Join us as we talk with Alicia Graf Mack, the first person of color and the youngest ever to head the Dance Department at Juilliard. Our conversation covered not only how the program is structured, but also the current state of the job market, what Juilliard dancers do once they graduate as well as the school's cross-over academic program that allo…

Steve Madden began his career as a Teacher, before joining the BBC on a Graduate Training scheme. From then on he went onto present shows for Radio 2, BBC Local Radio in Cambridge, Norfolk and Berkshire and work for BFBS and Victory Online. In this weeks edition of Radio Greats, Steve sits down with Luke to share his stories of the wireless, from l…

We're joined by Melonie Buchanan Murray, the Director of the School of Dance at the University of Utah. Our conversation covered a variety of areas, including the repertoire the dancers typically perform, admissions standards, the emphasis Ms. Murray puts on mental health awareness, how injuries affect grading and how students can get a BFA in Ball…

We're joined by Susan Stowe, Chair of the Department of Dance at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Stowe discusses the various tracks students can follow in the dance department, including degrees in ballet, jazz or modern dance and gives us a sneak peek at their latest initiative. Beginning Fall 2024, Point Park University's dance progr…

It's graduation season, the transformative moments where endings signal new beginnings. In this episode, Phil reflects on personal experiences and shares inherited wisdom; he emphasizes and encourages us all to be "lifelong learners." Listen in to hear the many ways beyond the classroom that you can commit to continuous growth, learning, and develo…

Join us as we explore Butler University's Department of Dance, with Larry Attaway, who serves as Chair and Executive Artistic Director. Consistently ranked as one of the top five collegiate ballet programs in the U.S., Mr. Attaway fills us in on its diverse study options—including a dedicated teaching track—as well as the exciting performance oppor…

Glenn Pinder is one of Yorkshire's most recognised voices of the Wireless. Having Presented shows for Radio Aire and Magic 828 and worked with some of the biggest names in Radio. Today he sits down with Luke to chat about the past three decades of radio, from landing a gig at Radio Aire and presenting programmes from Burley Road, moving over to Mag…

Tune in to our latest episode featuring Phil Chan, co-founder of Final Bow for Yellowface, as we discuss the issue of Orientalism in ballet. Phil talks us through how his organization is actively combating stereotypes and Orientalist tropes within the art form. We also hear how major ballet companies are joining the movement, signing the Final Bow …

Martin Buchanan has been a well known voice on British Radio and TV for the past four decades, working on Radio Luxembourg, Capital Gold, BBC World Service, Magic 105.4 and BBC Radio Kent. Speaking in this weeks edition of Radio Greats, he chats to Luke about his life on the wireless, and also about TV - from work at Radio 210, to being on Musicbox…

In this episode, we sit down with Tim O'Keefe, Artistic Director of Texas Ballet Theater, for an insightful discussion on the company's repertoire and his approach to artistic direction. We also explore the Texas Ballet Theater Studio Training Company, which offers aspiring dancers a platform to hone their skills. Join us for a candid conversation …

Rachael Hopper has been retired from the radio business since 2010, but before then she enjoyed a 20 year career as a presenter and producer on the GWR Network, Radio 1, Capital and Heart Radio. In this edition of Radio Greats, Rachael sits down with Luke to share her career of the wireless. From working with her Mum at BBC Radio Cumbria, to losing…

Mavis Staines has been described as a visionary dance educator who has revolutionized the way dance is taught, performed, witnessed and shared across Canada and around the world. Over her 30-year tenure as Artistic Director of Canada’s National Ballet School, she has cemented the School’s reputation as the leading champion of programming excellence…

Christopher Hird, Director of Education for Sarasota Ballet joins us to discuss post-graduate training programs. Hird brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation, having dedicated his career to shaping the next generation of ballet artists. From fostering technical proficiency to encouraging artistic expression, Hird shares the se…

We conclude National Women's History Month by spotlighting the remarkable women of Cannon Financial Institute and kick off April, Financial Literacy Month. Our host Sarah welcomes five inspiring women from the Cannon family to discuss their unique journeys into the financial services industry. Through conversation, they share anecdotes and insights…

Phil Kennedy has spent over 40 years on the radio and has worked on some of the biggest stations including BBC Radio 1, Virgin Radio and LBC. But has also enjoyed a career on Local Radio from Radio City, Red Dragon, 210FM and BBC Local Radio in London and Berkshire. Today he chats to Luke about how he got the bug for Radio. How a gig at Radio Topsh…

