The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

In dance, feedback can shape much more than how you perform. It can influence how you see yourself, what you believe you’re capable of, and even the choices you make in the studio and beyond.
In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Kristin Deiss and Michelle Loucadoux, co-founders of Danscend, to talk about how feedback can affect a dancer’s confidence, identity, and sense of self-worth.
We discuss why dancers can be particularly vulnerable to internalizing what teachers say, how our own insecurities can change the way we receive feedback, and how to separate “I need to work on this” from “I’m not good enough.”
We also talk about processing conflicting corrections, deciding what feedback is actually useful, and giving yourself permission to let go of what doesn’t serve you.
For teachers, we dig into the other side of the equation: how to give feedback more intentionally, why dancers don’t need every correction we notice, and how observation, trust, and giving dancers more agency can create a healthier learning environment.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode
Why dancers can be especially vulnerable to internalizing feedback
How your own insecurities affect the way you receive feedback
Separating feedback from your identity
Practical strategies for processing difficult corrections
What to do when different teachers give conflicting feedback
Learning what feedback to keep and what to let go
Building self-worth beyond your abilities as a dancer
Connect with Danscend
WEBSITE: https://danscend.com/
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/danscendofficial
DANSCEND APP (IOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/danscend/id6759905827
DANSCEND APP (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.danscend.school&hl=en_US
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

Choosing a ballet variation can feel overwhelming. With so many options, and so much pressure to choose the “right” one, it can be easy to focus only on what looks impressive or what might earn the highest score.
In this episode, I’m joined by Carrie Euker, founder of Étoile Dance Competition, to talk about how dancers, teachers, and parents can approach variation selection (and the entire competition dance landscape) more thoughtfully.
Key “pointes” in this episode:
Why age-appropriateness should be one of the first considerations when choosing a variation
How the character and personality of a variation can help guide the decision
How teachers can adapt variations to meet a dancer where they are technically
How to balance a dancer's strengths, challenges, artistry, and personality
Why choosing a variation shouldn't be about finding the one that will simply get the highest score
The importance of giving young dancers opportunities to develop as artists and performers, rather than rushing them into mature roles
Why competitions can be an opportunity for education and development, not just placement
Looking beyond the most prestigious opportunities and considering what is actually the right fit for an individual dancer
Why dancers need experience with corps de ballet work, not just solos
Why the process of learning and rehearsing is just as important as the final performance
Carrie also shares great perspective on the pressure young dancers face today and the value in letting dancers develop at their own pace.
Ultimately, the goal isn't to find the variation that makes a dancer look the most impressive. It's to find something that allows them to grow, learn, and actually be themselves onstage.
Connect with Étoile Dance Competition
WEBSITE: https://www.etoilecomp.com/brainy
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/etoiledancecomp
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’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