Emma Von Enck, NYCB Principal — On Promotion, Nerves, and Real Success | Pushing Over the Box

Emma Von Enck quit ballet when she was 12. She wanted to try acting. She hated it. She begged her mom to put her back in.

A few years later, she was standing in the wings at New York City Ballet, still in her Rubies costume, being told she'd just been promoted to principal.

In this episode of Pushing Over the Box, Jasmine Jain sits down with Emma Von Enck — principal dancer at New York City Ballet, Fordham University graduate, and two-time Princess Grace Award nominee. They talk about the long road to SAB, what nobody tells you about being a soloist, the moment she found out she was a principal (mid-show, in costume, her dad waiting backstage), how she handles pre-show nerves, and what she wishes her 13-year-old self had known about trying hard.

TIMESTAMPS:
[11:46] The Night She Found Out She Was a Principal
[19:07] How Emma Manages Pre-Show Nerves
[28:53] What She's Learned About Real Success

ABOUT THE GUEST: Emma Von Enck is a principal dancer at New York City Ballet. A graduate of Fordham University, she is a two-time Princess Grace Award nominee and the 2016 recipient of the Mae L. Wien Award. She is known for her speed, clarity, and vivacious presence on stage.

ABOUT PUSHING OVER THE BOX: Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset, hosted by young dancer Jasmine Jain. Through interviews with leading ballet professionals, the podcast explores discipline, artistry, injury, resilience, and what it takes to pursue excellence.

CONNECT:
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Website: https://pushingoverthebox.com
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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pushing-over-the-box/id1847970742

#ballet #balletpodcast #balletmindset #dancepodcast #emmavonenc #nycb #newyorkcityballet #principaldancer #princessgraceaward #balletinterview

Topics discussed: NYCB principal dancer interview, ballet promotion, ballet nerves, pre-show routine, Princess Grace Award, ballet success, ballet mindset, advice for young dancers

Guest: Emma Von Enck — Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet

Pushing Over the Box is a ballet podcast about the dancer's mindset. Listen at pushingoverthebox.com