Life as a Professional Dancer | Kathryn Morgan
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- Life as a Professional Dancer | Kathryn Morgan
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Today I let you in on the life of a professional ballet dancer. We talk about students vs. professionals, a typical day, rehearsals, casting and business decisions, the amount of work, bodies, aesthetics, and dancer secrets.
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I am soloist with Miami City Ballet a former soloist with the New York City Ballet. When I was a young student, I was always looking for insights into the ballet world and how to improve my dancing as well as beauty and lifestyle tips. Now that I am a professional, it is my turn to share.
On my channel I make ballet, beauty, and lifestyle videos for everyone of all ages. My goal is help dancers improve and achieve their dreams as well as open up the ballet world to non dancers. You will see many different kinds of how-to videos here including makeup, hair, ballet workouts and exercises, Q and A sessions, lifestyle advice, and DIY on this channel. I hope you find all of my videos helpful!
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You are one of the most well-spoken, down-to-earth, kind, and insightful people! Awesome video! This is really going to help a lot of aspiring ballerinas.
kellym587 Thank you so much!
When she said students realise very quickly that they had to eat when they get into a company is true to a certain extent but if you have an eating disorder you don’t care. I got into a company and got pulled because of my anorexia. The thing that we need to realise is that our ED does not care about us and it is not going to help and will destroy us. You don’t have to be underweight to have a problem. And if you are suffering you are sick enough and you are worth recovery. Although it is so hard, and I understand you believe me, it will get better I swear on my life. And remember if you are not recovering you are dying. Please, please get help reach out to anyone. You are strong enough and brave enough.
Listening to this, I do not know how you guys do it. Class, rehearsal, perform. And you have to peak at 8 PM?!!! Unbelievable.
Peaking at 8 pm is really the issue. Circadian issues are real.
A Dancer from the royal Swedish ballet has stopped dancing now(she's like 48 this year) and now she has started working on my school. The funny thing is that she's like my idol and now she trying to talk with me but I just get panic every time so I kind of feel bad for her. HAHHA
LOL...so cute.
It's so inspiring how you aren't bitter about the situation regarding your illness and how the company addressed your weight. It's heartbreaking, but you're right it's an aesthetic art. Much love xo
I agree, but at the same time-- I think it would be better for audiences to get used to watching different sized dancers. The aesthetic of ballet dancers being always one specific size reinforces unhealthy standards and body image. Eating disorders are on the rise throughout the population, and dancers are especially at risk. I would love to see a company that is brave enough to put ballerinas on stage who don't all fit the mold. Part of making art isn't just pleasing the audience-- it's also an opportunity to change the culture.
Im a professional dancer in the Musical Theatre world, became a professional just a year ago. Very helpful, and very true! Im still learning how to handle the professional world, thanks for the advice. :)
I know this comment is from three years ago, but could you make a video like Kaities but about musical theater dancing? I would love to know!
I'm not looking to be a professional dancer but I love watching these types of videos of yours because it motivates me so much after hearing how hard you had to work. Ballet sound extremely tough and I cannot even express how much respect I have for you ballet dancers! Love you Katie!!
Can you do a video about your experience at SAB?
Thank you so much for that video, I cannot tell you how much it helped me. I've now been dancing for 14 years of my life and have been in pre-professional training for some time. I never questioned my desire to become a professional ballerina up until I was 16, I'm 18 soon going on 19. I knew what the sacrifices were and was willing to make them at the time. My summer courses at SAB and Boston Ballet were what I looked forward to the most instead of crazy holidays and music festivals. Then when I turned 16 and moved to London to train for an intense 3 years in the run-up to being thrown into the professional world I realised what the reality of the job was. Not that I was under any illusion that is was going to be easy, I was sweating gallons of water, always tired and so sore everyday, but I realised that I possibly wanted other things in life. A 'normal' life, if you get what I mean. Most of my friends who are dancers gave up on their education but I continued and can therefore choose to go university if I want to. As a result I still have every door open to me. I realised approximately four or five months ago that even though I still love to dance, I didn't think I wanted to make it my career. Overtime whenever I would mentally think of working towards it in class it would just ruin the pleasure I take in dance. Nevertheless I auditioned for further training and I got into Rambert Schol of Ballet and Contemporary Dance. So I am now at a cross road: do I go to Rambert and continue to dance and not risk living in regret, even though I think if there is some, it will be slight, or to a jump into a world of unknown possibilities which is hard and scary just as well, and exciting. Your video was extremely insightful and confirmed what I thought to be the realities of dance. Thank you x
curious all these years later, what did you choose? a quick judgement off your sentiments would lead me to guess you didn't go to Rambert, but I'd love to hear an update!.
