Ballet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast

Helen Pickett, born in San Diego, California, studied dance at The San Francisco Ballet School under the direction of Lew Christensen and Michael Smuin, and later, Helgi Tomasson.  In 2005, Mikko Nissinen, director of the Boston Ballet, offered Helen her first choreographic commission,Etesian. The New York Choreographic Institute awarded her a Fellowship Initiative Grant in 2006. In the same year and through 2008, Helen choreographed for Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Louisville Ballet and Ballet X. In 2007, Dance magazine named Helen one of "25 to Watch". She received a Choreographic Residency from Jacob's Pillow in 2008. From 2009 through 2011, Helen created new ballets for Royal Ballet of Flanders, Ballet West, Boston Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, and Dance Theatre of Harlem. In 2012 and 2013, her commissions include Atlanta Ballet, Semper Oper/Dresden Ballet, Vienna State Opera, Scottish Ballet and Smuin Ballet. Helen was one of the first choreographers to receiv

Since the premiere of her first ballet in 2006, Emery LeCrone has choreographed more than fifty dance pieces and her highly acclaimed choreography has attracted numerous grants and new commissions across the country. Ms. LeCrone has premiered new ballets for The Juilliard School’s annual New Dances program, the New York City Ballet’s renowned New York Choreographic Institute, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim’s iconic Works & Process performing arts series.  She has also worked with many esteemed regional dance companies including Oregon Ballet Theatre, Colorado Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and North Carolina Dance Theatre among many others. In addition to participating in several prestigious choreography competitions, Ms. LeCrone has previously served as resident choreographer for Miro Magloire’s New Chamber Ballet. She is also a founding member and former resident choreographer of Columbia University’s Columbia Ballet Collaborative. Ms. LeCrone has worked at renowned university dance departments includi

Since the premiere of her first ballet in 2006, Emery LeCrone has choreographed more than fifty dance pieces and her highly acclaimed choreography has attracted numerous grants and new commissions across the country. Ms. LeCrone has premiered new ballets for The Juilliard School’s annual New Dances program, the New York City Ballet’s renowned New York Choreographic Institute, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim’s iconic Works & Process performing arts series. She has also worked with many esteemed regional dance companies including Oregon Ballet Theatre, Colorado Ballet, Minnesota Dance Theatre, and North Carolina Dance Theatre among many others. In addition to participating in several prestigious choreography competitions, Ms. LeCrone has previously served as resident choreographer for Miro Magloire’s New Chamber Ballet. She is also a founding member and former resident choreographer of Columbia University’s Columbia Ballet Collaborative. Ms. LeCrone has worked at renowned university dance departments includin

Founded in 2011, Jessica Lang Dance (JLD) is a New York City-based dance company dedicated to creating and performing the work of Jessica Lang. JLD enriches and inspires global audiences by immersing them in the beauty of movement and music. Hailed as "a master of visual composition" by Dance Magazine, Lang seamlessly incorporates striking design elements and transforms classical ballet language into artfully crafted, emotionally engaging contemporary works. Since the company's inception, marked by Lang's receipt of a Joyce Theater Artist Residency supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, JLD has garnered significant attention and acclaim, thrilling audiences at major venues throughout the country including two consecutive seasons at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival where JLD made its full company debut in 2012, The Joyce Theater, New York City Center and most recently at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas where the company's performance was chosen as the best dance event of 2013. In February 2014, JLD will

Jessica Lang has attained rare levels of success as a female choreographer continuously working with ballet companies across the U.S. and abroad since 1999. She is noted for her artfully crafted, emotionally engaging work and has been described as having "established a reputation for concocting ingenious choreographic interactions between dancing bodies and the movements of striking set and costume pieces." Kansas City Star. Lang has created more than 80 works on companies. Lang has received numerous grants for her work on ballet companies from organizations including the Jerome Robbins Foundation, the NEA, and the Choo San Goh Foundation. Her receipt of a 2010 Joyce Theater Artist Residency, supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, helped launch her own company, Jessica Lang Dance (JLD). Since its inception in 2011, JLD has garnered significant attention and acclaim, thrilling audiences at prestigious venues and festivals throughout the country, Lang, a graduate of The Juilliard School under the directi

Amy Brandt was born in Libertyville, Illinois, where she received her initial dance training at Dancenter North, the Ruth Page Foundation and the Milwaukee Ballet School. She later joined the Milwaukee Ballet, where she danced featured roles in works by Antony Tudor, George Balanchine, Simon Dow, Jean Paul Comelin and Alonzo King,among others. She joined The Suzanne Farrell Ballet in 2003, where her repertoire included featured roles in Balanchine Agon, Pas de Dix, Diamonds, La Valse,Divertimento No. 15. In 2005, she performed in honor of Ms. Farrell at the nationally televised Kennedy Center Honors. Ms. Brandt has also freelanced extensively in New York City, dancing leading roles with Dances Patrelle, Ad Hoc Ballet, New Chamber Ballet, and Ballet NY. She is a contributing writer and advice columnist for Pointe magazine, and has also written for Dance, Dance Spirit, and Dance Retailer News. She is now associate editor for Dance Teacher magazine.  

