In this warm and candid episode, I chat with Toby Lewellen about his path from reluctantly signing up for ballet class as a child to spending 11 years as a leading artist at Ballet Arkansas.

Though he originally saw it as a stepping stone, Toby stayed for over a decade, drawn in by the community, repertoire, and opportunity to dance featured roles. He shares behind-the-scenes stories about partnering with his wife onstage, why being an ugly stepsister in Cinderella was a career highlight, and what led to his graceful transition out of performing after an injury.

Now in a new chapter at Boca Ballet Theatre, Toby discusses his role as Director of Development, the challenges and rewards of teaching, and the unique structure of Boca’s summer intensive—where dancers gain rare, extended access to top company directors.

Key Topics:

✨Toby’s training at Peoria Ballet, Grand Valley State University, and Butler University

✨Joining a company with just three dancers (!), and being part of its growth over the course of his professional career

✨The realities and rewards of dancing in a small company

✨The importance of mental health and community in a dancer’s career

✨The unique programming Toby is a part of at Boca Ballet including their summer intensive and college dance fair

Connect with Toby:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/tobias3651 [http://instagram.com/tobias3651]

BOCA BALLET WEBSITE: bocaballet.org [http://bocaballet.org/]

BOCA BALLET INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/bocaballet [http://instagram.com/bocaballet]

EMAIL TOBY: tlewellen@bocaballet.org

Links and Resources:

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/intentional-career-handbook]

Set up ticketing [http://www.drttix.com/create-event] for your next event with DRT (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

51. Balancing Art and Admin: Toby Lewellen’s Transition from Dancer to Director of Development at Boca Ballet Theatre

In this solo episode, I’m diving into one of the most requested topics from my community: how high school dancers can find meaningful opportunities to grow in their dance training and career path.

I’m addressing your biggest challenges in finding opportunities including time, finances, and location. Tune in for practical (and inspiring!) advice for dancers who want to take the next step in their career.

Key “Pointes” in this Episode:

🩰How to set short-term and long-term goals to guide your search for opportunities

🩰Where to look to find opportunities within your local community

🩰How to prioritize opportunities for dancers who already feel like there’s not enough time

🩰How to seek financial assistance, scholarships, or create your own income stream

🩰Why owning your career path and articulating what you want is essential

Related Episodes

Episode 16: Realistic Time Management Strategies for Dancers [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ChIW5lPt500epbH9BGUyL?si=89e0c4cd72a1445a]

Episode 46: The 5 B’s of Building Your Professional Dance Network [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5u7nMys0xT4JuouL3NDmqQ?si=ofoQ6a16SfCc0UI5wplJDQ]

Links & Resources

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/intentional-career-handbook] – A guided workbook to help dancers think intentionally about their career goals

Join the Conversation

Head to my Instagram @TheBrainyBallerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina] and join my channel “Career Guidance for Dancers” to participate in future episode polls and get exclusive career tips straight to your inbox.

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

50. Finding Opportunities for High School Dancers

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Ayça Anıl, professional ballerina and founder of Bodhi Core, to explore the intersection of artistry, movement, and holistic wellness. From dancing principal roles at Istanbul State Opera and Ballet to becoming the first Turkish ballerina to dance professionally in the UK, Ayça’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

We talk about her prestigious training at the John Cranko School and Central School of Ballet, the experience of working with the iconic Alessandra Ferri, and what it means to embody strength and grace both on and off stage.

Ayça also shares how her passion for yoga, mindfulness, and Pilates led to the creation of Bodhi Core—a wellness platform designed to empower individuals through intentional movement. Tune in to hear how she blends classical technique with modern movement practices to help students move with confidence, presence, and purpose.

Highlights From This Episode:

✨Ayça’s ballet journey from Istanbul to the UK and back

✨Vulnerable stories from Ayça’s life that led her to focus on her physical and mental health

✨ The role of mindfulness and movement in injury prevention and longevity

✨ Her Why behind founding Bodhi Core and her holistic teaching philosophy

✨How yoga, Pilates, and meditation support dancers and non-dancers alike

Connect with Ayça

Check out Bodhi Core www.bodhicore.com [http://www.bodhicore.com/]

Check out Ayça on Instagram @aycaanil [https://www.instagram.com/aycaanill/]

Links & Resources

Get your copy of the International Career Handbook [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/intentional-career-handbook%5C]

Visit the Ballet Help Desk website today!: https://ballethelpdesk.com/

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change [https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/] Network.

49. The Power of Self-Compassion in a Dance Career with Bodhi Core Founder Ayça Anıl

In this episode I’m joined by Mizuki Sako, a professional dancer whose career spans ballet, contemporary, commercial work, and film performing with LA-based companies including the REALM company, LA Dance Moves, Psychopomp Dance Theater and Disneyland.

Mizuki shares her experiences navigating the professional freelance dance world and finding artistic fulfillment across different styles and mediums. If you’re a dancer wondering how to build a career beyond traditional ballet company contracts, this episode is for you!

