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THESE VIDEOS ARE NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION

[@beagarbo815]

Petition for this to be called pas de chat

[@arianasasieta2590]

This is so funny I love it

[@PercabethFanForever]

Yes! I agree! 😂

[@subtleworkings1164]

Signed

[@kaytheperson6923]

that’s so cute

[@debdubois3636]

Heck yeah! 😂

[@artisaline]

Sorry... But Eva is 100% right about what they have accomplished at Master ballet. Seeing the dancers behind the stage or in the different rooms of the academy that aren't the studio. Seeing the chaos that you guys like to film sometimes. Seeing the teachers and their quirky personalities. And getting to know the dancers by name and by their individual personalities.... That's very rewarding and interesting. I guess we are a culture that loves reality TV, and ballet has just never opened itself up to that. Until you guys. But the other side of that is that ballet is so hard and so amazing and such a remarkable art form. It demands everything out of the dancer physically but then the dancer also has to be a performer and an artist. And the dance itself is expressing not just a story but also expressing artistry through the movement and through the music. It really combines like everything there is about all of the arts. I mean it has the importance of composition that you find in painting or photography but it also has elements of theater of course. And there's a musical lyrical element to the dance. I mean the dancers have to be connected to the music. But they also have to be connected to the emotions of the dance. So when you combine an art form like ballet with the love of reality television, you guys came up with something really special. And it seems clear that at master ballet they don't mind having fun. I don't think that's true everywhere else. At least that's what I hear

[@bela8443]

I think the fact that companies don't want to "over share" on social media is partially because ballet has always been seen as ethereal, unobtainable, perfection. So they don't really want people to feel like their dancers are "just like everyone else", they like that sense of elite to stay the way it always has.

[@masterwarden2827]

This. And we need the exact opposite in the dancing world.

[@DoveGirl]

The Vrill ballerina...

[@ohwellwhateverr]

Personally I think that’s a good thing. Not everything in life has to be “relatable” or “obtainable”. The fact is, ballet is extremely difficult and only a handful of people in this world ever master it. Done well, it IS ethereal and pushes the absolute boundaries of what the human body can do. I like that the tradition has been to keep protective walls around ballet and to treat it as sacred and serious. I enjoy Eva’s videos to see the skill of the dancers and teachers and to see what it’s like day to day being in those classes, but I don’t know if we should be encouraging people to view dancers as “just like us” or view ballet as this silly goofy thing. These dancers have next level discipline and should be applauded for it!

[@katir.5701]

​​@@ohwellwhateverr but they are just like us, the only difference is their career that they have been working on to build scince they were little kids. I feel like it's so impressive and interesting to watch ballet performances when you know how much training and work goes into that and when you know the people behind it. Being able to see behind the scenes and into the lives of the people in stage makes the whole experience so much more worth it in my opinion.

[@Eliza_Stew]

Go where you feel valued, Amber. Life’s too short to be miserable anywhere ❤

[@9sheri9]

Amen to that

[@AmyHollinger1]

I’m not sure why I’m so disappointed that the pro ballet training is basically identical to any corporate internship experience 😕

[@BetteDavis19]

@@AmyHollinger1 right and boston is friggin HUUUUGE too like one of the absolute best. that's too bad :(

[@Owen_Chambers1]

@@AmyHollinger1Yeah you really need to go to Europe for the dance world to be appreciated and paid

[@GiselleKlara]

@@Owen_Chambers1 this is 100 percent true, but it’s also incredibly hard for Americans these days. EU countries make it very difficult. It used to be easier especially if you were unafraid to go beyond the typical touristy place. But not anymore. Now, if you want a realistic chance in Europe, you have to be the same caliber as someone who gets into the top American companies

[@quietone748]

Amber, I'm sorry things in Boston turned out so badly for you. It's totally their loss. I'm glad you didn't make it to company there, because who knows how that would have gone, and I don't think you would have been happy there. I wish you all the best in your gap year. Looking forward to seeing you again in the future!

[@CrazyCrystal8175]

Is she Ricky's Daughter??? If you know you know😅😉❤

[@micanugg196]

I'm glad Eva is kind of leading the Boston conversation because she's helping Amber answer the tough questions and putting the Boston company on blast but in a professional, non libellous way .

[@saganza5619]

So true Eva - your take on social media vs the "cloaked" ballet world. I was professional in the 80's - the cloaked aspect was baked into the ballet world. So much easier for those in charge to control the narrative ... AND the dancers sans social media (don't get me started lol). I love your perspective of inviting people into the world of ballet through social media. You've showcased beautiful dancers - and shown us what beautiful PEOPLE they are!!

