The Adult Ballet Studio

• Episode 26: Rob MacCaul

  Adult ballet dancer and board member for the Children’s Dance Theater of Okanogan County in Washington, Rob MacCaul, is in the studio this month!  Rob’s story about discovering ballet is a testament to passion, perseverance, and self-discovery. It began in 1982 with a chance encounter at a dance studio in Waikiki—an experience that sparked a lifelong love for ballet. From taking classes in Pasadena to performing on stage as an adult in Seattle, Rob spoke about how ballet helped him discover and express his identity and taught him that he can still challenge himself in adulthood, whether it’s through performing on stage as an adult or taking the step of going en pointe at age 58.  His story goes beyond ballet as well. It’s about finding the courage to express himself authentically, navigating societal expectations, and building a community that embraces everyone in dance. Check it out! Follow Rob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rmaccaul Check out the pointe shoe inserts Rob shared: https://perfectfitpointe.com/ Follow The Red Shoes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redshoesdancewear Check out LFW School of Dance, where Rob takes classes: https://lfwschoolofdance.com/ Rob recommended The Dancewear Center: https://www.dancewearcenter.net/ Support The Children’s Dance Theater of Okanogan County: https://www.facebook.com/p/Childrens-Dance-Theater-of-Okanogan-County-100070283439729/ Check out Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo: https://trockadero.org/ Music in this episode: Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ @eblosfield  | [email protected] Follow The Adult Ballet Studio on YouTube! ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@eblosfield91⁠ Support this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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• Episode 25: Eduardo Vilaro

  Eduardo Vilaro, artistic director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico, is in the studio this month! Ballet Hispánico was founded back in 1970 by Tina Ramirez, and the company has spent more than five decades celebrating the vibrant diversity of Latino cultures through dance. The company says it’s not just about performances—it’s also about breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and making space for Latino/Latina voices on stages all around the world. Eduardo originally joined the company as a dancer and educator in the ‘80s after taking a class and being hand selected by Tina. After spending his next ten-year chapter as founder and artistic director of Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, his career brought him back to Ballet Hispánico as artistic director in 2009 - becoming the second person ever to head the company since its founding - and CEO in 2015. Born in Cuba and raised in New York, Eduardo not only shaped the company’s contemporary style but has also expanded its reach. We talked about his career and his approach to carrying Ballet Hispánico’s legacy forward. He also shared what he learned from Tina, a trailblazer in New York’s ballet community, and what it means to connect his community with this art form and tell stories through dance that resonate across generations. He spoke about why dance is an important vehicle for Latino artists to honor their heritage and explore their identities. Check it out! Learn more about Ballet Hispánico: www.ballethispanico.org Follow Ballet Hispánico on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballethispanico/?hl=en Follow Eduardo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ervilaro/?hl=en Purchase tickets for CARMEN.maquia at New York City Center: https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2024-2025/ballet-hispanico/ Music in this episode: Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ @eblosfield  | [email protected] Support this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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• Episode 24: Janine Kovac

  Janine Kovac joined the studio for this episode! As a retired professional dancer turned award-winning author, she shares her journey from the stage to the page after a twelve-year international ballet career spanning Iceland, Italy, and the U.S. Her latest memoir, The Nutcracker Chronicles: A Fairytale Memoir, intertwines her personal experiences in ballet with  stories from one of ballet’s most iconic tales, offering a reflection on ambition, artistry, and identity. It’s available now from She Writes Press! Janine’s accomplishments extend beyond the stage as well. As a graduate of UC Berkeley, she has authored multiple books. Her memoir, Spinning: Choreography for Coming Home, won a National Indie Excellence Award, and she’s been published in outlets such as Salon, Writer’s Digest, and Publishers Weekly. Janine’s contributions to literature have earned her fellowships, residencies, and literary awards, solidifying her reputation as a voice in both the ballet and literary worlds. In this episode, Janine discusses her transition from the demanding world of professional ballet to the equally challenging and sometimes much more solitary world of writing. She talks about how her dance background shapes her creative process today, the parallels and differences between dance and writing, and why she’ll always identify as a ballet dancer. She also discusses her experience teaching adults and how amateur adult dancers can find their identity in a ballet studio too. Check it out! Buy The Nutcracker Chronicles: https://www.amazon.com/Nutcracker-Chronicles-Fairytale-Memoir/dp/1647427924 Follow Janine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janine.kovac/?hl=en Learn more about Janine’s work: www.janinekovac.com  Music in this episode: Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ @eblosfield  | [email protected] Support this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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• Episode 23: Marilyn Klaus

