Joshua Beamish and Crystal Costa are building something new in the ballet world. Ballet Vancouver is launching as a fresh company with a unique vision, and in this episode, they share the story of how it all came together.

Joshua talks about starting his first company at just 17 years old and the 20-year journey that led him here. Crystal shares how she got involved and her work helping dancers understand the realities of a professional career through her workshop, Dance as a Profession.

We cover their personal dance journeys, the hardest parts of their training, and the fork-in-the-road moments that shaped their paths. They also open up about what they'd change about ballet training if they could, and things they wish all ballet students knew about pursuing this career.

Looking ahead, Joshua and Crystal reveal what will make Ballet Vancouver different from other companies, their plans for a summer intensive in 2026 and what they're looking for when hiring dancers. They also discuss their innovative structure combining guest artists, guest companies, and local performers and explain how they're funding this ambitious new venture.

If you're curious about what it takes to start a ballet company from scratch, or you're a dancer wondering what artistic directors look for, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at building the future of ballet.

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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
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We're rereleasing one of Ballet Help Desk's most popular episodes! Peter Stark from The Rock School discusses the ballet job market, choosing post-graduate ballet programs, and audition strategies for pre-professional dancers. Learn how to approach ballet auditions, what trainee programs look for, and how to stand out as you transition from ballet student to professional dancer.

• The Rock School
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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI

A rerelease: In our first episode of Dancer Stories, Jenny and her daughter Abbey share how Abbey got her first ballet contract.

Tune in to hear how a meeting about dorm policy violations at a summer intensive turned into an apprenticeship offer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

After a last-minute decision to attend the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Company Experience, Abbey's unexpected journey underscores the importance of seizing opportunities—you never know where they might lead!

Learn more about Pittsburgh Ballet Theater on their website.

Interested in following Abbey's career? You can find her on Instagram @abbeyahuang

• Read Our Ballet School Summer & Year-Round Reviews
• Buy Corrections Journals
• Support Ballet Help Desk
• Instagram: @BalletHelpDesk
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Music from #Uppbeat:
https://uppbeat.io/t/ian-aisling/new-future
License code: MGAW5PAHYEYDQZCI