Home Podcasts Dance Colleges & Careers with Brittany Noltimier
Dance Colleges & Careers with Brittany Noltimier

Dance Colleges & Careers with Brittany Noltimier

Brittany Noltimier 94 Episodes Aug 12, 2026

This podcast serves as a guide for high school dancers and their parents who are exploring college options for dance. Host Brittany Noltimier interviews deans, professors, and alumni from various university and college dance programs to offer insider perspectives. She also shares her own journey from a small-town dancer in North Dakota to finding the right path, aiming to help listeners make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls. The tone is upbeat and supportive, with a focus on the practical and personal aspects of pursuing dance in higher education.

Episodes

#93: What the World Cup Can Teach Dancers About Performing
#93: What the World Cup Can Teach Dancers About Performing Aug 12, 2026 498 I watched the World Cup with a dancer’s brain—and realized that professional athletes understand something dancers often forget: performance is never optional.From directing the crowd’s attention to celebrating a goal in front of thousands of people, athletes use their entire bodies to communicate the stakes of the moment. They commit fully, show real emotion, and aren’t afraid of being “too much.
#92: Can You Sit Like This? The L-Sit Stretch Every Dancer Needs
#92: Can You Sit Like This? The L-Sit Stretch Every Dancer Needs Aug 5, 2026 675 Before you worry about getting a deeper split or a higher kick, can you sit on the floor with your legs straight and your spine upright?In this episode of Dance Colleges and Careers, Brittany breaks down the simple L-sit stretch and explains why it creates an important foundation for better splits, leaps, kicks, posture, and everyday mobility.You’ll learn how to modify the position, where you shou
#91: You Have Your Splits—So Why Can’t You Kick Higher in Ballet?
#91: You Have Your Splits—So Why Can’t You Kick Higher in Ballet? Jul 29, 2026 843 You have your splits—so why aren’t your ballet kicks as high as your jazz or contemporary kicks?In this episode of Dance Colleges and Careers, Brittany explains why parallel flexibility doesn’t always transfer to a turned-out grand battement. You’ll learn how turnout changes what your hips and hamstrings need, how to identify your actual restriction, and why the piriformis, posterior hip, glutes,
#90: Why Some Music Gives Dancers Something to Perform (And Some Music Doesn't)
#90: Why Some Music Gives Dancers Something to Perform (And Some Music Doesn't) Jul 22, 2026 753 Have you ever watched two dancers perform with the exact same technique level, but one feels captivating while the other feels flat?Sometimes the difference isn't the dancer.Sometimes it's the music.In this episode, we're talking about why some songs naturally invite storytelling, emotion, and character while others leave dancers struggling to connect. Brittany breaks down the &quot
#89: Why Your Dancer Still Can't Get Their Splits
#89: Why Your Dancer Still Can't Get Their Splits Jul 15, 2026 724 Your dancer stretches every day. They sit in their splits at home. They stay after class to stretch even longer.So why aren't they getting closer?In this episode, we're talking about one of the biggest flexibility mistakes I see dancers and parents make: assuming that more stretching is always the answer.We'll discuss how to identify what is actually limiting your dancer's spli
#88: The BIG Mistake Competitive Dancers Are Making (World Cup Lesson)
#88: The BIG Mistake Competitive Dancers Are Making (World Cup Lesson) Jul 2, 2026 805 Every dancer wants their moment in the spotlight—but what if the real secret to success isn't just becoming a superstar?After watching the World Cup, I couldn't stop thinking about how the greatest players in the world still depend on their teammates. Dance is no different.In this episode, we're talking about:• Why teamwork is one of the most valuable skills dancers can develop • Th
#87: You Have to Show Love Before the Heartbreak
#87: You Have to Show Love Before the Heartbreak May 14, 2026 706 Have you ever watched a duet or emotional contemporary routine that had beautiful technique and strong partnering… but somehow still didn’t fully connect?In today’s episode, Brittany breaks down one of the biggest storytelling mistakes dancers make in love story routines — only showing the heartbreak without ever showing the love first.From duets and trios to emotional solos, Brittany explains why
#86: 3 Myths About Facial Expressions in Dance
#86: 3 Myths About Facial Expressions in Dance May 7, 2026 1223 A lot of dancers are told to “just smile more” or “feel the music”… but what if facial expressions in dance are actually a TRAINED skill?In this episode, I’m breaking down 3 huge myths about facial expressions and performance quality that keep dancers looking awkward, disconnected, or uncomfortable on stage — even when they’re technically strong dancers.We’ll talk about:✨ Why expression does NOT j
#85: The 3 Types of Dancers I See (and what’s holding them back)
#85: The 3 Types of Dancers I See (and what’s holding them back) Apr 30, 2026 506 1. The ProtectorThis dancer plays it safe. They don’t want to look silly, so they hold back… and it reads as nervous or disconnected.👉 (This is where you mention what you SAW on stage 👀)2. The OverthinkerThis dancer is thinking about EVERYTHING… technique, timing, corrections… but they’re so in their head that nothing feels natural.3. The ExplorerThis dancer is expressive… but inconsistent. Someti
#84: Hey Dancer, Stop Working So Hard (And Start Working Smarter)
#84: Hey Dancer, Stop Working So Hard (And Start Working Smarter) Jan 15, 2026 704 You’re working hard. I see you. You’re in class every day, taking extra privates, rehearsing your solo, pushing yourself… and yet you’re still not seeing the results you want.In this episode, we’re talking about the difference between working hard and working with direction — and why so many dancers burn out, plateau, or lose confidence even though they’re doing “all the right things.”I break down
#83 Why Your Dance Goals Aren’t Working (And How to Fix That in 2026)
#83 Why Your Dance Goals Aren’t Working (And How to Fix That in 2026) Jan 7, 2026 794 How to Set Real Dance Goals for 2026 (Not Just Wishful Thinking)As dancers, it’s easy to say “I hope I get better” or “I want to improve this year” — but hope is not a strategy.In this episode of Dance Colleges & Careers, Brittany Noltimier breaks down what it actually takes to set real, achievable dance goals and why so many dancers stay stuck despite working hard. We talk about the differenc
#82: The Office Cleaning Obsession — Stop Waiting for Perfect Before You Start
#82: The Office Cleaning Obsession — Stop Waiting for Perfect Before You Start Oct 30, 2025 700 Do you ever catch yourself waiting until everything is “just right” before you begin? The perfect studio, the perfect costume, the perfect moment? Perfectionism feels safe — but it’s actually what keeps dancers stuck.In this episode, Brittany shares her obsession with cleaning and reorganizing her office, and how it mirrors the way dancers procrastinate on facials, confidence, and performance. You

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