  This month’s guest for The Adult Ballet Studio is Marilyn Klaus, the visionary artistic director and founder of Ballets with a Twist, a New York City-based ballet company that brings the glamour and charm of Old Hollywood to life through dance. Marilyn’s company redefines classical ballet, adding a pop-culture twist with choreography inspired by iconic American cocktails, like the Mai Tai and Martini, in its signature production, Cocktail Hour: The Show. With original choreography by Marilyn, music by Grammy-nominated composer Stephen Gaboury, and costumes by Catherine Zehr, each performance offers a unique experience, weaving elements of improvisation and Hollywood-inspired drama and humor. In our conversation, Marilyn shares how Ballets with a Twist attracts diverse audiences by making ballet accessible and exciting, bringing it back into the cultural mainstream. We dive into her journey from LA to NYC, her early influences, and how she’s crafted performances that appeal to both ballet enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Marilyn’s passion for reimagining ballet shines through, and this episode offers insight into how she’s breaking new ground in the dance world. Check it out!  Check out Ballets With a Twist: www.balletswithatwist.com Follow Ballets With a Twist on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balletswithatwist/?hl=en And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GotoBalletswithaTwist/ Purchase tickets for Ballets With a Twists’ November show: https://tryonarts.org/event/cocktail-hour-the-show-by-ballets-with-a-twist/ Music in this episode: Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ @eblosfield  | [email protected] Support this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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• Episode 22: Dante Puleio and Kayla Farrish

  The Limón Dance Company is presenting its 78th season this year,  and on this episode of The Adult Ballet Studio, we have two incredible guests to celebrate: Limón Dance Company Artistic Director Dante Puleio and Choreographer Kayla Farrish!  After a career performing with The Limón Dance Company, touring national and international musical theatre productions, television and film, Dante received his MFA from the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on contextualizing mid-20th century dance for the contemporary artist and audience. Dante shares his vision for honoring the company’s rich history while evolving its storytelling to resonate with modern audiences.  Kayla is a New York-based dancer, choreographer, director, and photographer who has been commissioned to create a new piece for the company’s upcoming season that examines two of Limón’s previous works, “Redes” and El Grito.” Her multi-disciplinary work has been recognized by Sundance, the New York Times, and the Harkness Promise Award. She was also awarded a Bessie Performance Award for her solo “People Above the Moon.” In this conversation, Dante and Kayla discuss the intersection of ballet and modern dance, the responsibility of preserving history while pushing creative boundaries, and the ways dance can inspire social change. Check it out! Buy tickets to see The Limón Dance Company at The Joyce Theater Nov. 5-10: https://www.joyce.org/performances/132//limon-dance-company. Follow The Limón Dance Company on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limondance/?hl=en Learn more about The Limón Dance Company: www.limon.nyc Follow Kayla Farrish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulloutfarrish/ Learn more about Kayla's work: https://www.kaylafarrish.com/ Purchase tickets to Leigh Purtill Ballet Company's upcoming performance, Sweet Sorrow: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sweet-sorrow-a-zombie-ballet-tickets-952037418547 Use this access code for a 10% discount on tickets: ADLTBALL10 Music in this episode: Waltz of the Flowers - Tchaikovsky Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light - Kevin MacLeod Barroom Ballet - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100310 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ @eblosfield  | [email protected] Support this podcast on Patreon! https://patreon.com/TheAdultBalletStudio?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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