This was so interesting. At my dance school, every Saturday we have to assist with the little kids from 9 to 12:30. Then from 12:30 to 2 we have class. Then from 2-3 we have a break then we have repertory rehearsal from 3-5 (at the latest 8 if we are close to the show). I like that schedule because I think it prepares us for professional life just a little bit.
Thank you, that comparison with opera singers is very true. I'm going to be one and I really enjoy those ballet videos since I feel very close to ballet as an art form. A ballet dancers instrument is their body, such as mine. And, believe it or not, if you got the right technique - you become an athlete by doing it. Seriously. Its so demanding both for the body and the mind and you need to want it with all your heart. Also the aspect of performing, practicing.. It motivates me to fight even harder. Thank you Katy for these very interesting videos!
I'm also an opera singer (well, training to be one but I've sung a role so it counts) and I love these videos. There aren't opera people talking like this on TH-cam that I can find but her advice is super applicable for us too. I've been working on my makeup skills using her videos during this time and watching a lot of videos on expressive faces as well. I've been dancing ballet for a bit over a year now and I feel like it has helped my singing immensely. The amount of core stabilization and leg work helps my support a lot. I've gone from ballet to a lesson before which was killer mentally and physically but I sang very well. My teacher has noticed an improvement as well. I highly recommend it.
Hi Kathryn! I'm from Brazil and I've just started ballet classes... And I'm 25 years old! Your videos are very useful for me and I got very good tips from them. Please make a video about back flexibility!
I agree, a back flexibility video would be awesome
She is totally realistic and honest. This must be very helpful to apprentices and corps dancers.
You amaze me. I use your strength and strength WITH clarity to get through things in my own life that I need to be brave and creative about. I was a dancer and, like you, mainly have a heart just for ballet (as opposed to other types of dance). The poise and energy and power that it gave my mind and body continue to guide me. Kathyrn, thank you for your honesty and grace. It is so much fun to listen and learn from you. Makes me want to dance again at 41! Keep it up!!!
I hope you did! ❤
You're so incredibly humble!
i am a 6' tall olympic lifter and cyclist idek how i ended up here but i've watched, like, 10 of her videos in a row lol.
k a y l e e sure you are
Dancers, especially ballet dancers, are pushing themselves so hard. I did ballet when I was young and while I always enjoyed dancing and stayed dancing, I just didn’t enjoy ballet anymore at some point after three or four years of ballet I think. I really admire pro dancers though, as I said they have such work ethic and push themselves so much.
this is inspirational and sensible: and not only for dancers! Road warriors of every profession can use this valuable advice. Thanks for posting, kathryn.
Ikr
sometimes I get really intimidated by other dancers who are REALLY good(especially because I am a younger dancer, and I often fell like I can't be that good) but you are a beautiful talented dancer that doesn't intimidate me, but inspires me
This was amazing, very insightful, realistic and inspiring, thanks Katie!
Your are perfect! So light on your feet. Such a pleasure and honor to watch these practice videos. IDK what issue anyone could ever have with your body type. SO BEAUTIFUL AND BEAUTIFUL to watch you dance; from an older Ballerina with body image issues.
Hey Kathryn, I just wanna say thank you so much for sharing a part of your life to us. Though I am not a ballerina, I appreciate the discipline ballerinas have. And this video really inspires me to be more dicipline and encourages me to be the best college student I can be.
Wonderful video. I can speak from being a professional singer that your rehearsal process is so much harder than ours. I had the wonderful opportunity to sing in collaboration with our ballet company when they danced Will Tuckett’s Lux Aeterna. It was so great to see their (your) process in rehearsal and they were thrilled to dance with a live orchestra and chorus. Such a great ballet!
