Career Transition

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.

Daniel Cho, a former professional ballet dancer, discusses his career transition into user experience (UX) design. He highlights the transferable skills gained from dance, such as discipline, adaptability, and creative problem-solving, which has proven valuable in his new career.

Lauren Paton-Williams transitioned from professional ballet to co-owning The Mews Bridal after a knee injury. Her five-year dance career with prestigious companies influenced her new role in her mother's bridal business. Lauren expanded the business to London, incorporating French design influences. Her ballet background contributes to her work ethic and adaptability, offering insights for dancers considering career changes and highlighting opportunities beyond ballet.

Sophie Mayoux, a former Paris Opera Ballet dancer, transitioned from ballet to yoga teaching in Dharamshala, India. At 25, she took a sabbatical, traveling extensively. Realizing her waning passion for ballet, she quit and pursued yoga as a new career. Now in Dharamshala, Sophie teaches yoga and plans an online platform. Her future goals include creating a space for travelers and yoga enthusiasts. Sophie advises transitioning dancers to take time for self-discovery, be patient, and embrace risks in pursuing their dreams.

Maria Seletskaja transitioned from ballet to conducting, starting as a dancer with the Estonian National Opera in 2003. Over 15 seasons, she danced with European ballet companies while nurturing her passion for music. Her conducting interest grew at Staatsoper Berlin, leading to music theory and conducting studies. Maria's journey highlights the importance of curiosity, trusting one's instincts, and embracing change while honoring the past, demonstrating the potential for successful career transitions across diverse fields.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Giselle Poncet shifted from a successful ballet career to aged and disability support work in Australia, driven by personal circumstances and the pursuit of a stable, fulfilling career. Her dance background instilled discipline, patience, and adaptability, which benefit her new role. She stresses finding passion in a second career, staying physically active, and preparing mentally for change. Giselle continues to teach dance, balancing her new career with family life.

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.

Jake Burden, a former professional dancer, transitioned from a successful career in ballet due to politics and a persistent knee injury. Despite the challenges, he found fulfillment in teaching and furthered his education to enhance his teaching skills. He founded Ballet Brothers, a platform dedicated to empowering male dancers and fostering a supportive community. Jake encourages dancers considering a career transition to be brave, acknowledging that while it can be daunting, it can also lead to new, fulfilling paths.

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 ballet dancer Jessica Kenway transitioned to public relations (PR) and teaching after retiring in 2020. Her ballet skills helped her succeed in PR. She also teaches ballet and plans to create a mentorship platform for dancers. Motherhood has inspired her new pursuits.

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.

Professional dancer Boris Richir transitioned to arts administration, focusing on inclusive dance education. Inspired by his work with the Boston Ballet's Adaptive Dance department, he founded United Dance in 2017. The organization, which offers tailored dance courses for individuals with Down syndrome, has expanded to seven locations across Europe and the United States.

Former Staatsballett Berlin dancer, Caroline Bird, transitioned to digital communications at Beiersdorf, a leading skincare corporation. Despite challenges like company leadership change and securing her first non-ballet job, her resilience, passion, and discipline proved valuable in her new career.

Professional ballet dancer Abby Bushnell discusses transitioning from ballet to a clinical child psychology program at DePaul University. Despite time differences between Europe and the US, she balanced her career and studies. She encourages dancers to overcome the fear of career transition, emphasizing the value of effort even if initial attempts aren't successful.

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.

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.

Patricia Keleher, a former ballet dancer, shares her experience of transitioning from ballet to project management. She discusses the challenges she encountered, the limited support for career planning in the ballet industry, and the opportunities that arose through networking and exploring new interests.

Ellen Warren, a former ballet dancer, became a costume designer and developed a custom-fit sizing and construction method for leotards. She launched her own leotard brand, Louise Apparel, and plans to expand into one-piece swimwear in 2021.

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.

Pascalle Paerel and Hannah de Klein founded The Fashion Composers to address the lack of dancer representation in commercial and fashion contexts and enhance the quality of movement-focused advertisements.

Emma White, a former dancer from New Zealand, discovered the benefits of Pilates for preventing and aiding injury while conditioning the body. Now, Pilates is still a part of her life, and she enjoys sharing her knowledge and helping clients incorporate movement into their daily lives. We asked Emma to reflect on her career transition.

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.

Pascal Johnson is an Amsterdam-based producer and movement director with a decade of experience dancing for international ballet companies. In 2020, he began producing and choreographing his own work, collaborating with architecture, artists, and galleries.

Teegan Kollmann discusses transitioning from a dancer to a physiotherapist and Dance for Parkinson's teacher. She shares her motivations and strategies for making dance accessible to all.

Sayaka Wakita, a former ballet dancer, shares her career journey and how she successfully transitioned to marketing and business after completing her higher education. She currently works as a sponsorship manager at Theater Dortmund.

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

Pivot Pointe talks career transition with self-employed dancer & Ayurveda practitioner, Jessica Thompson

Pivot Pointe talks to Ballet Dortmund's Alysson Rocha about career transition.