Ballerinas and thier Families

Invitation to join

Are you a Black female ballet dancer who would like to share your personal journey in ballet? Do you have a supportive family who encourages and motivates you to follow your passion? If so, we invite you to take part in our voluntary research study, which aims to explore the unique experiences of Black women in ballet. By sharing your story, you will provide valuable insights into how you navigate the ballet world, and how the support of your family has influenced your resilience and motivation to pursue ballet.

Steps for Participation

Do you meet study criteria?

Study volunteers must meet the following criteria:

Identify as Black or African American
Female 18 & up
Self-identify as a ballet dancer (current or former)
Has at least one family member willing to participate in the interview process
Currently living in the U.S.
English speaking

Get Started

Consent form & surveys

All participants are required to read and sign an informed consent document and complete a demographic survey to participate in the study. There are two separate surveys - one for ballet dancers (Ballerina Survey) and one for family members (Family Member Survey).

*A family member is anyone the ballet dancer feels has been supportive of them and their ballet journey. This can be biological kin, fictive kin, a friend, or a colleague within their ballet circle.

Participation

Each participant will engage in two interviews with the researcher (individual and joint) via Zoom. All interviews will be scheduled via a booking link that will appear to you once the informed consent has been signed and the demographic survey has been completed.

Interviews

All interviews will be video and audio recorded for research purposes only.

Ballet dancer (max. 60 mins): This interview will entail a detailed discussion of your lived experience as a ballet dancer, an exploration of the obstacles you have encountered in the world of ballet and how you have overcome them, the type of support that has helped you most along your journey, and your motivations for continuing to pursue a career in ballet.

Family member (max. 60 mins): This interview will discuss your perspective regarding the process, the type of support you have provided, and any challenges you have encountered. *A family member is anyone the ballet dancer feels has been supportive of them and their ballet journey. This can be biological kin, fictive kin, a friend, or a colleague within their ballet circle.

Joint (ballet dancer & family member. Max. 45 mins): This joint interview encourages both participants to share stories, and any challenges faced as a family regarding the process.

*There is a potential risk of loss of confidentiality in all email, downloading, electronic meetings, and internet transactions.

Do you want to participate?

If you meet the study criteria and are interested in participating, please complete the form below.