Roni Mahler — On Turning Down Joffrey, Swan Lake, and Disturbing Molecules | Pushing Over the Box

Roni Mahler — On Turning Down Joffrey, Swan Lake, and Disturbing Molecules | Pushing Over the Box

Roni Mahler was three performances into her career at American Ballet Theatre when Cynthia Gregory sprained her ankle. She had 24 hours to learn Odette. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Roni Mahler — former corps dancer with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, principal dancer with the National Ballet of Washington, and soloist with American Ballet Theatre, celebrated teacher at Juilliard, the Alvin Ailey School, and Ballet Academy East, and author of the memoir Tomboy Ballerina: My Life from Baseball to American Ballet Theatre and Beyond. They talk about turning down Robert Joffrey to honor a commitment, dancing at the White House, what she learned from ten months on crutches, training the Cleveland Browns, and the one thing she has always tried to do on stage: disturb molecules. TIMESTAMPS: [13:40] Her Favorite Role and the Night She Danced Swan Lake on 24 Hours' Notice [19:01] What Ten Months of Injury Taught Her About Mistakes and Resilience [28:41] Disturbing Molecules — How She Defines Success ABOUT THE GUEST: Roni Mahler began her career in the corps de ballet of Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo before becoming a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Washington and a soloist with American Ballet Theatre. A celebrated teacher and artistic associate, she has taught at the Juilliard School, the Alvin Ailey School, Ballet Academy East, and Kansas State University, and served as artistic associate to Dennis Nahat at Cleveland Ballet — where she also trained the Cleveland Browns. Her memoir, Tomboy Ballerina, was published in 2022. ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence. CONNECT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/ [https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/] Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com [https://pushingoverthebox.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742] #ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #ronimahler #abt #americanballettheatre #tomboybalerina #balletmemoir #balletteacher Topics discussed: Roni Mahler interview, American Ballet Theatre history, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, ballet memoir, Tomboy Ballerina, ballet injury resilience, Swan Lake debut, ballet teaching, advice for young dancers Guest: Roni Mahler — Former ABT Soloist, Master Teacher & Author Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com [http://pushingoverthebox.com]

Kathryn Morgan — On Hashimoto's, Seven Years Off, and Life Beyond the Tiara | Pushing Over the Box

Kathryn Morgan was a soloist at New York City Ballet, dancing Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, when her muscles started giving out on pointe and she couldn't understand why. Weeks later, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Two years after that, she left the company. Seven years passed before she danced professionally again. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Kathryn Morgan — former NYCB soloist, former Miami City Ballet soloist, and one of ballet's most beloved voices online with over 600 YouTube videos and a platform built on helping dancers know their worth. They talk about the night she was given 24 hours' notice to start her NYCB apprenticeship, what it felt like when her body gave out during Aurora rehearsals, how she rebuilt herself during seven years away from the stage, and the message she comes back to over and over: you are a human being first. TIMESTAMPS: [07:08] Getting Her Apprenticeship — 24 Hours' Notice to Start [10:52] When the Symptoms Started During Aurora Rehearsals [20:01] You're a Human Being First — Her Platform's Core Message ABOUT THE GUEST: Kathryn Morgan is a former soloist with New York City Ballet and Miami City Ballet. After being diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and taking seven years away from performing, she returned to professional dance and simultaneously built one of ballet's most prominent online platforms, with over 600 YouTube videos offering technique tips, career advice, and honest conversations about life as a dancer. ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence. CONNECT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/ [https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/] Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com [https://pushingoverthebox.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742] #ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #kathrynmorgan #nycb #newyorkcityballet #hashimotos #balletinterview #dancerwellness Topics discussed: Kathryn Morgan interview, Hashimoto's thyroiditis ballet, NYCB soloist interview, ballet illness and recovery, ballet identity, dancer mental health, you are more than your dancing, ballet YouTube creator Guest: Kathryn Morgan — Former NYCB & Miami City Ballet Soloist, Ballet Educator & Content Creator Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com [http://pushingoverthebox.com]

Deborah Ory — On Injury, Photography, and What She Looks for in Every Shot | Pushing Over the Box

