Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Fadeley Veyette.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a Principal Soloist professional ballet dancer with Miami City Ballet. I started teaching the next generation of dancers as a way to make extra money and stay in shape during our lay-off seasons, but it’s now turned into a true passion and love of mine. My husband, Francis, is a former professional dancer and now full-time ballet teacher in the Miami area. During summers we are able to teach students from all over the country at various summer intensive programs (ballet summer camp). So many young dancers would come up to us afterwards saying they wished they could train with us year-round because they had learned so much, but they usually had to go back to their home studios, wherever that may be. Then, we were contacted by a student wondering if we would be able to give them a private lesson virtually, as it was something the parents did with CrossFit training. The first lesson was such a success that we realized this was the way we could connect with students everywhere, regardless of where they lived, and thus Veyette Virtual Ballet School was born. We went public with our virtual school about a year ago and have taught dancers from California to Japan and everywhere in between. Their ages have ranged from five-year-olds just beginning, to serious adult students in their thirties wanting to learn more of this beautiful art form. We work our lessons around our existing ballet jobs and also offer mentoring consultations to the dancers and their parents. The ballet world can be pretty difficult to navigate and with a combined over 35 years in the industry, we are excited to be passing our knowledge on to such eager dancers.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Some of the struggles faced have been getting the word out there and finding the time and energy to get it done. Ballet is super traditional and the passing down of knowledge has usually been in person, in a studio. So, here we are changing the game, saying we can help you improve via Skype, from your kitchen if necessary. Some people are skeptical until they try it and see the personal and individualized attention they miss in their large regular ballet classes. We rarely have someone sign up for a class and not schedule more immediately.
Because this is a side business, we have to conduct classes on our off hours, which sometimes means coming home after 6 hours of rehearsal at Miami City Ballet and teaching for another 2. But because it’s something I really believe in, it’s all worth it.
My advice for younger women starting out is to make sure you really are passionate about what you are doing and it won’t feel like work. Also, use all your resources and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
What should we know about Veyette Virtual Ballet School? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What makes us unique is that we offer world-class ballet training to anyone, anywhere. Not every city, or even state, has the ballet instruction needed to get into a professional company, so we are offering supplemental training wherever you may live. We also work one on one and find what needs to be improved upon in the dancer’s technique so they can continue growing. This isn’t just us giving you a work out class; most of the time we don’t even get through all the steps of the class because the quality is more important to us than the quantity.
I’m most proud of the difference we are making in these dancers lives, not just physically, but mentally. Ballet is a tough art form and so subjective, so we strive to give our students confidence while also making them stronger dancers. Our mentoring sessions are our way of sharing to dancers and their parents that they aren’t alone in their thoughts and concerns for their futures. It’s been wonderful to be able to give back in that way as well.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Though the ballet world is usually thought of as females in pointe shoes and tutus, it is predominantly run by men. There are very few female Artistic Directors of professional ballet companies (though Miami City Ballet is one of them!) and mostly male-dominated choreography is being performed. I’m proud to have started this business, along with my husband, where we are equal entities in all that we do. He is an incredible teacher and has an amazing way of working with our students, but sometimes a young girl just needs to see someone else in pointe shoes to fully understand what is being asked of them. I’m glad to be able to be a role model for this next generation of ballerinas.
Pricing:
- $100/hour per teacher
Contact Info:
- Website: www.veyettevirtualballetschool.com
- Email: lauren@veyettevirtualballetschool.com
- Instagram: @veyettevirtualballet school
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veyettevirtual/
- Twitter: @VeyetteS
Image Credit:
Candice DeTorre, April Singleton, Alexis Ziemski
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