Artists Becoming

This week, tune in for a capsule collection of AB archive spotlights that still ring rich with resonance. Featuring the magnetic voices of Connor Holloway, Sarrah Strimel Bentley, and Harper Watters - these takeaways will inspire you to rediscover the ritual of your artistry, indulge in the character study of your own self, and grant yourself permission to captain your own ship. Dive in with us ✨Follow: @conholl@sarrahstrimelbentley@theharperwatters

This week, we've mined the rich AB archives for gems from conversations with THE Lynne Charles, Leah Smart, and Karine Plantadit. The well of this wise council reaches deep—be it indulging strengths, leaving comfort zones behind, or embracing the evolution of your artistry—these take-aways are for keeps

Kara Duval embodies the word teacher in its every essence. From managing her relationship with criticism (as a former dancer) to building a business around her core compass, Kara has unlocked a lifetime of movement freedom for herself, and the loyal following that tunes into Range, her stunning platform offering sustainable movement classes. Enjoy the awe-inspiring journey of her Becoming.

Dani Rowe is redefining leadership as the Artistic Director of @Oregon.ballet.theatre. Discover her path to becoming a world-class choreographer, what fuels her creative process, and how she translates her past, perspective, and position to lead with intention. Enjoy!

In Part 2 of ‘Becoming Beyond the Stage', we welcome two more brilliant minds to the career transition conversation—Desean Taber and Kirsten Evans. What a gift it is to learn from their thought processes, career insights, and impassioned journeys towards roles & realizations beyond the stage. In intimate voice notes, these lovely artists indulge us in reflections of their becoming, sure to inspire and empower our own. Please enjoy and share with a friend

Giuliana Hazelwood is bridging the gap between art and medicine. Tune in to hear how her work as the Director of Health & Wellness at Joffrey Ballet School in NYC (and over here @bedside.manner) challenges the dysfunctional narratives we too often subscribe to, and provides artists with tools to heal and protect our mental health. Enjoy!

In this new format for Artists Becoming, we dive deep on a theme close to our hearts and the Artists Becoming community - Career transitions. With two magnificent artists and humans who have chosen to continue their careers beyond the stage, we ask the questions that so many artists reflect on and ponder while making leaps to new chapters. How do we continue to evolve beyond our artform? Who are we beyond the stage? When do we know that it is time to make a departure from the stage lights we've fought to call home? In intimate voice notes, Garen Scriber and Ellen Overstreet share their journey. Please enjoy and share with a friend. We can't wait to hear what you think of this new format we are introducing

Susan Magsamen is an expert in neuroaesthetics—a field that highlights the power of art and aesthetic experiences to heal and transform our brains and bodies. This conversation offers an indulgent dive into her deep well of wisdom. From managing uncertainty and skill transfer to nostalgia and embodiment, we discuss a sweeping range of subjects covered at length in a book she recently co-authored with Ivy Ross: Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. Please enjoy.

Maria Kochetkova is the definition of ingenuity—from her original studio style to her value-driven career moves, she's paving courageous paths for ballet dancers to take ownership over their roles and relationships with performance art. We chat about exercising autonomy in dance as a profession, the pressing need for female representation in choreography, and how Maria is embracing vulnerability—both on and off stage—to gear up for her “most important work yet,” motherhood. Enjoy!

Words are pale to describe the depth of this glimmering artist. Sasha De Sola is a Principal Dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, where she's been radiantly gracing stages for the past 16 years. We chat about her journey towards authentic artistry, mold-breaking career moments, seeking out growth intentionally, and owning enough-ness. Captivated by this one from curtain up. Enjoy!

After her 20 year-long career (!!!) with the San Francisco Ballet, Principal Ballerina Sarah Van Patten is ready to rechannel her many gifts. Join us in conversation with ‘SVP' as she reflects on the formative moments of her rise, revisiting roles, and her intentional search for finding, forming & investing in community both on and off stage. 

