Insights from  Ballet professionals

Sarah Lozoff, a Los Angeles-based intimacy director with a background in ballet, choreography, and doula work, combines her expertise in movement and consent to create safe, collaborative environments in dance, theatre, film, and TV. She empowers artists to assert boundaries, choreographs intimate scenes with precision, and helps dancers navigate the challenges of hierarchical studio cultures. While awareness of intimacy direction is growing, especially in theatre and film, it remains underutilized in dance. Lozoff encourages aspiring directors to prioritize self-care and resilience while fostering authenticity and collaboration in storytelling.

This interview with Dr. Stephanie Potreck, a medical doctor and sports nutritionist, explores dance health and nutrition. Potreck, whose dance career ended due to injury, now advocates for qualified nutritional advice in dance. She discusses restrictive eating risks, medical bias against dancers, and links between dance training and body image issues. Potreck notes positive industry shifts in nutrition awareness.

Anna-Sanziana Beschia, a former ballet dancer, transitioned to studying international relations at Diplomatische Akademie Wien. Her ballet background, marked by discipline, helped her secure a spot. She values transferable skills like presentation, teamwork, and language proficiency. Anna advises dancers to pursue higher education to broaden horizons and enhance critical thinking. She also calls for better communication and career guidance in the ballet world.

Anna Tenta, a Swiss-Austrian actress and former dancer, transitioned to acting after a successful dance career, studying at the University of Performing Arts Mozarteum and SEAD. Her journey began post-recovery from a skull base tumor surgery and motherhood, retraining in acting in the US and Europe. Anna emphasizes the valuable skills dancers bring to acting and advocates for diverse education to help dancers transition into new careers.

Nora Brown is a dancer who transitioned to curating after earning a master's from Zurich University of the Arts. Her dance career includes performances with top companies and collaborations with renowned choreographers. She found curating a natural progression from her art history degree. Nora emphasizes dedication, teamwork, and exploring interests to ease career transitions. She founded "What's Dance" to make dance accessible and connect generations in the dance community. Nora continues to balance dance and curating, advocating for the arts and the need for funding.

Martin Milner, a former ballet dancer, transitioned to veterinary medicine after a successful dance career. He values having multiple career paths, driven by a desire to avoid non-dancing roles. After exploring acting and stunt work, he found it unsustainable. Milner emphasizes the discipline and coordination from dance in his new career and advises dancers to recognize their diverse skills and choose their career paths wisely.

Blanka Paldi, Pauline, and Camille founded A la Second, a sustainable online second-hand dancewear store inspired by Swedish trends. The idea came during COVID, using Blanka's web design skills. Their model, paying sellers after sales, reduced financial risk. Task division based on strengths ensured smooth operations. The platform supports sustainable consumption and unique dancewear. Blanka stresses redefining "new" and encourages pursuing ideas despite fears.

Florian Teatiu, based in Gothenburg, excels as a personal trainer, EXOS Performance Coach, model, dancer, and sportsman. Originally from Tahiti, Florian's ballet journey earned him a scholarship at the New Zealand School of Dance and led to a decade-long dance career in New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. He later transitioned to sports and personal training, offering unique fitness experiences. He advises dancers to be curious, seek guidance, and use their unique skills during career transitions.

Lore Pryszo, a former dancer, moved from a successful dance career to studying international governance and diplomacy. She emphasizes the transferable skills from dance like discipline, creativity, and teamwork. Pryszo encourages dancers to explore new interests and highlights the need for financial and institutional support for career transitions. She also stresses the value of cultural diplomacy and better support for retiring dancers. Her advice is to experiment, trust their skills, and see the opportunities beyond dance.

Paulio Sovari is a Romanian born, currently states based photographer, dancer and teacher whose past engagements include graduating from the Juilliard School, dancing with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and photographing and dancing for Staatsballett Berlin and Oper Graz. He currently frames and is developing his photographic archives from his tenure in Europe, whilst guest teaching ballet classes for the Dayton Ballet School, Wright State University, Stivers School for the Arts, and Bella Dance.