Jenelle Figgins's guest appearances

Jenelle Figgins

Ballet Uncovered ~ Balancing Pointe Podcast

5.6.7.EIGHT

Kathryn Morgan

Chloe Angyal

Alvin Ailey

Ben Davis

Tony Duncan

Sarah Steele

Rebecca King

Kimberly Falker

Leanne Cope

Margaret Mullin

Ida Praetorius

Megan Fairchild

Sara Mearns

Kaitlyn Gilliland

Francis Veyette

OwlTail

This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jenelle Figgins — an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and teacher, who is using her talents to help engage with schools and outreach to communities. Figgins, who currently dances for the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, uses her platform for good through teaching both domestically and internationally and through community outreach and dance advocacy. Her passion for choreography has also led her to produce original performances in partnership with schools through the United States. Recently, Jenelle was honored to take part in the NYC Dance Project, alongside her twin sister Samantha. Jenelle is all too familiar with the grind of a professional dance career and has learned through her own trials that mental toughness, in many ways, supersedes physical toughness. On the podcast, Jenelle opens up about her struggles with bipolar disorder but discusses how she, personally, gets mentally ready for the grind of her career, day in and day out. Figgins also describes the joy of dancing alongside her twin sister, how her dance career started, the struggles of dancing in extreme altitude, and a myriad of other topics.     Moving Quotes: “There has to be peace on the inside in order for there to be chaos happening all around you." “Having a strong mental stability is what definitely contributes to you having a long-lasting dance career. You have to have tough skin… But it propels your artistry when you’re able to tap into your sensitivity and make that a strength." “My struggles are my greatest teachers." “I always want to be able to do exactly what I want to do — to be passionate in my art — but also to develop myself as an artist for the things that I’m going to do later." “In the moments where you have great sadness or great pain — those are the moments that you have the most access to who you really are and the things that you really need to learn. There’s only so much development you can make when you’re in a happy place." “[My twin sister and I] have both had things that we have no control over, but what we do have control over is how we treat each other and how we support each other in the things that could hold us back but, in reality, propel us forward."   Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:10: Jenelle discusses the challenges of training and dancing in Aspen, at an extremely high altitude. 5:27: Jenelle describes the mental toughness that’s necessary to maintain a professional dance career, even beyond the physical toll that dance takes on the body. 8:10: Figgins explains how she personally prepares herself mentally to cope with the oft-chaotic professional dance lifestyle. 12:30: Jenelle explains how she landed at the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and why the company holds a special place in her heart. 18:05: Figgins shares about her experience taking part in the NYC Dance Project. 21:35: Jenelle discusses how she has made her journey in dance alongside her twin sister, Samantha, and how going it side-by-side with her has been an incredible blessing and advantage. 25:46: Jenelle describes what she is most proud of as a dancer and artist. 27:32: Figgins retells an extremely low point for her when she first moved to Aspen but explains how our struggles are often our greatest teachers. 32:01: Jenelle discusses her own personal goals within dance, including producing more choreographed works and using arts to benefit communities.   Bullet List of Resources –  Jenelle Figgins  Instagram  On NYC Dance Project  On Aspen Santa Fe Ballet site 

