OOPS! Due to an editing mistake, I had to reupload the file. My guest for Episode #312 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Jared Redick, a third-generation ballet dancer, choreographer, and award-winning educator.

Episode page with links and more

Jared is a full professor and Assistant Dean of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He has performed with renowned companies including the Boston Ballet and Miami City Ballet, and now shapes the next generation of dancers through his leadership, coaching, and innovation in arts education.

In our conversation, Jared shares his favorite mistake—one that unfolded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic while producing a filmed version of The Nutcracker. A critical planning misstep nearly derailed the production when sets weren’t ready for a pivotal weekend of shooting. Facing immense time pressure and logistical complexity, Jared and his team were able to regroup, adapt the schedule, and ultimately find a better way forward. The experience became a lesson in flexibility, communication, and leading with calm under pressure.

Jared also reflects on his transition from performer to educator, how he defines effective leadership, and what it means to embrace vulnerability in pursuit of growth. We explore how his equity-focused curriculum changes are reshaping the world of ballet and how earning an MBA is helping him integrate business thinking into the arts. Throughout the episode, Jared’s humility, clarity, and passion for mentorship shine through.