[@endlessbubblebath]

It’s actually refreshing to hear a dancer say they are going to take a break to work on themselves mentally. That to me is strength.💪🏻

[@Mar-jq5ck]

TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 1:28 Ambers dance journey 3:10 When did Amber transfer from Club Dance to Master Ballet Academy? 4:35 Ambers transition from contemporary to ballet 5:44 Moment Amber realised she wanted to do ballet professionally 7:05 How Eva and Amber met 12:49 Why Eva chose “dance” photography 20:19 Would Amber ever consider being a professional contemporary dancer? 21:11 Ambers experience with moving away from home for the first time to Amsterdam 23:03 Ambers experience going to Boston 24:34 Why Boston & audition season 26:35 Ambers experience at Boston 33:23 Ambers plans for this year 34:44 Ambers lessons/growth last year 36:13 Eva’s plans for the upcoming year(s) 40:20 Eva’s plans for her social media 43:59 Ambers plans for her social media 44:15 Does Amber feel like social media success is benificial or a burden for her as a ballet dancer? Viewers questions: 50:39 Ambers most inspiring/helpful dance teachers over the years 51:44 Eva’s most inspiring dance teachers 52:20 Have Ambers parents always been supportive of her ballet career? 53:44 Amber and Eva about having a healthy balance between ballet and social life 58:11 Ballet dancers who inspire them 59:24 The current generation of ballet dancers

[@marhet564]

Thank youuuuuu!!

[@vronirom6469]

THANK YOU

[@johannayoo1176]

The way Boston's program mismanaged communications and kind of sabotaged you and your cohort's futures is pretty messed up. In general, it is really tragic to me that culture, management, and salary (or their lackof) seems to be a driving factor for really talented dancers to stop or lose their passion for the art. They complain that the arts are not financially supported, yet they kill careers by not nurturing and recognizing up and coming talent.

[@DoveGirl]

This.... all of this!!!

[@lynniebean]

Amber definitely experienced life right there. Never trust anyone, follow your gut and let this propel you forward. Take the time you need to care for yourself and emotional health. Find that passion for dance again.

[@mermaidopulence8539]

The dancer that inspired me when I was younger (I know this might be cliche) was Misty Copeland. I was just starting to take ballet more seriously and wanted to do it professionally until someone said "ballet isn't meant for black people" and "you won't make it far". When I got home I looked online to see if there were any black ballet dancers and I saw Misty and seen that she was a black professional ballet dancer. People still to this day hate in her but it's because of her I felt seen and validated when others didn't.

[@sheeniebeanie2597]

fair enough. i sort of felt the same, but i am very dark skinned, so i never really saw myself in her. i think that precious adams and michaela deprince were huge inspirations for me. as i grew up, i started to dislike her dancing (and tbh American style in general--i prefer ceccheti and vagonava... specifically vagonava when i am dancing personally) and i also felt that she stopped working hard. it became especially evident when she couldn't do the 32 fouettés for swan lake and did 16 pique turns instead of all of the fouettes. i don't hate her... i'm just unimpressed and disappointed. but i feel you. ❣️

[@mermaidopulence8539]

@@sheeniebeanie2597 I'm also dark skinned (Nigerian descent) but I saw it more as another dancer of color on a professional stage. I agree with you about her technique falling, I do feel like she could strengthen it a bit more. I was trained RAD when I was younger before I stopped dancing due to ballet trauma right before YAGP back in 2008. I returned to the ballet scene four years ago and the studio I'm at is Balanchine trained and it's very different from what I'm used to. I will say that going en pointe feels a lot different now than it did when I first got pointe shoes back in 2006.

[@JGforlife]

Love it.

[@coriannm318]

Noone respectful " hates on Misty"- she is an amazing trailblazer and inspiration to many of all backgrounds and dance levels...😃

[@irmelinhart-xn9wj]

"Ballet wasn't meant for black people "...Omg.....

[@karinaschulerferro3815]

omg what eva said about not knowing ballet dancers is so true (as an audience member) there's such a mystery around the dancers!! mystery is glamorous and allows you to become immersed in the ballets' settings but its also really special seeing and hearing from dancers and watching rehearsals/classes or just seeing how they interact as a community

[@schm1596]

I love this style of podcasting and hope you do it with both more of the graduates and the current dancers! I would LOVE to see a catch-up with Maya in particular since she’s been overseas living her dream. Glad Amber is taking some time for herself. I got burned out in my own profession and took a ‘gap year’ where I moved to another state and picked up some random work there. Because of that I was able to get back to my chosen profession with a level head.

[@Seldarius]

I was rooting so hard for Amber and was surprised to not see her shoot through the ranks in Boston. What a shame they messed her around so bad, but I hope the experience hasn’t diminished her joy in dancing. Of all the (very talented) dancers at Master Ballet she has always stood out to me as someone to watch and I’m crossing all my fingers and my toes that she will find a place at a company that treasures her (after her break, obviously).

[@Cheerleaderfan6]

as a non dancer, i really agree with the point you made on social media making ballet feel more accessible and personal. i went to see the nutcracker last year and immediately became hooked on learning more about ballet, which is how i found MBA academy and since then i feel like i’ve learned so much and gained a much bigger appreciation for the arts! i think through social media i would definitely go see another show simply to see someone i follow perform

[@user-kl7xq5hw4d]

Wishing Amber well and luck finding a company that values her and has opportunity to dance. 🌻

[@emitch9213]

Amber, you silence speaks well. When entering into a professional level of ballet company business, one comes to learn and know quite a lot of how different entering into the working ballet company is. No one can know, unless the experience is theirs' alone. You could tell another but will not grasp your experience. One's love to dance with one's artistic ability is truly tested. A whole new self-examination within a working ballet company experience is realized. Your maturity will grow from this and a direction you need will be there in you. Best to you.