Ballet Help Desk sat down with Christopher Ruud, Second Company Manager and Rehearsal Director at Kansas City Ballet. This wide-ranging conversation covered everything from how the post-graduate levels are structured to performance opportunities to how students typically move through the ranks of the school. Chris also touched on the channels throu…

Tony Fisher has enjoyed nearly four decades on the wireless, in both presentation and management. Some of the stations have included Pennine, BBC Radio Leeds, Century, Galaxy, Wyvern and BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester. In this edition of Radio Greats, Tony shares with Luke his journey from gaining a YTS placement on Pennine and working with Paul …

We sat down with Sarah Wroth, Chair of the Department of Ballet at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, to hear all about IU's ballet program. University ballet programs are becoming an ever more viable means to a professional ballet career and IU is a leader is turning out well-trained and mature, employable dancers. Tune in to hear about …

Jean-Yves Esquerre, Founder and Director of European School of Ballet, joins us to talk about his classical and contemporary trainee programs, the current state of the job market in Europe and why he thinks some schools need to rethink their post-graduate programs. Be sure to also listen for information on ESB's inaugural summer intensive taking pl…

Join us for a wide ranging chat with Racheal Nye, Director of the Yvonne Chouteau School and Studio Company at Oklahoma City Ballet. Ms. Nye covers everything wanted to know about their trainee program and second company, including how they recruit, what they look for and what the path into the main company looks like. Ms. Nye also talks about the …

In this episode, Phil explores the evolving landscape of communication, discussing the digital age's impact on our conversational habits. Sharing personal experiences and observations, he navigates the complexities of screen-dominated interactions, encouraging us to rediscover the joy of face-to-face chats. Listen in for a refreshing look at the po…

Ballet Help Desk sat down with Lauren Richter, School Principal for the Tulsa Ballet Center For Dance Education to learn more about the school, its trainee program as well as the second company, known as TBII. She talked about how the programs recruit, the performance opportunities available, the best ways to audition and how students can progress …

In this episode of Monday Morning Mojo, Phil shares two traits that have propelled two of his favorite people to success: the art of great conversation and the tenacity of great follow-through. Intelligence is also a valuable trait, but the ability to genuinely connect with others and consistently honor commitments often distinguishes exceptional l…

Ballet Help Desk sat down with Vanessa Léonard, Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Anna McCowan-Johnson Aspirant Program. She covered not only how the program is structured, but how dancers work with the main company, where dancers get jobs and also how students can audition to join the program. Ms. Léonard also covers the unique challenges th…

Peter Stark, President and Director of The Rock School For Dance Education, talks with us about the current state of the job market and what he thinks about the growth of post-graduate ballet programs. He also provides valuable advice for any students who are hitting the audition circuit, including what to look for in a post-graduate program, how t…

We talked with TaKiyah Wallace-McMillian, founder of Brown Girls Do Ballet, to learn about its evolution from a personal photography project to a major philanthropic force. She discussed the organization's impact on diversity in the arts, highlighting their advocacy work, scholarship and grant programs as well as their and their global mentoring pr…

Ballet Help Desk sat down with Maria Torija, Director of the Academy at BalletMet. Tune in to hear all about how the trainee program is structured, how the school recruits and how they work with BalletMet2. Dr. Torija also discusses how the school provides career support for its students as well where trainees and second company dancers ultimately …

Maria Konrad sat down with Ballet Help Desk to share her experiences working with Nashville Ballet Two's trainees and dancers, preparing them for future ballet careers. Gain insights into the unique blend of training and performance opportunities that shape the dancers' journeys and get the inside scoop on this crucial stage of professional develop…

We sat down with Alan Hineline, Director of the Pre-Professional Division & Resident Choreographer at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet to get his take on the growing world of post-graduate ballet programs. We asked him why so many programs seem to be popping up, how he helps his students figure out the best fits and the role he sees post-graduate …

Join us as we chat with former San Francisco Ballet Soloist, Julianne Spratlin. Julianne now runs Dance Training Center, San Francisco a pre-professional ballet program. We discussed the current state of ballet training and how she sees the role post-graduate or "bridge-level" training plays in a dancer's journey. Dance Training Center SF: https://…