S202: What do dancers get up to in their spare time?

Bonus Ep: What does it feel like to announce a big move?: We are back for another bonus episode! This time, Julia and Brandon discuss the recent announcement that Brandon will be leaving Birmingham Royal Ballet in the summer, to join Ballet Zurich. In his own words, Brandon describes his feelings about the... by Open Barre

51 min listen

S5 Bonus Episode! What's it like to dance both male and female roles in ballet?: Did you really think we would end it there?! To round off season five, and the end of 2022, we have a special bonus episode for you all, because what says happy new year without a bit of open barre?! Today we are joined by the incredible Robert... by Open Barre

70 min listen

S506: What's it like to dance for two Royal Ballet companies?: It's the season five series finale!!! We can't believe that we've come to the end of another season of Open Barre - but here we are! Thank you to all of our amazing listeners, guests, and of course our wonderful sponsors, Dansez. We have such a... by Open Barre

78 min listen

S505: What's it like to watch your spouse debut in a leading role?: It's episode five and what an exciting ep do we have for you! We are joined by not one, but TWO guests from The Royal Ballet - First Soloist Claire Calvert and Principal Dancer Alexander Campbell! The recently married couple fill us in on their... by Open Barre

79 min listen

S504: How do you organise a company repertoire?: For episode four of season five, we are joined by the one and only Laura Day! Laura has been dancing with Birmingham Royal Ballet for years, but joins us on Open Barre to discuss her new roles as a Principal Character Artist and an Assistant... by Open Barre

80 min listen

S503: What is it like to be a Principal Ballerina's mum?: We have another exciting episode for you all! We are joined by Sabine Naghdi, author of 'Tears Of A Ballet Mum' and mother to Yasmine Naghdi, Principal ballerina at The Royal Ballet and friend of the show! If you haven't read Sabine's book, it's an... by Open Barre

80 min listen

S502: How can the dance industry support its young dancers?: This week we are joined by Julie Bowers, CEO at BBO Dance and Creator and Executive Producer of Grad Pro. Julie gives us an insight into her amazing career since retiring from The Royal Ballet and she catches up with Brandon to discuss their quest to... by Open Barre

76 min listen

S501: What does it feel like to guest with a ballet company?: Welcome back to Open Barre! We know it's been a while since our last season, but what an exciting season five do we have for you! Before we get into it though, in this episode, Brandon and Julia catch up on the last few months. Brandon discusses what... by Open Barre

36 min listen

S406: How do dancers know when to retire?: It's our season finale! And it's also Christmas! And we have the most exciting guest joining us! Today we welcome ballet legend, Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, to Open Barre. Leanne talks us through her wonderful career - from her favourite roles to when she... by Open Barre

77 min listen

S405: How are pointe shoes made?: What a special episode we have for you today! Brandon and Julia are joined by Sophie Simpson, Senior Manager at Freed of London. Sophie tells all about what it's like to work at Freed and gives an in depth insight into all things pointe shoes - from... by Open Barre

93 min listen

S404: Is flying a plane like leaping on stage?: What an exciting episode we have for our Open Barre listeners today! We are joined by ballet legend, Robert Parker, previous Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet and current Artistic Director of Elmhurst Ballet School. Robert delves into his... by Open Barre

80 min listen

S403: What does it feel like to dance with your spouse?: In the latest episode of Open Barre we are joined by our first international guests! Lauretta Summerscales and Yonah Acosta, Principal dancers with Munich Ballet, join us to discuss what it feels like to dance and rehearse together whilst being in a... by Open Barre

73 min listen

S402: How are dancers told that they have been promoted?: What an exciting episode we have for you all today! We are joined by The Royal Ballet's recently promoted Principal - Anna Rose O'Sullivan!!! We find out how Anna Rose first heard the news that she would be promoted and she gives us an insight into... by Open Barre

77 min listen

S401: What makes a great ballet villain?: It's Season Four! We're back with a bang this season with some amazing guests but in our first episode of the season, Brandon and Julia chat about the darker side of ballet as we approach Halloween. Brandon let's us in on his favourite ballet villain... by Open Barre

60 min listen

*Happy Birthday Open Barre!*: It's our first birthday!! We can't believe that it's already a year ago that we first launched Open Barre. In this special episode, our hosts look back on the past year and talk about performance in a post-Covid world. Brandon reveals what's coming up... by Open Barre

