The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a podcast for aspiring professional ballet dancers who want to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry.Former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor Caitlin Sloan peels back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer.Along with sharing her industry knowledge, Caitlin interviews top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence.Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.

The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a arts podcast hosted by Caitlin Sloan, with 121 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Caitlin Sloan hosts The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, a arts show with 121 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

  116. Inside Vanessa Mlyniec's First Season with New York City Ballet

  Aug 10, 202633 min

  What does it take to go from a competition dance studio to the stage of New York City Ballet? In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast , I’m joined by Vanessa Mlyniec, who recently completed her first season in the corps de ballet at New York City Ballet. Vanessa shares the path that led her from Rhode Island to the School of American Ballet, what drew her to Balanchine technique, and the whirlwind moment she unexpectedly learned she would be joining NYCB for The Nutcracker . We also dive into the realities of life inside one of the world's most prestigious ballet companies - from learning choreography at lightning speed and staying healthy through demanding performance schedules to finding artistry, overcoming perfectionism, and embracing the joy of performing. Key “Pointes” in this Episode: Vanessa's journey from competition dance to classical ballet Falling in love with Balanchine technique and the School of American Ballet Moving to New York as a teenager to train full-time The surprise moment she was offered an apprenticeship with New York City Ballet Adjusting from student life to the fast pace of a professional company What a typical day looks like during the NYCB season Favorite memories from her first professional season Life outside the studio, including baking, knitting, and exploring New York City Connect with Vanessa INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/vanessamlyniec Links & Resources: REGISTER FOR SEE AND BE SEEN: https://eisenhowerdance.org/beseen 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

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

  114. Following your North Star in a Dance Career with Shannon Quirk

  Jul 27, 202647 min

  What does it take to sustain a professional dance career for 15 years while always finding new ways to grow as an artist? In this episode I’m joined by Madison Ballet company artist Shannon Quirk to discuss her journey from a young ballet student in Southern California to a longtime professional dancer and co-founder of the newly launched North Star Dance Theatre. Shannon reflects on her decision to pursue a BFA at UC Irvine, the realities of transitioning from college into the professional world, and the lessons she's learned through rejection, leadership changes, and career longevity. She shares how her perspective on artistry has evolved over the years (and why enjoying the process may be the most important career advice she can offer). We also dive into the creation of North Star Dance Theatre, a new summer dance company dedicated to providing performance opportunities for dancers and choreographers while fostering artistic collaboration and new work. Whether you're an aspiring professional dancer, a seasoned artist, or someone interested in arts leadership, this episode is full of wisdom about building a sustainable and fulfilling career in dance. Key "Pointes" from this Episode: Why Shannon chose to go to college for dance and why the decision came easily to her What it felt like to realize dance had become her paying career Navigating three different artistic directors over 15 years with the same company Taking on a mentorship, "motherly" role for younger dancers Her favorite roles, including one she was thrown into unexpectedly Starting her own company, North Star Dance Theatre, and balancing it with her professional career Connect with Shannon: Visit North Star Dance Theatre’s Website: https://www.northstardancetheatre.com/ Follow North Star Dance Theatre on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northstardancetheatre/ Visit Madison Ballet’s Website: https://www.madisonballet.org/ Follow Madison Ballet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisonballet/ 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

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

  113. Breaking the Burnout Cycle in Dance with Rylie Beck of Inner Studio

  Jul 20, 202635 min

  What if becoming a stronger dancer had less to do with pushing harder and more to do with creating space to breathe? In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast , I’m joined by former professional dancer and founder of Inner Studio, Rylie Beck, to talk about burnout, dancer identity, nervous system regulation, and the mental habits that so many dancers struggle with behind the scenes. Rylie shares her journey from student to professional, and how repeated experiences with burnout ultimately led her to create Inner Studio - an online platform offering guided meditations, visualizations, and wellness resources designed specifically for dancers. This episode is so healing and necessary to start unpacking the pressures dancers face to constantly achieve and the culture of self-criticism that is so prevalent in our industry. You’ll walk away not only feeling completely seen but with practical tools to start building a healthier relationship with dance. Key “Pointes” in this Episode: The realities of burnout in the professional dance world The culture of negative self-talk and perfectionism in dance Why rest feels so difficult for many dancers Simple nervous system regulation techniques dancers can use every day The benefits of meditation, visualization, and journaling How mental rehearsal can improve performance without physical strain The inspiration behind Inner Studio and how it supports dancers Why dance educators should introduce wellness tools earlier in training The importance of trusting your own inner wisdom throughout your career Connect with Rylie WEBSITE: https://inner-studio-affiliate-program.peachs.co/a/caitlin-sloan-1 (affiliate link) INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/innerstudio.app/ Links & Resources: REGISTER FOR SEE AND BE SEEN: https://eisenhowerdance.org/beseen 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

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

  112. Inside Louisville Ballet's Innovative College Partnership with Jill Marlow Krutzkamp

  Jul 13, 202646 min

  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

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Brainy Ballerina Podcast

  110. Land More Dance Teaching Opportunities (What Studio Directors Want You to Know)

  Jun 29, 202622 min

  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

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Brainy Ballerina Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.