104. Hayley Meier on the Power of Perseverance in a Dance Career

In this episode of The Brainy Ballerina Podcast, I'm joined by Hayley Meier: dancer, choreographer, and educator currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada Hayley shares her journey from competition studio training to intensive ballet education, and how she ultimately carved out a career that blends performance, choreography, and teaching. We talk about her time dancing with Rochester City Ballet and River North Dance Chicago, including the persistence it took to land her dream job and why not getting hired right away doesn't mean "no" forever. We also dive into the emotional reality of unexpected career transitions, including the closure of River North, and how that pivotal moment led Hayley toward graduate school at her alma mater, the University of Arizona, and a new creative path in choreography and higher education. This conversation is full of honest insight on navigating uncertainty, building confidence through small daily habits, and why learning to love the process is essential for long-term success in dance. Key "Pointes" in this Conversation: * Choosing college over a direct company path to pursue both ballet and jazz and how attending the University of Arizona opened up career opportunities * Landing her dream job at River North Dance Chicago and the impact of River North's unexpected closure on her dance career * Navigating the freelance dance scene and redefining her identity beyond performing * How graduate school opened the door to choreography and teaching * What she loves about teaching at the collegiate level and developing artistry in dancers Connect with Hayley WEBSITE: www.hayleymeier.com [http://www.hayleymeier.com/] INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/hayleymeier [http://instagram.com/hayleymeier] Links and Resources: Brandllet: www.brandllet.com [http://www.brandllet.com/] ORZA: www.orzabrand.com [http://www.orzabrand.com/] (use code BRAINYBALLERINA for 10% off) Let's connect! My WEBSITE: thebrainyballerina.com [http://thebrainyballerina.com/] INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/thebrainyballerina [http://instagram.com/thebrainyballerina] Questions/comments? Email me at caitlin@thebrainyballerina.com