Pushing Over the Box

Ingrid Thoms joined ABT's Corps de Ballet just months before the pandemic shut everything down — and somehow came out of it closer to her colleagues and more certain of her path than ever. Her honesty about self-doubt, comparison, and the power of positive affirmations even mid-performance is something every dancer needs to hear.

In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Ingrid Thoms, Corps de Ballet dancer at American Ballet Theatre and Fordham University student. They discuss her favorite role as Myrta in Giselle, how she navigates self-doubt and comparison in a company full of world-class dancers, and what she'd tell her 13-year-old self about believing in her path.

TIMESTAMPS:

[12:17] Favorite Role — Myrta in Giselle

[21:50] Dealing with Self-Doubt and Comparison

[27:34] Advice for Young Dancers

ABOUT THE GUEST: Ingrid Thoms is a Corps de Ballet dancer at American Ballet Theatre and a student at Fordham University. She trained at the Harid Conservatory in Florida and the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School before joining ABT's Studio Company and then the main company. She recently made her debut as the Lilac Fairy in Sleeping Beauty.

ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence.

CONNECT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/

Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742

#ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #ingridthoms #abt #americanballettheatre #corpsdeballet #balletinterview #youngdancer

Topics discussed: corps de ballet life, self-doubt in ballet, positive affirmations, Myrta in Giselle, ABT dancer mindset

Guest: Ingrid Thoms — Corps de Ballet Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

Skylar Brandt has danced Giselle, Swan Lake, and Don Quixote on the ABT stage — but behind the roles is a story of a herniated disc she tried to dance through, a promotion she almost didn't wait around for, and a lesson about perfectionism she wishes she'd learned at 13. This one is really special.

In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Skylar Brandt, Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre. They discuss what it's really like rising through every rank at ABT, her experience recovering from a serious back injury, and the advice she'd give her younger self about perfectionism and finding her voice.

TIMESTAMPS:

[11:48] Favorite Parts of Each Rank at ABT

[32:02] Recovering from a Herniated Disc Injury

[41:41] Advice for Young Dancers

ABOUT THE GUEST: Skylar Brandt is a Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre, one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world. Known for her expressiveness and artistry, she has performed lead roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Don Quixote, and many more. She trained at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at ABT and has been with the company since she was 16 years old.

ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence.

CONNECT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/

Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742

#ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #skylarbrandt #abt #americanballettheatre #principaldancer #balletinterview #youngdancer

Topics discussed: ballet injury recovery, herniated disc, ABT principal dancer, perfectionism, advice for young dancers

Guest: Skylar Brandt — Principal Dancer, American Ballet Theatre

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

Erica Pereira has risen through the ranks at New York City Ballet, become a mother, and somehow made it all look graceful — but her honesty about perfectionism, loneliness at SAB, and what it really takes to stay in the game is a reminder that even the most successful dancers are still figuring it out.

In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Erica Pereira, Soloist at New York City Ballet and Ballet Academy East alum. They discuss her rise through the ranks at NYCB, how she balances being a professional dancer and a mother, and her ongoing battle with perfectionism and self-doubt.

TIMESTAMPS:

[07:18] Rising Through the Ranks at NYCB

[11:08] Balancing Ballet and Motherhood

[15:19] The Struggle with Perfectionism

ABOUT THE GUEST: Erica Pereira is a Soloist at New York City Ballet and a proud alumna of Ballet Academy East in New York City. Known for her precision and artistry, she has performed principal roles including Sugar Plum and Swanilda throughout her career at NYCB. She is also a teacher at Ballet Academy East, where she inspires the next generation of young dancers.

ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence.

CONNECT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/

Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742

#ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #ericapereira #nycb #newyorkcityballet #soloist #balletinterview #youngdancer

Topics discussed: rising through the ranks at NYCB, ballet and motherhood, perfectionism in dance, corps de ballet life, soloist roles

Guest: Erica Pereira — Soloist, New York City Ballet

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

Chiara Ajkun built a ballet company on one radical idea — that the way ballet has been taught for decades is broken, and she has the science to prove it. Her conversation with Jasmine about the Ajkun Methodology, toxic studio culture, and what it really means to nurture young dancers is one of the most thought-provoking this podcast has had.