This week on 5.6.7.EIGHT, Aleksandra speaks with Jenelle Figgins — an award-winning dancer, choreographer, and teacher, who is using her talents to help engage with schools and outreach to communities. Figgins, who currently dances for the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, uses her platform for good through teaching both domestically and internationally and through community outreach and dance advocacy. Her passion for choreography has also led her to produce original performances in partnership with schools through the United States. Recently, Jenelle was honored to take part in the <a href="http://www.nycdanceproject.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NYC Dance Project</a>, alongside her twin sister Samantha. Jenelle is all too familiar with the grind of a professional dance career and has learned through her own trials that mental toughness, in many ways, supersedes physical toughness. On the podcast, Jenelle opens up about her struggles with bipolar disorder but discusses how she, personally, gets mentally ready for the grind of her career, day in and day out. Figgins also describes the joy of dancing alongside her twin sister, how her dance career started, the struggles of dancing in extreme altitude, and a myriad of other topics.   Moving Quotes: “There has to be peace on the inside in order for there to be chaos happening all around you." “Having a strong mental stability is what definitely contributes to you having a long-lasting dance career. You have to have tough skin… But it propels your artistry when you’re able to tap into your sensitivity and make that a strength." “My struggles are my greatest teachers." “I always want to be able to do exactly what I want to do — to be passionate in my art — but also to develop myself as an artist for the things that I’m going to do later." “In the moments where you have great sadness or great pain — those are the moments that you have the most access to who you really are and the things that you really need to learn. There’s only so much development you can make when you’re in a happy place." “[My twin sister and I] have both had things that we have no control over, but what we do have control over is how we treat each other and how we support each other in the things that could hold us back but, in reality, propel us forward." Bullet Points (w/ timestamps) - Highlighting key topics discussed: 4:10: Jenelle discusses the challenges of training and dancing in Aspen, at an extremely high altitude. 5:27: Jenelle describes the mental toughness that’s necessary to maintain a professional dance career, even beyond the physical toll that dance takes on the body. 8:10: Figgins explains how she personally prepares herself mentally to cope with the oft-chaotic professional dance lifestyle. 12:30: Jenelle explains how she landed at the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and why the company holds a special place in her heart. 18:05: Figgins shares about her experience taking part in the <a href="http://www.nycdanceproject.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NYC Dance Project</a>. 21:35: Jenelle discusses how she has made her journey in dance alongside her twin sister, Samantha, and how going it side-by-side with her has been an incredible blessing and advantage. 25:46: Jenelle describes what she is most proud of as a dancer and artist. 27:32: Figgins retells an extremely low point for her when she first moved to Aspen but explains how our struggles are often our greatest teachers. 32:01: Jenelle discusses her own personal goals within dance, including producing more choreographed works and using arts to benefit communities. Bullet List of Resources –  Jenelle Figgins <ul> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenevolent/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.nycdanceproject.com/jenelle-and-samantha-figgins" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> On NYC Dance Project</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.aspensantafeballet.com/asfb/dancers.html#jenelle_figgins" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> On Aspen Santa Fe Ballet site</a></li> </ul>

46: Peace on the Inside — Jenelle Figgins

Balancing Pointe Podcast's new mini series is called "Where are they now?".  On this series some of the earliest and most popular guests to were asked to send an update on what is gong on in their lives right now.  On today's episode we catch up with Jenelle Figgins.  Since we last spoke with Jenelle, she has not only won the Princess Grace award but was also featured in numerous magazines.  Jenelle has also made a shift from Dance Theatre of Harlem, leaving the city of NYC to now dance with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, where she lives and dances with nature. For more episodes and more dance related shows, visit the Premier Dance Network: Premier Dance Network Today's show was sponsored by: Bodywrappers Aspen Santa Fe Ballet  JENELLE FIGGINS: TRANSITION

Balancing Pointe Podcast's new mini series is called "Where are they now?".  On this series some of the earliest and most popular guests to were asked to send an update on what is gong on in their lives right now.  On today's episode we catch up with Jenelle Figgins.  Since we last spoke with Jenelle, she has not only won the Princess Grace award but was also featured in numerous magazines.  Jenelle has also made a shift from Dance Theatre of Harlem, leaving the city of NYC to now dance with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, where she lives and dances with nature. For more episodes and more dance related shows, visit the Premier Dance Network: <a href="http://www.premierdancenetwork.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Premier Dance Network</a> Today's show was sponsored by: <a href="http://bodywrappers.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bodywrappers</a> <a href="http://www.aspensantafeballet.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aspen Santa Fe Ballet</a> <a href="https://www.russianpointe.com/blog/2015/09/29/jenelle-figgins-transition/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> JENELLE FIGGINS: TRANSITION</a>

235 ~ Where are they now? Jenelle Figgins

Jenelle Figgins began her training at the historic Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While training, she received scholarships to attend Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Kennedy Center Residency and Summer Intensive.  Ms. Figgins went on to attend SUNY Purchase New York on partial scholarship and in 2011 received her B.F.A. with honors in dance. Following her graduation she accepted a full scholarship to attend Springboard Danse Montreal.  In 2013 Jenelle began dancing with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.  

Jenelle Figgins began her training at the historic Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and Duke Ellington School of the Arts. While training, she received scholarships to attend Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Kennedy Center Residency and Summer Intensive.  Ms. Figgins went on to attend SUNY Purchase New York on partial scholarship and in 2011 received her B.F.A. with honors in dance. Following her graduation she accepted a full scholarship to attend Springboard Danse Montreal.  In 2013 Jenelle began dancing with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.