Ballerinas and their 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, you're invited to participate in a voluntary research study that 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
1
Do you meet study criteria?
​Study volunteers must meet the following criteria:
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Identify as Black or African American
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Female 18 & up
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Self-identify as a ballet dancer (current or former)
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Has at least one family member willing to participate in the interview process
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Currently living in the U.S.
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English speaking
2
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).
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*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.
3
Participation
Ballet dancers will participate in two interviews (individual & joint). Family members will participate in one interview (joint w/ballet dancer). All interviews will be conducted via Zoom, and will be scheduled via a booking link that will appear 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.
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Ballerina Interview (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.
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Joint Interview (Family member & Ballerina - max. 60 mins): Family dynamics will be explored in this interview. This interview will discuss the family member's perspectives regarding their perception and understanding of the process of the ballerina's ballet journey, the type of support they have provided, and any challenges they have encountered regarding the ballerina's journey. This joint interview encourages both participants to share stories and any challenges faced as a family regarding the process. *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, a mentor, or a colleague.​
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*There is a potential risk of loss of confidentiality in all email, downloading, electronic meetings, and Internet transactions.
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