Studio

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The Pointe Shop 2025 Models

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Madeleine Lee and Victoria Carrillo are the 2025 Pointe Shop Models.

We shot in a photo studio, and at an outdoor location that had a lot of neutral walls and great natural sunlight to work with.

As you’ll see below, they are both extremely technically talented and elegant in their poise.

You can follow Victoria Carrillo on Instagram here: @VictoriaOnPointe_

You can follow Madeleine Lee on Instagram here: @BallerinaMadeleine

And you can follow The Pointe Shop on Instagram here: @ThePointeShop

Till next time,

-Oliver Endahl

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Claire Peoples Interview + Photoshoot

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Claire and I got together for 2 photoshoots. One in-studio, and one outdoors.

Claire is not only a talented dancer, but also a very intellectual human. Below are some of my favorite shots from our shoots, as well as an interview with her!

Introduce yourself

My name is Claire and I am a ballet dancer with New Mexico Ballet Company. I am originally from Roswell, Georgia and I have a BFA in Dance from the University of Georgia. I trained in all dance styles growing up, but ballet and contemporary are my favorites. I trained with Boston Dance Theater and Confluence Ballet before moving to New Mexico.

What drives you to dance?

My favorite part of ballet is actually the class and rehearsals. I love working toward something big, whether it be bettering myself and technique, or a performance. In dance you will never achieve perfection, but you can always try to do better than the day before!

What are some ways you feel you’ve changed as a dancer/artist?

I’ve become less self critical, particularly over the last year. Since I dance in a part time company, there is less time to focus on being perfect. I am trying to focus on always getting better, but really making sure I am also enjoying the movement and actually feeling like am dancing the movement. I used to be very self conscious about my training. I am surrounded by people who went to very strict ballet programs, were homeschooled for dance, or went to prestigious schools. But I am proud of where I came from. I was an underdog in many ways and I’ve found a way to enter the ballet world, when I was told by some that it wouldn’t happen for me.

What are 3 facts about you?

-I have a twin sister and an older brother.

-I have a black and white cat named Cow. He was a stray that visited my house for about a year before I brought him inside! He’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

-I also have an office job in marketing at a nonprofit in Albuquerque. I do a lot of graphic design projects and edit websites. We help adults with disabilities, and it is a mission that I am proud of.

What’s your favorite way to drink coffee?

Right now I love vanilla lattes! I also love cold brew. I just ordered some fancy syrups so I can feel like it is from a coffee shop even when I’m at home. This hasn’t stopped me though. I still spend a lot of money at coffee shops.

Some people question whether art and politics are connected. What is your take on this?

Art and politics are absolutely connected. A great example of this is what is currently happening at the Kennedy Center. Art is a form of resistance, it holds up a mirror to the ugliest parts of our society. That’s why the current administration wants to have control over what stories are being put out into the public. It’s up to us to continue uplifting artists from marginalized communities and to keep pushing ballet to be a more inclusive and creative space. Making sure our voices are heard. We won’t be silenced.

Do you watch streaming services/or movies? If so, what have you watched lately that you’ve enjoyed?

I love TV shows and movies! I recently binge watched “The Pitt” on HBO. It is a new medical drama. It’s an amazing show.

What are some of your hobbies/passions outside of dance?

I love to do anything creative. Coloring books, painting, and embroidery are some of my favorite ways to creative outside of ballet. I also enjoy finding new music, food, and traveling. I love reading. I got a Kindle last Christmas and I’ve read over 30 books so far in 2025. Emily Henry is my favorite author.

What’s your current favorite food?

Right now I am loving Mediterranean food. It is healthy but it also tastes amazing!

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I can be very shy and quiet. When I was younger, I was put in dance classes to help me come out of my shell.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell my younger self that it is okay that your dance journey does not look the same as everyone else’s. Every experience that you will have will put you on the path to where you are supposed to end up. I would also tell myself that opinions are not facts. Don’t give someone’s words about your dancing power over how you feel about yourself or dance. Passion will take you farther than anything.

Which fictional character do you see yourself in?

-My favorite TV show of all time is Parks & Recreation. I would like to think that I am like Leslie Knope.

What advice would you give to other artists who might be struggling to find their “voice”?

-Find artists you admire and replicate their processes. Never copy another artist, but you can learn about their processes and try to create something new that is unique to your voice. Surround yourself with art. Read lots of books, listen to new music, go to museums, watch new choreography, and make new friends. Every experience you take in will add to your voice.

You can follow Claire on Instagram here @ClairePeoplesDance

And keep an eye on the Zine for future shoots with her.

-Oliver Endahl

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Isabella Hoy in Los Angeles

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This was the first shoot Isabella Hoy and I did together. We hit it off and created some epic stills in a photo studio located in downtown Los Angeles.

Here’s my favorite shots from the shoot + a few questions for Isabella herself!

Give us a short introduction!