Dr. Linda Hamilton is nothing short of a Dance World Luminary. You've likely lent ears & eyes to her expertise as an advice columnist for Dance Magazine. After her career with the NYCB, Dr. Hamilton took her talents beyond the stage… to serve the very artists who fill it, as a clinical psychologist. Join us in conversation over mind/body connection, adaptive standards, the challenge/potential of supporting perfectionists, and proactive fatigue management, just to name a few. Follow: Read: The Dancer's Way: The New York City Ballet Guide to Mind, Body, and Nutrition www.Drlindahamilton.com

Marika Molnar's name precedes her. A veteran artist with a sixth sense for healing, the magic of her mind & touch has kept our nation's top dancers performing at their peak for over 22 years. As NYCB's original (and current) on-site physical therapist, a dance educator, acupuncturist and nutritionist, Marika brings a holistic consideration to injuries, leveraging active listening skills and a mindful intuition to manage the most stressful—and threatening—moments of a dancer's career. Her Becoming feeds, fuels, and makes possible those of so many others. Photo Credit: Rachel Papo

Zachary Downer is an esteemed stage-to-screen artist who's elevating every field he touches… from Ballet to Broadway (CATS the Musical and Hello, Dolly!) to the Big Screen (Annie Live!), this one is Showing. Up. Differently. Here's your invitation to marinate on the journey of an intentional creator who's relied on faith, mentorship, and sit-down chats with himself to build a career as beautiful as he is—from the inside, out. To know him is to love him. Please enjoy this shooting-star of a human being and true artist, becoming. Follow: IG: @zachdestyn 

What an honor to welcome Eva Draw the Artists Becoming roster. An honor's graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet School, former Principal Ballerina with the Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet Theater, a world-renowned Ballet Mistress and teacher (National Ballet of Canada and Royal Danish Ballet), current Dance faculty for UNCSA and newly-minted memoir author. Eva has been sculpting the next generation of Artists for over 20 years after a 15 year-long career of gracing international stages herself. Join in as Eva shares her passion for cultivating young talent by challenging long-standing industry approaches to coaching, while embodying mindful leadership. Read: On a personal note…: The world of ballet and beyond through the eyes of a dancer, teacher, and educator available on Amazon

Today on SCBT, it's a #tbt to that v first partnering class—you know the one. “Playing” with weight balance in sous sous and negotiating physical needs without the verbal words to express them. Hop back in with us as we reflect on the good ol' confusing (often frustrating) days of “Partnering 101” and propose a reframe: “Relationships 101” …a dance-for-two class in communication that serves far beyond the studios and stages.@artistsbecomingCo-Hosts@selsbree & @itsjessicacohen

Mega-talent Jim Nowakowski is a dancer with BalletMET, a TikTok sensation, So You Think You Can Dance finalist, and an all-around Artist Becoming from tip to toe. The inspiring, original path of this Artist gave us all the chills—no doubt the story of his perseverance to the craft, commitment to the climb & intentional embodiment will leave you smiling from the inside out. Follow: IG: @ jimnowakowskiTik Tok: jimnowakowski

In this expansive, love-fest of a conversation, Leah Smart provides us with psychological tools & empowering permission to deconstruct our relationships with identity, our ‘calling,' our spirituality, and our fruitless yearning to engineer certainty as Artists, becoming. We breakdown the Vulnerability equation involved with switching the script of “the Movies we're living in”

Ashley Bouder, a world-renowned Artist and Principal Ballerina with the NYCB, has been gracing the world's stages with her talent since the start of her career and early rise to stardom. From navigating reviews and criticism to embodying much-needed change in dance culture, we cover all realms of Artistic agency, dance partner relationships and normalizing motherhood among elite athletes. Ashley invites us inside the ups and downs of her extraordinary ascent— Lean in and listen loud to the story of her Becoming.Follow: IG: @ashleybouder Ashley Bouder Project: https://www.theashleybouderproject.com/Dancers Amplified: https://www.dancersamplified.comAshley's Children's Book: ‘Welcome to Ballet School' https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0711251282/creativepubco-20

