Introducing the Pirouette Council: A Collective for Ballet’s Brighter Future

At Tutu School, we’ve always believed that ballet can be impactful. Ballet can help children build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of movement.

As our community continues to grow, we’re committed to ensuring that every step forward reflects those values. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Pirouette Council: a collective of trusted educators, advocates, artists, and leaders who will help shape the future of Tutu School and contribute to a better ballet world.

Why the Pirouette Council?

Growth brings opportunity… and responsibility.

As Tutu School expands, we believe thoughtful guidance matters. Every decision we make should remain rooted in joy, inclusion, childhood imagination, and the belief that ballet should be welcoming and meaningful for every child. The Pirouette Council was created to help us ensure those values remain at the heart of everything we do.

This council reflects our ongoing commitment outlined in our Equity Statement: to create spaces where every child feels seen, celebrated, and encouraged to dance. Because when more children feel like they belong in ballet, we all help create a brighter future for the art form.

What Is the Pirouette Council?

The Pirouette Council is a group of respected leaders from across the ballet, nonprofit, education, wellness, and advocacy communities who will work alongside Tutu School to help shape what comes next.

Together, they’ll help guide us by:

• Listening carefully
• Honoring our roots
• Evolving with intention and care

Their perspectives will help ensure that Tutu School continues to grow in ways that are joyful, inclusive, and deeply aligned with our mission.

Conoce a the Founding Members

Megan Fairchild

Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet & Author of The Ballerina Mindset

As one of the world’s most accomplished professional dancers, Megan Fairchild brings decades of artistic excellence and insight into cultivating healthy, sustainable relationships with ballet. Her perspective helps connect the joy of early childhood ballet with practices that encourage confidence, resilience, and lifelong participation in dance.

TaKiyah Wallace

Founder & Executive Director, Brown Girls Do Ballet

TaKiyah Wallace has dedicated her career to expanding access to ballet by creating pathways for dancers of color through scholarships, mentorship, and community building. Her work centers equity, representation, and belonging to help ensure more children see themselves reflected in the ballet world and feel encouraged to stay.

Jacquie Robison

Founder & CEO, WAWOS (We’re All Working On Something)

Inspired by her family’s journey, Jacquie Robison leads a nonprofit focused on changing the conversation around physical disability for children and teens. She brings an invaluable perspective on accessibility, inclusion, empathy, and the importance of creating joyful movement experiences that welcome every child.

Monika Saigal, MS, RD, CEDS, CDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Former Professional Dancer & Author of Nourishing Dance

Monika Saigal offers expertise at the intersection of dance, nutrition, body image, and wellness. Her guidance helps support healthy foundations that prioritize both artistry and lifelong wellbeing, reinforcing the importance of nurturing dancers as whole people from the very beginning.

Building a Better Ballet World… Together

The Pirouette Council represents more than a new advisory group. It reflects Tutu School’s belief that creating a better ballet world requires listening, learning, and collaborating with people whose expertise extends beyond traditional dance education.

By bringing together voices from professional ballet, disability advocacy, diversity and inclusion, nutrition, and child development, we’re investing in a future where ballet continues to evolve while staying true to what matters most: helping children experience the joy of movement in an environment where they feel welcomed, celebrated, and inspired.

Because ballet should feel welcoming, joyful, and meaningful for every child who steps into a Tutu School studio.

Twirling Into What’s Next

The launch of the Pirouette Council is just one step in Tutu School’s ongoing commitment to thoughtful growth and continuous learning.

With the Pirouette Council beside us, we’re twirling into what comes next with care, joy, and lots of heart.