Ballet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast

Tiler Peck was born in Bakersfield, California. She began her dance training at the age of seven, studying privately with former Bolshoi Ballet Principal Dancer Alla Khaniashvili in Hollywood. At the age of 11 she began studying at Conjunctive Point in Culver City, California, with former New York City Ballet dancers Colleen and Patricia Neary. During this time she also studied with former NYCB Principal Yvonne Mounsey at Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica. At the age of 12, Ms. Peck entered the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, for most of the 2000-2001 Winter Term. She returned to SAB during the summers of 2002 and 2003, and that fall began as a full time student. In September 2004, Ms. Peck became an apprentice with New York City Ballet. In February 2005 she joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet and was promoted to soloist in December 2006 and principal dancer in October 2009. Robert Fairchild was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and began his dance

Today I continue with my interview with Danish born Ask la Cour who is a Principal dancer with NYCB.  He began his training at the Royal Danish Ballet before coming to the U.S. in 2002 where he has danced with NYCB ever since. Today Ask shares with us how difficult it was to move through a severe injury as well as how exciting it was to be a part of the tribute to 911 on the roof top of one in the early morning.   Ask finishes his interview with some great advice - applicable to everyone. 

Ask la Cour was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, and began his dance training at the age of nine at the Royal Danish Ballet School, where he studied with Niels Balle, Adam Lüders, and Colleen Neary. He joined the Royal Danish Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in 2000. Mr. la Cour joined New York City Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in the fall of 2002, was promoted to the rank of soloist in May 2005, and became a principal in February 2013.

Lauren Lovette was born in Thousand Oaks, California and began studying ballet at the age of 11 at the Cary Ballet Conservatory in Cary, North Carolina. She attended summer courses at the School of American Ballet, the official school of New York City Ballet, during the summers of 2004 and 2005 and enrolled at SAB as a full time student in 2006. In October 2009, Ms. Lovette became an apprentice with NYCB and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in September 2010 and was promoted to soloist in February 2013.

My recent guest NYCB apprentice Isabella Lafreniere shares with Balancing Pointe some really great news.  Tune in to hear first hand exactly what is so exciting!

Today’s guest Lexi Maxwell is a Corps de Ballet member of the NYCB.  She shares with us some of her ups and downs and how grateful she is to be dancing with NYCB as it is truly a dream come true for her.  Lexi grew up in Minnesota where she started her ballet training at Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT).  When she was 14 years old, Lexi moved to Pennsylvania where she spent three years training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB).  When she was 17, Lexi spent the summer at SAB and was asked to stay for their winter term during the last hour of the last week of the program.  She moved to NYC and only a few months later received the invitation to become an apprentice.  One year later, she received a contract with NYCB as a member of the Corps de Ballet.  

Isabella is a graduating high school senior who is also dancing professionally as an apprentice with NYCB a prestigious honor provided to few.  Isabella grew up living in many states but wound up for many years living in Illinois in a suburb outside of Chicago.  She would travel 1 1/2 hours each way into the city to train at the Joffrey Ballet.  When Isabella was entering into her 9th grade year she auditioned for the School of American Ballet (SAB) winter term and was accepted.  SAB which is the official training academy of the New York City Ballet. After the SAB Workshop performances in her 11th grade year, Isabella was asked to be an Apprentice.  During her senior year of high school Isabella has been juggling a full load of school and dancing professionally with the NYCB company.  Today we learn more about what it is like to be an apprentice in one of the top companies in the world. Nearly all of the current members of New York City Ballet received training at the School of American Ballet and entered the

Today I am talking with Daniela Aldrich who from Carlisle Pennsylvania and who now dances as an apprentice with NYCB.  Daniela spent two years at the School of American ballet before being asked to be an apprentice.   Nearly all of the current members of New York City Ballet received training at the School of American Ballet and entered the Company through the Apprentice Program, which is jointly administered by NYCB and SAB. Only students enrolled at the School are eligible for apprenticeships. NYCB does not hold auditions. Each year, NYCB Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins invites a small number of advanced students, usually ranging in age from 16 to 18, to become apprentices, providing the first stage of their professional careers. Apprentices take class and rehearse with the Company six days a week at NYCB’s Lincoln Center facilities.    Apprentices learn roles in a wide array of works from NYCB’s vast repertory and may perform in up to eight ballets per season in addition to the full five-week season

Mikayla Lambert high school senior and a student of the School of American Ballet which is the official training academy of the New York City Ballet, which was established in 1934 by legendary choreographer George Balanchine and philanthropist Lincoln Kirstein as the first and most essential step in their quest to create an American classical ballet company. SAB, located at New York City's Lincoln Center, is today the premier ballet academy in the United States, training more students who go on to become professional dancers than any other school. SAB's former students fill the ranks of the New York City Ballet and other leading U.S. and international ballet companies. Students who train year round first attend a five-week Summer Course at SAB.  Acceptance into the Summer course is by audition only.  SAB  accepts only 200 ballet students from around the world.  As soon as the Summer Course classes commence, SAB’s faculty begin to closely assess summer students’ potential for year-round training at SAB.  By t

Today I am chatting with a super sweet and vivacious soloist Jordana Dumec.  Jordana grew up in NYC but wound up moving to Toronto when she was in 10th grade to train year round.  Her journey in dance reflects a true LOVE and passion for what she does every day. Jordana Daumec was born in New York City and trained at Studio Maestro in New York City and Canada’s National Ballet School. She joined The National Ballet of Canada as an Apprentice in 2003 and was promoted to Second Soloist in 2010.