[@katir.5701]

I totally agree what Eva is saying about making ballet more open to the public. I never knew how much I liked watching it until I came across Evas channel and MBA. Now I'm a huge fan of the sport and art and of so many hardworking dancers eventho it's such a different livestyle and type of entertainment from what I do and normally like.

[@megan8417]

eva! 100% with you about social media and dance. i honestly wished more dance studios would be more open and transparent with social media, because at least for MBA, your yt shorts and ig reels made MBA and its dancers way more famous. You are so right that getting to know their personality makes us want to watch and support them! i have never watched the nutcracker but after watching your videos, i would pay to watch them perform because now im rooting for them.

[@JeteLife]

I love this so much! I would love to see more podcasts/talks with the students and graduates of MBA (of course, only if it's something they want to do) First I want to say I'm so glad Ambers' taking care of herself and doing what she needs to do taking this year off. I also want to point out the conversation from 46:35 to 49:04. I truly do appreciate you, Eva, and all of MBA for giving us an inside scoop into classes, rehearsals, backstage preparations, etc. I agree with Amber that I a lot of times like watching people I don't know, to discover more about Ballet and the variety alongside dancers, but I also do strongly agree that a lot of people including myself do go to a performance with their favorite dancers from the internet rather than a performance with a bunch of dancers they don't know. For example, I'd rather go all the way to London to watch Marianela Nunez and Natalia Osipova than watch the company that performs 45 mins away from me. Sorry this comment is so long, but I really wanted to show appreciation for the subjects being talked about here.

[@h_2558]

I did ballet for 11 years but ultimately quit due to drama at my studio. I avoided watching dance for several years because it was a sore spot for me. When I found Eva and MBA I was able to enjoy ballet again. I live nowhere near Arizona but have considered making a trip just to see the Nutcracker

[@nickynicks_]

Anyone else think that Amber kinda looks like Emily Blunt😅?

[@dustbitten]

Or a younger Alexis Bledel

[@mariakara2419]

omggg ik she reminded me of someone, i think she reeeally looks like Brie Larson, especially her eyes :)

[@jinsoulsbetta]

what eva said about teachers giving class but not teaching hits. i’ve always taken classes at my home studio, which closes during the summer. i decided to take some open classes recently in a professional dance school recommended by my home studio teacher (we don’t have many options here either way so im very limited on where to go) and i felt, so disconnected from the teacher? like she was just there to show us the combinations and only spoke to me twice during a 90min class. instead she was focusing on the students she already knew, most of which were likely training to become professionals, while i was just there to take a class with my limited technique lol. i could literally feel my excitement for those classes leaving my body mid lesson. i was very taken aback by that and i feel like we need to start talking about it more

[@uikmnhj4me]

I had a teacher like that for all of middle school. She really invalidated me as part of the class by basically ignoring my existence and dismissing my raised hand when I didn’t understand something. Eventually I started going to a studio that actually wanted me there.

[@emitch9213]

Perhaps you mean when you intend to take a class, you are looking for an experience of a 'professional ballet training?' Going into an unknown class of an unknown teacher is just that, taking a class. Expecting to be taught in a class is not about the teacher, but the dancer. A dancer decides to learn in a class. If you are talking about how you felt unnoticed in a class while being taught, you could continue to that same class at least a few weeks to take on being new and unnoticed, but learn what the teacher is giving while you are intent to taking her/his class. Now, if you are looking for a professional training, your decision is based on auditioning into 'a school of professional ballet training,' then your intent would be to dance professionally in a ballet company. Passion is a drive of one who knows they just have to have that class, excel, go unnoticed, rejected, fall but get up, hit a plateau but keep on pushing, work hard, enjoy, hurt, and muster a lot of self examination to being a beautiful ballerina. As one mistress taught, you come to 'eat, sleep, walk, talk, work, dream' each day with a pro-career. Very few know what their life is, already.

[@jinsoulsbetta]

@@emitch9213 but that’s the thing. i DONT want to be a professional. i was just there to take class. and i didn’t ‘expect to be taught’, i expected to be corrected during the class instead of ignored.

[@tzoe875]

II think the arts are so expensive that the inclusivity and snobbery makes it a challenge. That’s why I’m loving how the Wozniak’s are generous with letting you film. It has made me miss ballet so very much. I would be taking adult classes but I have physical limitations. I loved “so you think you can dance” but there wasn’t enough focus on ballet. My inspiration is definitely Misty Copeland. She made her way up with so many obstacles.

[@zaliash2381]

Eva, you are so correct on how your videos show the world of ballet to those who don’t have existing knowledge or exposure to it - I literally started dance classes because of it

[@karenkoroscil9568]

Eva, there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to have a family and I think when the time is right, it will happen! Amber, you’re a beautiful dancer, don’t ever settle for second best! Keep trying to get where you want to go! 💕💕

[@uikmnhj4me]

Absolutely!

