It’s the total truth when I tell you that when I found Mind Ballet Soul, and Maxine Machado Anderson on Instagram, Jack Johnson’s We’re Gonna Be Friends played in my head.

Maxine is a lovely person, and making the impact I love to see dance educators making: inclusive, diverse, and norm challenging (with a dose of humor and lots of kindness).

Make sure you’re following her on Instagram and Etsy, or get in touch directly with Maxine here!

Now, keep scrolling to learn more about Maxine and her amazing work!

KC: What's your background with dance?

MMA: I started dancing at 3 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates because my Mum’s best friend’s daughter went to RAD Ballet classes. I am a leftie so I was a bit of an individual from the get go which did not make me popular with my very traditional ballet teacher. All’s well that ends well though and I found my way. I had to work really hard, and smart, in a body that does not lend well to classical technique and, eventually, in my teen years, landed the role of dance captain in a large scale production of High School Musical and thus the musical theatre love was born.

I went on to study Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at a top vocational college in London called The Urdang Academy where I gained a First Class BA (Hons). While I loved performing, I had been teaching in all my holiday breaks and really felt a greater pull towards education so while in my final year of university, I started studying the Royal Academy of Dance examination syllabus and have since become a registered teacher, as well as gaining my ABT certification in all level of the National Training Curriculum - an incredible experience that I could wax lyrical about for a month!

KC: Was it love at first plie?

MMA: It was and then it wasn’t and then it was again! I fell out of love at about age 9 when my whole cohort dropped out of class all at once. My Mum being the pragmatic soul she is, asked me whether I’d like to supplement my ballet with a jazz class and if I didn’t like either that at the end of the school year we would try something else. At this point, I had dropped most other activities and was only doing gymnastics and swimming other than my ballet. Anyway, one term (I think you call them semesters!) into jazz and ballet, I asked to take tap, modern and musical theatre and never ever looked back. As you might have guessed swimming and gym were soon history!

KC: Who are your dance heroes, and why?

MMA: I am a fan of a lot of ABT dancers as I love their versatility. Marianela Nunez can do no wrong in my eyes…her artistry just has you transfixed! I love the work that Carlos Acosta and Steven McRae do in smashing the stereotypes about men in dance. Most importantly though, I have total admiration for dancers like Misty Copeland and Michaela de Prince (and many, many more) for using their platforms to actively change the face of ballet. I am big on inclusion and diversity and they are paving the way forward for the next generation to bring something really exciting to the table. My real-life students, dance parents and colleagues are also my everyday heroes. Our community has been rocked this year but everyone has been so resilient and supportive - it’s inspiring!

KC: Tell us about your business, Mind Ballet Soul.

MMA: Our mission at Mind Ballet Soul is to pass on the belief that, much like in life, ballet is a journey. No matter what age or stage you are at we aim to enrich mind, body and soul through the joy of creative movement, artistry and musicality. We offer modernised coaching, without disturbing the integrity of traditional technique and allow our dancers to pave their own way towards a career in the arts or explore the recreational side of dance fitness - learn more at www.mindballetsoul.com.

Our focus on mindfulness and dancer wellbeing, is what we believe truly sets us apart in an industry that desperately needs a more holistic and current approach, rooted in science-based methodology. We are also a husband and wife team so are able to offer in-house audio editing services headed by my husband, Niall, who is a musician and music technician (also my PA, photographer and Instagram husband extraordinaire!) We are both extremely passionate about musicality and quality of sound and Niall mixes all the original soundtracks for my MBS Signature classes. Lastly, as you know, I love a good collaboration and recently launched an online shop full of inclusive artwork and gifts with artist, Brittany M Art. You can find our collection at MindBalletSoul.etsy.com

KC: How did you get into teaching, and your work with Mind Ballet Soul?

MMA: As I mentioned previously, I felt a deep call to teaching from my late teens and well into my early 20s so I’m going to interpret this question as what led us to start MBS. Initially, MBS was intended as a hub of genuine positivity at the start of our first UK lockdown (I live and work in the Scottish Highlands now) but we are so in awe of the way it has evolved. I often receive messages from strangers, some of whom have now become friends, saying how much our posts uplift them and make them smile - it makes my day! I love learning and this particular curve has been so enriching in a year that has been anything but inspiring world over.

Overall, I have enjoyed bridging the gap in the market for adult dancers who rightfully deserve to be taken seriously with their dancing and also representing as a brown ballet dancer and teacher. Representation matters so much in this day and age - especially if you live in an area that lacks ethnic diversity, like where we are - and the next generation of dreamers need to see themselves reflected back in the media of their everyday lives.

KC: How has COVID affecting your teaching/business/work?

MMA: Being a freelancer, I essentially lost all my work overnight. It was a real shock to the system and made me realise that there are definite challenges to this life that I love so much, that I had not even thought about before - call me naive but I thought I had it made! It has, however, made me adaptable and prepared for anything now… let's face it, ballet teaches us how to do incredibly hard stuff while making it look easy.

KC: Are there any cliches or preconceptions about dance you try to correct in your teaching/work?

MMA: Oh, yes, I have a few:

- I do not believe that you should have started ballet from the day you learned to walk, to be a beautiful dancer.

- All bodies are ballet bodies and there is no clear cut aesthetic a dancer should portray… if you believe you are a dancer, then in my eyes you are.

- Hard work trumps talent… especially when talent doesn’t work hard.

- My pet peeve is the old adage that ’those you can’t do, teach!’ In my experience, my teachers have been some of the most highly inspiring and influential people I have had the privilege of knowing and teaching is something I take very seriously and am grateful for everyday.

KC: Is there one thing you think the dance community needs more of, less of, or to get better at?

MMA: We need to see more diversity at elite level, less haters and keyboard warriors on day-to-day social media and get better at lifting up those around us who are not receiving access to equal opportunities.

KC: What's next for you and your businesses? Do you have any exciting projects on the horizon?

MMA: My husband and father-in-law have been building me a gorgeous home boutique studio for the past several months and although we have come up against several C-19 related delays, I am super excited to reveal and start seeing more clients in this intimate setting... and turning it into my Zoom room for all my online clients. I have also done some projects with charities and NGOs that I hope to continue in a greater capacity once the world starts spinning again. Ballet has historically been more accessible to the affluent and I hope to collaborate with more organisations that are embracing of communities with varying socioeconomic factors.

And now, just for funsies…

KC: Burritos or tacos?

MMA: Taco Tuesday is a staple in our house.

KC: Legwarmers or ballet skirts?

MMA: Ballet skirts…never donned a leg warmer in my life - Dubai problems!

KC: Disco balls or rainbows?

MMA: I’ve never seen a rainbow I didn’t like!

KC: Center Stage or Flashdance?

MMA: Controversial, but I am a millennial so I’m going to say Center Stage.

KC: One word to describe yourself?

MMA: Tenacious!

Big thanks to Maxine for sharing her time and insights with us! Make sure you connect with Maxine here, and give her Etsy shop a gander! (I personally own a couple mugs and prints from her lovely shop!)

Maxine and I both hope you feel inspired to bring a little mind and soul to your next ballet class! :)

Ballet is a Journey: Maxine Machado of Mind Ballet Soul