Brooke Lockett began dancing at the age of three in her home town of Ballarat, studying classical ballet with Trudy and Lisa Harris. At the age of 13 she was accepted into The Australian Ballet School Junior Program; in 2002 she was accepted into the School's full-time program and moved to Melbourne to pursue her training. In 2004 and 2005, Brooke participated in The Dancers Company tour around regional Australia before joining The Australian Ballet in 2006. Since then she has had many on-stage highlights and has enjoyed many international tours with the company, including those to the UK, Auckland, Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris and New York. In 2008 she was awarded the Khirtercs scholarship, which enabled her to experience the world of ballet on an international scale and develop herself as an artist. In 2012 Brooke was promoted to coryphée.    

Today's guest is Sarah Steele, a 19 year old member of the Tulsa Ballet Company who was born in New York and began her ballet training at Nunnbetter Dance Theater in Bergenfield NJ under the direction of Leath Nunn. At 16 Sarah began professional level training and coaching with Valentina Kozlova at Valentina Kozlova's Dance Conservatory of New York (VKDCNY). While attending VKDCNY, Sarah also completed High School at Professional Children's School in NYC. She is the recipient of a gold medal from the Tanzolmp International Ballet Competition in Berlin, Germany and a silver medal from the Boston International Ballet Competition in Boston, Massachusetts. In today's interview Sarah provides inside information not only on audition tips and advice, but also the benefits of participating in ballet competitions. And finally, Sarah will share a bit about her new life as a professional ballerina.

In Part Two of the interview, Melanie Atkins Varga talks about auditions.  As a frequent Summer Intensive Adjudicator, she provides us with a "behind the scenes" look into what the adjudicators look for in the auditioning dancers.  Melanie provides insight and advice on how to prepare and approach auditions and also shares with us the best outlook on auditions in general.  Her sage advice and inside look into auditions is a valuable tool for dancers and their parents at any stage of their dance career.

Melanie Atkins Varga is a full time faculty member at the Boston Ballet School as well as the company's Childrens Ballet Mistress. Melanie's teaches dancers from the pre-professional division all the way through to the trainees.  Melanie trained at Walnut Hill School of the Arts after her family moved from England to Massachusetts. After graduating high school Melanie trained at the School of American Ballet in New York City before being chosen by Suzanne Farrell and Paul Mejia to join Mejia's company in Fort Worth Texas. After a few years of training and performing under this acclaimed master teacher, Melanie joined the Miami City Ballet where she quickly moved through the ranks to Principal. After many successful years with Miami City Ballet, Melanie moved to Alberta Canada to join Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen Within a few days of moving to Canada, Melanie learned that Mikko Nissinen was moving to Boston Ballet as their new Artistic Director. Mr. Nissinen asked Melanie to join him in Boston. While in Al

Sixteen year old Miko was born in London in 1997 and moved to the US when she was two years old. Currently she trains with Tatiana Pali and Alyona Yakovleva-Randall at the Indiana Ballet Conservatory, and Kaoru Jinushi in Japan. Between 2008-2010 she returned to London three times to train at the Royal Ballet School's International Summer Program where she danced solo in the final performances and received the Commendation Award each year she attended. Miko was listed as one of The Most Influential People of 2011 in the Dance Spirit Magazine and has received worldwide recognition for her dancing. She was Gold Medalist twice at the World Ballet Competition in Florida (2009 and 2011), and won Bronze the New York Finals of the Youth America Grand Prix (2010). As a selected participant in the Varna International Ballet Competition in Bulgaria (2012), she was awarded the Distinction Diploma and won the Bronze Medal. Miko was invited to perform on the YAGP's 2011 Ballet Grand Prix Tour and danced with accomplished

Jessica Wallis is the founding director and and inspiration behind Ballet in Cleveland, a non-profit classical ballet presentation company specifically committed to the presentation and promotion of classical ballet. Ballet in Cleveland hosts professional ballerinas and dancers to discuss classical ballet and its unique attributes as an art form, offering master classes to dancers from far and wide, thereby promoting and fostering appreciation for the art. By keeping its focus on classical ballet, Ballet in Cleveland can direct efforts solely to the presentation of professional classical ballet artists and ballet advocates of the highest quality and level of professionalism. Ballet in Cleveland highlights the unique, elegant and powerful qualities of ballet, thus cultivating its culture in the city, the results of which carry nationwide. Through the presentation of performances by professional ballet companies, ballet master classes and programming with nationally recognized dancers, Ballet in Cleveland is re

The Barre Story In 2010, professional ballet dancers Julia Erickson and Aaron Ingley set out to create Barre Food, a health-minded snack bar that provides exceptional nutritional fortification specifically for the elite athleticism  and precision artistry of a dancer. As all professional dancers do, they experienced physically demanding rehearsals coupled with little time to eat. Dissatisfied with the energy bars on the market, Julia retreated to her own kitchen and developed an easy-to-consume, highly nutritious and great tasting bar. Marketing her creations to colleagues in the studio and students at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, they quickly developed a following. Julia knew she could fulfill a need in the market and enlisted the talent of her friend and business partner Aaron. Today, Barre produces and distributes health-minded snacks and performance products specially formulated to live up to the rigors of such a demanding artist-athlete lifestyle. Barre is proud to donate a portion of its procee