[@GoogleUser-qz5zv]

What I find so impressive is how much each of you is in touch with your psychological needs. You are both so much more mature and selfaware than I was at your ages. I wish the best for you, whatever that ends up being.

[@lizziefrances]

Your videos show the progression of students to performers which gives the performance so much more depth for 'outsiders'

[@nancysueleske7819]

Actually I think this was insightful. My love for ballet started very young in Chicago. No body for it, no parent got it. Took free lessons and read lots of books. It never completely died. Now I watch your channel though 80 in a bit over a month. It never ends. You always get it or you don’t. Thanks girls! Always changing challenges!!!

[@SW-fm6up]

I just wanted to say that when I was young I had great dreams of the future and was alot more creative just as I see with all of the dancers at MBA. Unfortunately though when most young people who leave home have so much to worry about like, career, new relationships, safty, etc they tend to start loosing their identity and many eventually loose themselves. Im here to tell you, please don't let that happen to you and remember what a wonderful talented person you are and dont let anyone try to make you feel less than who you really are!!! It would take a book to explain how I learned this in my life, but this is what I learned!!! Always believe in yourself, even if others may be jealous and unsupported, and don't believe in you!!!!

[@anj-i5b]

This is so vital and such an important msg to stare! I couldn’t agree with you more. I went through a similar thing, had a really hard life supporting myself through uni and finding a stable job, and trying to survive on my own in a foreign country. I almost lost my enthusiasm and who I was along the way, so I agree it’s important that young people should remember this.

[@Tonya-fz4er]

Even Amber’s eyebrows are talented!

[@mermaidopulence8539]

At the studio I dance at I know that video recording or pictures isn't allowed unless it's a parent recording their child. It's something to do with adults recording minors, it's like a safety issue. I don't know if all studios are like that but some has restrictions on recording. Also people are brainwashed to believe that ballet dancers are uptight and rude and don't want to mingle with people after a performance. Infact we are usually the complete opposite, we love seeing everyone who came and enjoyed our performance. I like that you were able to have your platform to show people that ballet isn't so strict and can actually be fun.

[@veronikajaklova1507]

I've always done contemporary as a hobby, but thanks to you Eva I want to start ballet lessons this year.. I really think social media is so influential and so benefiting for ballet as an art form. Also we'd love more episodes! With Amber or any other MBA graduate!

[@katherinebrown4692]

Eva,s absolutely right, people really like to know ballet dancers and have a glimpse into their lives, what they do,eat, think,etc.And I just love Amber's dancing, she's so spectacular..I hope you can take this time to do some nice things and be happy ❤

[@SW-fm6up]

I love this video, and hope you will have many more like this!!! It has answered alot of questions I had about your lives and it makes me feel like I know you both alittle more!! Thank you for this great video Amber and Eva!!!

[@masterwarden2827]

In reference to the conversation about social media and how companies view it, I don't think social media alone is what is going to break down the wall that keeps people from the arts. I think that's more about affordability. Dance is not cheap, and that closes doors to MANY people, even the ones who might want to know more or be interested themselves. I do think that companies should take advantage of social media for this reason: it helps to see dancers as people. What you've done with MBA is help people see that ballerinas aren't just rigid, cold people. I think you've helped break that part of dancer stigma/sterotyping. Which I think is great. I do agree with Amber saying that in general, the arts aren't appreciated in America. But again, I think that's a financial wall, and if it was more accessible to people, I think more people would appreciate it.

[@VanessaWade1978]

I love this comment! Finances were the reason I had to quit dance, both as a child and later as an adult. And finances are literally the only reason I don't get to go see any higher level fine arts either. I do my best to support local public school performances, and dance school performances, but social media is one of the main ways I feel I can still show some level of support for artists and artistic art forms of all types. Thanks for acknowledging that important barrier!

[@chiara4243]

Would love to see more conversations like this and including more mba graduates we’ve seen on TikTok :) I feel like we hear so little about life in between graduation and corps positions

[@ana.medina]

i always got the impression that despite her personality oftentimes seeming nonchalant, amber didn’t seem to enjoy boston as much as people expected her too. i also danced from 9 until i was about 19, joined a company at 17 and was paid, i always felt so out of place and like i wasn’t dancing enough or what i wanted (despite being a 2nd soloist) compared to my home studio where i was so loved. it was definitely a difficult decision but i didn’t want to be unhappy and live in regret. i went to college and joined a dance team, and graduated this year 💗 hope amber finds her path too.

[@Appaddict01]

It’s hard being isolated from family in a new city and in such a competitive environment.

[@emitch9213]

Yep, a professional career does define the truth of one's expectations of a ballet company's business. Rank from a ballet home school is a beginner's dream. A school of a professional balket training is the launching pad. A ballet company is the business of what a dancer comes to know where their artistic level is recognized and placed. A few years inside a pro-company takes a tremendous test of one's self-acceptance as a dancer. One's love of ballet is knowing realistically where one begins their place entering into a company and willing to arrive that rank may come slowly, or rank may plateau, or no rank does not come, or warned of a no next contract. A dancer's pro-life averages at best 35 years of age.

