39. Ballet Through a Modern Lens: Emily Speed's Vision for AVID Dance

In this episode, I was joined by Emily Speed, founder and artistic director of AVID Dance, a project-based dance company presenting classical ballet through a modern lens.Emily shares her journey dancing with renowned companies like Alabama Ballet, Ballet Tucson, Colorado Ballet, and Ballet Idaho. Now a principal guest artist and visionary leader, she discusses her mission to make ballet accessible and relevant to today's audiences.Emily’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and creative courage. Her insights on turning obstacles into opportunities and redefining what classical ballet can be will inspire aspiring dancers and creative leaders alike.Key Moments: [1:32] Early Dance Days: How a high-energy three-year-old found her calling in ballet [5:50] First Steps in the Corps de Ballet: The steep learning curve of transitioning from solo work to corps roles and how mentorship shaped Emily's growth [8:24] Transitioning to New Companies: How Emily used a major setback to spur her career forward and come back to Colorado Ballet [16:40] Making the Leap to Freelance Dance: Emily’s transition to freelance dance (while dealing with a major injury) [23:20] Reimagining Roles: Emily’s creative approach to characters like Bluebird and Clara to bring authenticity to the stage [29:20] Founding AVID Dance: How Emily's entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of a dance company [37:13] Leadership & Artistic Balance: The challenges and joys of directing a company while still performing as a dancer [47:01] Powerful Advice for Dancers: Why dance should never define your entire identity and how to thrive amidst rejection and competitionConnect with Emily:INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/aviddancecoWEBSITE: AVIDdance.orgLinks and Resources:Set up ticketing for your next event with DRT (Make sure to mention that The Brainy Ballerina sent you!)Get your copy of The Intentional Career Handbook1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career callLet’s connect!My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.comINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerinaQuestions/comments? Email me at [email protected]