t's a #wrap on Season 1 y'all and we're staying calm**freaking OUT Join us as we re-cap 20 mind-blowing, heart-expanding conversations with Artists, Becoming across stages, studios, rinks, fields & screens… The @ArtistsBecoming Podcast has gathered Ballerinas, Broadway Stars, Olympians, Dancers, Artistic Directors & more...connecting vulnerably with Creatives who share lessons learned and reveal hidden truths behind the Performing Arts' most potent “ingredients”. Season 1 has been a whirlwind of wisdom—Yours for the listening, learning & returningStay tuned for Season & a handful of SCBT's coming your way… enJOY.A special thanks to our dream roster of generous Guests:@theharperwatters@meryledavis@devon.teusch@dylan.moscovitch@madisonkeesler@karineplantadit@mfairchild@garenscribner@4pointe@conholl@kathryn_morgan@sabrinamiko@josephwalshsf@georgina_pazcoguin@damngoodyoga@jscribs@gracedplace@chloe.angyal.writes@lloydknight@kbreencombes@wendyw

It's our highest honor to seal off Season One of the Artists Becoming Podcast with THE luminous Restless Creature herself: #HRH Wendy Whelan. While the journey of this fine Artist's blossoming is well known, the generosity of her conversation held us captive in the singular way her talent lit up stages across the globe for over 30 years. Join us, in welcoming this world-wide renowned Ballerina, choreographic muse, teacher, coach and current Associate Artistic Director of New York City Ballet. Wendy.

Close your

Kathleen Breen Combes is a Megawatt-Super-SHEro & definitive Artist, becoming. In this intimate conversation with our first Artist-turned-Artistic Director, @Kbreencombes guides us along her unique journey from a childhood calling to dance to redefining the role of Principal with Boston Ballet. Now the Director of @FestivalBalletProvidence, Kathleen integrates lessons from every deterrent, distraction and empowered conversation, informed by her dynamic career as a Ballerina. Join us as we lean into the perspective and visibility around leadership she shares... from dismantling administrative hierarchy to guiding a company through a pandemic. This one left us hopeful, energized, and enlightened by the potential for intentional change happening behind the “casting/barre/stage” door.

In today's SCBT, we draw from @AdamGrant's widely circulating @nytimes article 'There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing'

Welcoming THE Lloyd Knight to the AB roster today! Lloyd is a one-of-a-kind, Principal dancer with The Martha Graham Dance Company, a Guest Artist with Royal Ballet of Flanders, a model and teacher to boot. Join in as he unpacks the influence of Graham technique on his groundedness as a whole-person, and reflects on how his 16-year tenure with a company known for reshaping American dance has taken unique and inspiring form. Follow Lloyd's Becoming: @lloydknight  Subscribe to the Pod! Share to your IG stoy, with your friends, and to the group chat :) 

As performing artists, we're no stranger to expressing ourselves… through our bodies, through the music, & beneath the bright lights. But what about expressing our voice (& no we aren't talking a choir solo or an 8 bar cut)? Today we dig into the topics of learning how to navigate challenging conversations, communicating clearly and intentionally, finding power in the big “no”, and asking the right questions. Who/What/Where/When/Why? Y'all!Follow us on IG@artistsbecomingwww.artistsbecoming.comShare to you IG story, with a friend, to the group chat :)Follow & Subscribe!

Chloe Angyal is a sociologist, media researcher, journalist and published author. Her most recent work, Turning Pointe: How a New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet from Itself (May 2021) presents a passionate & deeply informed exposé on Ballet's present-state, and more importantly, defines calls-to-action for preserving its future. Tune in as we unpack highlights of Chloe's findings… from the dance world's ‘Hidden Curriculum' to its perfectionism epidemic, we unpack predictable mental health consequences of ballet's culture and discuss ways we can show up differently to inspire long-needed change to save an Art we love. Follow Chloe@chloe.angyal.writesTurning Pointe: How a New Generation of Dancers is Saving Ballet from Itselfwhere books are sold!

