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Pushing Over the Box

Jasmine Jain

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset — hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain.

Through candid ballet interviews with leading figures in the dance world — from principal dancers at American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet to choreographers, dance physiotherapists, and photographers — Jasmine explores the real stories behind the beauty: discipline, injury, recovery, resilience, artistry, and what it really takes to keep going.

Past guests include Misty Copeland, Isabella LaFreniere, Cassandra Trenary, Skylar Brandt, and more.

New episodes biweekly.

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  • 24 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 33 min
  • English

Episodes 24

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  • S1 · E4
    Nov 19, 2025 · 21 min

    Erica Pereira, NYCB Soloist — On Motherhood and Dancing at the Highest Level | Pushing Over the Box

    Erica Pereira has risen through the ranks at New York City Ballet, become a mother, and somehow made it all look graceful — but her honesty about perfectionism, loneliness at SAB, and what it really takes to stay in the game is a reminder that even the most successful dancers are still figuring it out. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Erica Pereira, Soloist at New York City Ballet and Ballet Academy East alum. They discuss her rise through the ranks at NYCB, how she balances being a professional dancer and a mother, and her ongoing battle with perfectionism and self-doubt. TIMESTAMPS: [07:18] Rising Through the Ranks at NYCB [11:08] Balancing Ballet and Motherhood [15:19] The Struggle with Perfectionism ABOUT THE GUEST: Erica Pereira is a Soloist at New York City Ballet and a proud alumna of Ballet Academy East in New York City. Known for her precision and artistry, she has performed principal roles including Sugar Plum and Swanilda throughout her career at NYCB. She is also a teacher at Ballet Academy East, where she inspires the next generation of young dancers. 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/ Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 #ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #ericapereira #nycb #newyorkcityballet #soloist #balletinterview #youngdancer Topics discussed: rising through the ranks at NYCB, ballet and motherhood, perfectionism in dance, corps de ballet life, soloist roles Guest: Erica Pereira — Soloist, New York City Ballet Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

  • S1 · E3
    Nov 5, 2025 · 59 min

    Chiara Ajkun & Abbi Johnson, Ajkun Ballet Theatre — Making Ballet Accessible | Pushing Over the Box

    Chiara Ajkun built a ballet company on one radical idea — that the way ballet has been taught for decades is broken, and she has the science to prove it. Her conversation with Jasmine about the Ajkun Methodology, toxic studio culture, and what it really means to nurture young dancers is one of the most thought-provoking this podcast has had. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Chiara Ajkun, artistic director and choreographer of Ajkun Ballet Theatre, and Abbi Johnson, senior artist and Joffrey graduate. They discuss Chiara's journey from dancer to director, the science behind the Ajkun Methodology, what they truly look for in young dancers, and why making ballet accessible and safe is at the heart of everything they do. TIMESTAMPS: [12:21] Transitioning from Dancer to Choreographer & Director [21:12] The Ajkun Methodology Explained [37:56] What We Look for in Dancers ABOUT THE GUESTS: Chiara Ajkun is the founder, artistic director, and choreographer of Ajkun Ballet Theatre, whose original works have been performed in 27 countries across all continents. She holds degrees in literature, performing arts, and a PhD in ballet pathology, and developed the Ajkun Methodology — a science-based approach to ballet training. Abbi Johnson is a senior artist with Ajkun Ballet Theatre and a graduate of the Joffrey Ballet School. 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/ Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 #ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #chiaraajkun #abbijohnson #ajkunballet #balletmethodology #balletinterview #youngdancer Topics discussed: ballet methodology, injury prevention, making ballet accessible, safe dance training, what teachers look for in dancers Guests: Chiara Ajkun — Founder and Artistic Director, Ajkun Ballet Theatre; Abbi Johnson — Senior Artist, Ajkun Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet School graduate Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

  • S1 · E2
    Oct 22, 2025 · 42 min

    Miro Magloire, Founder of New Chamber Ballet — On Choreography and Music | Pushing Over the Box

    Miro Magloire didn't set out to start a ballet company — he just kept making work because no one would hire him. The founder of New Chamber Ballet's story is proof that rejection can accidentally build something extraordinary, and his advice for young dancers at the end of this conversation is not something you'll forget easily. In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Miro Magloire, founder and artistic director of New Chamber Ballet in New York City. They discuss his unexpected journey from composer to choreographer, how New Chamber Ballet was born out of necessity, his unique approach to auditioning dancers, and what it really takes to build a sustainable creative life in ballet. TIMESTAMPS: [12:08] How New Chamber Ballet Was Founded [17:07] The Audition Process at NCB [40:07] Advice for Aspiring Dancers ABOUT THE GUEST: Miro Magloire is the founder and artistic director of New Chamber Ballet, a New York City-based company he has led for over 20 years. Originally trained as a composer and pianist in Germany, he created over 150 ballets that bring together live music and intimate dance performance. New Chamber Ballet performs regularly at the Mark Morris Dance Center in Brooklyn. 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/ Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 #ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #miromagloire #newchamberballet #choreographer #balletinterview #youngdancer #dancepodcast Topics discussed: founding a ballet company, choreography process, ballet auditions, life after performing, creative careers in dance Guest: Miro Magloire — Founder and Artistic Director, New Chamber Ballet Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

  • S1 · E1
    Oct 22, 2025 · 38 min

    Isabella LaFreniere, NYCB Principal — On Performing Under Pressure | Pushing Over the Box

    In this debut episode, Jasmine sits down with NYCB Principal Isabella LaFreniere to talk about the realities behind the spotlight — navigating pressure, building resilience, and finding purpose in the pursuit of perfection. TIMESTAMPS: [03:25] Transition to SAB and Auditions [11:04] Injury and Recovery [21:58] Mental Health and Avoiding Burnout ABOUT THE GUEST: Isabella LaFreniere is a Principal Dancer at New York City Ballet, one of the world's most prestigious ballet companies. She trained at the School of American Ballet and rose through the NYCB ranks to become one of its youngest principals. Known for her artistry, discipline, and resilience, she is an inspiring figure for young dancers pursuing a professional ballet career. 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/ Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1zHqK394AYtUjYxbB9FNZ1Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742 #ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #isabellalafreniere #nycb #newyorkcityballet #principaldancer #balletinterview #youngdancer Topics discussed: performing under pressure, ballet mindset, NYCB principal dancer, mental health in ballet, injury recovery Guest: Isabella LaFreniere — Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com

Showing 21–24 of 24 episodes