[@StygiaNyt]

Love listening to your experiences and could totally see you two making this a podcast even if it's like a monthly catch-up. Eva you are inspiring from both your photography to seeing you take on learning ballet, I've learned so much about both from tuning in and even though I'll prob never get into dance your passion for the arts has pushed me to get back into focusing on sculpture and writing since I graduated college during the pandemic. Amber, you are such a beautiful dancer and I think this time to refocus will benefit you in so many ways. Sometimes stepping back can make things a lot clearer so I'm super excited to see where this next year takes you. Best of luck girls!

[@Katherine-qs8ws]

Appreciate Eva’s pointed assessment of Boston.

[@uikmnhj4me]

Eva, I totally resonate with you just as a person. I’m 28. I was never a “good” dancer, but I really loved it and try to continue to improve even as an adult! My relationships have also been traumatic lol. I’m a hustler too. I love how open you are and about your life and experiences and how you show up every day for your art. Thank you for sharing your dance journey and your photography/videography skills with us! But also thank you for sharing who you are.

[@Seldarius]

I absolutely agree with you, Eva. I love the way that you have opened up the art of ballet by sharing with us the trials and tribulation and all the fun and friendships of the dancers at MBA. It’s been a wonderful experience.

[@ddharter]

I agree with you Eva, that a personal social media presence could enhance and even encourage the public to attend dance performances. What an interesting topic! And I loved this video over all, for the casual discussion of your lives. Thanks for letting me in to hear it. I have come to feel I know each of the dancers (and you) to some extent. When someone starts improving or excelling on screen, I can have tears of happiness in seeing them. When you do photoshoots and ask them to try different poses and get creative, some of these are amazing.

[@bbdj3]

Eva is so right. I randomly started my obsession with ballet just a year or so ago and it was because there were no sports to watch at the moment. I was looking at videos of ballerinas being so athletic and found her videos with master ballet and kids that were so freaking good which then prompted me to watch entire ballets on KZbin, which then prompted me again to go to my first show, Swan Lake, with the San Francisco Ballet theatre (to which I was able to get a signature from the principal ballerina). Ballet is a world of “if you know, you know”. It’s an art form that people would pour into if they were more exposed to it. No one can look at ballet and be anything other than impressed.

[@OptimusSkiver]

I really enjoyed this, and the pace was really relaxing and calming. Don't hang that podcasting hat just yet! All of the dancers that you've introduced me to through your short form videos have really inspired me (like Amber, Maya, Tessa, Mel), but I'd have to say that you've been so much more inspiring too, because you're like the odd duck in class just like me, and I watched you go from not slay so much to actually slaying on pointe! And now I'm curious about dance photography too! Like, how bad can it be compared to birds and 18-19th century graveyards? (lol I am not confident with my 35mm...) I look forward to more couch chats like this!

[@allisonyaguchi7177]

Glad yall mentioned Maddie Woo! She’s one of my favorites :) love this chat style vid! I like having you in the background.

[@karenkoroscil9568]

You are totally correct Eva. You definitely broke down the wall that has been built around dance but particularly in ballet. I was a dancer back in the day, so I know what you’re saying is true!

[@lionsmaine1238]

So glad to hear Amber is taking time for herself

[@ovalandovoid]

My cynical self thinks that companies dislike social media because they don’t want individual dancers to outshine the company and be first in the heart of the audience. I also feel that access to the arts has always been limited by money and privilege, which again places control in the hands of company directors and their wealthy patrons and bestows both groups a sense of prestige. Times change, and only those who adapt will survive. Companies are missing out on a massive market share by not being on social media and putting more content online.

[@uikmnhj4me]

I expect it’s less about not wanting their dancers to shine (dancers with fans sell more tickets, after all) and more that they worry the company/studio will get bad press because the wrong thing gets recorded or someone gets the wrong idea or a student does something stupid. So yes it’s about controlling perception but I don’t think it’s about avoiding good perception if that makes sense.

[@LuciaM945]

LOVED this video!!! Y’all should make a video about the harder side of ballet and how to deal with things like body image, periods, etc. LOVE YALL 🤩

[@theleotorrio6144]

I love that you are already planning more episodes, I would watch them all, it's really interesting!!!

[@annabee..]

I absolutely love this it was so comforting and cozy to watch and relax with you two I would absolutely love to see more of this love you Eva and Amber!!!

[@ImmortalHDizzle]

this is soooo cool, lovely actually hearing y'all just chat about anything! I don't even like podcasts, but this hits the spot 🥰

[@gabyw3757]

Occasional podcasts would be great, i think theres so many interesting topics about the dance world that we would all love to hear your takes on, and if possible guests from MBA too! Good luck to both of you for all that lies ahead! ❤

[@MrRealitybite]

They're the Emma Stone and Emily Blunt of ballet

[@getreadywithmemamma]

Yessss!!! I trained in Opera as a vocalist at a University and had fourteen years of Cello and sixteen years of piano with choir and voice behind me and some ballet to be honest 😂. But, yeah I couldn’t see a future in the real world and had started in engineering and moved back into stem fields for a career. Well, I ended up in nursing ;). So, my heart won over my mind in the end haha but yessssss the arts need a voice and here I am at forty loving your channel so keep going give arts the life and voice that they deserve!!!! 😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤

[@___Angelica]

i really love ballet...but not all ballet. to be honest, i may love behind the scenes ballet stuff even more than watching a straight ballet. maybe because i'm not a ballerina, watching practice and all of your ballet photos is fascinating.