It's a gift to identify with a “Calling” at any point in life… specifically so from the tender ages that most performing artists lean in— and lean in hard. Today's SCBT unpacks the “velvet handcuff” of following a purpose-driven career path. For the “lucky few” who realize their Callings as professions, boundaries between our passion and our work are easily blurred — often at the cost of a sustainable relationship towards something (or one) that we love. If this resonates, hop in with us for some proactive ways to invest in yourself, while honoring and empowering your Calling for the long run ✌️

Today's Guest Artist(s) Conversation is a thought-leading, 4-way chat on Self-Care, with veteran Stage Manager Justin Scribner and Self-care Specialist/Coach, Gracy Obuchowicz. Over his 20-year long career of ‘behind the scenes' magic making, Justin led the backstage helm on 13 Broadway shows including RENT, Rock of Ages & Once on this Island, to name a few… Gracy, the shiny new Author of Selfcarefully, integrates Ayurveda (the “sister science of Yoga”) with practices and guidance around healthy work/life integration. Together, the two meet at an intersection of deep knowledge and profound leadership around self-inquiry-driven, authentic self-care. Sit down with us as we unpack the perils/work arounds of Artist's “non-traditional” schedules, discern numbing behaviors from “self-care,” discuss flexibility around our Artistic identity, and marinate in the vulnerability/necessity of boundary work. This one's chock full of gems & we're over here takin' notes!

2nd, 3rd….. 4th cast? Understudy energy hard to keep up? Today's SCBT speaks power to reframing our circumstances, leveraging the power that we DO have to show up and share our talent whether on the stage or in the back corner of the studio. The grass is greener where you water it

Sarrah. Strimel. THIS conversation with WonderWoman, Former Broadway Showgirl, Founder of Damn Good Yoga & *Survivor* (in every sense of the word) left us crying all the happy, most inspired types of tears. Tune into the raw, riveting and resilient story of Sarrah's Becoming in today's episode, where we chat about living loudly with intention (...a bit about boys, boobs & backstage thrown in there too ;) #FanGirls since our very first Strimel Flow…

This ‘Rogue Ballerina' needs no introduction—Georgina Pazcoguin was born to blaze trails. In today's conversation with NYCB Soloist, Broadway Star, co-founder of Final Bow for Yellowface and newly minted Authoress of ‘Swan Dive' : The Making of a Rogue Ballerina. We follow the twists & turns of a truly original, courageous and expansive artist, becoming. We chat “fitting in,” forging new paths of expression, the “cost” of authenticity, and long-overdue representation across classical ballet. We're here for her (trust) falls as much as her flight. Enjoy. Follow: @georgina_pazcoguin // @finalbowforyellowface‘Swan Dive: the making of a Rogue Ballerina' available now, where books are sold.

Today's SCBT unravels the always relevant & inevitable reality of Career Transitions & navigating the twists & turns of a performing artist's path. We chat strategies for sieving through curiosities, following the *right* pings, indulging our own hummingbird's journey, and designing our brutiful paths with intention. Note well the

In this expansive chat with Joseph Walsh, we follow heart pings & crack codes on drowning out doubts, bullying, the toxicity of grit-competition, and the social stigmas inherent with “coming out” as a *male* dancer. Joseph speaks intentionally on the pivot points of jumping companies, the hard-earned respect of your rank & the power of tribe (corps de ballet) to support & feel supported in what often feels like a thankless climb to the “top”. This Guest Artist chat had us Questioning the “self-care” standard of the performing arts industry, the actual “suppression cost” of embodying present-ness on stage, and our conditioning to grin & bare it as self-elected, “save the day” dancers. Joe's changing the game as an Artist, becoming & we're double tapping.

The daily grind, the hustle, tryin' to climb our way to the top ...we've got a LOUD secret to share: You are your own ticket

Sabrina Imamura is so many layers of lovely. A Ballerina turned Broadway star, this University of Michigan alum embodies the essence of becoming with every song, dance, setback and story that's informed her original brand of artistry. Join us for this *real talk* that unpacks the inequities of Asian/Asian-American representation on Broadway stages and challenges the obvious limitations of type-casting… We question white-lens story-telling and speak power into conversations around mental health and performance anxiety — From the “no's” that led Sabrina to Hamilton, to the ways she proactively manages the mental/physical health tolls of an 8-show week, this one left us beguiled.

