The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I’m joined by Hayley Meier: dancer, choreographer, and educator currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada
Hayley shares her journey from competition studio training to intensive ballet education, and how she ultimately carved out a career that blends performance, choreography, and teaching. We talk about her time dancing with Rochester City Ballet and River North Dance Chicago, including the persistence it took to land her dream job and why not getting hired right away doesn’t mean “no” forever.
We also dive into the emotional reality of unexpected career transitions, including the closure of River North, and how that pivotal moment led Hayley toward graduate school at her alma mater, the University of Arizona, and a new creative path in choreography and higher education.
This conversation is full of honest insight on navigating uncertainty, building confidence through small daily habits, and why learning to love the process is essential for long-term success in dance.
Key “Pointes” in this Conversation:
Choosing college over a direct company path to pursue both ballet and jazz and how attending the University of Arizona opened up career opportunities
Landing her dream job at River North Dance Chicago and the impact of River North’s unexpected closure on her dance career
Navigating the freelance dance scene and redefining her identity beyond performing
How graduate school opened the door to choreography and teaching
What she loves about teaching at the collegiate level and developing artistry in dancers
Connect with Hayley
WEBSITE: www.hayleymeier.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/hayleymeier
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 my mom, Brenda Younker, for an honest conversation about what it’s really like to raise a professional dancer.
After hearing from so many parents who feel overwhelmed trying to navigate the ballet world, I decided to bring my mom on the pod to share her firsthand experience. We dive into everything, including the whirlwind of pre-professional training, summer intensives, injuries, college decisions, and ultimately building a professional dance career.
From backstage memories and pointe shoe fittings to navigating casting disappointments and learning how to communicate through difficult decisions, this episode is filled with insight, humor, and heartfelt advice for dancers and parents alike.
Key “Pointes” in this Episode
My late start in ballet at the age of 10 and how quickly my training accelerated
The emotional and logistical reality of navigating summer intensives and pre-professional opportunities
How parents learn the “language” of the ballet world alongside their dancers
The pressure of making career-defining decisions at a very young age
Choosing between college and a direct professional path
The importance of dancers developing identities outside of ballet
Advice for parents on supporting their dancer without overstepping
Why dancers need trusted adults and mentors outside of their parents
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 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]