We as a musican community need someone like her that was in an opera company, to help aspiring singers.
I wish performances were at 10pm, because I feel like that is my prime time energy wise
I love when you talk about what its like in the professional world! :)
Kathryn you honestly have the best videos and the most wonderful attitude! I love your honesty and that it is always well placed, and that you never seem to hold resentment! I am not a ballet student though am definitely a lover of it and do exercises now and again. I hope you always remain in high spirits and just wanted to say thank you! Very informative video and interesting to listen! SO much respect for dancers and their art! Your videos always make me smile! Have a great weekend :-)
Your videos really are of amazing quality! Thank you for your honesty and the work you put into them, it's refreshing to see someone who really loves , knows what shes talking about and can relate to ! Ballet is such a beautiful and hard art and the respect you give it is very inspiring.Trust me really shows!
enanadetucan Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
I loved this video! I would love to become a ballerina and it's weird how this video made me want to be a dancer even more!
This, I think, is your best video yet. I mean, I love all of them, but this one was particularly inspired! Thank you for being the voice of reason in a world so cutthroat as ours (the ballet world) Extraordinary mentors are few and far between for dancers. I hope you know how much youre helping us all❤️
This is absolutely wonderful. I could've listened for hours and hours.
I was just thinking "I wonder if she has a video on life as a professional dancer" and I see you just uploaded it! Yay!
Thank you so much for the video, it gave me a lot of insight into the ballet world (I'm not a dancer, I only do ballet recreationally). Referring to what you've said about being satisfied with your perfomance etc.- I think it might be related to all kinds of art. Once you're happy with yourself, you're done, you stop developing. And when it comes to artistry- it's never enough, it's about constant development and pushing your limits, you can't simply "get" or "have" it. Again- thank you so much for all the videos, it's always a great pleasure to watch them. :)
This was such an amazing video! Your such a true, honest person and it's lovely to hear from a professional :) would love more videos like this
Fantastic video, as always your honesty is really appreciated! It's lovely how positive you are about the awful time you went through, it shows just how strong you are. I hope we get to see you performing again soon :)
Thank you Katie...i'm a soloist dancer and so passionate n dream to become a ballet teacher. Your videos are so...encouraging and inspiring. I admire you tremendously
Thank you so much for your informative videos, and your easy conversational manner. I am writing a book in which there is a ballet dancer. I detest stereo-types, so your videos have been a fantastic compliment to my research! ... And, if creating a character who dances ballet doesn't clue you in, let me assure you, I love the art of ballet and I have a TREMENDOUS amount of admiration and awe for anyone who dances ballet professionally. Kudos!
what do professionals do if they get the flu or something like that? I love that you're so down to earth and normal. It's highly refreshing. you're such an inspiration wow ^^,
i love your channel and NYCB has alway been my fave company- i was a preprofessional ballet dancer and mfa candidate until I got ME/CFS- so much of your channel and story resonates with me. Thanks for sharing- it brings back so many memories of things I maybe took for granted before getting sick. 💕
I love ballet so much thank you for giving me tips on how to be a better dancer
Found this by accident. The best talk I've heard on this topic. Bravo KM! You're so eloquent and insightful.
You can do a tutorial of italian fouttes?
Maybe even a video about different kinds of fouttes!
Wow! Your awesome! Such admiration for you and dancers!
So excited for the summer course packing!!!
I wanted to be professional but I have chronic illness and epilepsy that wont allow me to tolerate past a certain level of exertion without getting very sick or triggering seizures. It's unfortunate but its that harsh reality that a dancer who can't dance those long hard days of class and rehersal, can't be professional. The company wants dancers who can push past their limits in a full length ballet mulitple times a week and not a dancer who has to sit down the last half of center because they feel a seizure coming on... no matter how great my tecnique is.. no matter how determined and passionate I am.. no matter how much I love it and would give my life to dance, I know a company would never waste their time and recources on me. Being a proffesional dancer is not made for everyone who wants it (even if they want it with all their heart) and thats just the sad truth, but you can still dance for the sheer love and joy you have for ballet.
