Career Insights

Miriam Rose Gronwald’s journey from professional dancer to textile artist is a powerful exploration of creativity beyond the stage. After performing across Europe, Miriam discovered a new sense of purpose through weaving — first in Laos, then through launching her own textile studio in Berlin. In this interview, she reflects on how dance taught her to appreciate rhythm, repetition, and detail — skills that now shape her work as an artist and business owner. Her transition was not just about changing careers but about reimagining expression.

Former ballet dancer Risa Terasawa shares her journey from the stage to the world of medicine. After training in Canada and performing professionally in Germany, a career-halting injury led Risa to reevaluate her path. Now in her final year of medical school at Semmelweis University in Budapest, she reflects on how the discipline and resilience honed through dance have helped her thrive in such a demanding field. Risa speaks candidly about the challenges of losing her identity as a dancer, rebuilding her academic foundation, and finding joy beyond ballet.

Michal Fatura shares his dynamic career shift from professional ballet dancer to creative leader in advertising and marketing. After dancing with companies like Staatsballett Berlin, Michal pursued a new path in art direction at Miami Ad School Berlin, combining his visual artistry and aesthetic sensibility with strategic creativity. Now the Creative Director for a leading perfume brand in Riyadh, he reflects on the transferable skills from dance — discipline, storytelling, teamwork — and the importance of staying open to unexpected opportunities beyond the stage. His journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and redefining success on one’s own terms.

Former Vienna State Opera ballet dancer Flávia Shishov shares her journey from the stage to the makeup chair, revealing how her lifelong love of painting, character transformation, and theatre aesthetics led her to pursue a second career in makeup artistry. After an 18-year dance career, Flávia embraced the transition with courage, retraining in special effects and beauty makeup through a WAFF-funded program. She now works full-time at Bühne Baden Theater, where she brings both technical skill and an insider’s empathy to her backstage role. Her story is a powerful example of reinvention, resilience, and the enduring value of artistic passion.

From center stage to the editing suite, Mikael Champs has redefined what it means to carry artistry forward. After an international dance career, a non-renewed contract prompted Mikael to pivot—fast-tracking a transition into video editing and storytelling. What started as a creative outlet backstage became a new career path, where his sensitivity to movement, space, and musicality now informs his work behind the camera.

After a successful ballet career in Europe, Sarah Schaefer made a courageous pivot into social work during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by a desire for a more secure, system-relevant, and intellectually engaging profession. Disheartened by the unpredictability, lack of transparency, and hierarchical dynamics in the ballet world, she pursued an online degree in social work and pedagogy while still dancing—eventually transitioning into a role as a kindergarten teacher with a focus on child protection. Her experience as a dancer sharpened her observation skills, resilience, and empathy, all of which now inform her work in social services. Teaching ballet on the side has allowed her to reconnect with the art form in a joyful, pressure-free way, deepening her appreciation for it. Sarah’s story exemplifies the power of transferable skills and the courage it takes to redefine success and identity beyond the stage.

Lauren (Baznik) Spahr, a former ballet dancer, shares her insights on transitioning from a professional dance career to a fulfilling life beyond the studio. She emphasises the transferable skills gained from ballet, such as discipline, work ethic, and resilience, which have proven valuable in her diverse career path, including pastry arts, real estate, and her current role as an office manager.

Former ballet dancer Georgia Payten transitioned to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) after injuries. Inspired by acupuncture's effectiveness on her shin splints, she pursued a Bachelor's in TCM from the University of Technology, Sydney. Now a registered practitioner, she specializes in Women's Health and Cosmetic Acupuncture and co-hosts a Chinese medicine podcast. She advises dancers contemplating a career change to explore all options, not defined by their dance identity.

Former professional dancer, Jaslyn Reader, shifted to feminist development policy after earning a Master's in international relations, juggling dance, studies, and internships. She underlines the significance of adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and observation in her role. Jaslyn discusses dance industry exploitation and the demand for policy protections for cultural professionals, advising dancers transitioning careers to welcome new challenges and understand the value of work-life balance over passion jobs.

Former dancer Marten Baum shares his career transition to becoming an actor and stuntman. His dance discipline and love for action led him to stunts. Baum underscores mental strength, reliability, teamwork, and versatility as key in the film industry. He suggests exploring new fields, networking, and readiness for challenges when considering a career shift.

Former ballet dancer Daisy Long moved to film, crediting her dance skills and discipline. She highlights patience, self-kindness, and bravery in career changes, allowing time to process endings and discover new interests. Daisy asserts dancers' body language understanding, work ethic, and adaptability transfer well to other fields. Now working on Étoile, she notes ballet's increasing mainstream popularity.

Former dancer Rosa Ana Chanza transitioned to costume design at 39. Inspired by her mother's clothing boutique, she uses her dancing experience to create designs that suit the movements and needs of dancers. Self-taught in drawing and digital design, she emphasizes that her designs should enhance, not overshadow, the choreography. She advises dancers moving to new careers to use their focus, discipline, and teamwork skills.

