Meet Kathryn Morgan | Professional Ballerina, YouTuber, and Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathryn Morgan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathryn, is there something you believe many others might not?
Something I’ve always stood for since I started my career was the idea that ballerinas had to be waif-like thin. I have NEVER been the smallest one in the room. By normal standards, I’m tiny (size 2) but by ballet standards, I’m on the “bigger” side. I’ve been told many times to lose weight. I’ve been taken out of roles because I wasn’t considered to be “in-shape enough”. So it’s something I continue to fight for, stand for, and try to change. Dancers shouldn’t have to be rail thin in order to succeed. Ballet is for all body types. Ballet is for everyone.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was pushed very early at New York City Ballet and was fortunate enough to receive many wonderful roles right off the bat. I danced Juliet at age 17, the Sugarplum Fairy in “The Nutcracker” at 19, and Princess Aurora in “The Sleeping Beauty” at 20. It seemed like I was on the fast track to the top. But at 21, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition that side-lined my career. I gained a ton of weight, experienced excruciating fatigue, and most of my hair fell out. It was terrible. This career I had worked so hard for suddenly crumbled. So I started my YouTube channel as a way to stay relevant and to tell my story. Through that process, I started helping other dancers. People came to my videos because someone was finally pulling back the curtain on the infamous “ballet world”. I teach classes, do advice videos, post performances, and just bring people into the world of ballet. My goal is to make it more joyful and inclusive, 2 things for which ballet has earned an opposite reputation.

While my condition is under control now, I still have good days and bad days. My viewers have seen all the highs (getting back to the stage, performances, and personal triumphs) and lows (flare-ups, being take out roles due to my weight, and personal things). They have been there every step of the way, and I have tried to be as open and honest as possible. Ballet is very archaic, and in order to survive, we must progress forward. We are still hitting a lot of brick walls in the ballet world, but I continue to try and be a trailblazer.

As a performer, I’m known for my dramatic roles as well as my lyrical, feminine quality. I was never a trickster – a la dancers who can do many turns or jump 8 feet in the air. I’m more understated and artistic. As a teacher and YouTuber, I try to encourage all dancers to explore what’s possible when you take away the idea of “making it” as a ballerina, and to continually revisit what initially made them fall in love with ballet.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m currently living in Salt Lake City, but my fiancé and I will be moving to Orange County this summer! I look forward to becoming a California girl (or at least trying to!) But here in Salt Lake, I would definitely tell my friend to stay at the Grand America Hotel. It’s opulence and glamour is such throw back to the golden age. We would also have to do high tea there. I love drinks at Lake Effect and dinner at The Rest at Bodega, a hidden gem in downtown Salt Lake. I would definitely take her a little bit up the mountain to Park City to explore. She could ski and have fun on the slopes. But I would have to sit inside by the fire – as a dancer, I can’t ski and run the risk for injury! Occupational hazard. 🙂 There’s a great downtown shopping area of Salt Lake called City Creek, so that would be a must. And there are plenty of hidden antique shops in the area as well, Salt Lake has a lot of culture and continues to grow.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shout out to all of my viewers, followers, and ballet lovers who have stood by me and encouraged me throughout the years. They have witnessed my ups and downs, and continue to be the most supportive community I’ve ever experienced.

Website: https://kathrynmorganonline.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryn_morgan/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynMorganBallet

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/Tutugirlkem

Image Credits
Katie Ging Photography