67 min listen

S306: What tools do dancers need to develop their technique?: It's the Season 3 Finale!!! In the last episode of the season, Brandon and Julia are joined by the one and only Yasmine Naghdi, Principal ballerina with The Royal Ballet. Yasmine explains what it takes to pour your heart into a role and talks us... by Open Barre

87 min listen

S305: Is it important to keep performing the legendary ballets?: Today, our hosts are back chatting together, just the two of them! Many topics are covered in today's episode, from questioning certain moments in ballet, to discussing works that are rarely revived. Brandon explains how scheduling decisions are made... by Open Barre

63 min listen

S304: What is it like to dance with The Royal Ballet?: What an episode we have for you today! Romany Pajdak, Soloist with The Royal Ballet, joins our hosts to discuss her career and reveals what it's like to dance with the corps de ballet. Romany discusses what it felt like to be promoted to Soloist, and... by Open Barre

81 min listen

S303: How do dancers balance parenthood and ballet?: To celebrate Mother's Day weekend we have not one, but two exciting guests joining us at Open Barre! Nathalie Harrison, former ballerina with The Royal Ballet, discusses her experiences balancing motherhood with a busy dance schedule, whilst Mathias... by Open Barre

93 min listen

S302: Who stands where at the ballet barre?: We are so excited to be joined by former Royal Ballet Senior Soloist and teacher extraordinaire, Mr David Peden! Mr P gives us some insight into what it’s like to teach a ballet class, whilst Brandon reminisces about his time spent at The Royal Ballet... by Open Barre

80 min listen

S301: How do dancers convey love without words?: It's Season Three!!!! We are back and can't wait for you all to hear what we have in store for this exciting new season. As we approach Valentine's Day, our Open Barre hosts discuss romance in ballet and take a look at some of the most romantic works... by Open Barre

60 min listen

S206: Do dancers find it difficult to shake off a role?: It's Christmas!!! And it's our season finale! Joining us today is the Drosselmeyer of all Drosselmeyers - the incredible Gary Avis MBE, Principal Character Artist with The Royal Ballet. Gary tells us all about the roles that have shaped his career and... by Open Barre

72 min listen

S205: What does it feel like to conduct a ballet?: We are so excited to welcome Jonathan Lo, Music Director of Northern Ballet, to Open Barre! Jonny has conducted orchestras all over the world and most recently hit our screens conducting for The Royal Ballet: Back on Stage live stream. He gives us all... by Open Barre

76 min listen

S204: How do dancers stay in shape?: Joining us for episode four is Grace Blundell, former ballerina with The Royal Ballet, and Founder of GB Ballet and Fitness. Grace gives us the inside scoop on ways to stay fit and healthy and tells us what life after The Royal Ballet looks like.... by Open Barre

54 min listen

S203: What's the relationship like between dancers and choreographers?: In this episode we hear from ex-Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer Ruth Brill and current Birmingham Royal Baller dancer Kit Holder about their inspiring journeys into the realm of choreography. Our guests talk about what inspires them and what it's like... by Open Barre

91 min listen

S201: What do dancers wear when they rehearse in the studio?: Welcome back to Open Barre! We are so excited to welcome Dansez as our official sponsor for Season Two! In this episode we welcome Samantha Carney, Managing Director at Dansez, to tell us more about the brand and the Dansez story. Brandon discusses... by Open Barre

54 min listen

S106: How do dancers remember all the steps?: It's the season finale for series one and what an episode we have for you! After looking back on the highs and lows of lockdown for a dancer, Brandon reveals which dancers inspire him and which online dance content got his attention through this... by Open Barre

74 min listen

S105: How do dancers build a successful partnership on stage?: It's episode 5 and we are so excited to welcome our first guest to Open Barre - Principal Dancer at Birmingham Royal Ballet, Celine Gittens! Celine tells all about her journey into ballet and explains why she loves dancing with Brandon. Julia wonders... by Open Barre

85 min listen

S104: Why aren't male dancers given flowers at the curtain call?: In our fourth episode, the hosts discuss the importance of fans and the audience. Brandon reveals the best gift he's ever received from a fan and Julia wonders what the stage door experience is like for a dancer. The hosts also get in touch with some... by Open Barre

66 min listen

S103: Is going on tour like a Mariah Carey music video?: In our third episode, Brandon tells all about life on the road with a touring ballet company. Julia wonders if there are ever any hot romances between the orchestra members and dancers and the hosts receive their first question from an Open Barre fan... by Open Barre

66 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

S202: What do dancers get up to in their spare time?

S202: What do dancers get up to in their spare time?

Description

Titles in the series (33)

More Episodes from Open Barre

Related podcast episodes