87. Leading Ballet Tucson Into a New Era with Artistic Director Margaret Mullin

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina podcast, I’m joined by Margaret Mullin, Artistic Director of Ballet Tucson and former Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist, for an honest conversation about career longevity, leadership, and what it truly takes to sustain a life in ballet, both on and off the stage.Margaret shares her journey from an aspiring dancer growing up in Tucson, to a 14-season professional career at PNB, and ultimately to stepping into artistic directorship during one of the most uncertain moments in our industry. Along the way, she opens up about the realities dancers don’t always expect: the sudden drop-off in feedback after joining a major company, the emotional weight of being passed over, and the resilience required to keep showing up.This episode is a must-listen for dancers navigating career transitions, educators thinking about the bigger picture of arts training, and anyone curious about how thoughtful, human-centered leadership can shape the future of ballet.Key Points in This Episode: Training at home vs. leaving early, and the long-term benefits of having access to quality dance training in your community The reality of transitioning from student to professional, including the sudden drop in feedback Why dancers must learn to advocate for themselves and seek out mentorship The emotional impact of casting, being passed over, and finding value beyond roles Why process matters more than performance in long-term artistic growth Skills beyond technique that support career longevity: discipline, resilience, and follow-through Preparing for leadership and life after performance before retirement arrives Why artistic directors need education in management, leadership, and nonprofit work Rethinking what healthy, human-centered leadership in ballet can beConnect with Margaret:WEBSITE: ballettucson.orgINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/margaretmullinBALLET TUCSON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/ballettucsonSCHOOL OF BALLET TUCSON INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/schoolofballettucsonLinks and Resources:1-1 Career Mentoring: book your complimentary career callGet your copy of The Ultimate Audition GuideLet’s connect!My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.comINSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerinaQuestions/comments? Email me at [email protected]