Conversations with Megan, featuring Wendy Whelan in honor of Albert Evans

Albert was a principal with New York City Ballet from 1995 to 2010 when he retired. Everyone who knew him was incredibly fond of him, he brought out the best in everyone around him. He unfortunately passed away in 2015, and it was an incredible loss to our community, which spoke to his amazing personality and caring nature. I had the honor of getting to dance with him a couple of times, but Wendy spent a lot of her career with him, inside and outside of the studio. We met together recently to reflect on our good friend and all that goodness he brought to our lives and still does.

[@ashleym9251]

I used to volunteer for the New York City Ballet during 2009-2011 and I was chosen to throw the flowers at his curtain call for his Farewell performance. Every week when I would come in to volunteer, he would always say hello to me, strike up a conversation. He was such a genuine and kind soul. For a girl who so obsessed with the ballet and NYCB, these dancers are like rockstars, getting the chance to talk to him was so unexpected. He was one of the great ones.

[@powerofalto]

I was a music student at Juilliard in the 1990’s. I remember when Albert and Ethan Steifel were promoted to principal. My introduction to Ballet was seeing City Ballet...what an introduction to dance! (My first time seeing Ballet featured Wendy dancing in Two and Three Part Inventions by Jerome Robbins.) I would see Albert around Lincoln Center, and he would always smile in a lovely, warm way, despite us not being at all acquainted. Seeing him dance the last movement of P. Martins’ Jazz was seeing joy embodied. It was an utter pleasure! Seeing Albert and Arch Higgins dance with Wendy in the second Agon pas de trois was one of the great artistic experiences-of any art form-of my life. Despite not knowing Albert, I was terribly sorry to hear of his passing. I had long ago left NYC, so I hadn’t kept up on dancers in the company. For me, he was the essence of good health. May he Rest In Peace, and his legacy be cherished and passed on for generations to come!

[@noahburke]

What a wonderful warm moving tribute to a stunning dancer. Thank you.

[@noahburke]

I wonder: do you and your partners ever talk to each other under your breath while you're performing?

[@meganfairchild6135]

All the time!!! But only when necessary!!! :)

[@LH-fp8kr]

I was a dancer in Hamburg, Germany, but coming from Atlanta, I had heard of him when he was first starting out and learning ballet. He studied with my younger sister, and all I ever heard about him was how fun, warm, and endearing he was. His talent was evident from the beginning. I was so happy to hear he became a beautiful, successful dancer. Then equally shocked to hear of his passing. His story is an inspiring one. Let's keep his memory with us always.......

[@judithricca6915]

Thank you Megan and Wendy for sharing your wonderful memories of Albert. As a member of the NYCB audience, I can say he was always a joy to watch. 🌠🌠🌠

[@WoodlandDance]

Great interview! At the time of Albert's passing, his family survivors included his Mother, 4 sisters, and 6 brothers.

[@radiantonion8615]

omg....! (it's Wendy!!!) “In the end these things matter most: How well did you love? How fully did you live? How deeply did you let go?” He did all these.

[@katiefulton9456]

⭐️ We love you Albert, Wendy & Megan. ✨

[@deborahmielke620]

Megan...you're so genuine. A kind inquisitive heartfelt interview. It truly shows that you enjoy people..their thoughts ideas and in general what they have to say. And Wendy...✨your love for people ballet and everything about your art. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Your story and love for Albert...thank you for sharing. NYCB...is so fortunate to have you aboard. You are a gem of a human ....🌟🌟🌟may you continue to find stars. Thank you Megan!🙏✨💖

[@agr1323]

Thank you Meghan and Wendy. This was very touching.

[@laurawachsmuth2403]

This was so moving!! Thank you so much, Megan, for your wonderful interviews. And thank you Wendy, for your heart-felt tribute to Albert’s beautifully alive spirit.

[@ruthdavidson-schaller2245]

So beautifully told! So great to see Wendy❤️ I’ll be thinking about those sweet stars from now on.

[@e.silverman4082]

Thank you for this wonderful, moving tribute. Weber's Closeout occupied most of the retail space in the Dorilton, that fabulous chocolate-cake of a building between 71st and 72nd on Broadway. I used to go in to Weber's a lot, but I don't remember ever seeing Albert there!

[@a.phillips6892]

I love Wendy so much and I really enjoyed hearing all about Albert. I did not realize all these things about him, I’m sure he will always be missed there at NYCB.💕

[@cerimarsh9803]

What a beautiful tribute!

[@kcstill3108]

I just read that he had 6 brothers and 4 sisters! Great conversation ladies. Megan, thank you for helping me get through the quarantine. So many wonderful interviews.

