The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

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

Ashley Thorndike is a licensed clinical professional counselor, longtime dance educator, and founder of Dance and College Counseling. With a PhD in Dance Studies, an MEd in Counselor Education, and a BFA in Modern Dance, she brings a rare combination of mental health expertise and firsthand academic experience to college and career planning for dancers.
Ashley and I are both products of college dance programs and have gone on to mentor dancers through this process, so I absolutely loved connecting over this topic! Our conversation is jam-packed with everything from the complex admissions process to building a broad, sustainable career in dance.
Key "Pointes" from this Episode:
Ashley's winding path into dance and her academic journey through the University of Utah, the University of Virginia, and Ohio State University where she became the first person to earn a PhD in dance studies.
The biggest mistakes dancers make when applying to college dance programs.
How families can explore financial options when loans and personal resources do not cover the cost of a dance education.
How to identify the right college fit as a dancer and what to look for during your search.
The importance of moving beyond a one-lane mindset and exploring the many paths available within the dance world.
Why college is a uniquely valuable time to explore interests beyond dance.
How a long, meaningful dance career can take many different shapes, even beyond performing on stage.
What dance faculty are looking for at auditions, based on Ashley's experience serving on an admissions committee.
How to approach your interview as a dance applicant and what questions you should and should not be asking.
Advice for parents who feel uncertain about their child pursuing dance as a college and career path.
Connect with Ashley:
Ashley’s College Planning Guide: https://www.danceandcollegecounseling.com/guide
Ashley’s Website: https://www.danceandcollegecounseling.com/
Follow Ashley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danceandcollegecounseling/
Links and Resources:
SHOP MSeam Apparel: https://mseamapparel.com/ (use code BRAINY25 at checkout for 25% off all items)
SHOP ORZA: www.orzabrand.com ($20 off all Orza Pro® 2.0 ballet shoes June 22nd through the 28th with ORZA day deals - no code needed!)
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, I’m joined by professional dancer (and one of my former students!) Kendall Lademann for a full-circle conversation on the unexpected twists and turns that have shaped her dance career.
We dive into Kendall’s transition from student to professional at Mareck Dance, including what it was like dancing alongside former teachers and how that environment helped her grow as both an artist and an adult.
We also talk about how Kendall moved forward with her dance career after Mareck Dance unexpectedly folded, finding new opportunities at Lexington Ballet.
Kendall is a true testament to the fact that dance careers never travel in a straight line. She shares so much thoughtful advice for aspiring professional dancers about taking risks, handling rejection, and treating people with kindness in the small world of dance.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode:
How the teachers, choreographers and directors Kendall has worked with have grown her into the artist she is today
How the pandemic unexpectedly launched her professional dance career
Going from dancing as a student in “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” to dancing the title role
Navigating the sudden closure of Mareck Dance and finding a new path
Moving away from home and starting fresh with Lexington Ballet
Unique performance experiences including dancing in a distillery, performing in a music video, and starring as Charlie Chaplin in “A Charlie Chaplin Christmas” with Lexington Ballet
Kendall’s passion for adaptive dance through Danceability and why teaching became one of the most meaningful parts of her career
Connect with Kendall
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/kendall_lademann
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