[@ovalandovoid]

Agreed! I’m glad I’m not the only one. Watching the process behind the art is so fascinating to me.

[@Dawn_Hannah]

Same here! I’ve been in orchestra, choir, and props for theatre, so the behind the scenes stuff is really exciting to me.

[@nome8080]

💯 on the point you were making at 48 minutes. I am not a dancer. My only experience with dance is that my college roommate and bestie was a dancer. I found your vlog recently and... you described my experience exactly. Your vlog showed me the people behind the performance. I LOVE watching all the personalities and YES I am now OBSESSED. 😂 I would love to see a ballet with these characters in it. Thanks for all the great vlogs Eva. (Also obsessed with watching your career progress! ❤❤)

[@kanekiken4860]

14:30 “ALLEGEDLY” lmao I love that

[@noranussbaum]

good for amber! she should take time for herself to make sure she’s ok!❤ ily both

[@Sophia_JiYun]

Really sad about Boston bc I would’ve loved to be able to see Amber in a show but I know she’ll find something that’s a better fit for her. Rooting for you both!

[@PattieM]

100% agree Eva about social media and ballet. I’ve always been interested in ballet but never had the drive to want to see a show. Since watching your videos and getting to know master ballerinas I want to start going to shows.

[@Steph.Robinson]

Going from what you were saying about ballet dancers doing social media, there's a couple who met in Germany doing ballet, James and Jasmine, and now live in Australia, and they left ballet because of how they were treated over their tik tok videos even though they did it in their off time, they were laughed at and it was used to try and humiliate them and isolate them from the other dancers, they told the story on KZbin. They're now doing really well doing modern dance and are even teaching classes. Which is why I think it's so good that MBA is ok with the girls showing their talent on social media

[@Monocultured01]

Was not expecting to hear Amber quietly sing Army Dreamers during a pause. Love Kate Bush

[@clemncb]

I've been a huge fan of your work for YEARS Eva, and i'm just learning now that you're the exact same age than me ! I'm a french professional dance photographer too and your journey inspires me soooo much, thanks for sharing it, thanks for showing more than just result pictures

[@abrahamfigueroa7930]

I love Ambers dancing ,why not. Arizona Ballet ,because of Balanchine?Eva I've seen your modern movement & your talented.Your photography is brilliant and needed.I'm am x- dancer so love Master Ballet ,so I can see how the tech. has evolved.Love your friend ship💕

[@jaylarose630]

I really like this! I’d love more! Please make more! Your personality is so lovely 😊😊😊

[@cbass2755]

What you do Eva is bringing the arts to people…I love how you do your channel! And…introducing all the dancers…even the ones in the back who are shy. I follow your dancers..Parker and Melanie for example. And Amber of course! I have to admit…the first time I met Amber (via utube), I thought what a sourpuss!! 🤣🤣 Of course I’m wrong! But it was my first thought!🤣🤣

[@BeckBeckGo]

Your first thought was wrong. Learn from that

[@marykayhiggins8434]

​@@BeckBeckGoa little rough. I think people shouldn't be discouraged from being open and honest. We all learn from that.

[@Evb835]

Eva: “We did like sunshine lollipops type stuff” Amber: *looks at Eva* Eva: *looks at Amber* Both: “SunShiNe LoliPOPS aNd RaiNboWs…”

[@uikmnhj4me]

I love how nobody knows the words after that one part 😂

[@virginia-rosemakeup9697]

Love this format! I hope you guys do more, Also Amber's little impromptu Kate Bush moment with 'Army Dreamers' was too relatable for me I thought I was the only one 😭🤣🤣🤣🩰🩰🩰 Sylvie Guillem is an absolute ethereal goddess from the future indeed, I remember first seeing her on Television in Cinderella when I was at a Summer intensive many years ago and being immediately in love with her 🤣😭. Marianela Nunez is unreal it's literally unbelievable how good she is, leaves me speechless 😶😍 Oh one of my all time favourites has always been Evgenia Obraztsova and the incomparable Ulyana Lopatkina okay imma stop now there's soooooooooo many and I'm rambling now. Sending love to you both from Belfast 🇮🇪 🩰💜

[@elzaocean]

Honestly it’s way more enjoyable for me to watch behind the scenes than actual ballet scenes and your popularity shows I’m not the only one

[@MartinaBaraldi-u9v]

when i say i ran to click on this video it's definitely an understatement, i love this podcast type of format with you two, keep it up!

