Lucy Ashe is the author of CLARA & OLIVIA (Magpie, Oneworld publications, UK)/ THE DANCE OF THE DOLLS (Union Square & Co, US)

Her second novel, THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES, is out now in the UK and is coming to the US in September 2024.

Lucy trained at The Royal Ballet School for eight years, first as a Junior Associate and then at White Lodge. She has a Diploma in Dance Teaching with the British Ballet Organisation.

She studied English Literature at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, while continuing to dance and perform. After graduation, she obtained a PGCE teaching qualification and became an English teacher.

Her poetry and short stories have been published in a number of literary journals and she was shortlisted for the 2020 Impress Prize for New Writers. She reviews theatre, in particular ballet, writing for the website PlaysToSee.com.

In this episode we talk about Lucy’s training at the Royal Ballet School, her journey from dancer to 2x published writer and where she draws inspiration for her novels.

Key Moments:

• Early training at The Royal Ballet  [1:45]
• Transitioning from dance to college [9:55]
• The process of writing your first novel [14:05]
• A look inside Clara & Olivia/The Dance of the Dolls [19:15]
• A look inside The Sleeping Beauties [23:06]
• How Lucy stays motivated as a writer [26:58]
• Her biggest piece of advice for dancers pursuing a career [36:05]

Connect with Lucy:

HER WEBSITE: Lucyashe.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/lucyashe_author

Links and Resources:

Join the Brainy Ballerina Book Club

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

Have you ever wondered why you might consider working with a Dance Career Mentor?

While I have had many wonderful mentors in my life, I can only imagine what an impact it would have made to have someone solely dedicated to helping me gain the necessary skills to build a long and sustainable dance career.

My passion is helping dancers like you build not just sustainable, but truly fulfilling dance careers. That starts with ditching the narrative that asking for help makes you weak and ignorant and replacing it with the truth - that showing vulnerability takes a lot of courage and strength. Two things I know all dancers have in spades.

Tune in to this week’s episode to learn five signs you could benefit from working with a Dance Career Mentor.

Links and Resources:

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

Elise Mosbacher is a professional dancer currently in her 14th season with Mareck Dance, formerly Missouri Contemporary Ballet. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady. In this episode we get real about Elise’s path to a professional career, how she finds balance between her career and personal life, and how she overcame a potentially career-ending injury.

Key Moments:

• Early Training (from studio to boarding school to dual-enrolling at a university)  [1:16]
• Attending college for dance [6:39]
• Auditioning for professional companies and landing her first job [8:25]
• Finding balance in her career and personal life [14:34]
• Overcoming a potentially career ending injury [27:55]
• Favorite/most challenging roles of her career [37:11]
• Her biggest piece of advice for dancers pursuing a career [41:45]

Links and Resources:

Click here for one FREE month of Danscend’s Council for Educators with code BRAINY

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

Welcome to The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, where we peel back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer.

I’m your host, Caitlin Sloan - a former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor.

I’ve got a great lineup of interviews from top dancers, educators, and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate, and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence.

Before we get into the guest episodes, I’m starting by sharing my story. From student, to professional ballerina to entrepreneur (and everything in between!).

If you’re an aspiring professional ballerina who wants to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry, you’ve come to the right place.

Keep tuning in each Monday for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.

Key Moments:

• Early Training [2:27]
• Attending college for dance [6:28]
• My first audition season [11:03]
• My first professional company contract [13:46]
• Finding (and landing!) my dream job [19:56]
• Falling in love with teaching dance [24:35]
• Retiring from the stage as a professional dancer [28:38]
• How the brainy ballerina was born [33:20]

Links and Resources:

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]

Welcome to The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, where we peel back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer.

I’m your host, Caitlin Sloan - a former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor

Along with sharing my industry knowledge, I’ll interview top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence.

If you’re an aspiring professional ballerina who wants to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry, you’ve come to the right place.

Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.

Links and Resources:

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]