Conversations with Megan, featuring India Bradley

India is in her second year as a corps de ballet member of the New York City Ballet. It was not long after she joined the company that I soon realized what a witty and fun young woman she was. We both love to break the silence in the room and she is one of those people who I can always count on during a hard day to help make me laugh! We discuss what the first couple years are like when you enter NYCB, her many moments of uncertainty, her first featured role, and how the efforts towards diversity in the ballet world are or aren't hitting the mark.

[@cannedheat300]

Both of these ladies are adorably cute and real. It's almost like they were having a getting to know you convo that just happened to be vlogged. It's nice.

[@tamirmickens89]

Clicked on this so fast...been waiting for someone to interview India!

[@powerofalto]

Thank you so much for this wonderful interview, Megan. As a violin teacher to young people, I find it particularly fascinating to hear about how NYC Ballet members made the decision, at such a young age, to pursue dance professionally. To have that clarity of mind and passion/dedication at such a young age is remarkable, and quite unusual if you think about other teenager’s frames of mind and experience.

[@Starlicious1386]

Wow, must be nice being a single mom and able to travel to New York to support her daughter's dreams! I met India's dad and step mom. They are very supportive too! Can't wait to see her career progress. 😍

[@TheCerealluvr]

She's so feels so warm and genuine.

[@cherylkavanagh3387]

So glad for this interview! Loved learning about India's background and her insights into diversity and dance. She is so much fun!!

[@transcan1]

Fun interview! India seems like a person who's easy to talk to, whether you know them or not. Rather like you, Megan!

[@FredCompton]

India, thank very much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us. I love the work that Megan is doing with her channel, she interviews remarkably interesting people, and you are no different. I enjoyed the conversation about Misty Copeland's impact on ballet. I agree that she has the potential of being the vanguard for bringing awareness of ballet to may segments of our society. As you said, and I agree, may segments have challenges bringing life’s necessities to their families, that attending a performance, let alone, studying in a local school, is a luxury that they cannot include in their lives. Despite the great awareness Misty is bringing to ballet, there are many people that won’t be able to enjoy ballet in its current model. If ballet companies strive to be move diverse in their ranks it HAS to be more than the dancer in the company. It needs to be a complete and holistic change. It needs to be reflected in the non-performers, the choreographers, the benefactors, the audience, etc. A company can do great work in bringing the art to those in our community that just cannot choose a ticket over a week’s groceries. Yes, I know it’s a business and I’m sure margins are very tight, but if not the company, then who? If a young person can be inspired by artists like Misty but never have the blessing of seeing the art performed, or access to training, how can any company diversify? It’s one thing to want dancers that that help a company diversify, it’s entirely another thing to be able to choose dancers if these dancers don’t exist because they never started. On another note, I have always wondered how the snow in Nutcracker affects the dancer. I wonder how you not inhale the “snowflakes” and how you don’t slip on them. I then think, maybe they are treated with rosin but then think, that must taste awful when it finds its way into a dancer’s mouth. I want to thank you both, a very enjoyable way to spend a glorious Saturday in NY. Oh, one last thing, maybe we can turn the tables and have Megan be the interviewee for one of these interviews, just a thought ;-)

[@jjgnva]

Ooh, I have never seen an interview with India! She seems like the "happy" in class, or the girl everyone wants to hang out with! Thanks for sharing her with us!! There are such amazing stories in the ballet! Happy Saturday ladies!

[@nancyferrel7970]

Wonderful interview, Megan! Love these interview! I'm a huge NYCB fan! I know India's step mom and dad. Wonderful, supportive parents who always welcome Miss India back home in Michigan!

[@ruthdavidson-schaller2245]

How wonderful to have this view into sweet India’s life and your relationship with her. Such authentic conversation about diversity and company life. Once again, you knocked it put of the park!❤️

[@MyKombucha]

Bravo for another great interview. India is so smart and delightful. Look forward to watching her career. 💐

[@laurasevero2753]

OH GOSHHH!! I was looking forward for this interview!! she is a huge inspiration for me!! #brownballerinas

[@epnz09]

Thank you, Megan! I've been loving these.

[@cat56789]

Glad ballet companies are having diversity meetings that's so important 💝

[@vishneva2000]

So happy for this talk!

