to be AD of Elmhurst. He also reveals his other passion - flying planes! Brandon fills us in on his performance following the opening night of The Nutcracker and Julia wonders what it's like to judge ballet auditions...

In the latest episode of Open Barre we are joined by our first international guests! Lauretta Summerscales and Yonah Acosta, Principal dancers with Munich Ballet, join us to discuss what it feels like to dance and rehearse together whilst being in a relationship off stage. We hear more about their incredible careers to date and what they love about dancing in Germany. Brandon discusses the key to creating on stage chemistry and Julia wonders whether backstage couple fights are ever taken onto the stage...

What an exciting episode we have for you all today! We are joined by The Royal Ballet's recently promoted Principal - Anna Rose O'Sullivan!!! We find out how Anna Rose first heard the news that she would be promoted and she gives us an insight into how she's preparing for her upcoming live stream of Romeo and Juliet. Brandon discusses the importance of eye contact during a performance and Julia wonders whether she's created the perfect Open Barre drinking game...

It's Season Four! We're back with a bang this season with some amazing guests but in our first episode of the season, Brandon and Julia chat about the darker side of ballet as we approach Halloween. Brandon let's us in on his favourite ballet villain and Julia wonders whether dancers ever get scared of each other when in character...

It's our first birthday!! We can't believe that it's already a year ago that we first launched Open Barre. In this special episode, our hosts look back on the past year and talk about performance in a post-Covid world. Brandon reveals what's coming up next season at BRB and Julia wonders if 'ballet running' is hard to do...

It's the Season 3 Finale!!! In the last episode of the season, Brandon and Julia are joined by the one and only Yasmine Naghdi, Principal ballerina with The Royal Ballet. Yasmine explains what it takes to pour your heart into a role and talks us through the discipline needed to develop ballet technique. Brandon and Yasmine reminisce about their time together at The Royal Ballet School and Julia wonders what it feels like to do the famous Swan Lake fouettés...

Today, our hosts are back chatting together, just the two of them! Many topics are covered in today's episode, from questioning certain moments in ballet, to discussing works that are rarely revived. Brandon explains how scheduling decisions are made for a company and Julia wonders how to safely create the 'death pile' in Romeo & Juliet...

What an episode we have for you today! Romany Pajdak, Soloist with The Royal Ballet, joins our hosts to discuss her career and reveals what it's like to dance with the corps de ballet. Romany discusses what it felt like to be promoted to Soloist, and Brandon reflects on his first solo role at Birmingham Royal Ballet. Julia wonders what it feels like to lead the shades in La Bayadere...

To celebrate Mother's Day weekend we have not one, but two exciting guests joining us at Open Barre! Nathalie Harrison, former ballerina with The Royal Ballet, discusses her experiences balancing motherhood with a busy dance schedule, whilst Mathias Dingman, Principal dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet, fills us in on what it's like being a dad to two young boys. Brandon talks about his admiration for ballet parents and Julia wonders what it's like to return to pirouettes after giving birth...

We are so excited to be joined by former Royal Ballet Senior Soloist and teacher extraordinaire, Mr David Peden! Mr P gives us some insight into what it’s like to teach a ballet class, whilst Brandon reminisces about his time spent at The Royal Ballet School. We find out what Mr P’s ‘fantasy ballet’ would be and Julia wonders where dancers stand at the ballet barre…