Podcasts have become one of the easiest ways to stay connected to dance beyond the studio, theatre or rehearsal room. They offer space for longer, more candid conversations: the kind that can unpack training, careers, teaching, creativity, business, wellbeing and the less polished realities of the industry. Whether you are a student, teacher, studio owner, parent, arts worker or simply a dance lover, there is now a growing range of dance-adjacent listening to suit different corners of the community.
The Ballet Podcast
Host: Kerrie Smith
Description: A podcast for ballet educators, students, enthusiasts, and supporters, exploring the art of ballet through training, teaching, and meaningful conversations. Designed to deepen understanding, inspire growth, and support the ballet community.
Who Should Listen: Ballet students, teachers, parents and anyone interested in training and the future of ballet in Australia.
Why You’ll Love It: It is specific, useful and grounded in the ballet community, with episodes that speak directly to education, artistry and professional pathways.
Link: Listen here
The Barre Men
Hosts: Cameron Holmes & Joseph Romancewicz
Description: “Who gave them a mic? Well, they bought their own…Two best mates and professional ballet dancers, meet Cam and Joey of The Barre Men. Slightly unprepared, most definitely unqualified but recording anyway, The Barre Men talk all things ballet, life, and conversations that probably sounded better in their head. Full of laughs, sharp chat, and elite level nonsense, this podcast will leave you grinning ear to ear, and probably questioning who let them start a podcast!”
Who Should Listen: Ballet fans, dancers and anyone who wants the backstage world with less polish and more humour.
Why You’ll Love It: It is loose, funny and knowingly chaotic, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the seriousness often attached to ballet.
Link: Listen here
Dance Real
Host: Kate Histon
Description: “Welcome to Dance Real; a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the dance industry to explore what really goes on behind the scenes. I’m your host, Kate Histon, former dancer, teacher and studio owner to now mindset and leadership coach as well as international adjudicator. I am someone who’s lived through the pressure, perfectionism, and unspoken harm that too often defines the dance world. This podcast is for dancers, teachers, and parents who are ready to hear honest conversations about everything from artistry to crossed boundaries, competition, community, intuition to industry norms and start reimagining a healthier, more progressive approach to dance education and employment. We’re here to talk about what’s real. Because only when we tell the truth can we change the story.”
Who Should Listen: Dancers, teachers, parents and studio leaders interested in culture, wellbeing and industry change.
Why You’ll Love It: It is direct and reflective, with a strong interest in making dance training and employment healthier.
Link: Listen here
How to be a Savvy Creative
Host: Nell Nakkan
Description: How to be a Savvy Creative is a podcast for anyone who is living and breathing a creative pursuit but perhaps lacks a little of the business know-how essential for building a sustainable career. Nell Nakkan, failed actress turned entrepreneur, interviews experts in different fields to uncover if there is anything to be borrowed and applied to the life of a freelancer. This season offers the foundations like Marketing 101, the importance of building an online presence, getting good at managing your finances and how to write a killer grant application.
Who Should Listen: Emerging artists, freelancers and dancers trying to build a sustainable creative career.
Why You’ll Love It: It tackles the practical career skills often missing from formal arts training.
Link: Listen here
Life Academy
Hosts: Dena Amy Kaplan and Alicia Banit
Description: “On screen frenemies to real life besties, so of course we started a podcast! Stay tuned for your weekly questionable life lessons from Dena Amy Kaplan and Alicia Banit. Class is in session!”
Who Should Listen: Fans of Dance Academy, performers, young creatives and listeners who like industry stories mixed with life chat.
Why You’ll Love It: It has a warm, conversational quality, with two familiar Australian screen and dance-linked voices talking beyond the roles that made them known.
Link: Listen here
Talking Pointes
Host: Dr. Claudia Lawson
Description: The podcast that shines a light on life in the performing arts. Talking Pointes explores the lives and careers of superstar dancers, artistic directors and choreographers, discussing everything from confidence and body image, to auditions, sexuality, bullying and navigating retirement.
Who Should Listen: Ballet and contemporary dance fans, students, professionals and anyone interested in the realities behind high-profile dance careers.
Why You’ll Love It: The conversations are intelligent and generous, with guests speaking about both the art and the life around it.
Link: Listen here
Assemble Dance Studio Coaching
Host: Claire O’Shea
Description: Claire O’Shea explores and discusses the vision and practical steps to help you grow your dance studio simply and successfully.
Who Should Listen: Studio owners, studio managers and teachers building the business side of their work.
Why You’ll Love It: It is practical, targeted and grounded in the real demands of running a dance studio.
Link: Listen here