In this episode I talk with Trygve Cumpston who was born in Des Moines, Iowa. He trained at the School of Classical Ballet and Dance, Orlando Ballet School and San Francisco Ballet School. Mr. Cumpston joined The National Ballet of Canada as a RBC Apprentice in 2012 and joined the Corps de Ballet in 2013.     Recently, Mr. Cumpston danced in the Canadian premiere of Nijinsky by John Neumeier as well as The Nutcracker and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.   Also in this episode I share with you my first ever giveaway - and your chance to win.  My previous guest and "Curtain Call" dance photographer Kent Becker has graciously offered to send a large print to one lucky listener.  Go to his website at notmydayjobphotography.com to browse through the photos and then send me your request at BalancingPointe@gmail.com.  Drawing will be held June 6th - so best of luck and keep listening!

My guest today is Melissa Lineberg, who dances with the MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet Company located in Washington DC.  MOVEIUS Contemporary Ballet was founded in 2010 to catalyze the creation and public presentation of innovative, accessible, and thoughtful contemporary ballet. Melissa not only shares with us some of MOVEIUS's exciting upcoming performances and the mission of MOVEIUS, but also of her personal journey in dance.  As a trained classical ballerina, Melissa originally had her sights set on joining a classical ballet company.  Upon graduation from college, Melissa embarked on almost a year of auditioning for a ballet company  before she auditioned and was hired as a dancer for this amazing company ~ and has not looked back since.  

Nichelle Strzepek is the founder of Dance Advantage,  an all inclusive dance website providing blogs, dance links, and information for all stages of dance life.  Dance Advantage provides solotuions, inspiration, motivation and tips on dance training and teaching.  If you would like to connect with Nichelle and Dance Advantage, you can follow her at DanceAdvantage.net.

Amy Seiwert is a choreographer and Artistic Director of im'ij-re a contemporary dance company.  Amy moved to San Francisco in 1999, the same year she won the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur Choreography Competition in Quebec,  after a nineteen year performing career (Smuin Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, LA Chamber Ballet).  Amy is currently the Choreographer in Residence at Smuin Ballet. Her work is also in the repertory of Ballet Austin, Sacramento, Colorado, Oklahoma City, Carolina and American Repertory Ballets as well as Robert Moses KIN and Ballet Nouveau Colorado. Amy was named one of "25 to Watch" by Dance Magazine and one of "Hot 20 under 40", she was also awarded the Gerbode Emerging Choreographers Grant in 2006. She has twice been invited to participate in the NY Choreography Institute by Peter Martins, having the opportunity to create on dancers from NYCB.

Today's guests are NYCB Principal dancer, Ask La Cour and Choreographer,David Fernandez who are working tirelessly, co-producing a most amazing event coming up on the night of April 28 in NYC ~ Some Dance Company - Encore! The event will feature 8 pieces choreographed by David Fernandez, performed by over 40 of NYC's finest dancers from some of the most prestigious dance companies. The event will raise money for "Career Transition for Dancers", which helps recently retired dancers with assistance in re-defining and re-designing the next chapter of their lives. Important to know is that each of the dancers performing for the event will be donating their talent and time solely to help raise money for the Career Transition for Dancers project. If you would like to donate to Some Dance Company's Kickstarter campaign, please click on the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2108768239/some-dance-company-encore-2014 And be sure to follow Some Dance Company and their latest updates on Facebook and on Twitter @

Born in Cincinnati, America Madison began dancing at the age of five.  She trained pre-professionally at a local studio, Ballet Tech of Ohio, under the direction of Claudia Rudolf Barrett.  At sixteen, Madison was accepted into University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  While attending UNCSA, Madison was awarded the Melissa Hayden Endowed Scholarship.  She was chosen to perform such leading roles as Sugar Plum, both Odette and Odile inSwan Lake, and in George Balanchine'sValse Fantaisiepas de deux.  Madison graduated from UNCSA in May 2012 and joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet in September for The TelstraClear Season of Giselle. 

 Kent Becker is a ballet fan who lives in in New York City.  Years ago he began to blend his passion for photography with his love for ballet when he began taking photographs of dancers during their Curtain Calls.  These amazing photos capture the myriad of emotions dancers display during this moment.  From elation to gratitude and every emotion in between, Kent has a gift of capturing a magical moment in these dancer's lives.  You can find Kent's work at www.notmydayjobphotography.com.

Jillian Vanstone was born in Nanaimo, British Columbia where at age six she began ballet studies at the Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts. Within two years she had already determined that dance was her life’s calling. In 1994 she passed the rigorous audition process to be accepted into Canada’s prestigious National Ballet School in Toronto where she later earned two coveted awards. Following her graduation Vanstone entered the National Ballet of Canada in 1999, was promoted to second soloist in 2003, to first soloist three years later before being appointed a principal in 2011.

Gabrielle Lamb is a native of Savannah, Georgia and was trained at the Boston Ballet School. She joined Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal in 2000 and was promoted to soloist in 2003. In 2009 moved to New York City and began working with choreographer Pontus Lidberg, as well as Morphoses, then under the direction of Christopher Wheeldon. Her repertoire as a performer also includes principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Luca Veggetti and Shen Wei. She won the 2009 National Choreographic Competition of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and in 2013 won first prizes in both Milwaukee Ballet's International Choreographic Competition and Western Michigan University's National Choreographic Competition. During the 2013-2014 season her work will be performed by BalletX, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Memphis, and Ballet Austin. Ms. Lamb is also a self-taught video artist and animator, and her dance films have been presented by Dance on Camera at Lincoln Center, the

In this Part Two interview with Helen Pickett, she shares more about her journey into choreography and some of the amazing experiences she has had along the way.