Key points:

✨How Mizuki transitioned from ballet training to a multi-genre dance career

✨The challenges and rewards of freelancing as a professional dancer

✨How to balance commercial work, concert dance, and artistic exploration

✨Why versatility is an asset in today’s dance industry

✨The importance of maintaining good relationships in a small community

✨How Mizuki approaches different types of auditions as a freelance dancer

From ballet to film, Mizuki’s career proves that dance can take you in many directions. Staying flexible and saying "yes" to new experiences can truly lead you to places you never imagined!

Connect with Mizuki:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/kookymizuki [http://instagram.com/kookymizuki]

Links and Resources:

Visit the Ballet Help Desk: https://ballethelpdesk.com/

Get 20% off your first order of ALOHA protein bars: https://aloha.com/BRAINYBALLERINA

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

48. Navigating the Freelance LA Dance Scene with Mizuki Sako

In this episode, I sit down with Ane Arrieta, a company dancer with the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company. Ane takes us through her unique path, from training at the Academy of Newport Contemporary Ballet in Rhode Island to discovering modern dance in college, and ultimately joining one of the most prestigious dance companies in the world.

Ane shares behind-the-scenes insights into life as a Graham dancer, from intense rehearsals and international tours to performing historic roles and preparing for the company’s upcoming 100th anniversary season. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to dance for the Martha Graham Dance Company, this episode is for you!

Key Topics:

✨ How Ane’s childhood Nutcracker performances sparked her passion for dance

✨ What drew her to modern dance and why she fell in love with Graham technique

✨ The resilience required to navigate the dance world as a graduating college senior during COVID-19

✨ How Ane transitioned from Graham 2 to the Martha Graham Dance Company

✨ The physical and mental demands of Graham technique and how she stays injury-free

✨ What a typical week looks like for a Graham dancer—rehearsals, touring, and self-care

✨ The thrill of performing Martha Graham’s iconic works and what’s next in her career

Connect with Ane:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/anearrieta [http://instagram.com/anearrieta]

WEBSITE: https://marthagraham.org/

Links and Resources:

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/intentional-career-handbook]

Set up ticketing [http://www.drttix.com/create-event] for your next event with DRT (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

47. Becoming a Martha Graham Dancer: Ane Arrieta’s Path to the Company

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the art of building a professional dance network. Whether you're auditioning for companies, seeking freelance opportunities, or looking to expand your dance career, networking is essential. I’m sharing my five key strategies—the "Five B’s"—to help you create meaningful connections that lead to lasting career success.

Key “Pointes” in this Episode:

🩰Why networking is crucial for a sustainable dance career

🩰How to approach networking with authenticity and confidence

🩰Simple ways to start connecting with people in the dance industry today

🩰How social media can be a powerful tool for networking (when used authentically).

🩰Why supporting others’ work strengthens your personal network.

Tune in for actionable tips and insight into why networking is more than just “who you know” - it’s about fostering mutual respect and supporting others in the industry. The more meaningful relationships you build, the more opportunities will come your way!

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

46. The 5 B’s of Building Your Professional Dance Network

Join us in today’s episode as we talk with Dr. Nicky Keay, a medical doctor specializing in dance and exercise endocrinology. With a deep passion for both hormone health and the world of dance, Dr. Keay offers expert advice for optimizing athletic performance through personalized approaches to endocrine health.

As a lifelong ballerina, Dr. Keay brings her unique understanding of both medical and dance worlds to her practice, integrating her clinical experience with tangible, actionable steps for active dancers. She is dedicated to providing dancers at all stages of their careers with tailored hormone health strategies to support both performance and overall well-being as well as injury prevention.

Whether you're a professional dancer or someone simply passionate about dance, don't miss out on these valuable insights from Dr. Nicky Keay to optimize your hormone health and improve your dance performance!

Key Topics Covered:

✨ Hormone health for dancers at all stages of life

✨ Red flags indicating hormone imbalances in dancers

✨ Remedies to optimize hormone health for improved performance

✨ Dr. Nicky Keay’s approach to personalized healthcare for dancers

✨ Integrating dance and medical expertise to enhance athletic performance

Connect with Dr. Nicky

Dr Nicky’s Website: www.nickykeayfitness.com [http://www.nickykeayfitness.com/]

Check out Dr. Nicky on Instagram @drnickykeay [https://www.instagram.com/drnickykeay/] & Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/nickykeayfitness#]

Links & Resources

Get 20% off your first order of ALOHA protein bars: https://aloha.com/BRAINYBALLERINA

Visit the Ballet Help Desk website today!: https://ballethelpdesk.com/

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

This episode was brought to you by the Pivot Ball Change [https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange/] Network.

45. Optimizing Hormone Health for Dancers with Dr. Nicky Keay

In this episode, I'm joined by Krystle Frey, former professional dancer and founder of Pivot Ball Change. We get into Krystle’s journey from student to professional dancer, and how her experiences shaped her path as a podcast host and business owner.