Julia Erickson Julia Erickson, originally from Seattle, is a Principal Dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. She is also the creator and co-owner of Barre-Real Food Bars, alongside Aaron Ingley. You may also recognize Julia from Gaynor Minden pointe shoe ads. Julia began her training at age seven in Level 1 at Pacific Northwest Ballet School. She continued training on scholarship at PNBS and later at San Francisco Ballet School. She toured to Europe and Asia with PNB and danced with the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet for two seasons, prior to joining Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2001. As creator of Barre, Julia has a second career with partner and co-owner Aaron Ingley. Stemming from a rigorous rehearsal schedule for Swan Lake in Spring 2010, Julia sought a better in-between rehearsal snack. At home in her kitchen, she created just that. She shared them with other dancers receiving rave reviews. Soon she and Aaron found themselves in the role of entrepreneurs with a growing snack bar business. Barre is available n

Szabolcs (Sabi) Varga received his training at the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 1997 he was named Best Young Dancer at the International Rudolf Nureyev Competition. Upon graduation he joined Alberta Ballet under the direction of Mikko Nissinen. There he performed principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Helgi Tomasson, and Christopher Wheeldon. In 2002 Nissinen invited Varga to join Boston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He was promoted to second soloist in 2004 and to soloist in 2006. Varga is married to former Boston Ballet soloist Melanie Atkins, who is currently Children's Ballet Mistress and faculty member with Boston Ballet School.

Szabolcs (Sabi) Varga received his training at the Hungarian Dance Academy in Budapest, Hungary. In 1997 he was named Best Young Dancer at the International Rudolf Nureyev Competition. Upon graduation he joined Alberta Ballet under the direction of Mikko Nissinen. There he performed principal roles in works by George Balanchine, Helgi Tomasson, and Christopher Wheeldon. In 2002 Nissinen invited Varga to join Boston Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. He was promoted to second soloist in 2004 and to soloist in 2006. Varga is married to former Boston Ballet soloist Melanie Atkins, who is currently Children's Ballet Mistress and faculty member with Boston Ballet School.

Guillaume and Heather joined the National Ballet of Canada around the same time – in the late nineties, becoming Principal dancers in 2004 and 2005. And although they knew each other for years, it was not until many years later that they began dating. They discovered a chemistry between each other when they were paired together but did not act on this discovery for quite some time. Their chemistry was strong on stage, so Heather and Guilluame were paired for many lead roles and the audience loved what they saw. Today, the couple look forward to spending time with family and enjoying each other in the studio.  Their friendship and energy as a couple is infectious and their interview together purely inspirational (not to mention fun).

Today's special episode of Balancing Pointe Podcast celebrates the holiday of Love as I interview one of ballet's most famous married couples, Megan Fairchild and Andy Veyette, both principal dancers with the New York City Ballet.   Megan and Andy met when they were both rising stars at the New York City Ballet and were married in July 24, 2011 in the backyard of Crabtree’s Kittle House, in Chappaqua, N.Y. When Andy first met Megan, he began to pursue her, but she knew of his “bad boy” reputation and did not immediately fall for him. Eventually, however, his efforts paid off and now the couple are happily married living and working together as principal dancers with NYCB. Their laughter filled interview make it apparent they are a perfect match!

Ekaterina Shchelkanova, a former soloist of American Ballet Theatre and Kirov Ballet, established the Open World Dance Foundation in 2010 after recognizing that the art form she loves could help the many orphans in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia. Through Open World Foundation, she also runs a successful summer intensive program, presenting students a rare opportunity to train with master teachers with a direct connection to Vaganova Ballet Academy. Ekaterina, or Katya, began her journey in St. Petersburg, Russia. From the time she was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a dancer. In 1988, she graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy,;in the class of Professor Ludmila Safronova, one of Agrippina Vaganova's last students. She was invited to the Kirov, now Mariinsky Theater, and started her career with the company as a soloist. After performing the Kirov rep for several years, Katya decided to uproot and move to New York. In a class with beloved teacher David Howard, she had a chance meeting with Mi

Ekaterina Shchelkanova, a former soloist of American Ballet Theatre and Kirov Ballet, established the Open World Dance Foundation in 2010 after recognizing that the art form she loves could help the many orphans in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia. Through Open World Foundation, she also runs a successful summer intensive program, presenting students a rare opportunity to train with master teachers with a direct connection to Vaganova Ballet Academy. Ekaterina, or Katya, began her journey in St. Petersburg, Russia. From the time she was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a dancer. In 1988, she graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy,;in the class of Professor Ludmila Safronova, one of Agrippina Vaganova's last students. She was invited to the Kirov, now Mariinsky Theater, and started her career with the company as a soloist. After performing the Kirov rep for several years, Katya decided to uproot and move to New York. In a class with beloved teacher David Howard, she had a chance meeting with Mi