The Ballerinatist

I speak with Sharyn Mahoney, Executive Director of Rejoice School of Ballet in Nashville, TN. A former professional dancer, Sharyn worked in various roles at Nashville Ballet for over thirty years where she developed a relationship with Rejoice School Ballet before assuming leadership as its founder retired. She shares about maintaining a people-first orientation, keeping big-picture focus, and the continual learning process of leadership. Learn more about Sharyn and Rejoice School of Ballet: https://www.rejoiceballet.com/. You can learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers at ⁠theballerinatist.com

Anamarie McGinn is the School Director for Central Florida Ballet. She has received training from prestigious schools all over the U.S. such as; American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Joffrey Ballet School. She danced professionally with Orlando Ballet for 19 seasons, dancing under Fernando Bujones, Bruce Marks, Robert Hill, and Jorden Morris. In 2006, at the American Dance Competition, Anamarie was awarded the Gold Medal in the Senior Classical division as well as The Fernando Bujones “Excellence Award.” Anamarie received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Florida. During her tenure with Orlando Ballet, Anamarie also held the title of Company Rehearsal Assistant, where she worked closely with the company and Artistic Staff to stage choreography and run rehearsals. Anamarie received her ABT Teaching Certification, and was on the teaching faculty for Orlando Ballet School for over 15 years. Takeaways from our conversation:-always give it your all whether in rehearsal, class, or performance-explore how you can move in different techniques and styles-advocate for yourself inside and outside of the studio - a dancer’s life is uniqueThanks for listening to our conversation, thanks for sharing this episode with a friend and for leaving a review. Learn more about Anamarie and Central Florida Ballet.You can learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers at theballerinatist.com

Michal Harvey is our final episode in our season engaging with artists based in Middle TN. Michal is a comprehensively trained Pilates instructor through Balanced Body, a ballet teacher, and a former professional ballet dancer. A Nashville native, Michal trained with The Centennial Youth Ballet. In 2010 she earned a B.A in Dance from Belhaven University. Michal pursued a number of dance performance opportunities with regional companies in Jackson, MS; Jerusalem, Israel; and Fort Worth, Texas, where she danced professionally with Ballet Concerto.Michal relocated back to Nashville in 2013 to a full-time faculty position with The School of Nashville Ballet. She received her Master’s in Organizational Leadership and Communication from Belmont University in 2019. She currently teaches at P3 Nashville and Centennial Youth Ballet.In our conversation she shares about balancing training with long term goals, being open to new directions, and establishing one’s identity outside the dance studio. Takeaways from our conversation:-we grow as we learn-accountability (and a support system) fuels growth-learning from weaknesses-seeking sustainability in a practice Thanks for listening to our conversation, thanks for sharing this episode with a friend and for leaving a review. You can learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers at https://www.theballerinatist.com/

Helping your dancer prepare to become the director of their path in dance is critical to their transitions through opportunities. Key pieces to this include: audition mindset, healthy boundaries, proactive communication, mentorship, financial literacy, accountability and transparency. Even though the majority of your dancer’s training and performing will take place in group settings, progression as a dancer is a solo role. So, understanding how to advocate for themselves based on their goals, values, and purpose is critical towards a meaningful experience in dance. I referenced artist Netta Yerushalmy and the River to River Festival. Get the Parenting for Dancers book: https://hpdtn.com/thingsdancersneed/p/parenting-for-dancers-how-dance-training-works-and-how-you-can-help-your-dancer-be-successful Learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers at www.theballerinatist.com.

Get Melissa’s guide to Summer Dance Programs - Melissa worked for Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet’s summer programs. She created an ebook for Parents with her tips and recommendations from her experiences in different cities with different companies so they can prepare their dancers to have a fun, meaningful experience at summer dance programs. Get the guide: https://hpdtn.com/thingsdancersneed/p/rockyoursummerdanceprogram Learn more about dance education and career planning for dancers: emceemovement.com

Stefan Zubal, a dance educator and performing artist, joins Be En Pointe to share his expertise in crafting experiences for personal fulfillment. Stefan danced professionally with Richmond Ballet and Fort Wayne Ballet, completed undergraduate studies in Theatre at Purdue University Fort Wayne and his MFA in dance at Florida State University - where, you guessed it, we met. Stefan has worked as a choreographer, educator, and director for various organizations and acts a judge for Starquest International. In higher education, he taught at Hartford Community College and Seton Hill University. He is currently a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Ballet at Utah Valley University. Stefan relentlessly pursues all aspects of each opportunity and has developed strong mentors along the way to guide his artistic efforts. His willingness to operate outside of his comfort zone, to try things differently, and learn from those around him have been among his super powers as a performing artist and educator. For a 360 degree look at what is like to be a student, join a company, and become an educator, here is Stefan’s story. To learn more about dance education and career planning, visit www.emceemovement.com.

Mr. Pedro, as his dancers call him, holds space near to my heart as he became Artistic Director of Southwest Virginia Ballet, my former dance studio. A native of Venezuela, he performed with Ballet Nacional of Caracas, New York Dance Theatre, and with Richmond Ballet. He coached, taught, and choreographed for the School of Richmond Ballet, Chesterfield Ballet School, and Wheelchair Miss Richmond. For 14 years he worked with the Minds in Motion program in Richmond, Charlottesville, Martinsville, Salem, and Roanoke City Schools. Beginning in 2012, he developed Dance Español for 4th graders in public schools. In 2013, he created a Ballet program for Roanoke City Middle Schools. He has brought SVB to be recognized locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. In 2009, he was awarded the Perry F. Kendig Award for Outstanding Performing Artist. In 2017, he received the Bransow Award in recognition of exceptional dedication and service to the Virginia Museum Community. He is a Resident Artist for Carilion Clinic Healing Art Program. He is a board member of Thursday Morning Music Club as Dance Chairman of Footnotes and Roanoke City Public School Education Foundation, Inc. Currently, Mr. Pedro and Southwest Virginia Ballet are preparing for the televised version of their Nutcracker via Blue Ridge PBS December 11 & 13th. He inspires dancers and educators to always explore, create, and unite through movement.

Neme Alperstein, a recently retired gifted education teacher of 28 years with the New York City Department of Education and partner teacher in The Joyce Theater’s K-12 dance education program, shares her depth of co-curricular teaching and learning experience and her joyful tenacity in advancing educational standards. Her thirst for knowledge is ongoing as she is a doctoral student in Teaching and Learning with a specialization in Math, Science and Technology at Hofstra University. Additionally, she is a Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network Mentor. She received a NASA Excellence in Teaching Award in 2010. Neme stresses the importance of being teachable, even while a teacher; leveraging collaboration for the benefit of all; and making the outrageous seem very possible.