[@middleagedcouchpotato677]

Your story about Amber’s shoot reminded me of so many kids that I worked with as a dance teacher and helping with learn to skate. In particular there was this one kid who on the ice just looked like she wanted to be anywhere else. I kept trying to engage with her and she was like no thanks lol. Then we were both in the same dressing room taking off our skates and she was just so enthusiastic to her mother about how much she’d loved class 😂 and I was just sitting there like 🧐

[@jamesmccullough9999]

Okay, so this was interesting, if for no other reason than the audience has gotten to know YOU Eva, a lot better than Amber. Amber always seemed like she was "also there" in your videos, like she was someone important, but not this important. And your observation that ballet dancers have a totally different kind of celebrity is actually a really interesting one that I hadn't considered. I only watch this because of your photography shorts - I don't know why it popped on my feed, but here it was, and the more I saw, the more simply astonished I was at your photography. But then to see you learning it really started to give me an appreciation for the art itself. The male that you have teaching you the ... I don't know the name of the frikkin' moves, I'm an accountant for God's sake... but it was jump, spin and legs together feet pointed on an angle and land - that was AMAZING, now that I know more about what I'm looking at... From YOU. You're really helping bring the art to people who may not have understood before, and you're really helping lower the barrier to entry of appreciation of the art form. So... Well done. [edit: grammar]

[@Julia-bb2qo]

i love how entertained i was this entire time

[@gothmissstress]

You're super inspiring, Eva 🫀

[@sheeniebeanie2597]

amber, listen to me, the queen of ballet snark: you can dance anywhere you want. you are a beautiful dancer. have heard horror stories about boston (body image stuff), ngl. could be great for some people but you gotta be extremely secure, which... what 18 year old is super secure, let alone in a new place? have you looked at sf ballet? pittsburgh ballet theatre? idk how you feel abt san fran (not my favorite city lol) or pittsburgh (i like it, i live there lol) but i am trying to think of places where you fit in well (please don't go to NYCB i hate balanchine style lol), and you could do the graduate programs because you are so young... you could also go overseas. you have the talent to do so. edit: my ballet inspiration? probably olesya novikova. she's perfect.

[@lalabest1aj]

nothing wrong with sf bro just because you don't like it 🙄 and telling her not to do things because 'you dont like it' is a bit weird coming from someone let alone a complete internet stranger. 😭

[@sheeniebeanie2597]

@@lalabest1aj bruh all i said was that san francisco isn't my favorite city and i put it in parenthesis. contrary to popular belief, it helps to like the city that you will live in and work in. the point is that sf ballet and pbt are really good (as good as boston) and amber would be fabulous there, especially how those fit with mba's training. i'm allowed to have an opinion just like you do, and you are also an internet stranger and keyboard warrior which is weird, so relax. 😂

[@lalabest1aj]

@@sheeniebeanie2597 Let her figure things out for herself, stop forcing your opinions on her based on what YOU like and don’t like, you’re legit a stranger thinking you matter or something 😹Never seen someone with such a false sense of importance

[@stellayoungs955]

The conversation about social media and ballet reminds me of Jasmin and James’ story about why they left the ballet world.

[@Kearly15]

Very good conversation, ladies! Glad Amber is taking time for herself & Eva, you are a great interviewer! Since following you, I have seen my first 2 ballets (at age 33): Motown Ballet & the beautiful Swan Lake 😍 I enjoy your videos, you’re doing a great job!

[@9sheri9]

🫶 loved this q&a, big hugs to you both

[@giddygrub7176]

Lovely to see you guys chatting and hearing your plans. The Boston experience sounds like a learning curve for sure. They did the dirty by not giving enough notice for auditions tho. Re: the social media, I get why some Directors might not like it. All the best actors are completely believable in their roles because we know next to nothing about them. When i saw Maleficent i didn't think 'oh that's Maleficent ' I thought 'that's Angelina Jolie'. If the person becomes bigger than the character they are playing you no longer believe the character. I could see Instagram and such potentially being more useful career wise (depending what you post on there). Good luck whatever you choose! 🎉 Edit: typos

[@anneb5734]

i'm so glad you guys did this episode!!! we def want that trauma dump episode!!!

[@markcarroll6252]

I just want to say thank you. Because ,, I've always been a dancer deep down but I don't remember ever caring about ballet. Many negative reasons for that. Which I see really has nothing to do with me. Just the experiences of life coming from where I have. When Amber said, I just wanted to move.. I felt that. Been moving to music since I was little. Never had training or teaching but, always the ability ..This introduction to ballet over the past handful of months has been inspiring and, it all started with those badass photos. You capture many things that cannot be expressed or defined. You capture power, Elegance, and the defiance of limitations. You also capture pure fun souls. I always wonder if any of you are aware of how you can make people feel. I can remember one thought about ballet as a young man. Which was about the dudes and, it was always oh man, they're gay.. Now, it doesn't even matter. Mad respect to the dudes cuz, Eva, you made me see. They are just men striving to be great and be the best at what they love. Know your worth ladies. I don't mean that from the angle of girl boss BS. Don't ever let yourselves settle. Trust me, digging yourself out from under just settling is miserable. Thank you again. Please don't stop.

