On this episode of Practicing the Art of Faithful Presence, Julianna Rubio Slager joins host David Wright to discuss her art, leadership, and faith. Julianna is the artistic director and co-founder of Ballet 5:8. The faith-based ballet studio is located just outside of Chicago and they perform in the city, and travel across the United States.

Julianna grew up in a musical household and at a very early age begged her parents to let her take a ballet class. She experienced tension in her adolescence because of her deep love of ballet and concern that it may turn into an idol that wouldn’t fit with her faith. God put many different dancers of faith in her path, and made her realize how her artform could be beautiful and full of truth. Now her ballets tell the story of faith in creative ways that honor the gifts but glorify God, the gift giver.

There were certainly times throughout her career and the studio’s founding that Julianna felt lost and wasn’t sure she would make it. God continued to make a way, she gave over the vision to Him and he makes streams in the desert. She finished her conversation with Dr. Wright by encouraging artists of faith that they are needed and there is a space for them in the performing arts world.

Learn more about Dr. Joanne Barnes

Learn more about host, David Wright

Learn more about Practicing the Art of Faithful Presence

Learn more about Ballet 5:8