The Ballerina Notebook

Lucie was a young girl full of hope for a future in ballet until she was stunted by a chronic hip injury. She experienced the insecurities and stress of losing her competitive edge in her early teens. She made the tough decision to walk away from a professional career in ballet, but found the silver lining in pursuing the study of Psychology. She's a trail blazer in the unique field of dance psychology and generously shares with us her experience helping dancers reframe performance anxiety, manage stress, and react positively to injury. Dr. Clements empowers young dancers, teachers, and parents by providing them with the positive skills they need to succeed. Join us for an episode with Lucie, who's work in psychology positively impacts the ballet world and encourages dancers to, as she says, "strive for excellence."

Who are the individuals behind the ballet productions we have the privilege of enjoying or being a part of? Join us for this week's episode with Matthew Powell, Artistic Director of BalletNova. He will be leading and directing a ballet institution recognized as one of the premier dance training centers in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. Matt takes us through his diverse and impressive background as an alum of the School of American Ballet in NYC, professional dancer for San Francisco Opera, Kansas City Ballet and more. His choreographing experience launched when awarded a fellowship from the New York Choreographic Institute. In addition, his Ballet Master experience spans the globe and includes Royal New Zealand Ballet, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Slovak National, Oklahoma City Ballet, and the Golden Globe nominated limited series 'Flesh and Bone.' If you have ever thought of exploring choreography, becoming a BalletMaster, and/or Artistic Director, here is an episode for you. Glean valuable advice and hear the types of opportunities out there for one interested in a similar path as the one Matt pursued. 

This episode is for all pointe shoe enthusiasts, first time pointe students, parents of young dancers and anyone else who cares to gather all the details surrounding pointe shoes and pointe shoe fitting. Caitlin Kenney is the owner of Washington DC’s most reputable, trusted and beloved dance wear store of 43 years, The Cinnamon Tree’s Dance at a Discount. Join us as we discuss what it's like to run her own dance store and of course, her experience as a seasoned Pointe Shoe Fitter. She is a delight to chat with and a boss at running two stores in the Northern Virginia/ DC Metropolitan area. 

Did you ever think you could be a professional ballerina, writer for Pointe Magazine and run your own dancewear company? Well, Madeleine Purcell has not only managed to do so but thrived at it. Join us for an episode where you’ll hear from someone who balances her life as a freelance professional ballerina and gets real with us about the perks of this path and the less favorable aspects. She takes us through her early dance days beginning at the Connecticut Dance School where she received a well rounded ballet education. This shines through as she shares with us her knowledge of the ballets, ballet history, and methods. Madeleine then trained at a handful of reputable and well-known summer intensives at companies such as the ABT, Royal Ballet, Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and Ballet Academy East, where she was mentored by the living legend Wendy Whelan. We then get into the culture of perfectionism in ballet and how to combat the negativity which she writes about in her Pointe Magazine article, “Let’s Talk About Self- Talk: Tips for Changing a Negative Inner Dialogue.” Last but certainly not least, we discuss entrepreneurship in ballet. Little Bird Skirts is Madeleine's very own dancewear clothes line that produces beautiful, practical rehearsal skirts for ballerinas everywhere. 

Bryanna Vesely shares a fresh, unique perspective on ballet with us. Her story begins at the Ballet Virginia International where she trained through high school in a pre professional program before suffering an injury and exploring a new path, podiatry. She is now well on her way to earning her title as Doctor Vesely and publishing a fascinating case study on how ballet impacts your feet. Bryanna discusses how although she didn’t pursue a professional career in dance, she discovered how ballet applies to many aspects of her profession now. In addition, she shares her advice for girls approaching pointe. This is a great episode for all who are still exploring their callings whether it be a career as a professional ballerina or maybe even a physician for your favorite ballet company. Dream big.   

What's behind the Youth America Grand Prix and reputable summer intensive programs? Nicholas Cowden is a studio company dancer for the Washington Ballet Company and he shares his experience from hometown studios to the YAGP competitions, summer intensives, and onto a professional career. Nick breaks it down and gives us the ins and outs of preparing and competing in a nationwide ballet competition. He goes into his experience receiving a scholarship for the HARID Conservatory Summer Intensive and then the JKO School at the American Ballet Theatre. This is a great episode for all of you who dream of what is beyond your hometown studio and the possibilities that lie ahead. 

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Welcome to the first episode of the Ballerina Notebook for a quick intro to your newest place for ballerina talk with your host, Katarina Frustaci.