Michael Pink had a successful start to his ballet career, but wrestled with a feeling of discontentment due to certain qualities the field of classical ballet generated. One day he decided, quite spontaneously and courageously, to quit. He vowed only to return to the field of ballet if he believed he could make a difference. He did return to the world of ballet, becoming an international choreographer and director that has and is living to make a difference. - This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com.

Meet Laura Canela Queralt. Laura is bright artist from Spain currently working and living in London. Though her profession lies in singing and dancing in musical theatre productions, she works full time at the Royal Opera House as a dresser. The dresser can be a very overlooked job, some don't even know it exists! But if you have ever tried doing up a tutu, or managing a quick change, you know just how important this role is! - This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com.

Dear friends, you are in for a treat today! We have ballet mistress, teacher and choreographer, Marina Kesler! Marina Kesler has been a part of the Estonian National Ballet for the last 35 years, from school to company and then to running rehearsals and creating productions. This woman runs on passion and creativity, and it has produced many local and International successes. Listen in as Marina shares her process on creating this magic.- This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .

Surprise! You've got a new host today, Connor Williams! Connor Williams is a long time friend of Abigail Mattox and he thought it would be fun to take over the podcast and interview her for a change. Listen in as Connor and Abby talk through her story, a story that really began before she was even born. - This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Buse Babadağ is a Turkish born ballerina and business woman. Buse is a soloist for the San Antonio ballet as well as the owner of Buse&Rosé. She never dreamed of dancing in America, let alone opening a business, but her open heart, and just-go-for-it attitude provided the courage she needed to go on this incredible adventure. - This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Buse Babadağ is a Turkish born ballerina and business woman. Buse is a soloist for the San Antonio ballet as well as the owner of Buse&Rosé. She never dreamed of dancing in America, let alone opening a business, but her open heart, and just-go-for-it attitude provided the courage she needed to go on this incredible adventure. - This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Today’s guest is Meelis Pakri. Meelis is an international ballet master who has been teaching for over 35 years. From a young age his skill as both an artist and as an instructor, stood out to those around him, and in turn it took him around the globe. Listen in as Meelis shares all that his journey taught him, and all he hopes to help teach others. -This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Finnish National Ballet dancer, Atte Kilpinen, is a living example of what it means to be a generous artist. From a young student to a professional dancer, he never held back his passion, but generously poured his heart into all he did. Though he started studying ballet quite late, his desire to dance and to be a part of this beautiful art made him unstoppable. Now, a successful dancer he continues to pour out his heart to audiences in and out of the theatre.-This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

As of a week ago, the summer months have officially come to an end and for most artists the new season is underway. As promised, we have returned with my three guests from the Estonian National Ballet, Lena Scherer, Ellinor Piirimae, and Leo Celegato, to recap our summers. We hope you had an amazing summer, and invite you to take a moment with us to think back and reflect on it as a way to prepare for what's ahead. -This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Season 2 of the podcast is beginning! And what’s ahead? Well, have a little peak…-This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

It’s Summer time! Which means most ballet companies and most ballet dancers are going on holiday.  Though the break is something much looked forward to, it can also feel a little daunting at times. If you’re someone who’s feeling this way, listen in to hear how our guests, Lena, Ellinore and Leo, artists of the Estonian National Ballet approach their vacation and explain what’s important to them.-This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Today’s guest is Jared Matthews. Jared Matthews was a soloist at The American Ballet Theater,  principal at Houston Ballet, and then more recently held the position of assistant director at The Estonian National Ballet. During his career, Jared found himself surrounded by some of the world’s most renowned artists. As an artist himself, hungry to grow and refine his craft, Jared absorbed everything around him. And now as an ballet master, coach and director he seeks to share everything he’s been given with the new generation. Like every story, he had his own set of highs and lows, challenges and victories. Follow us in this interview as Jared takes us on his journey.-This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Maria Seletskaja once joked that she'd give two years of her life to conduct Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker... little did she know that she would soon be conducting far more than only Nutcracker. After a beautiful fifteen years dancing around the world in many prestigious companies, she made the decision to hang up her pointe shoes and pick up the conductor's baton. and what an adventure it was...Click the link in the bio to listen in as we discuss her remarkable journey, the ins and outs of being a conductor, and the importance of music, especially in the life of a dancer.-This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhomeor email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Everyone loves the Ballet Meme Instagram page. Imagine if you could simplify those witty jokes and stick it on a T-shirt. Well good news, now you can! Emanuele Sardo, a full time dancer with the Estonian National Ballet, is now the owner of an online shop called Ballet Couture. This new line of clothing (and other products) is sure to brighten your work atmosphere with their fun-oh-so-relatable taglines. Also, it’s December, it’s time for Christmas shopping! If your looking for something to get your bestie at work, look no further, Ballet Couture has something for you. You can also keep with all their latest on their Instagram Page, ballet.couture.Fun clothes aside, today we also discuss dancers and side hustles. Is it even possible? Listen in as Emanuele (Manu) shares his experience.—This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Happy World Ballet Day! What else can one talk about on World Ballet Day then, well, ballet. In honor of this special day we thought it would be fun to talk through some common ballet stereotypes and see if they live up to reality. Joining us to discuss these interesting topics is Anna - Roberta, Soloist of the Estonian National Ballet.—This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Today we have our very first opera singer on the podcast! Yiorgo Iannou. Yiorgo is from Cyprus, but now works with the Paris Opera. Yiorgo was such a delight to talk to. We really covered such a wide range of topics, from competition to rest, to performance bloopers, and intertwined with it all was his beautiful passion and positive outlook. —This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

I am so excited to introduce to you today’s guest, David K. Israel. David is a composer of primarily dance pieces. His work has lead him to  collaborate with big names like, Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp and the New York City Ballet. Join us today as we dive into his story, as well as explore some interesting topics like, “how  one composes music for ballet” and “the purpose of art in society”.—This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhomeblog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

Join us today as we talk with mindset coach, Kirsten Kemp, about  the common  experiences that people have as they begin their new seasons. Navigating these emotional and mental challenges can seem overwhelming at times, but as always, Kirsten approaches these realities with care and understanding as well as hope and practical advice. Whether you are excited for season 22/23, tired before even beginning, or even if you find yourself without a job, this conversation is for you!To know more about Kirsten Kemp you can check out her website, The Confident Dancer. She also shared her personal story with us last year, which you can read on the blog: “Saying No to Say Yes”.Go subscribe to her YouTube Channel to have access to an abundance of wonderful information, covering hundreds of topics.And her Instagram will light up your feed, so definitely go click follow on that too. —This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

For many artists summer is wrapping up right now and everyone is heading into their new seasons, but for some, they are coming back taking on a complete new work title. Listen to this conversation with Northen Ballet Dancer, Ashley Dixon, as he wraps up a career of 18 years and takes on the role of a ballet master.This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!

The position of a theater attendant isn't generally the most sought after job. By some, it’s almost looked as “less important”. But as I spoke with Mariliis Tiiter, former theater attendant, she really exposed the beauty and incredible value of this unique position. Being an artist herself, there was almost no better place to be! In her own words, “this job changed my life”. Listen in as Mariliis shares her insights about her time working in the theater.This podcast  is in collaboration with the Our2ndhome blog, which is dedicated to opening up theater doors through conversations with artists all around the world.For more info check out our website, https://our2ndhome.org/ , IG _our2ndhome or email us at oursecondhome2@gmail.com .Hope you have enjoyed this episode. Don’t forget to comment, like  share, and leave a review/rating. It means a lot to us!