Dear Katie: I'm So Short!

In our “Dear Katie” series, former NYCB soloist Kathryn Morgan answers your pressing dance questions. Have something you want to ask Katie? Email [email protected] for a chance to be featured!

Dear Katie,

Even after a big growth spurt last year, I’m still barely 5 feet tall. I hate being short! My arms and legs look so stumpy. Is there any hope for me in the professional dance world?

Ellen

Dear Ellen,

I’m guessing you know the names Maria Kochetkova, Alina Cojocaru and Iana Salenko, right? All three of them are gorgeous, successful professional dancers—and all three of them are tiny! But they don’t let their height limit them. They dance tall, moving expansively and projecting upwards and outwards.

Use them as your inspiration. Make everything bigger, all the time. Stretch your limbs to the fullest. Instead of breaking your wrists or winging too much at your ankles, focus on creating continuous lines, which will help your arms and legs look longer.

Practically speaking, being shorter isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes it’s even an advantage. Finding a partner, for example, will never be an issue for you. And you’re probably great at lightning-speed choreography—the smaller you are, the easier it is to move quickly. There’s definitely hope for you in the dance world!