The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

Anna Mai Fitzpatrick, Principal Dancer with Riverdance, joins The Brainy Ballerina Podcast ahead of the company’s April 14-16th performances at the Overture Center in Madison, WI.
Anna shares an inside look at her journey from a young Irish dancer to performing on stages around the world with Riverdance. We dive into the unique demands of Irish dance, what it’s like to transition from competitive dancer to professional performer, and how Anna found her voice as a Principal Dancer.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
The unique technique and structure of Irish dance
What it’s like to transition from the competition world to a professional show
The challenge of finding individuality within an iconic role
What life on tour is actually like (physically and mentally)
The importance of teamwork in a touring company
Behind-the-scenes: warm-ups, recovery, and show routines
What makes Riverdance 30: The New Generation so special
Connect with Anna:
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/annamaifitz/
Connect with Riverdance
WEBSITE: https://riverdance.com/
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/riverdance/
Links and Resources:
Chronicle Studio
APP: https://chroniclestudio.passion.io/
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/chronicle_cdt_studio/
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/chronicleCDTstudio
MORE INFO: allongefilms.com/chroniclestudio
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]

Penny Saunders is an absolute force in the dance world and a choreographer every dancer dreams of working with. But before she was a choreographer, she was a dynamic performer dancing with companies including American Repertory Ballet, Ballet Arizona, MOMIX, Cedar Lake, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
She is now an acclaimed choreographer who has created works for companies including Grand Rapids Ballet, Hubbard Street, Cincinnati Ballet, Whim W’Him, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Parsons Dance, Oklahoma City Ballet, BalletX, Sacramento Ballet, The Royal New Zealand Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Diablo Ballet, Dayton Ballet, Eugene Ballet, ArtEmotion/Ballet West and Seattle Dance Collective, among others.
In this episode, Penny shares how her early training shaped her independence, and what it really looked like to transition from a classical dancer into a contemporary artist. We also dive into her evolution as a choreographer, the moment she finally claimed that title, and how motherhood has influenced both her creative process and career.
Key "Pointes" from this Episode:
Training at Harid Conservatory and how dance fostered independence at a young age.
Her transition into a professional career with her first job at American Repertory Ballet.
Navigating the transition from classical ballet to contemporary dance.
The story behind one of her favorite performance experiences and falling in love with her husband.
Taking the leap into choreography at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
Overcoming imposter syndrome and growing into the identity of “choreographer”.
Balancing motherhood with a demanding dance career and why it matters for children to see their parents pursuing fulfilling work.
Adapting choreography across different companies while staying true to her voice.
An inside look at her current commissions, including Romeo & Juliet with Diablo Ballet and Sherlock Holmes co-produced by Ballet Idaho, Grand Rapids Ballet, and Nashville Ballet.
Connect with Penny:
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/pennyfix/
Connect with Chronicle Studio
APP: https://chroniclestudio.passion.io/
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/chronicle_cdt_studio/
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/chronicleCDTstudio
MORE INFO: allongefilms.com/chroniclestudio
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 [email protected]

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by former professional dancer and writer Gavin Larsen and renowned dance photographer Gene Schiavone to discuss their collaborative book Infinite Steps: Thirty-Three Dancers and Their Lives in Ballet, a powerful collection that pairs intimate essays with striking photography.
Together we explore how storytelling and imagery reveal the humanity behind ballet, the diverse paths dancers take, and the deeper purpose that sustains a life in dance.
Key Points in this Episode:
How Gene’s original book idea evolved into a collaboration with Gavin to bring deeper storytelling to his photographs
The beauty of preserving a dancer’s fleeting career in photographs and essays
The importance of showing the humanity behind the dancers
The commonalities they saw between the dancers interviewed: a strong sense of purpose drives dancers more than external success, the daily work matters more than performance highs, and every career path is unique
Connect with Gavin:
WEBSITE: www.gavinlarsen.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/gavinalarsen
EPISODE 62: The Truth About Being a Ballerina with Gavin Larsen
Connect with Gene:
WEBSITE: www.geneschiavone.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/geneschiavoneofficial
Get your copy of Infinite Steps:
AMAZON: https://amzn.to/4lUWSUS (affiliate link)
UNIVERSITY PRESS OF FLORIDA: https://floridapress.org/9780813081502/infinite-steps/
Links and Resources:
Join the Brainy Ballerina Book Club
Connect with Chronicle Studio
APP: https://chroniclestudio.passion.io/
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/chronicle_cdt_studio/
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/chronicleCDTstudio
MORE INFO: allongefilms.com/chroniclestudio
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]

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Natalie Bowman and LeeAnaca Moore, the creators behind Tights Under - a social media platform that began as a creative outlet during their time in the Professional Division at Pacific Northwest Ballet.
What started as a way to document the “in-between” stage of ballet life has grown into a beloved and refreshingly honest look at the realities of pursuing a professional ballet career (and beyond!).
Natalie and LeeAnaca share what pre-professional life is really like, how they navigated audition season, what surprised them most about dancing with a company, and how their friendship has supported them through every step of the transition into professional careers.
These two young women are wise beyond their years - this is an incredibly refreshing conversation showcasing a beautiful female friendship. You won’t be able to help but smile while tuning in.
Key Points in this Episode:
What pre-professional ballet life really looks like
What it’s like living inside the ballet bubble
Navigating audition season and career uncertainty
The beauty of having a close friendship to support you and give you perspective in a competitive industry
The pressure, stress, and growth that occur while in a trainee program
Building a ballet platform rooted in honesty, not perfection
Connect with Tights Under:
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/tights_under
TIKTOK: tiktok.com/@tightsunder
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/@tightsunder
Links and Resources:
SHOP Prima Club! theprimaclub.com (use code brainyballerina for 15% off all orders March 16-April 1, 2026)
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]

In this episode of the Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by dance body image mentor Katrena Cohea to unpack a recent pop-culture moment that sparked major debate in the ballet and opera communities.
After a prominent actor publicly dismissed ballet and opera as art forms that “no one cares about anymore,” dancers and arts organizations responded with outrage, humor, and viral marketing.
We unpack why the comment struck such a nerve for dancers who have devoted our lives to the art form. But beyond the initial reaction, we dive deeper into the bigger questions the moment raises: Is ballet evolving fast enough? What barriers are keeping audiences away? And how can dancers, teachers, and companies ensure ballet continues to thrive for generations to come?
Key Points in this Episode:
How ballet’s reputation as “stuffy” or elitist affects public perception
The reality of underfunding in the arts and its impact on progress
The importance of evolving traditions while preserving what makes ballet special
How toxic training environments can drive dancers (and future audiences!) away
The role of marketing, storytelling, and social media in attracting new audiences
How small actions by teachers, dancers, and ballet lovers can create meaningful change in the ballet world
Connect with Katrena:
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/yourbodyimagebff
Related Episodes:
76. Love Your Body (or Don't) with Katrena Cohea
Let’s connect!
My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina
1-1 CAREER MENTORING: book your complimentary career call
Questions/comments? Email me at [email protected]