Key topics:

✨Krystle's early dance journey and training in Wisconsin

✨Her professional dance career which started while she was still in high school and included gigs such as dinner theater productions and cruises.

✨The importance of building connections in the dance and creative industries

✨How becoming a mom led Krystle to launch her podcast for creative moms and later expand her business into podcast editing

✨Practical tips for starting a podcast, including monetization strategies and maintaining consistency

My biggest takeaways from this episode included the power of building connections in the dance industry and the reminder that “no” sometimes just means “not right now”. If you need some positive, practical advice to help you keep going in this crazy dance world, this episode is for you!

Connect with Krystle:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/pivotballchange [https://www.instagram.com/pivotballchange]

WEBSITE: pivotballchange.com [http://pivotballchange.com/]

Download your copy of "How to Start a Podcast with Pivot Ball Change" [https://catchy-heart-95448.myflodesk.com/cmkogrvmpy?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaHRyEhoIxVgYB4HG8L4KGEzRel0roXEFwVruWHWD9GBU_A71AGAaP775s_aem_mGIknjNwwCbIiBHmkhI74A]

Links and Resources:

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/intentional-career-handbook]

Get 20% off your first order of ALOHA protein bars: https://aloha.com/BRAINYBALLERINA

Be [https://amzn.to/41JLMIi] by Jessica Zweig (affiliate link)

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

44. The Art of Pivoting: Krystle Frey’s Path from Professional Dancer to Podcaster

I am thrilled to be joined by Nicole Sabella, a multi-passionate dance professional who spent a decade performing with the Mark Morris Dance Group. Founder of The Nourished Dancer, she is now a dedicated dance educator, certified integrative nutrition health coach, and EFT tapping practitioner.

Nicole opens up about her early dance training, her transition from college into the professional world, and the challenges of making it in New York City. She also dives into how she secured her contract with the Mark Morris Dance Group after initially being told "no," emphasizing the importance of perseverance and staying visible in the dance community.

Key points:
✨ The struggles of transitioning into a professional dance career
✨ The key to longevity in dance and overcoming major injuries
✨ How holistic wellness, nutrition, and mental health impact performance
✨ EFT tapping and emotional regulation techniques for dancers
✨ The inspiration behind The Nourished Dancer and how she helps dancers thrive

Nicole also shares her deeply personal story of how a major health scare led her to retire from performing and fully embrace her work in dancer wellness and coaching.

Whether you're an aspiring dancer, a seasoned professional, or someone passionate about dance and wellness, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration!

Connect with Nicole:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/nicole.e.sabella  [https://www.instagram.com/nicole.e.sabella]

WEBSITE: thenourisheddancer.com [https://www.thenourisheddancer.com/]

Links and Resources:

Visit the Ballet Help Desk: https://ballethelpdesk.com/

Get 20% off your first order of ALOHA protein bars: https://aloha.com/BRAINYBALLERINA

More Than a Body [https://amzn.to/4kz1Yom] by Lindsay Kite PhD and Lexie Kite PhD (affiliate link)

TED Talk [https://youtu.be/uDowwh0EU4w?si=D74rA_nG1ijcE3-0] by Dr. Lindsay Kite on body image resilience

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

43. Finding Longevity & Wellness in Dance with the Nourished Dancer’s Nicole Sabella

In this episode I am joined by Lars Nelson, a professional dancer with New York City Ballet since 2010. Lars shares his captivating journey from singing in the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys to falling in love with ballet during a performance of The Nutcracker. He discusses his rigorous training in Michigan, his transformative experiences at the School of American Ballet, and his transition from student to professional at New York City Ballet.

Lars also reflects on his most cherished and challenging roles, including dancing in George Balanchine's Kammermusik No. 2 and Square Dance. He opens up about the honor of dancing in the corps de ballet, the camaraderie within the company, and how he keeps performances fresh even after 15 years on stage.

Beyond ballet, Lars shares his journey pursuing a Bachelor of Business with a focus on Supply Chain Operations Management at Penn State, offering insight into balancing academics with a demanding dance career. 

Connect with Lars:

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/larsikistler [http://instagram.com/larsikistler]

EMAIL: larsnelson1@gmail.com

Links and Resources:

Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/intentional-career-handbook]

1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career call [https://www.thebrainyballerina.com/career-mentoring]

Let’s connect!

My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/]

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina]

Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com

42. Living a Legacy: Lars Nelson on 15 years with New York City Ballet

The Brainy Ballerina Podcast is a podcast for aspiring professional ballet dancers who want to learn what it really takes to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry.

Former professional ballerina turned Dance Educator and Career Mentor Caitlin Sloan peels back the curtain of the professional dance world with open and honest conversations about the realities of becoming a professional dancer.

Along with sharing her industry knowledge, Caitlin interviews top dancers, educators and experts in the dance industry who share their stories to inform, motivate and inspire you to pursue your dance career with confidence.

Tune in each week for actionable tips and advice to empower you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in a professional dance career on your terms.

Caitlin Sloan

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