This episode explores the wave of Soviet dancers who defected to the United States and the West during the Cold War. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowan University in Glassbo

244 ~ The Dance boom in the United States

Jun 30th, 2019 25m 33s

This episode is about the dance boom in the United States that lasted from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, N

243 - Early History of American Ballet Pt 2

Jan 23rd, 2019 15m 35s

This is the second of two episodes exploring the early history of American ballet. This episode covers some important developments at the beginning of the twentieth century that set up the growth of ballet in America. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is

242 - Early History of American Ballet Pt 1

Sep 17th, 2018 15m 35s

Today is the first of two episodes about the early history of ballet in America. It covers the colonial period through the late nineteenth century. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studie

241 - Pirouettes from the Past. Ballet in the Movies

May 23rd, 2018 18m 29s

On today's episode of Pirouettes from the Past, Dr. Klapper explores the history of ballet in the movies. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Sh

240 ~ Pirouettes from the Past. Ballet in Children's Books

Feb 9th, 2018 16m 21s

Today Dr. Klapper discusses the Ballet in children's books. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. She teaches American and women's history, with a

239 ~ Where Are They Now? Bald Ballerina ~ Maggie Kudirka

Jan 10th, 2018 50m 44s

Balancing Pointe Podcast's new mini series is called "Where are they now?". On this series some of the earliest and most popular guests to were asked to send an update on what is gong on in their lives right now. On this episode of "Where are

238 ~Special Episode! The History Behind the Nutcracker!

Dec 22nd, 2017 18m 17s

Today Dr. Klapper discusses the history behind the iconic Holiday ballet, The Nutcracker. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. She teaches America

237 ~Where Are They Now? Lauren Fadeley Veyette

Dec 15th, 2017 1h 25m

236 ~ Dance Competitions in the U.S. ~ Part Two

Dec 1st, 2017 18m 17s

Today Dr. Klapper discusses the second of two episodes on the history of dance competitions in the US. The first episode dealt with dance competitions more generally; this episode focuses on ballet competitions specifically. Dr. Melissa R. Kla

235 ~ Where are they now? Jenelle Figgins

Nov 16th, 2017 1h 19m

234 ~ Where are they now? Dylan Gutierrez

Nov 8th, 2017 1h 1m

233 ~ Where are they now? Alexa Maxwell

Nov 1st, 2017 56m 40s

On this mini series, host Kimberly Falker provides an update on some of her most popular Balancing Pointe guests. On today's episode, she shares New York City Ballet corps member Alexa Maxwell's latest life update and then re-publishes Lexi's a

232~ Pirouettes from the Past: Dance Competitions in America Part One

Oct 6th, 2017 18m 47s

On this first of a two part series, Dr. Klapper discusses dance competitions in the United States. Today's episode focuses more generally on competitions as a whole while next month's episode will focus specifically on ballet competitions. Dr.

231 - Pirouettes from the Past - History of Dance Recitals

Sep 11th, 2017 16m 53s

This episode of Pirouettes from the Past looks at the history of dance recitals, which have been part of ballet class in America for a long time. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies a

230 - Pirouettes from the Past - Relationships - Ballet vs. Modern Dance

Aug 18th, 2017 19m 45s

On this episode Dr. Klapper explores the contentious history of the early relationship between ballet and modern dance. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowan University in Gla

229 - Pirouettes from the Past - The History of Leotards, Tights, and Tutus

Jul 21st, 2017 15m 41s

In this episode of Pirouettes form the Past, Dr. Klapper continues the theme of exploring the history of dancewear. The episode traces the history of leotards, tights, and tutus. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Direct

228 ~ Pirouettes from the Past - The History of Pointe Shoes

Jun 23rd, 2017 17m 59s

On this episode Dr. Klapper shares with us the history of pointe shoes. Pointe shoes are taken for granted as an integral part of ballet, but they are actually a somewhat recent development within the context of many centuries of ballet histor

227 ~ Pirouettes from the Past ~ Race and Diversity Part Two

May 19th, 2017 20m 53s

This episode continues the discussion of the history of race, diversity, and ballet in America. The focus in this episode is on the obstacles within the world of professional ballet that African American dancers faced throughout the twentieth

226 ~ Pirouettes from the Past - Chapter 13 - The History of Race, Diversity, and Ballet in America.

Apr 14th, 2017 15m 19s

This chapter of Pirouettes from the Past features discusses the history of race, diversity, and ballet in America. The focus in this episode is on African American children's difficulties in gaining access to ballet class and the segregated st

225 ~Pirouettes from the Past - Chapter 12 - Ballet Grants and Arts Funding

Mar 10th, 2017 14m 9s

This chapter of Pirouettes from the Past is about the transformative 1963 Ford Foundation ballet grants and the importance of arts funding. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowa

224 ~ Pirouettes from the Past, Chapter 11 ~ The History of Dance Teacher Organizations in the United States.

Feb 13th, 2017 17m 33s

In this episode of Pirouettes from the Past, Dr. Klapper discusses the history of dance teacher organizations in the United States. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowan Univer

223 ~ Pirouettes from the Past, Chapter 10 ~ Ballet Techniques.

Jan 13th, 2017 18m 41s

In today's episode, Dr. Klapper teams up with Pas de Chat's host Barry Kerollis to trace the history of the various ballet training techniques in the United States. You can find Barry's collaborative episode at PremierDanceNetwork.com. Dr. Me

222 - Pirouettes from the Past - Chapter Nine, College Dance Departments Part Two

Dec 9th, 2016 19m 42s

This episode is the second of two parts on the history of college dance departments in the United States. Dr. Melissa R. Klapper is Professor of History and former Director of Women’s and Gender Studies at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. She

221 ~ Ask Megan! How Do I Tell My Parent's I Want to Quit?

Dec 6th, 2016 8m 25s

On each episode Megan answers YOUR questions each and every Tuesday. Today’s question comes from Monica who does not know how to break it to her family that she no longer wants to dance. Do you have a question about Ballet? YOU can be a part of