Lauren Reed reflects on what we inherit as young dancers, the freedom of making choices in ballet class, and what happens when you let go of absolutes. We also touched on how our relationship with rigor has evolved and we ruminated about the idea of ballet improvisation— all in relation to how we can reimagine and rethink “rigor” when it comes to our dance practices.

Brandon Avery reflects on teaching with intention, the inseparability of technique and culture, and what it means to train in heels with the same rigor as pointe. In this interview, he shares his concept of "objective positivity," traces ballet back to the people, and previews his upcoming Elevéted Ballet classes for Ballet Unboxed 2026.

Ayako Kato reflects on her movement history: starting with ballet, and then discovering Japanese and Western modern dance. In this interview, she shares how tracing her dance history led to becoming "unboxed," and offers a glimpse into her upcoming Ballet Unboxed workshop exploring quantum entanglement, the art of being, and what happens when no one tells you what to do.

What does it mean to step into an open-level ballet class? In this post, I break down how I approach open level: prioritizing the least experienced participant, offering flexible structure, and supporting exploration through movement and conversation. If you’re curious about what to expect or wondering if this class is right for you—read on!