The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

In this week’s episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by New York City Ballet Soloist Sara Adams.
In this episode, Sara shares her journey from taking her first ballet class on Cape Cod to training at the School of American Ballet and ultimately joining New York City Ballet. We talk about the transition from student to professional, finding confidence, dealing with comparison, and what she's learned from nearly two decades in the company.
We also talk about pursuing a college degree while dancing professionally, finding interests outside of ballet, and why Sara believes dancers should have more fun and trust their own timeline.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode
What it was really like to move to New York at 13 to attend the School of American Ballet
The unexpected role that became a turning point in Sara's path toward becoming a soloist at NYCB
How Sara managed college while dancing full-time
The fulfillment she finds serving as a mentor for the next generation of dancers entering New York City Ballet
What 18 years in one company has taught her about comparison, confidence, and becoming comfortable with who you are
Why Sara still feels like she “needs” to dance after nearly two decades as a professional
Connect with Sara
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/sara_jane_adams
Links & Resources:
REGISTER FOR SEE AND BE SEEN: https://eisenhowerdance.org/beseen
ORZA: www.orzabrand.com (use code BRAINYBALLERINA for 10% off)
Let’s connect!
My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina
Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

Audition season can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to.
In this solo episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m walking you through my recommended timeline for preparing for professional dance auditions, starting in September and continuing through the end of audition season.
Instead of waiting until January to start thinking about auditions, you’ll learn how to use the fall months to get your materials, finances, company research, and audition strategy in place, so you can head into the new year feeling prepared and confident.
Audition Resources:
FREE DOWNLOAD // Audition Roadmap: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/3oZ0IJD/auditionroadmap
1-1 Career Mentoring: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring
The Intentional Career Handbook:
https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/intentional-career-handbook
The Ultimate Audition Guide: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/theultimateauditionguide
The Dance Company Database: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/digital-resources/p/dance-company-database
Dance Audition Materials Audit:
https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/digital-resources/p/dance-audition-materials-audit
Links & Resources:
REGISTER FOR SEE AND BE SEEN: https://eisenhowerdance.org/beseen
ORZA: www.orzabrand.com (use code BRAINYBALLERINA for 10% off)
Let’s connect!
My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina
Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

In this week’s episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I sat down with Garrett Anderson, Artistic Director of Ballet Idaho, to talk about his journey from professional dancer to arts leader and what it really takes to build a lasting career in dance.
Garrett spent 20 years performing with companies including San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, Trey McIntyre Project, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago before stepping into his current role. We talk about how he got his start in ballet, the mentors who shaped him along the way, and the pivotal moments that took him across the country and overseas in pursuit of new artistic challenges.
This conversation is packed with insight for anyone curious about the discipline and curiosity it takes to sustain a career in the arts.
Key "Pointes" from this Episode:
How Garrett got into ballet and the role his mom played in his early training
The transition from student to professional dancer, including meeting his wife along the way
Moving between companies with distinct styles, and how curiosity fueled those transitions
What allowed Garrett to sustain a 20-year professional dance career
His unplanned transition from performer to Artistic Director
How his perspective on the dance industry has shifted since becoming a director
Rethinking risk-taking in ballet and what contemporary dance techniques could bring to the art form
Connect with Garrett:
Visit Ballet Idaho’s Website: https://balletidaho.org/
Follow Ballet Idaho on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balletidaho
Follow Ballet Idaho on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balletidaho
Links and Resources:
SHOP MSeam Apparel: https://mseamapparel.com/ (use code BRAINY25 at checkout for 25% off all items)
Register for the “See & Be Seen” College Recruitment Event: https://eisenhowerdance.org/beseen
Let’s connect!
MY WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina
Schedule your complimentary career consultation: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring
Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, former professional ballerina Caroline Simpkins shares her inspiring journey from professional ballerina to earning a PhD in biomechanics and creating Ballet Science, a platform dedicated to making dance research accessible to dancers, teachers, and educators.
After dancing professionally for 12 years, Caroline found herself facing burnout, uncertainty about her future, and a life-changing thyroid cancer diagnosis at just 29 years old. That experience became the catalyst for reimagining her career, leading her from ballet to scientific research and ultimately to a mission of improving dancers' health through evidence-based education.
In this episode, Caroline shares what it was really like to step away from performing, explore careers in healthcare and academia, and advocate for ballet research in spaces where dance wasn't always understood.
Whether you're beginning to think about life after performing or simply looking for reassurance that your next chapter can be just as meaningful as your first, this conversation offers practical advice and plenty of hope.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode
Caroline's journey from professional ballet dancer to PhD
Why she chose to leave performing after a 12 year career
How a thyroid cancer diagnosis reshaped her career path
The challenges of pursuing ballet-related research in academia
How to communicate the value of dance to people outside the dance world
The transferable skills dancers bring to any profession
Why adaptability matters more than having the "perfect" career plan
Advice for dancers preparing for life after performing
How Ballet Science is bridging the gap between research and the dance community
Connect with Caroline
WEBSITE: https://ballet.science/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@ballet.science
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/ballet.science
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ballet.science
BALLET SCIENCE PODCAST: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ballet-science/id1815952731
Links & Resources:
REGISTER FOR SEE AND BE SEEN: https://eisenhowerdance.org/beseen
SHOP MSeam Apparel: https://mseamapparel.com/ (use code BRAINY25 at checkout for 25% off all items)
Let’s connect!
My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina
Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

What does it take to go from a competition dance studio to the stage of New York City Ballet?
In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Vanessa Mlyniec, who recently completed her first season in the corps de ballet at New York City Ballet. Vanessa shares the path that led her from Rhode Island to the School of American Ballet, what drew her to Balanchine technique, and the whirlwind moment she unexpectedly learned she would be joining NYCB for The Nutcracker.
We also dive into the realities of life inside one of the world's most prestigious ballet companies - from learning choreography at lightning speed and staying healthy through demanding performance schedules to finding artistry, overcoming perfectionism, and embracing the joy of performing.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
Vanessa's journey from competition dance to classical ballet
Falling in love with Balanchine technique and the School of American Ballet
Moving to New York as a teenager to train full-time
The surprise moment she was offered an apprenticeship with New York City Ballet
Adjusting from student life to the fast pace of a professional company
What a typical day looks like during the NYCB season
Favorite memories from her first professional season
Life outside the studio, including baking, knitting, and exploring New York City
Connect with Vanessa
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/vanessamlyniec
Links & Resources:
REGISTER FOR SEE AND BE SEEN: https://eisenhowerdance.org/beseen
SHOP MSeam Apparel: https://mseamapparel.com/ (use code BRAINY25 at checkout for 25% off all items)
Let’s connect!
My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina
Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com