Ballet Science
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Caroline Simpkins, PhD
Helping dancers train smarter through science.
đź©° Former Professional Ballerina
🎓 PhD in Biomechanics
🎙 Ballet Science Podcast
Dancers often ignore pain, but when it comes to head injuries, silence is not an option.
Courtney Shealy of American Ballet Theatre joins the Ballet Science Podcast to discuss why dancers must prioritize concussion testing after a head injury. We explore the serious risks of brain injuries and how to overcome the fear of missing performances to ensure long-term ballet injury prevention.
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Full interview on the Ballet Science Podcast!
Are you fueling your high intensity ballet training with the right energy sources?
Many dancers overlook how carbohydrates for dancers drive speed and power during demanding rehearsals. In this conversation with Rachel Fine on the Ballet Science Podcast, we break down the latest findings in ballet nutrition to help you sustain energy levels throughout class.
Subscribe for more evidence-based tips to optimize your dance performance.
Full interview on the Ballet Science Podcast!
Is a fulfilling life beyond ballet actually possible for professional dancers?
Megan Fairchild joins the podcast to discuss her shift in perspective, moving away from the constant pressure of daily ballet class. We explore how cultivating a healthy dancer mindset allows for a more well-rounded identity outside the studio.
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Full interview available on the Ballet Science Podcast!
09/25/2026
Ballet Term of the Week đź©°
Pirouette - from French, meaning “whirling” or “spinning.”
In ballet, a pirouette is a turn performed on one supporting leg while the body rotates around its vertical axis. But what actually makes a pirouette turn?
From a biomechanics perspective, the dancer generates angular momentum through the coordination of the arms, legs, and torso. Once the rotation begins, changing the body’s configuration (such as bringing the arms and working leg closer to the body’s center) can affect how quickly the dancer rotates.
That’s why a pirouette isn’t simply about “spinning harder.” It’s about generating, controlling, and maintaining rotational momentum while keeping the body’s center of mass positioned over the supporting foot.
And then there’s the really hard part… stopping! A beautiful pirouette isn’t just a fast turn. It’s a controlled one.
Save this for class and follow Caroline Simpkins, PhD | Ballet Science for more technique + science!
09/24/2026
What if pointe’s bad reputation is partly a training problem? 🩰
For many dancers, pointe is associated with pain, injuries, pressure, and fear. And those experiences can shape how people outside of ballet perceive pointework.
But what if pointe training looked different?
What if dancers were given the preparation, strength, articulation, alignment, and control they need before they’re expected to perform difficult choreography en pointe?
In my recent conversation with Lynne Charles, founder of 4Pointe and Director of English National Ballet School, we talked about why she believes pointe training needs to evolve… and how better preparation could change the way dancers experience pointe.
Maybe it’s time to rethink pointe. What do you think?
🎙️ Full interview with Lynne Charles on the Ballet Science Podcast. Available now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Link in bio!
Ballet school management requires more than just artistic talent.
Many performers pivot into leadership roles without formal preparation for handling students, parents, or business finances. In this interview with Ballet Help Desk, we examine the operational challenges that catch dance studio owners off guard.
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Full interview available on the Ballet Science Podcast (YouTube, Apple, and Spotify)!
What should a pointe class actually look like? đź©°
In this clip from my conversation with Lynne Charles, founder of 4Pointe and Director of English National Ballet School, we talk about something that deserves more attention: the difference between simply dancing en pointe and actually training for pointework.
Putting on pointe shoes, doing a few relevés at the barre, and then going into the center to practice turns, fouettés, or competition variations isn’t necessarily the same thing as developing the strength, articulation, alignment, and control needed for pointework.
So what should pointe training look like? And are we giving young dancers enough preparation before asking them to perform difficult choreography en pointe?
Lynne and I explore these questions (and much more!) in the full episode.
🎙️ Listen/watch the full interview with Lynne Charles on the Ballet Science Podcast. Available now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
Stop ignoring your pain... here is why dancer injury prevention matters more than you think.
Miko Fogarty joins the Ballet Science Podcast to share why early treatment is the key to faster ballet injury recovery. We discuss why pushing through pain often does more harm than good and how to advocate for your long-term health.
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Full conversation with Miko Fogarty available on the Ballet Science Podcast available on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify.
What happens to a dancer's identity when they stop moving? Check out my conversation with Joy Womack on the Ballet Science Podcast.
Subscribe for weekly videos! Full interview available on the Ballet Science Podcast (YouTube, Apple, and Spotify).
Is your approach to ballet teaching actually inspiring your students?
Building a strong foundation requires prioritizing ballet basics with clarity and patience. When you bring authentic energy into the dance classroom, you create an environment where high expectations thrive.
Subscribe for weekly science-backed insights into teaching dance! Check out my full interview with Darla Hoover on the Ballet Science Podcast!
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