Hello! My name is Isabella Hoy. I was born in St.Louis, MO, but CA is my home and has been for the past seventeen years. Although I have been teaching ballet for three years now, I only recently began dancing again. Having stopped dance at the age of fourteen, I feel so grateful to be able to dance again at twenty-three. So, for the past few months my life has been class, class, and more class. When I’m not dancing or teaching, you’ll probably find me reading or spending time with my incredible family and friends for whom I am so fortunate to have in my life. 

What places do you want to travel to the most?

I’m ready to go back to Italy, like… right away! However, at the top of my list right now, I would also include Japan, Amsterdam, Ireland, and Spain.

Who’s your current favorite dance choreographer at the moment?

I’ve been watching a lot of Fredrick Ashton’s work, so I would have to say Mr. Ashton at the moment!

Pizza or burgers?

Pizza (but by that I mean my bisnonna/great grandmother’s handmade Sicilian pizza!). 

Do you need white noise to sleep? Or silence?

Ah yes, the sound of rain and crickets is very soothing to me.

Do you like comedy? (If so, what’re some of your favorite comedy shows or movies?)

Oh, this is such a difficult question, there are too many to name, so I’ll just say the first movie that comes to mind is “The Frisco Kid”  and the first show that comes to mind is “Fleabag”.

What’s a piece of art (movie, painting, play, ballet, broadway, television show, book, song, poem, etc..) That moved you the most this year so far?

I find poetry incredibly inspiring and it truly adds such depth and beauty to my life. I have a notebook where I write down every poem that speaks to me in someway. Out of the hundreds of poems and quotes in there, the one I’m thinking of now is “Ithaka” by C.P. Cavafy 

What do you enjoy about dancing?

I’ve been enchanted by ballet since I was two years old. So I shall say to dance is to live.

What’s something people might not know about you?

Literature, music, and acting has always and continues to be a large part of my life. 

Would you rather cook 20 pies or rollerblade 20 miles?

I love to cook so I’d absolutely bake those twenty pies.

You can follow Isabella on IG here

Till next time,

-Oliver

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Rachel and Ella Bullock in Studio

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Rachel and Ella Bullock are two very talented sisters.

We met up at a photo studio in the Chicago, Illinois area and utilized all the room had to offer.

Some of the outfits they wore on the shoot were created by their talented Mother, Melissa Oakes.

Rachel and Ella Bullock wearing Melissa Oakes

Rachel and Ella Bullock wearing Melissa Oakes

Rachel Bullock wearing Melissa Oakes

Rachel and Ella Bullock in color

Rachel and Ella Bullock in black and white

Rachel and Ella Bullock in color

Rachel and Ella Bullock in black and white

Rachel and Ella Bullock in color

Rachel and Ella Bullock in black and white

Rachel Bullock

Ella and Rachel Bullock

Ella and Rachel Bullock

Ella and Rachel Bullock 

Rachel Bullock

Ella Bullock wearing an outfit by Melissa Oakes

Ella Bullock

Ella Bullock

Rachel Bullock

Rachel Bullock

Ella Bullock

Ella Bullock

You can follow Rachel, Ella and Melissa on IG below.

Rachel

Ella

Melissa

Keep an eye on the zine for more shoots with this talented crew in the future.

Till next time,

-Oliver

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Briana Baldovinos at Victoria Beach and the Studio

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Briana Baldovinos and I met up in Orange County, California.

We started the shoot indoors at a photo studio, and then headed to the coast to shoot at Victoria Beach.

This shoot was massive. We spent 2 hours in the studio and then at least an hour and a half on the beach. We got a ton of epic photos, and I had a blast chatting with Briana during the shoot! On top of dance, she’s also crushing it in academia. Below is a short interview with her.

Give us an introduction

Hello Everyone, my name is Briana Baldovinos and I am a 22 year old freelance dancer! I currently work at Disneyland as a parade performer in “Magic Happens”. I just recently graduated from UC Riverside with my Bachelor’s of Science in Neuroscience.

What’s your favorite food?

My favorite food is SUSHI!!! I love sushi and can never get tired of it.

What music are you listening to this summer?

My music genre varies on how I’m feeling, but this summer I have really been into house music!

What do you enjoy about modeling?

I enjoy the aspect of letting my confidence shine when modeling. I feel like I can really let the true art form of dance come to life when modeling and allow those who view it see the beauty of dance as well.

What’s something people might not know about you?

Some people may not know that I am premed! I would love to pursue a career in the medical filed and enjoy helping others!

What’s a piece of art (movie, painting, play, ballet, broadway, television show, book, song, poem, etc..) That moved you the most this year so far?

A book that’s moved me is “They both die in the end”, it’s about 2 boys who get news that they will die by the end of the day and don’t know how. They each are looking for a friend to spend their day with and it just puts into perspective that life is short and to make everyday a great day filled with love.

Would you rather Kayak 50 miles or Skateboard 50 miles?

I would rather skateboard 50 miles, my leg strength is much greater than my upper body strength.

What’s your plan for 2025?

In 2025 I would like to continue to grow in my dance and modeling  career and gain more opportunities. I would also like to continue in my medical career and pursue my dreams.