The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

What does it take to sustain a professional dance career for 15 years while always finding new ways to grow as an artist?
In this episode I’m joined by Madison Ballet company artist Shannon Quirk to discuss her journey from a young ballet student in Southern California to a longtime professional dancer and co-founder of the newly launched North Star Dance Theatre.
Shannon reflects on her decision to pursue a BFA at UC Irvine, the realities of transitioning from college into the professional world, and the lessons she's learned through rejection, leadership changes, and career longevity. She shares how her perspective on artistry has evolved over the years (and why enjoying the process may be the most important career advice she can offer).
We also dive into the creation of North Star Dance Theatre, a new summer dance company dedicated to providing performance opportunities for dancers and choreographers while fostering artistic collaboration and new work.
Whether you're an aspiring professional dancer, a seasoned artist, or someone interested in arts leadership, this episode is full of wisdom about building a sustainable and fulfilling career in dance.
Key "Pointes" from this Episode:
Why Shannon chose to go to college for dance and why the decision came easily to her
What it felt like to realize dance had become her paying career
Navigating three different artistic directors over 15 years with the same company
Taking on a mentorship, "motherly" role for younger dancers
Her favorite roles, including one she was thrown into unexpectedly
Starting her own company, North Star Dance Theatre, and balancing it with her professional career
Connect with Shannon:
Visit North Star Dance Theatre’s Website: https://www.northstardancetheatre.com/
Follow North Star Dance Theatre on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northstardancetheatre/
Visit Madison Ballet’s Website: https://www.madisonballet.org/
Follow Madison Ballet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonballet/
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

What if becoming a stronger dancer had less to do with pushing harder and more to do with creating space to breathe?
In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by former professional dancer and founder of Inner Studio, Rylie Beck, to talk about burnout, dancer identity, nervous system regulation, and the mental habits that so many dancers struggle with behind the scenes.
Rylie shares her journey from student to professional, and how repeated experiences with burnout ultimately led her to create Inner Studio - an online platform offering guided meditations, visualizations, and wellness resources designed specifically for dancers.
This episode is so healing and necessary to start unpacking the pressures dancers face to constantly achieve and the culture of self-criticism that is so prevalent in our industry. You’ll walk away not only feeling completely seen but with practical tools to start building a healthier relationship with dance.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
The realities of burnout in the professional dance world
The culture of negative self-talk and perfectionism in dance
Why rest feels so difficult for many dancers
Simple nervous system regulation techniques dancers can use every day
The benefits of meditation, visualization, and journaling
How mental rehearsal can improve performance without physical strain
The inspiration behind Inner Studio and how it supports dancers
Why dance educators should introduce wellness tools earlier in training
The importance of trusting your own inner wisdom throughout your career
Connect with Rylie
WEBSITE: https://inner-studio-affiliate-program.peachs.co/a/caitlin-sloan-1 (affiliate link)
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/innerstudio.app/
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 happens when a ballet company invests in its dancers' futures both on and off the stage?
In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Jill Marlow Krutzkamp, former professional dancer and current Artistic Director of the Louisville Ballet Studio Company.
Jill shares the story behind an exciting partnership between Louisville Ballet and Bellarmine University that allows dancers to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Administration while continuing their professional training.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
Jill's professional journey from dancer to arts leader
The partnership between Louisville Ballet and Bellarmine University
Why higher education matters for aspiring professional dancers
Arts administration as a career pathway
Preparing dancers for life beyond performance
Building sustainable careers in the dance industry
The value of dual-career development for young artists
Connect with Jill
LOUISVILLE BALLET WEBSITE: louisvilleballet.org
LOUISVILLE BALLET STUDIO COMPANY: louisvilleballet.org/studio-company/
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/jillekrutz
Links & Resources:
SHOP MSeam Apparel: https://mseamapparel.com/ (use code BRAINY25 at checkout for 25% off all items)
SHOP 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 episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by professional dancer Ashley Talluto to talk about the realities of building a career in New York City.
Ashley dives into how she transitioned from ballet into musical theater and how auditions, casting, and unions work in the musical theater world.
She also shares what it’s like to tour with major productions like West Side Story, Flashdance, and An American in Paris and gives us invaluable insight into the life of a swing and dance captain.
This episode is full of wisdom from a veteran dancer. If you’ve ever considered what it might be like to build a dancer career outside of the ballet company ecosystem, this is a must-listen!
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
Why Ashley chose college and how the Boston Conservatory prepared her for professional dance life
The realities of moving to New York City as a dancer (survival jobs, balancing auditions, and building a sustainable career)
The differences between ballet and Broadway audition processes
The pros and cons of joining Actors’ Equity
Why performance quality matters just as much as technique in musical theater
What life is actually like on national and international tours
The intense responsibility of being a swing in a Broadway production
What a dance captain does and why the role is so important
Connect with Ashley
WEBSITE: Ashleytalluto.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/ashleytalluto
Links & Resources:
SHOP MSeam Apparel: https://mseamapparel.com/ (use code BRAINY25 at checkout for 25% off all items)
SHOP 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 solo episode of the Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m sharing practical advice for professional dancers and aspiring teachers looking to connect with studio owners and build a sustainable teaching career in the dance industry.
Drawing from my own experiences as an experienced dance educator and former school director, I’m breaking down the realities of finding teaching work, from preparing your materials and making initial contact with a studio to understanding what studio owners actually value most in a teacher.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
Why professional dance experience does not automatically make someone a strong teacher
The importance of researching a studio before applying
Why flexibility can help newer teachers gain more opportunities
How your teaching priorities may evolve throughout different seasons of life
What to include in a professional teaching portfolio
How to identify and market your “unique selling points” as a dance educator
Why teaching should be approached as a true profession, not just a side hustle
Links & Resources:
BLOG POST: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/blog/booking-dance-teaching-gigs-tips-for-connecting-with-studio-owners
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