Former dancer Kias Burget, now a restaurateur, used his discipline and time management skills from dance to succeed in his culinary career, even opening a restaurant during the pandemic. He encourages dance institutions to prepare dancers for career transitions and advises those considering a change to prepare thoroughly and learn about their new field.

Former ballet dancer Lucie Barthélémy became a food blogger and pastry chef, starting in 2005 during her dance career in Munich. Her passion for cooking, personal struggle with an eating disorder, and ballet background influenced her blogging journey. Her transition opened collaborations with restaurants and cafes, focusing on unique flavors and textures in her recipes. She encourages dancers transitioning careers to embrace change and leverage their ballet background.

Former principal dancer of the Australian Ballet, Lana Jones, transitioned to midwifery, inspired by her son's birth and a shift in her priorities. Despite initial fears about academia, she pursued nursing, finding that her resilience and discipline from ballet were advantageous.

Former Vienna State Opera Ballet dancer, Suzan Sittig, transitioned to a flight attendant due to an injury and a thirst for adventure. Her ballet skills aided her in adapting to this role. Despite challenges, she enjoys her new career and views it as a stepping stone. She advises dancers contemplating a career switch to be patient and follow their intuition.

Former ballet dancer Jessica Andrew, now a Residential Valuer at National Australia Bank, recounts her career transition. After failing to secure an EU company contract, she returned from Munich to Australia and found her interest in property, leading to her current job. She advises dancers planning a career change to brace for a challenging journey, but asserts it's worthwhile in the end.

Former ballet dancer, Jennifer Quent, retired at 22 to explore other interests. She studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology and held roles such as the Chief of Staff for Guggenheim Partners and now a manager at Marcum’s Family Office division. She attributes her business success to her discipline and adaptability as a dancer, and advises dancers to educate themselves in other fields and pursue a degree while dancing.

Dr. Hannah Coleman, a former dancer, now serves as a CICM trainee at John Hunter Hospital ICU and PICU. She sees parallels between ballet and medicine, citing discipline and the acceptance of constructive criticism as key traits. She assures dancers considering a career switch that their work ethic and discipline are valuable assets.

New Zealand-born choreographer and filmmaker, Corey Baker, moved from ballet training to owning his own dance company. After rejection from New Zealand School of Dance, he trained in Sydney, leading to opportunities in Europe. His choreography career flourished in the U.K., where he balanced dancing, teaching, and choreographing before focusing solely on choreography. Corey's work tackles activism and innovation, addressing climate change and pushing ballet and art boundaries.

Former professional ballet dancer, Gavin McCaig, transitioned into arts leadership, fueled by his passion for writing, choreography, and finance. His determination and perseverance led him to the role of Director of Business Operations at the London Vocational Ballet School.

Despite her height and body type challenges, Mari Kawanishi pursued ballet, apprenticed with Dresden Semperoper Ballett, and joined Staatsballett Berlin. She highlights the importance of self-confidence amidst the ballet industry's competition.

André Myburgh, Jelmoli's Head of Buying, discusses his transition from fashion design to buying, stressing the importance of quality understanding, fitting, sizing, and fabric. He underscores the role of persistence, networking, and passion for fashion in career growth.

Sarah Reynolds, a former dancer with the Netherlands Dans Theater, transitioned to work with the Dancers Council and Kunstenbond, a union for artists. Her union work and efforts for freelance dancers focus on fair pay, sustainable careers, and dancers' voices in the cultural sector.

Samantha Canedy, an ex-ballet dancer with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of Texas, has extensive experience in performing arts and business development. Currently, she's an account manager at Pivot Pointe's consulting pillar.

Misha Tchoupakov, a renowned ballet dancer, reflects on his career transition and highlights his extensive experience dancing with prestigious ballet companies such as the Bolshoi Ballet and teaching at various institutions worldwide.

Benjamin Goodly's career transition from being a dancer to becoming a senior process engineer showcases the challenges of auditioning as a dancer and the skills he acquired from dance that have proven valuable in his engineering career.

Mariam Saprichyan, co-owner and esthetician of Kariné Kazarian, is a renowned industry expert in the cosmetics industry, offering invaluable knowledge for skincare and beauty enthusiasts, with her top skincare boutique in New York City and a client roster of elites.

Former ballet dancer Rika Brixie shares her experience with scoliosis and its impact on her ballet aspirations, emphasizing the importance of a well-designed conditioning program like Pilates for Scoliosis.

Loughlan Prior is an award-winning choreographer and creative director. We had the opportunity to explore his career as the Artistic Director of Lo | Co Arts and Choreographer in Residence at the Royal New Zealand Ballet.

Shih-Huai Liang is a Taiwanese ballet dancer. Despite the challenges posed by limited accessibility to ballet in Taiwan, he tirelessly pursued a world-class classical ballet education to become a professional dancer in the U.S., New Zealand, and Korea. In 2019, fueled by his unwavering passion, he founded the Master Class Project Taiwan, leaving a lasting impact on the local dance community.

Sae Hyun Kwon, founder of Movement Momm, shares her international career, the inspiration behind Movement Momm, and her goal to impact audiences through physical movement.

Pivot Pointe talks career transition with classical ballet dancer cum licensed real estate agent, Serge Endinian.