The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

In this episode of the Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I am joined by Stanton Welch, Artistic Director of Houston Ballet and internationally renowned choreographer.
Stanton shares the unconventional path that led him to ballet, from growing up backstage with his parents, principal dancers with the Australian Ballet, to falling in love with dance at 16 and training at San Francisco Ballet School before joining The Australian Ballet.
We talk about his transition from dancer to choreographer to artistic director, how his creative process has evolved over the years, and what inspires him when creating new works. Stanton also gives an inside look at how he programs seasons for Houston Ballet, what he looks for in dancers during auditions, and the type of culture he strives to create within the company.
A major focus of this conversation is Youth America Grand Prix and Houston Ballet hosting the YAGP Finals for the first time. Stanton shares valuable advice for dancers navigating competitions, auditions, setbacks, and social media in today’s dance world. He discusses why competitions are about far more than winning, how directors actually evaluate dancers, and the importance of resilience and long-term career thinking.
This episode is full of insight for aspiring professional dancers, teachers, and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes realities of building a sustainable career in ballet.
Key Points From This Episode:
Why Stanton Welch didn’t start ballet until age 16
How he began choreographing while still dancing professionally and what keeps him inspired all these years later
How Houston Ballet approaches company culture
What makes a dancer stand out in auditions and competitions
Connect with Stanton & Houston Ballet
WEBSITE: https://www.houstonballet.org
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/houstonballet
Links and Resources:
Brandllet: www.brandllet.com
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 [email protected]

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Courtney Anderson - former dancer with San Francisco Ballet, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and now the founder of The Workshop.
The Workshop is a series of 5 week-long summer intensives created for professional dancers seeking deeper artistic growth, expanded versatility, and meaningful creative process. Dancers will work with internationally recognized choreographers and répétiteurs including:
Jim Vincent, Répétiteur for Nacho Duato
Glenn Edgerton, Répétiteur for Jiri Kylian
Courtney Richardson, Répétiteur for David Dawson
Cindy Welik- Salgado, Répétiteur for Crystal Pite
Jill Johnson, Répétiteur for William Forsythe
Omar Roman De Jesus, Director of Boca Tuya
Sidra Bell, Director of Sidra Bell Dance New York
Keerati Jinakunwiphat, Choreographer
Babatunji, Choreographer
Houston Thomas, Choreographer
This intensive is perfect for professional dancers looking to explore movement more deeply, refine their partnering and improvisation skills, and strengthen their artistic voice, particularly when approaching contemporary work or new creations.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
Key differences between dancing in the U.S. vs. Europe
Why artistry (not just technique) is what actually gets you hired
How The Workshop is filling a major gap in the dance industry
Why investing in your training as a professional can change the trajectory of your career
Learn more about The Workshop:
WEBSITE: www.theworkshop.dance
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/theworkshop.dance
Links and Resources:
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 [email protected]

I can’t believe we made it to the 100th episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast!!!
Only a small percentage of podcasts make it this far, and I’m so grateful to you for making this show part of your week. I wouldn’t be here without you.
In honor of 100 episodes, I’m reflecting on one theme that has shaped my entire dance career: doing things that scare me.
Key “pointes” in this episode:
My MASSIVE fear of public speaking growing up, and how teaching dance was the first step in helping me gain confidence
What it felt like to move across the country alone for my very first company contract, and the doors that it opened for me
How showing my face and using my voice completely changed the trajectory of The Brainy Ballerian
My experience with choreography and how saying “yes” before feeling ready opened new doors
Why having a safe space to try things (without pressure to be perfect) makes all the difference
My biggest takeaway: the only way to know if you can do something is to try.
Here’s to the next 100 episodes!
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]

This week on The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Tiffany Rea-Fisher: Artistic Director of EMERGE125, award-winning choreographer, and a true force in the dance world.
Tiffany shares her journey from growing up as a competition kid on the West Coast, to discovering modern dance at SUNY Purchase, and now celebrating her 10th season leading EMERGE125, a contemporary modern dance company in New York City.
Tiffany’s perspective on leadership, from servant leadership to a more collaborative, transformative model, is something every dancer (and human!) can learn from. I am incredibly inspired by the way she builds a company culture rooted in both rigor and joy, where dancers feel seen, valued, and empowered to bring their full selves into the room.
Key "Pointes" from this Episode:
What Tiffany looks for when hiring dancers
Her concept of “disruption through inclusion” and why diversity is a creative superpower
The role artists play in shaping culture and reminding us to be brave
How motherhood has influenced her leadership style and boundaries
Building a financially sustainable arts organization through challenging times
Why community is the key to longevity in the dance industry
Connect with Tiffany:
EMERGE125 WEBSITE: https://emerge125.org/
EMERGE125 INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/emerge125/
TIFFANY INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/treafisher/
Links and Resources:
ORZA: Use code ‘BRAINYBALLERINA’ for 10% off: https://orzabrand.com/
Complimentary Career Mentoring Consultation: https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring
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]
This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change Network.

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Seth and Sarah Orza - former principal dancers with Pacific Northwest Ballet and the founders of ORZA.
Seth and Sarah share their incredible journey from meeting as teenagers at the School of American Ballet to building careers together both on and off-stage. We dive into the realities of dancing through pain, the lack of innovation in ballet footwear, and how their personal injury experiences led to a groundbreaking solution.
Seth takes us behind the scenes of developing the first-ever patented shock-absorbing ballet shoe, designed to better support dancers’ bodies without sacrificing the aesthetic demands of the art form.
We also explore the bigger picture: how dancers are often underserved when it comes to proper equipment, the long-term impact of training on inadequate flooring, and why the “suffering for your art” mindset needs to change.
Whether you're a student, professional dancer, or someone navigating life after dance, this episode is full of practical advice and inspiration for what’s possible beyond the stage.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
The injuries that sparked the idea for a shock-absorbing ballet shoe
Why traditional ballet footwear hasn’t kept up with athletic innovation
The process of designing and manufacturing a completely new kind of dance shoe
What dancers actually feel when wearing shock-absorbing shoes
The impact of poor flooring and training environments on dancers’ bodies
Transferable skills from dance that translate into entrepreneurship
What dancers should know as they prepare for life after their performing careers
Connect with ORZA:
WEBSITE: www.orzabrand.com (use code BRAINYBALLERINA for 10% off your ORZA shoes)
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/orzabrand
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]