After Class: The Adult Ballet Podcast

This episode builds on last week's episode about building strong, stable jumps at the barre, so if you haven’t listened yet, start there for the full benefit of the conversation.
✨ But first, thank you Frenchies Hairpins for sponsoring this episode! Get your velvet coated hairpins (my go-to product for French twists and ballet buns) at frenchieshairpins.com and use code AFTERCLASS10 for 10% off your order!
In this episode, we continue the conversation with Christina Krigolson, former professional dancer and founder of Face the Barre, a ballet coaching platform for dancers who want to build strong, sustainable technique.
We move fully into the center and talk about how to apply jump technique to petite and grande allegro, how to modify choreography when you feel overwhelmed, and the game-changing hack for effortless-looking jumps (regardless of your level). 
This episode is for the adult dancers who want their jumps to feel lighter, more controlled, and more powerful. If that's you, let's get started....
👉🏼 Connect with Christina:
Instagram @face_thebarre
Website: face-thebarre.com
📚 Join the January session of The Bunhead Book Club here. 
Support the show
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

Great jumps don’t start in the air, they start at the barre!
In part one of this two-part conversation, I’m joined by Christina Krigolson, founder of Face the Barre, to address some of the most common challenges adult dancers experience in petite & grande allegro, and break down how adult dancers can build stronger, more confident jumps starting at the barre. 
We talk about how plié, tendu, and dégagé prepare your body for jumping, common habits that make jumps feel heavy or unstable, and how to start training jump mechanics in a way that feels doable, not overwhelming.
If jumps have ever felt intimidating, or out of reach, this episode is for you
✨ Come back next week for part two, where we take everything into the center! 
👉🏼 Connect with Christina:
Instagram @face_thebarre
Website: face-thebarre.com
📚 Join the January session of The Bunhead Book Club here. 
Support the show
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

Looking polished and confident in your dancing isn’t always about doing more — often, it’s about small the details. In this fan-favorite episode from the After Class archives, we’re revisiting three small but powerful elements that can instantly elevate how you look and feel as an adult ballet dancer: hands, eyes, and head placement.
We break down the subtle choices that make a big difference — from properly extending your fingers, to activating your eye line, to holding your head with intention — details teachers don’t always have time to explain fully in class.
Whether you’re dancing at home or in the studio, these simple refinements can dramatically improve your lines, presence, and confidence. If you’re listening again or tuning in for the first time, I hope this episode helps you dance with more clarity and ease. Let’s get into it!
🩰 Join the Corps de Ballet for just $3/month using the link below:
Support the show
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

With many studios closing or shifting schedules during the holidays, staying consistent with ballet can feel especially challenging. In this fan-favorite episode from the After Class archives, we’re revisiting 4 simple, realistic ways to keep your ballet practice alive — even when regular classes aren’t available.
From taking online classes with friends to creating a personal growth plan that actually fits real life, these strategies are designed to help adult ballet dancers stay motivated, connected, and strong — no matter the season!
Whether you’re listening for the first time or coming back to this episode again, I hope it encourages you to keep showing up for yourself and dancing in ways that feel sustainable and joyful. Grab a cup of coffee, and let’s get into it! 🤗
🩰 Join the Corps de Ballet for just $3/month using the link below:
Support the show
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com

In today’s episode of After Class, I’m sharing my favorite ballet books I read in 2025 — a mix of ballet fiction, biographies, memoirs, and educational reads, many of which we read together in The Bunhead Book Club (my Instagram-based book club, which will be open to new members in January 2026 — email me at [email protected] to join us) 😄
These books deepened my understanding of ballet as both an art form and a lived experience, offering insight into technique, history, and the personal stories behind the stage. If you love ballet beyond the studio — the culture, the legacy, and the humanity — this episode is for you.
I’ll share why each book stood out, and how reading about ballet can enrich your dancing and your relationship with the art.
📚 Books mentioned in this episode (Amazon affiliate links):
Cantique — Joanna Marsh
La Follia — Joanna Marsh
Swans of Harlem — Karen Valby
Behind the Red Velvet Curtain — Joy Womack & Elizabeth Shockman
Inside Ballet Technique: Separating Anatomical Fact from Fiction — Valerie Grieg
Holding On to the Air — Suzanne Farrell & Toni Bentley
Raising the Barre — Lauren Kessler
✨ Shop Rose & Clay Jewelry's Pirouette Collection, and use code AFTERCLASS for 10% off your entire order of tarnish-free, waterproof and hypoallergenic designs.
🩰 Join the Corps de Ballet for just $3/month using the link below:
Support the show
Follow Hannah on Instagram @thebusybunhead

Explore blog posts, merchandise & resources for adult ballet dancers like you at thebusybunhead.com

Podcast produced by Mission Bridge Media.
www.MissionBridgeMedia.com