The longest relationship we'll have is the one with our bodies—our tools, our temples. In this SCBT, we cut through the loaded, complicated & filtered perception of body “image”. It's an orientation, a pressured, triggering dance between appreciation & frustration, gratitude & disdain… Ultimately asking us to rewrite our scars into our stories. Join us in this short, powerful ‘walk' towards embodiment as we toggle between our dramatically different experiences with body image x ballet, and beyond…

Kathryn Morgan is a game-changing Ballerina & YouTube Star committed to showing up for the next generation of young artists. In this raw & expansive chat, she shares the impacts of young ascension to “stardom” and the setbacks/hard-earned lessons of understanding *her* healthy. She speaks about integrating the challenging seasons of her history & career, proactively, and guides us through the journey of her becoming. Together, we explore the power of social-media honesty, transparency around health, navigating mentorships and the importance of community-based healing. Kathryn's redefining the “Ballerina” persona… a #GirlBoss making waves that we're here to ride. Enjoy!

What if we saw Rejections as Permission Slips?  Permission to re-orient our game plan, to rewrite the story we're telling ourselves... to realign on what it is we're actually seeking out? As Performing Artists, we are seasoned at receiving the “NO” — but how can we leverage the  signs we encounter on our way to the Top? Today's SCBT covers attachment, idealizing, discernment & metabolizing feedback in ways that work

Meet the heart-minded and humble Star that is Connor Holloway:In this mic-dropping, *necessary* and expansive conversation, we follow the unique becoming of a multi-hyphenate talent… gracing stages as part of American Ballet Theatre's corps de ballet, while intentionally shifting spotlights as the eyes & mind behind their IG: @ABTofficial. Connor embodies advocacy and allyship on behalf of non-binary populations in the dance world and beyond… Through open communication with leadership and an embodied respect for and across ranks/departments, they are committed to challenging inherited narratives and cultivating broader audiences for ballet — leveraging social media as powerful platforms for resonance, modeling, and profound visibility along the way. We chat about accessible story-telling, being efficient with growth, re-defining “success” and sprinkle in some #realtalk around rank-aspirations. This one is MAJOR. Take notes, buckle up, enjoy.Follow Connor: @ConhollDancer + Marketing @abtofficial ⁣⁣Producer @AllArtsTV Co-creator: #BallerinaBookClub

A funny thing how worthy we believe ourselves to be en route to Become, only to “arrive” with a heart full of hope and a head full of… disabling self talk. Imposter Syndrome is more common than we'd like to admit. A human tendency to question our capacity… to second-guess our success, our timing, our talent. Too often, we permit our thoughts to get in the way of our potential to SHOW UP fully in moments we're more than prepared for. Time to toss the pin-balling stories we tell ourselves and lean into the voice of possibility - Join us as we Dial Up the Volume on leaning into our Artistic callings with humility *and* confidence.Follow and Subscribe!Share Share Share :) Post to your IG story and send to the group chat :) Please leave us a review! IG @artistsbecomingartistsbecoming@gmail.comwww.artistsbecoming.com

Lynne. Charles. Forever humbled by our conversation with this internationally coveted Guest Teacher, former Principal Ballerina with John Neumeier & the Hamburg Ballet, and Béjart Ballet, and founder of @4pointe. Sit down & soak up the rich wisdom & powerful resonance of Lynne's artistic becoming. From excavating individuality to articulating the ‘essence' of a role, a purpose, a person (and sure, the legs & feet)… Lynne is dedicating her post-performance legacy to modeling respect, somatic sensitivity, and mindful leadership as she cultivates, fine-tunes & inspires the next generation of artists, becoming. We'll never be the same. Follow Lynne on IG: @4pointe & @charlynballet

Elite athleticism. Peak Performance. Sacrifice. Impossible Standards. As “high performers” these are the ingredients we pour into our Arts/Sports. This recent Olympics had us marinating on the hard truth that “top-shelf” physical shape doesn't cut it when the PRESSURE is on. The mind muscle needs conditioning. Mental Health does not have to be the ‘cost' of “winning”. The

That's it. We're obsessed with Garen Scribner. Join our #FanGirl club as we sit down with this multi-faceted *disco-ball* of an Artist, becoming. In today's Guest Artist convo, Garen leads us through his pivot points as a dancer turned broadway star turned director/producer… we weigh the bitter sweet reality of gaining artistic autonomy, the challenge of naming (& owning) our worth/putting a price on our talent, heteronormativity in the dance world & the hard-sought freedom of owning your identity/sexuality/authenticity.  We follow Garen's calling towards curiosity, fall in love with the lessons of his failing fast & forward, practice getting comfy with “the no's” ...and are left charged by his advocacy & actualization of queering the narrative to undo historical violence perpetuated throughout the arts industry. This one's sowing all kinds of seeds & we're sitting front row for the reaping.