In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Chiara Ajkun, artistic director and choreographer of Ajkun Ballet Theatre, and Abbi Johnson, senior artist and Joffrey graduate. They discuss Chiara's journey from dancer to director, the science behind the Ajkun Methodology, what they truly look for in young dancers, and why making ballet accessible and safe is at the heart of everything they do.

TIMESTAMPS:

[12:21] Transitioning from Dancer to Choreographer & Director

[21:12] The Ajkun Methodology Explained

[37:56] What We Look for in Dancers

ABOUT THE GUESTS: Chiara Ajkun is the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of Ajkun Ballet Theatre, whose original works have been performed in 27 countries across all continents. She holds degrees in literature, performing arts, and a PhD in ballet pathology, and developed the Ajkun Methodology — a science-based approach to ballet training. Abbi Johnson is a senior artist with Ajkun Ballet Theatre and a graduate of the Joffrey Ballet School.

ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence.

CONNECT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/

Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742

#ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #chiaraajkun #abbijohnson #ajkunballet #balletmethodology #balletinterview #youngdancer

Topics discussed: ballet methodology, injury prevention, making ballet accessible, safe dance training, what teachers look for in dancers

Guests: Chiara Ajkun — Founder and Artistic Director, Ajkun Ballet Theatre; Abbi Johnson — Senior Artist, Ajkun Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet School graduate

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

Miro Magloire didn't set out to start a ballet company — he just kept making work because no one would hire him. The founder of New Chamber Ballet's story is proof that rejection can accidentally build something extraordinary, and his advice for young dancers at the end of this conversation is not something you'll forget easily.

In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Miro Magloire, founder and artistic director of New Chamber Ballet in New York City. They discuss his unexpected journey from composer to choreographer, how New Chamber Ballet was born out of necessity, his unique approach to auditioning dancers, and what it really takes to build a sustainable creative life in ballet.

TIMESTAMPS:

[12:08] How New Chamber Ballet Was Founded

[17:07] The Audition Process at NCB

[40:07] Advice for Aspiring Dancers

ABOUT THE GUEST: Miro Magloire is the founder and artistic director of New Chamber Ballet, a New York City-based company he has led for over 20 years. Originally trained as a composer and pianist in Germany, he created over 150 ballets that bring together live music and intimate dance performance. New Chamber Ballet performs regularly at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn.

ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence.

CONNECT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/

Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742

#ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #miromagloire #newchamberballet #choreographer #balletinterview #youngdancer #dancepodcast

Topics discussed: founding a ballet company, choreography process, ballet auditions, life after performing, creative careers in dance

Guest: Miro Magloire — Founder and Artistic Director, New Chamber Ballet

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

In this debut episode, Jasmine sits down with NYCB Principal Isabella LaFreniere to talk about the realities behind the spotlight — navigating pressure, building resilience, and finding purpose in the pursuit of perfection.

TIMESTAMPS:

[03:25] Transition to SAB and Auditions

[11:04] Injury and Recovery

[21:58] Mental Health and Avoiding Burnout

ABOUT THE GUEST: Isabella LaFreniere is a Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet, one of the world's most prestigious ballet companies. She trained at the School of American Ballet and rose through the NYCB ranks to become one of its youngest principals. Known for her artistry, discipline, and resilience, she is an inspiring figure for young dancers pursuing a professional ballet career.

ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence.

CONNECT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/

Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742

#ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #isabellalafreniere #nycb #newyorkcityballet #principaldancer #balletinterview #youngdancer

Topics discussed: performing under pressure, ballet mindset, NYCB principal dancer, mental health in ballet, injury recovery

Guest: Isabella LaFreniere — Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com