This week we are joined by soloist of the Estonian National Ballet, Ketlin Oja. Having performed together for years, Ketlin and Kealan are able to draw from their lived experience on stage to share stories – raw and honest – and give the listener real access into the quiet intensity that exists in every dancer in the moments surrounding a debut. It is a very different thing to premiere a role than it is to partner somebody through their premiere. This is amplified if the role is the first foray into soloist or principal dancing, as was the case in 2018 when Ketlin premiered the role of Odette/Odile at only 20 years old, with Kealan as her Prince Siegfried, in front of the entire Estonian ballet community. In this episode we tell stories from the pivotal premiere, discuss the differences – from seemingly small to positively profound – that a dancer may feel as they make this transition from "new" to "veteran," and contrast the impacts that an inexperienced partner can have on a male and female dancer. Host: Kealan McLaughlin Guest: Ketlin Oja @ketlino Two Two Guys can be reached at: Instagram and Facebook: @twotwoguys Email: twotwoguyspod@gmail.com Leave a review! Send us a message! Let us know what topics are important to you! And if you can, take a few moments this week to give yourself a present. It can be big or small, planned or spontaneous, but let it bring you joy.