[@juliyam5539]

eva omg this is so fun -- this podcast style suits you so well :D

[@juliettebarel2985]

3:52 "But he didn't even have the money for a guitar" AAAAAgh love that song of Katy Bush

[@artisaline]

I don't think she'll ever see this, but I think Amber is meant to be a contemporary dancer. I think that she needs the opportunity to express herself and to take on a role and to push herself the way contemporary dancers do. And I think she would be really happy with that. She can be so reserved and shy, But when you see her Duke contemporary you can see that she is unleashed. She seems so free. And I would think that that would be something really rewarding. Also I think you can dance contemporary longer than you can dance ballet or neoclassical. Like you don't burn out as fast. But she should do what makes her happy. No matter what. But when I've seen her do contemporary, she looks really happy. She looks really into it. And good for you for choosing to take a year to focus on yourself. It's not taking a year off. It's all a part of the process. And it's something that gets neglected by a lot of people and then later they have to pay a very heavy price for not doing what you're going to do. So congratulations on that. If you choose to be a dancer, you're going to need this time and this effort to focus on yourself. It's just going to make you a better person and obviously a better dancer. So congratulations for that. I hope that a lot of other people who follow you and who want to dance will see you now as an even better role model than when you were showing us all of your skill as a dancer. Because this is what people need so much today. And a lot of people, young and old, up are always ignoring this. That's awesome.😊 ALSO I think Eva is a different person when she's taking pictures. She just becomes this master and this strong person who's totally in charge. Who's confidence is not just arrogance but is actually really enjoyable and comforting. And it makes me like her work even more because I feel like I'm watching somebody who has such a mastery of her craft. I enjoy watching her otherwise, but I think she is just different when she's a photographer. And I have to think that that's probably also really enjoyable for her. I mean you can watch a great artist create their art, and that's very different than sitting and having lunch with that artist. Because when they're doing their art, they are showing you their unique talent. It's a talent that not everybody has. But when you're sitting and talking to them they're just like anybody else. And that's good. There's nothing wrong with that. But it's more rare that you get to see the artist make the art. And so when she's taking photographs and she's giving direction and she's... Just moving around the set, she's different. I think that's fair to say. Okay I'm done. I'm really sorry. I know I say a lot. And I doubt anybody really is going to read all this. But these people are being genuine and are often genuine in their videos and it's hard not to care about them. They're not just putting on a show. It's not a fake smile. It's not a fake laugh. It's not fake emotions when you watch these videos. And so it's hard not to see them as real. And I think they are obviously. And so you get someone invested because you think they're real. Just like you would be invested in anyone you might know in real life. I know we don't get to see everything. I get that. They have private lives. But I think they are doing something on social media that has never been done in the past. They are being celebrities in the sense that we are following them and wondering about them, but they're also being genuine. That's the part that I think is unique. And I think it's something that they'll have to navigate as they go into create as they go, but it is what's new about what they are doing. If I'm making any sense.

[@Idge68]

How can Amber say she wasn't very good at 11yrs old😮 that footage proves otherwise completely. Amber is a wonderful ballet dancer & she is still only 20yrs old.😂🩰🩷🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@MayaASoto]

I loved the episode! keep going besties! ❣

[@TheWillowstar416]

I love you guys. Amber your ballet is amazing. Eva your photography 📸 is absolutely beautiful 😍

[@terihagerdorn]

So many parents live vicariously through their kids, and when that happens so many kids lose their passion, but stick it out because kids don't want to"disappoint" their parents. Not saying this is true in every situation, just something that happens a lot!

[@katir.5701]

Gap years are so important when you are young, I took one after school before going to university. Worked a few months fulltime and travelled a lot and it was really great, I can only recommend!

[@trinityslade]

I loved this! I hope this becomes a regular thing!

[@EleanoraElizabeth01]

Omg i love this so much. It made me feel really good listening. I hope that you guys do this again!!!!

[@GoogleUser-qz5zv]

Pointe shoes at age 9? Does MBA put dancers en pointe before an x-ray shows that their growth plates are fully fused? That's usually around age 13, isn't it? Is it ok to be en pointe before that? Or can growth plates be fully fused as early as 9 in some young girls?

[@Bellasasmr01]

omg Eva those pillows are so freaking cute and this video is so like idk i love it anyways i hope to see more of these ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jinsoulsbetta]

sae maeda has to be the dancer that inspires me the most. she’s incredible

[@isagrace4260]

This is format great (as our the outfits!) ❤ Our couches are the same color!

[@GettinFiggyWitIt]

I couldn't agree more with Eva about thinking it would be an asset to have a dancer in the company who has a strong social media following. If any of the MBA dancers came to dance anywhere near me, I would absolutely go to see them perform. Amber and other dancers see it differently because they are insiders in the ballet world. They have a deeper understanding and appreciation of ballet, so they don't see it the way an outsider does. Do people need to start contacting companies telling them they would love to see more behind the scenes, and that they want to see dancers with a strong social media presence? Seriously, maybe it would help.

[@alwaysrootingfortheantihero123]

some of my biggest inspirations for dance are the mba dancers. idk if you know but you’ve inspired a bunch of people.