[@melisaroy6788]

WOW, such a great conversation on such a sensible topic in such a turmoiled time! Thank you! 💗

[@joannalevine932]

Ok, this is going sound totally nuts (and TMI maybe) but it's just so funny and makes me laugh so i have to share! I've been LOVING this whole interview series and have been *trying* to get through this particular interview since you posted it last weekend. Been a rough week over here; I'm a 44 year old former ballet dancer who just got diagnosed with an incredibly rare form of lung cancer on thursday (i know, i know...no worries, it's insane). I've been rationalizing still doing class for a couple of weeks while we've been figuring stuff out because "come on, this has got to be good for my lungs right? I mean what else can happen??" SO, when you guys started talking about healing lungs through Balanchine's Snow I totally busted up laughing -- YOU TOTALLY VALIDATED MY ENTIRE APPROACH TO HEALING!! (dance through it, as long as possible) While I hadn't thought of trying snow as medicine, now i'm sooo tempted!! It's an awesome idea & I might just try it 😂 You both just made my day, thank you!! 💕

[@cherryji2422]

Such a great interview! India has a sparkling personality!! Wish her the best of luck with her career!

[@danceitlikeyoufeelit]

Thanks so much for doing these! I am a huge ballet fan, of NYCB in particular. What a way to overcome the quarantine doldrums than to have you interview such interesting dancers. I checked my program stash and found that I was at one of your La Source shows in January. Now I feel bad for not clapping louder. Bravo!

[@meganfairchild6135]

Haha!!! Seriously no problem. It might never be enough applause for the pain that ballet causes!! lol

[@judithricca6915]

After watching this video, and listening to the comments from the both of you on La Valse, I will watch it with new eyes.

[@ChiaraJade811]

I throughly enjoyed your interview with India Bradley, I love her energetic personality. This is one of your best! I hope you one of your future interviews is going to be with your brother Robbie. Are going to interview Robbie? Please?

[@steve-o5600]

India is awesome.

[@brbwlk]

More vids. We need more. A sane discussion. Thank you.

[@breemds]

Wonderful REAL convo 🌹

[@brunoduvalbr]

Nice, hugs from Brazil.

[@amayatheballerina6225]

I was really looking forward to this interview!! So glad you interviewed her!! Maybe you can do Kennard Henson next?

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Why do I find these videos when I need to go to sleep? Y'all are a curse upon my sleep schedule. But I wuv y'all though.

[@marbs8615]

Can you do an interview with Tiler Peck?

[@lar8200]

Im waiting for Lauren Lovette!

[@cherryji2422]

Yes I'm waiting for Lauren Lovette too!

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Gasps in French!!!!! This interview really happened!!!! Meus Deus no ceu!!!!!!!

[@rihannadiamonds2504]

Age is just a NUMBER (just saying)... But nice interview with such two sweet people... :-)

[@rosefray5984]

Is it more common for students to move to ny with or without a parent?

[@meganfairchild6135]

Without. There is a dorm that is very safe.

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

India: I'm Maria Kawroski. Me: Well, I'd like to be Edouard Lock as a choreographer. But I am still working on it.

[@k.ashleynorton6553]

What is the ballet yall discuss during the 40-50 min period that is "just so hard!" I missed the name.

[@laurenlawler84]

Tschaikovsky piano concerto no. 2

[@slinky_nyc]

la source :) sounds terrifying hahaha

[@evancarlson1634]

I’m confused how did you know there would be audio problems at the beginning of the interview, and knew about the costume change before it even happened. Can you predict the future?

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

So all of this indicates that a follow-up interview is necessary with India's mom.

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Nobody is getting ahead of anyone, but some people are going to bounce back easier than others. There is also the consideration that up to 3 years worth of graduates from the school might be affected. So if you did graduate, the market is still flooding the pipeline with new talent right behind you.

[@meganfairchild6135]

Totally a problem. :(

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Interview Aesha Ash and Craig Hall...

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Wait!!!! Is India interviewing you? Also, there is remedial PE in the military.

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Ummm can we talk to management about splitting company class in 1/2?

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Rosemary Dunleavy?

[@soldaliberdade13]

What do the diversity meetings look like, and do they generally cover issues only of race? (is the company trying to be more inclusive? talking about gender, differently abled movers, etc.) ?

[@meganfairchild6135]

Yes absolutely.

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

Isn't Lauren King the PC2 Kween even though she is a soloist? Correct me if I am wrong. I also want her to be one of my mentors. Hook a brother up if you can.

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

So Snow is a puff piece for short girls?

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

What ballet was it? Me in my head: Swan Lake. India: Swan Lake.

[@WeirdLittleDreams]

F'ing squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Johanna.EG.]

Has NYCB ever performed a ballet choreographed by a Black choreographer?

[@meganfairchild6135]

Yes. Kyle Abraham did an amazing piece recently with clips of Kanye West music pieced through. It was one of my favorites of the season. And Albert Evans put ballets on the stage a couple times I believe. Or at least once. Definitely needs to be more though!