Psst.. Dance Awards Won’t Make or Break You - with Addison Reed Holmes

In today’s episode, I am joined by Addison Reed Holmes AKA the "Salty Ballerina". We talk about her ballet journey, growing up in Texas and attending SMU before moving to Los Angeles and New York. We chat about the importance of being a well-rounded dancer and person, the struggles of being a dance competition judge, and the challenges with dance competitions nowadays. Addy and I grew up dancing at the same studio in Dallas and its really cool to see how our paths both intertwine and differ. MNTR MGMTWebsite@mntr.mgmt@justinementerAddison Reed Holmes @thesaltyballerinaYoutubeartistic dir: Icon Dance Awardsballet dir: Mather Dance CompanyAddison spent her formative years studying ballet under Joyce Seaborne-Bader, a.r.a.d. for the Royal Ballet School method (R.A.D.), where she passed all exams with Distinction/Honors. Her training includes: Royal Academy of Dance, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet NYC (scholarship), Austin Ballet (scholarship), and Mignon Furman's American Academy of Ballet (scholarship).  Addison has several credits with ballet world renowned ballet companies, including Texas Ballet Theatre, where she performed in several full length classical ballets. While studying for her BFA on scholarship at Southern Methodist University, she performed in several pieces (ballet, modern, jazz) and was the only female freshman cast by guest artist Jimmy Gamonet de los Heros for his trio piece "Tango Tonto".  During her competitive years, Addison was awarded several prizes and scholarships (Edge, Steps,  BDC) including Grande Prize in an for American Academy of Ballet’s Performance Awards ballet competition in NYC. Addison has worked in LA, Europe and NY, dancing in various shows, industrials, commercials, film, TV and music videos. Credits include: Natasha Bedingfield, Muse, My Chemical Romance, McDonald's, Toshiba, Gold Bond, JcPenney, Law and Order, Prison Break, Life Ball, and L.A. Choreographer's Carnival. Addison also has Equity Musical Theatre and Opera credits including Carmen, Amahl and the Night Visitor, The King and I, West Side Story, Fame, Funny Girl and Showboat. She has choreographed and performed as a guest artist for contemporary companies as well as industrials and commercials. Her choreography has been selected to perform at several festivals and concerts. She currently works in Southern California as a represented dancer, dance convention teacher and judge in both America and Canada, and ballet director for Shannon Mather’s Mather Dance Company. Most recently she produced Wanderlust Dance Project, which was chosen by chief dance critic Margaret Putnam for Top 10 dance concerts of 2016, alongside Kidd Pivot and BalletBoyz. Addison is known for her never-ending positive energy in the warm and encouraging environment she creates, whether at a private lesson, studio sessHey y'all! I'm Justine, the voice behind the DC:U pod and MNTR MGMT. After 15+ years in the industry as a choreographer, dancer, producer, educator and more, I'm now working closely with dance artists on professional development, business skills and digital enhancement. Curious? Book a free 1:1 Career Call. You can also help support the podcast! Subscribe and receive exclusive member benefits --> Pod Producer/SupporterConnect with me on Insta @mntr.mgmt