Burnout is a state of physical, mental, or emotional exhaustion that is brought on by being in a prolonged state of stress…. Feel/sound familiar? Friends, it appears that we're all subscribing. Anyone else out there romanticizing your “struggle” & bonding over burnout? W.H.Y.Join us in today's SCBT as we deconstruct our relationships with stress, fatigue & competition with self...and chat through proactive ways to stop “pleasuring our pain.”You asked, we unpack.Follow us on IG @artistsbecomingLearn more about our 1:1 coaching at www.artistsbecoming.com & schedule a free consult call. Join our subscription platform for on-demand practices - Enroll on the website!

In today's raw & enriching Guest Artist conversation with Megan Fairchild, we follow the mindful journey of an original, expansive NYCB Star… and are only left wanting for more. Topic-jumping from mental health breaking points, the power of transcendental meditation & ownership of pressure ... to intentional education, following curiosities and playing an active role in *all* of our relationships— Megan shares her story with the same authenticity, honesty and openness that has always defined her unique brand of artistry. Join us as we lean into her full embodiment as an Artist, becoming. Follow @mfairchild17YouTube: “Conversations with Megan”https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_WNxLiIEESXCpqGdUGiJwComing Soon December 2021: The Ballerina Mindset: How to protect your mental health while striving for excellencehttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653041/the-ballerina-mindset-by-megan-fairchild/

Trust is the big key here -- trusting the transference of your lessons, the integration of an unprecedented year's transformation…Trust your bravery to show up/move/respond in a new way… living within your values and *choosing* to focus on your “Yes's” and the “No's” that allow you to say Yes to yourself. ✔️please.Have a topic you would like to hear us discuss? DM us @artistsbecoming on IGEmail us at artistsbecoming@gmail.com

Karine Plantadit is an Artist for Peace. Across studios, stages & screens the world over, Karine chose dance as her tool and embodies the most expansive, humbling & raw relationship with her Artistry. A seeker who interweaves the lessons of Beauty (with a big “B”) into her art and doesn't shy away from shame, Karine models a singular brand of internal fullness. Join us as we sit down with this Tony-nominated dancer, actor, choreographer, yoga

Calling it what it is, friends. It's a true velvet handcuff to identify deeply enough with your artistry that you're tempted to get lost within it. The good news? You're not alone! We're all out here reconciling “who we are” beyond our callings — the Question is, are we willing (brave enough) to let the form change alongside us? Join in on this Small Chat, Big Topic where we entertain the freedom of shape-shifting the identities we hold too close.Rate/Review/Subscribe & Share Share Share!DM us topics that matter to you on IG @artistsbecomingEmail us: artistsbecoming@gmail.com

Madison Keesler has captivated us as a truly original Artist since we were itty bitty's, sharing studios in San Francisco. In today's chat, she dives boldly into the story of her Becoming: From the dusk & dawn of her mental health journey to the recognition of *knowing when to seek help*. . . the well from which she transforms her lived experience into her own brand of authentic artistry reaches deep. We talk leadership traits (and aspirations), the power of open palms, the potential of empathy & the unfolding freedom of showing up for yourself, honestly. Grab some tea & stay a while…this one had us leaning in. Connect with Madison on IG @MadisonKeeslerOriginal Image Credit: Erik Tomasson for SFBallet

Awe-inspired & buzzing from this conversation with Olympic Figure Skater, Wellness & Mindset Coach, & true seeker, Dylan Moscovitch. He's a Real One. Buckle up for this live-from-Wimbledon chat that unravels his drive to Win, unfolds the evolution of relationships (with self & partners) and deeply questions the identities we cling to, as people who've found & followed a Calling. We jump from intrinsic motivation to ego-dissolution, and pause for every profound word of hard-earned wisdom in between.  Connect with Dylan:@dylan.moscovitch on IGSupport Dylan's Inspiring venture: Athlete Transition Retreathttps://www.gofundme.com/f/athlete-transition-retreat?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer