Kathryn Morgan Continues to Inspire Us

March 22, 2017


Our former cover star Kathryn Morgan
has had a dream-come-true career in many ways: She only spent half a season as an apprentice at New York City Ballet before being offered a company contract, and she was tapped to dance the title role in Peter Martins’ version of Romeo + Juliet when she was still in the corps.

All of these successes made it even more difficult to comprehend the news when, in August 2012, Morgan had to put her dancing aside to deal with hypothyroidism. In the meantime, she occasionally guested with her hometown company—Mobile Ballet in Mobile, AL—and started a YouTube series featuring tutorials and advice for aspiring ballet dancers.

Kathryn on the January, 2008 cover (photo by Erin Baiano)

Now, it sounds like Morgan is close to making a comeback: She’s back in NYC this month to train with Garielle Whittle— a former faculty member at School of American Ballet—and Nancy Bielski, at Steps on Broadway.

Unfortunately for New York audiences, she won’t be returning to NYCB. But Morgan told the New York Times that Peter Martins’ decision was a blessing in disguise. Now she’s free to audition for classical companies in Europe, where she hopes to find a new home.

As we’ve heard from other dancers who’ve been through serious injury or illness, to stay strong you have to stay positive. Kathryn Morgan is a role model for her impeccable dancing, but she’s also a role model for her patience and determination. We’ll keep watching her wherever she ends up.