I’m sure there’s a niche for you somewhere ❤
This was wonderful! Thank you :)
mauipolkadot I am so glad you enjoyed it! :)
There is some one at my ballet school who's "friend" got to be in Arabian here first year in the nutcracker and she thought she deserved the role more (which she definitely did not here "friend" deserved it much more) and she always rolling here eyes when she gets corrections and it drives me crazy
Thank you for those words and sharing your experience, I really appreciate it
I had been doing ballet for 6 years when I was 12 I earned my first pair of point shoes, but I gave up right after. Now I'm 16 and I regret so much quitting, I completely feel in love with ballet again and I am using quarentine to get back my wasted time. I think it would be really hard, but not impossible, because when I did ballet classes I only had 1 hour class per week and didn't did shit during the other days, I just thought that 1h would be enough to be a professional and then I got depressed because I wasn't evolving and stopped. Any advice? I need all the help in the world
Oh my goodness I've been waiting for this video!!!!
I'll be going into Junior Company at my ballet school next year. Definitely not as intense as professional dancing, but I'm still very exciting. These are great tips!!
Hi Kathryn - new subscriber here, I just discovered you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, insights and knowledge with the community. I think it's great you've also shared your honest views on the difficult profession of being a ballerina. xx
This is so great!! I have been waiting for something like this! When you talked about how ballerinas are not lazy, that are me feel so much better about dancing because my teachers have called me lazy because I have gotten a few injuries :(( Thank you for the awesome videos!!!! :)
Hey Kathryn, I don't know if you're planning another ballet class/workout video but I'm interested in a pointe class. You already did videos about strengthening and all those exercises etc but maybe you can do a full class? :)
And thank you for all your tips and advice! Helps so much. ♥
I'm aspiring to be a professional dancer, I'm so dedicated and committed and I will work hard for everything. I'm so excited to see what my future holds
This was great! Thanks so much for all your videos, they help so much! I love you and your channel so much!!!!
Thank you so much. I loved this video. Could you do a video on staying in shape between the ending of the normally dance season and the summer courses.
Loved your video, Kathryn! Could you someday talk about the right age to become professional and becoming a professional when you're ''old'', more than 18 years old? Thanks a lot.
Do you know Miranda Weese? She was a principal with City Ballet. She is my teacher at School of the Arts in Saratoga.
This is such a wonderful video! It was insightful and honest and I adored it. I was wondering if you could talk about whether or not you ever had doubts about being a dancer and how you knew it was for you- I think that would be a really interesting topic. Thank you so much for this video and I can't wait for the summer packing one!
This is exactly the video I was waiting for you to do! Thank you so much!!
Hey Kathryn!! I really aprecciate all that wonderful information that you gave us. I would like to see a video based on the diet that we should have being a ballet student. Thanks, kisses
I’m watching this video of how ballet dancers have to take care of themselves (I’m not a dancer, but a powerlifter) and eating Mac and cheese for lunch
Oh my god! Thank you so much for all the information, This is really interesting for me
So real and raw !! Love this
Dance is my absolute life, and today in pointe class an ex professional ballerina said I had great potential
I have a great deal of respect for you, Katie, and I appreciate your videos. You have a very down-to-earth and pragmatic approach to ballet that makes your videos incredibly helpful as well as a lot of fun. However, I find I really disagree with your comments about ballet aesthetics.
The aesthetics of ballet are not immutable facts. They can and do change. I'm not convinced by the argument that the emphasis on thinness is a strictly business decision meant to satisfy audiences. It's not the paying, viewing public who are driving this trend, anymore than magazine readers are the ones insisting that all fashion models must be a size 0. It's the world of ballet professionals, both backstage and onstage, that is the most concerned with maintaining this aesthetic, and they are the only ones in a position to effect change should they so desire it.
I realize that your videos are practical advice primarily directed at aspiring young dancers who have to understand the pressures they will face. But I don't believe that means we should teach them to internalize those limitations. And personally, as an audience member, I'd love to see a lot more diversity in those tutus.
