In this episode, I was joined by Diana Crowder, the Founder and Artistic Director of Pegasus Contemporary Ballet.

Diana shares her journey from dancing with companies like Tulsa Ballet and Texas Ballet Theater to creating a company that reflects her artistic vision. We dive into the journey of building a contemporary ballet company from the ground up, the challenges of entrepreneurship in the arts, and the unique vision that sets Pegasus apart.

Diana shares her experience transitioning from dancer to Director, the importance of fostering a supportive and innovative environment for artists, and how personal loss and resilience have shaped her leadership.

Key “Pointes” Covered in This Episode:

🩰Diana’s experience moving away from home at a young age to study ballet at the National Ballet School of Canada

🩰Her transition into a professional dance career and how her personal life helped color her choices

🩰How Diana’s career as a professional dancer shaped her into the Artistic Director she is today

🩰The creative risks involved in immersive and interdisciplinary performances

🩰Insights into the audition process and what Directors are truly looking for

🩰The lasting influence of Diana’s mother on her leadership and the company’s legacy

Connect with Diana:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/pegasuscontemporaryballet

WEBSITE: pegasusballet.org

Links and Resources:

Set up ticketing for your next event with DRT (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

In this episode, I was joined by Emily Speed, founder and artistic director of AVID Dance, a project-based dance company presenting classical ballet through a modern lens.

Emily shares her journey dancing with renowned companies like Alabama Ballet, Ballet Tucson, Colorado Ballet, and Ballet Idaho. Now a principal guest artist and visionary leader, she discusses her mission to make ballet accessible and relevant to today's audiences.

Emily’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and creative courage. Her insights on turning obstacles into opportunities and redefining what classical ballet can be will inspire aspiring dancers and creative leaders alike.

Key Moments:

• [1:32] Early Dance Days: How a high-energy three-year-old found her calling in ballet
• [5:50] First Steps in the Corps de Ballet: The steep learning curve of transitioning from solo work to corps roles and how mentorship shaped Emily's growth
• [8:24] Transitioning to New Companies: How Emily used a major setback to spur her career forward and come back to Colorado Ballet
• [16:40] Making the Leap to Freelance Dance: Emily’s transition to freelance dance (while dealing with a major injury)
• [23:20] Reimagining Roles: Emily’s creative approach to characters like Bluebird and Clara to bring authenticity to the stage
• [29:20] Founding AVID Dance: How Emily's entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of a dance company
• [37:13] Leadership & Artistic Balance: The challenges and joys of directing a company while still performing as a dancer
• [47:01] Powerful Advice for Dancers: Why dance should never define your entire identity and how to thrive amidst rejection and competition

Connect with Emily:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/aviddanceco

WEBSITE: AVIDdance.org

Links and Resources:

Set up ticketing for your next event with DRT (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

In this insightful conversation, I speak with Brittney Feit, a former professional dancer with Tulsa Ballet turned nationally certified school psychologist pursuing her Ph.D. Brittney's journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and using her artistry to help others.

We discuss Brittney’s unconventional path in the ballet world, overcoming physical challenges, and navigating interpersonal dynamics as a young dancer cast in principal roles. Brittney opens up about her decision to retire from professional dance due to persistent injuries and how she found fulfillment through education, creative writing, and psychology. She also shares how she now combines her love for movement with her role as a school psychologist, developing neurodiversity-affirming interventions and artistic self-expression programs for her students.

This episode is filled with inspiration, practical advice for dancers facing burnout, and thoughtful perspectives on self-advocacy and mental health in the performing arts.

Key Moments:

• Brittney’s early dance training [1:10]
• Her experience auditioning for companies and signing her first contract with Tulsa Ballet [8:17]
• Brittney’s favorite roles she danced during her pro career [23:12]
• Why Brittney chose to step away from her professional dance career [24:19]
• What led Brittney to study psychology [27:34]
• Brittney’s current work as a school psychologist [36:21]
• Brittney’s biggest mental health struggle during her dance career [41:55]
• How to know if you’re burnt out (and what to do about it within your dance career) [45:42]
• What Brittney believes needs to change in the dance industry [56:37]
• Her biggest piece of advice for dancers pursuing a career [1:02:30]

Connect with Brittney:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/brittneyfeit

WEBSITE: www.brittneyfeit.com

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@BrittneyFeit

Links and Resources:

Set up ticketing for your next event with DRT (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook

Second Act Mentorship: https://www.secondactnetwork.org/

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com