[@catherinehastings2063]

Wow!!!! Wendy!!!!!!

[@annakorisch6921]

Thank you for this conversation. Albert was a rare, indelibly beautiful artist.

[@6gorks]

LOVE

[@FredCompton]

Ladies, thank you so much for sharing this with us. It was so nice to hear about Albert. Love his nickname, it was pretty cool. :-)

[@churchiwalliwalli]

Megs! This is just toooo good! Thank you for this 🙏🏼❤️

[@meganfairchild6135]

Ahh!!! Love you!!!

[@cherylkavanagh3387]

Absolutely wonderful. I have always loved Albert, but knew so little about him because he was always so private. It was great to see Wendy, too, and hearing her stories about Albert was so special. I so, so enjoyed this!

[@rebeccacarden973]

Yesssssssss! A treat in quarantine

[@kellymac2404]

Love you guys and thank you 🙏 ❤️💜

[@georgiede]

Thank you so much for this.

[@iestynovich]

This was absolutely wonderful. Insightful, a fascinating biopic - thank you. A privilege to watch.

[@kristiLB93]

Awwww. This was such a heartwarming interview. It was so enjoyable to learn more about Albert. Thank you for sharing a more intimate picture of who he was a a dancer and as a human being. I remember well reading about him at times in my Dance Magazine growing up. I never did get to see him dance in the theater. So I’m grateful we have footage of his dancing and people that can tell his story. Great interview!

[@TheGabrielleSterbenz]

This episode is my dream come true. Thank you SOOOOOOO much for doing this!!!! The stories and photos you shared are so beautiful, and they made me laugh out loud, and cry, too. I'm so happy to know more about this special man and dancer.

[@LChonie]

Wow that was so wonderful and so touching. Her story at the end totally made me cry. Seeing Wendy was amazing too, I have been looking up to her ever since I started dancing in 1990. Thank you so much for this!!

[@raquelcolon5785]

Wow what a great interview. As you know I am fan. The Queen Wendy. Now that she is part of the ballet director’s, she. can get some people of color in the company. As a little Puerto Rican girl, going to the ballet, I would love to see some Hispanic dancers........ And thank you for honoring such an amazing dancer who left this world way to soon.....I am in TOTAL SHOCK THAT HE WAS ONLY THE SECOND BLACK PRINCIPAL DANCER. things need to change.!!!

[@kendanziger8072]

Mel Tomlinson? Principal dancer?

[@raquelcolon5785]

chima chibi ; agree 100% .........having said that, tell that to Craig Hall. A genius black dancer who never got promoted to be a principal. He was long over do and it never happened. Although he is now a master, with the company, another missed opportunity. Nope affirmative action does not belong in NYCB, but let’s not pretend that in Almost 100 years of the company, they could only find 5 principles dancers 0f color because there was no talent. ......That’s absurd.

[@E-Beth]

This is such a sweet interview. It was so nice to hear so much about Albert. Loving all your interviews so much!

[@JackieOstick]

QUEEN WENDY WHELAN!!!!!!! Oh and Albert! I’ve been dying to hear stories about him.

[@shaunasavala5494]

Aww, this one was sweet! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for giving it a second try ☺️

[@transcan1]

What an amazing tribute to such an amazing man! The story about the stars... honestly, it gave me goosebumps! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. 💖

[@vbowling593]

What a beautiful interview from two incredible dancers honoring the great ballet dancer, Albert Evans. He had such wonderful stage presence. What a gift! Thank you.

[@georgiahamilton4346]

Megan, love that you are preserving these stories.

[@icarrus4u]

Thanks for doing this Megan and Wendy! I definitely look forward to all your upcoming interviews! Excellent job! By the way I really love how you incorporated pictures throughout.

[@garygary7550]

Albert Evans We speak your name ❤️❤️❤️

[@bethanyscott-donelan1624]

I know what I’m doing for the next 46 minutes and 15 seconds 😏 I loveee that you’re still active. Blessings xo

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

I would like to see an interview with Wendy Wheelan about her.

[@feathersforfun]

what about Mel Tomlinson?

[@meganfairchild6135]

Just asked Wendy! She said he was a soloist. She did 5 couples in Who Cares with him. :)

[@kendanziger8072]

Megan Fairchild I checked myself afterwards, but thanks. MT danced as if a principal and that’s what matters (see Agon with Ms. Watts). Thanks for what you do.

[@georgiahamilton4346]

Ah yes I remember wrapping my feet with cotton and lambswool. Good times