Deborah Ory went to college for dance. In her second semester, she got injured. Everyone had already registered for classes and she didn't know what to do — until she spotted her father's camera and talked her way into a photography class that was already full. That was the beginning of everything. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Deborah Ory — acclaimed dance photographer, co-founder of NYC Dance Project, and author of three books including The Art of Movement, winner of the International Photography Award. They talk about how a dance injury accidentally launched one of the most celebrated careers in dance photography, what she's really looking for when she picks up her camera, how she captures movement in a single still frame, and what she'd tell her 13-year-old self about patience. TIMESTAMPS: [02:14] How a Dance Injury Led to Her Photography Career [04:26] How She Captures Movement in a Still Image [11:54] What She'd Tell Her 13-Year-Old Self ABOUT THE GUEST: Deborah Ory is an acclaimed dance photographer and co-founder of NYC Dance Project. Her editorial, commercial, and fine art work has appeared across major publications and campaigns. She is the co-author of The Art of Movement (2016 International Photography Award winner), The Style of Movement: Fashion and Dance (2019), and Martha Graham Dance Company: 100 Years. ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence. CONNECT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/ [https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/] Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com [https://pushingoverthebox.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742] #ballet #balletpodcast #balletphotography #dancepodcast #deborahory #nycdanceproject #dancephotography #artofmovement #balletinterview #dancephotographer Topics discussed: dance photography, ballet photographer interview, NYC Dance Project, injury and pivot, The Art of Movement, capturing emotion in photography, advice for young dancers, dance and fashion Guest: Deborah Ory — Dance Photographer & Co-Founder, NYC Dance Project Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com [http://pushingoverthebox.com]

Emilie Gerrity, NYCB Principal — On Falling, Comparison, and Your Own Path | Pushing Over the Box

Emilie Gerrity was a competition kid. Star Power. Disney World. Hip hop, lyrical, tap, jazz — all of it. At 12, she walked away from competitions and decided she was going to try to get into New York City Ballet. Three years at SAB later, she did. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Emilie Gerrity — principal dancer at New York City Ballet and recipient of the 2009 Mae L. Wien Award. They talk about leaving home at 15, waiting eight years in the company before being promoted to soloist, what happened the night she fell completely sideways on stage during a solo, and the moment she finally stopped comparing her journey to everyone else's. TIMESTAMPS: [13:07] Falling on Stage — and What Her Partner Said [21:26] Letting Go of Comparison and Finding Peace in Your Own Journey [24:05] Advice She'd Give Her 13-Year-Old Self ABOUT THE GUEST: Emilie Gerrity is a principal dancer at New York City Ballet and the recipient of the 2009 Mae L. Wien Award. She is known for her clarity, speed, and expressiveness on stage. ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence. CONNECT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/ [https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/] Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com [https://pushingoverthebox.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ [https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742] #ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #emiliegerrity #nycb #newyorkcityballet #principaldancer #maelwienaward #balletinterview Topics discussed: NYCB principal dancer interview, ballet comparison, ballet promotion, falling on stage, ballet resilience, Mae L. Wien award, advice for young dancers, ballet mindset Guest: Emilie Gerrity — Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com [http://pushingoverthebox.com]

Emma Von Enck, NYCB Principal — On Promotion, Nerves, and Real Success | Pushing Over the Box

Emma Von Enck quit ballet when she was 12. She wanted to try acting. She hated it. She begged her mom to put her back in. A few years later, she was standing in the wings at New York City Ballet, still in her Rubies costume, being told she'd just been promoted to principal. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Emma Von Enck — principal dancer at New York City Ballet, Fordham University graduate, and two-time Princess Grace Award nominee. They talk about the long road to SAB, what nobody tells you about being a soloist, the moment she found out she was a principal (mid-show, in costume, her dad waiting backstage), how she handles pre-show nerves, and what she wishes her 13-year-old self had known about trying hard. TIMESTAMPS: [11:46] The Night She Found Out She Was a Principal [19:07] How Emma Manages Pre-Show Nerves [28:53] What She's Learned About Real Success ABOUT THE GUEST: Emma Von Enck is a principal dancer at New York City Ballet. A graduate of Fordham University, she is a two-time Princess Grace Award nominee and the 2016 recipient of the Mae L. Wien Award. She is known for her speed, clarity, and vivacious presence on stage. ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence. CONNECT: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/ [https://www.instagram.com/pushingoverthebox/] Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com [https://pushingoverthebox.com] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1] Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742] #ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #emmavonenc #nycb #newyorkcityballet #principaldancer #princessgraceaward #balletinterview Topics discussed: NYCB principal dancer interview, ballet promotion, ballet nerves, pre-show routine, Princess Grace Award, ballet success, ballet mindset, advice for young dancers Guest: Emma Von Enck — Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com [http://pushingoverthebox.com]