Our Story
Ballet Beyond Borders was created to support dancers during pivotal moments in their careers and to bring the joy of dance to communities with fewer opportunities.
For many dancers, the transition from student to professional can be challenging, often involving additional training programs and uncertainty. BBB aims to inspire and support dancers during this time by broadening their understanding of what they can achieve with their dance knowledge. Through workshops and mentorship with current professionals, dancers hear real stories, gain fresh perspectives, and discover new pathways to grow their careers with confidence and creativity.
At the same time, BBB is dedicated to making ballet more accessible to communities with limited resources. Ballet is a fun, creative, and beautiful art form that fosters connection, self-expression, and personal growth. We believe it’s essential for young people to have opportunities to explore their potential, dream big, and build confidence through the power of dance.
Our mission is to inspire today’s youth to be bold in their lives, create meaningful connections, and celebrate the transformative beauty of ballet.
Meet the Team
Founder & Program Director
Nichole Belden
Nichole Belden is a professional ballet dancer and arts advocate with a passion for inspiring the next generation of dancers. She has danced with companies such as North Pointe Ballet and American Repertory Ballet and most recently filmed in the upcoming Amazon Prime series Étoile.
Drawing from her experiences in the professional dance world, Nichole founded Ballet Beyond Borders to bridge the gap between training and professional careers and to make ballet more accessible to communities worldwide. Through mentorship, education, and creative collaboration, Nichole is dedicated to empowering dancers to dream boldly and achieve their full potential.
Program Assistant
Asia Bailer
Asia Bailer began her dance training at the age of 3 in London, England. In 2017, she continued her studies at Atelier Rainbow Tanzkunst in Zürich, Switzerland, under the guidance of Gretchen Bernard-Newburger and Lesli Wiesner. She later completed the trainee program at English National Ballet Schoo and is now dancing with Ballet do Douro - Company 2.
Asia combines her professional career with a passion for inspiring young dancers. Through her involvement with Ballet Beyond Borders, she enjoys helping young dancers embrace their creativity, build confidence, create meaningful connections, and foster a sense of community through ballet.
Program Assistant
Anya Alindada
Originally from Manila, Philippines, Anya’s journey in dance began at the age of 7, spanning multiple genres, including ballet, jazz, flamenco, and musical theatre. She trained at Melbourne Academy of the Arts and the English National Ballet School, where she became the first Filipina graduate and performed as a lead in her final showcase. She began her professional career in 2024 with the West End’s Phantom of the Opera.
As Marketing Coordinator for Ballet Beyond Borders, Anya brings her love for dance and creativity to the team, helping connect dancers and audiences to BBB’s mission. She is passionate about inspiring others and creating opportunities for the next generation of artists.