Jennifer Nichole it does suck and you’re entirely right. However, it would be very very hard to change. I’m a dancer who grew up on ballet but I have always been a bit bigger. Once I got to college and discovered modern dance which is barely more inclusive, I grasped onto it and I am more into jazz and hip hop as well. I know I have great performance quality, but I don’t get cast in ballets even at a university because of my size, and that’s just how it is. I have had to stray from ballet because of it. The ballet world is a harsh one and it’s not for everyone.
it is true i have experienced it.
This was very interesting! Thanks for sharing.
I love this this video and you. You are so inspiring.
fascinating and very honest view of your profession. Thanks for sharing with us all.
I love you so much even though this is the very first video I watch from you! You are so good!!!
Hi Kathryn,
I just started dancing this fall at the age of 12 (I am now 13), and I LOVE ballet with all my heart, but I don't know where to start with becoming a professional. I go to a dance studio, but they only have one class at my level each week, and it really is a studio just for fun. I would love to have the chance to go to SAB or CPYB, but I don't know where to start in my training before then, especially because I am not on pointe yet. Do you know of anything that could help me? Or do you have any tips?
I love your videos, and thank you for posting, they are an amazing help!!
You can choose to go several studio/academy that is more professional
YOU WERE RECRUITED IN YOUR JUNIOR YEAR?! WHEN YOU WERE 17?!?! I’m 15 and sill can’t do a double en pointe 😂 funny but now I’m scared I’ll never been good enough to be a professional 😰😔
Don't compare yourself to her! You are an amazing ballerina in your own way❤️
Could you make a video about auditioning for professional companies?
great video. it tells u so much. I love your attitude.
Loved this video!!
Thanks Katie! The video was helpful!
+eliza sue I am so glad!
Hi Katie, that was a wonderful video! It would be interesting if you could do a video on how company tours are like? Thank you.
Just subscribed your amazing!
Very helpful video! Thanks Katie!
Absolutely love this video!!!
only thing as i felt a bit called out as i am quite thin, and dispise when i am called a twig or whatever. its my body and saying that you dont wanna see that is dishearting!
Hi Kathryn! I am trying to alter my pointe shoes to make my feet look better by cutting down and sewing the sides, also sometimes known as "Frankenstein-ing". I am very new to this technique and trying to figure out how to do it neatly and do it well. I was wondering if you have any tips on this method or could make a video showing how. Thanks so much! I love your videos 💖
You have just answered all my questions! Ty 💜
Can you make a video explaining different things in the professional dancing world talking about things like what different variations are, it really confuses me
I love your videos! I was wondering if you could possibly do a video talking about auditioning for SAB? This fall I am going to audition and I wanted to know what to expect. Thank you sooo much!
What she said about fending for yourself in a company setting, does that apply to conflict among other members as well, or is that something you should get higher ups involved in?
You have really inspired me to work hard:)
I went to SAB from the age of 7 until 16 when I was asked to join the company. How did you end up by being Sugar Plum if you weren't a principal dancer?
Your amazing!!! I like u tell it how it is!
You could have even ended that sentence at 'You can start to get into a lot of trouble if you start to think you deserve things''
How could you be a professional dancer while still in high school? That sounds impossible. Were you homeschooled or something?
I'd go on stage in order to take class and rehearse all day.
do the people who spot/hire you into a company see potential in becoming that goal weight or "thinness" in someone who is maybe a little off a dancers body. not overweight but just an unusual shape xoxo
Hi Kathryn I'm in grade 3 at the moment and we are currently working on pada chas sorry if that is spelt wrong I'm very tall for 13 and I find it hard to bring my legs up very high in this certain exercise and landing is also a problem I was wondering if you could do a video on improving that. I love your videos by the way and I think you do a great job and you inspire me thanks again xx
Kathryn is my fav
Thank you so much this is perfect!
can you do a pre performance routine? Thanks!!
Thank you for the interesting and insightful video. I am guessing that there are some dancers who struggle with burnout and exhaustion - how does one deal with this? Also, how do dancers avoid getting to that point? Would love to know how dancers deal with the stress.
Hi I wanted to know if you went to SAB because I was thinking to audition but I live all the way in Texas so I hope you can reply. P.S. I love your videos and I want to be with the New York City ballet
Yeah you have to go to SAB to be in NYCB