Interview with Kathryn Morgan

Kathryn and I talk about her experience in NYCB, Miami City Ballet, her time in between and unprecedented return to the stage, YAGP advice, as well as food and weight issues in the ballet world. She is not only incredibly naturally talented at ballet, but amazing for her ability to make the most out of a difficult circumstance, and it was so great to catch up after all these years!!!

[@kathryn_morgan]

Loved chatting with you Megan! xoxo

[@MartaJoannaKlara]

Kathryn that was so inspiring and good to hear that you talk about struggle that we have, Hashimoto dancers... Love from Poland!

[@Elong.]

❤️

[@goldsparkle5376]

God bless you

[@richardvergara]

Yeah, fuck Miami City Ballet. They did you dirty.

[@dancer2189]

This interview is ICONIC.

[@Siricerasi]

Love women supporting women such a great char with two ppl at different points in their careers yet obviously have huge love and respect for each other

[@cherryji2422]

It's so sad to hear her talk about MCB now knowing what has transpired behind the scenes. We love you Katie!!

[@brittany28]

Cherry Ji why did she leave nycb?

[@cherryji2422]

@@brittany28 Katie has a video on her channel explaining everything

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

@@brittany28 basically because she was very ill

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

Megan being a dancer makes a unique contribution to interviews. It's like we are just sitting in on a coffee shop visit between two dancers and girlfriends. We can get the unique dancer to dancer talk and learn so much. We love you Megan and Kathryn. And we appreciate your dancing so very much. Such beauty.

[@agr1323]

Interview Robbie! That would be so fun. Loving the vids.

[@georgiacatt1979]

yesss

[@ivone4eva]

Yes!!

[@erpollock]

Kathryn's story is a tragic one. Peter Martins was very kind to her. She started off so promisingly - then everything she had was taken from her. Her attitude is truly courageous.

[@radiantonion8615]

this is THE BEST INTERVIEW! Megan is the best interviewer..a natural.

[@ginatalarico8587]

What I wouldn’t give to have been able to hear these words as a young dancer. You two are incredible.

[@alyssandrabaniqued1798]

Megan! I used to dance at Ballet Hawaii and you would come to guest star Nutcracker every year. I always looked forward to dancing with you. It was such a privilege to be able to watch you and Robbie dance from the wings! My little 9 year old heart just absolutely adored you and looked up to you so much. I'm 26 years old now and I cherish those moments fondly. I even still have the pointe shoes you signed somewhere, haha. This was an amazing interview with two ICONIC ballerinas. So glad you have a KZbin Channel now!

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

What a beautiful comment.

[@meganfairchild6135]

OMG, I feel so old hearing this lol! But love that you reached out!!! :))))

[@sassialane]

The video we needed but don’t deserve. Literally iconic

[@the_dancerjen1773]

Kathryn is an inspiration! Thank you for interviewing her Megan.

[@tamei7006]

Nice one! Please switch roles as interviewer/ interviewed and do one about yourself also, esp. about becoming a ballerina mom!

[@anneharrison1849]

that would be cool, there used to be a series on bbc radio 4 that did that, the interviewee one week was the interviewer the next week

[@larissaswayze]

Yes!!! That would be amazing!

[@jacquelinesee-tho4638]

I love Katie!! I have been watching her for 3 years. Her story is so inspiring. Also I saw Megan in on the town when I was 9/10 years old. As a young dancer, you guys have been amazing, strong, and beautiful role models to lookup too.

[@kaceysmith947]

Katie has become one of my main role models in terms of body image and not giving up myself!!!!!! Love what she stands for!!!!!

[@AudreeAdam]

I'm so happy about this interview. I love dancing and had to stop because of a brain tumor (there were so many things I couldn't do anymore). It took me *years and years* before I saw able to put my pointe shoes back on and I struggled a lot. Kathryn, you gave me so much strength and hope :) Love this interview... and you girls.

[@Becks_Corner]

I loved this!!! Thank you so much!!

[@terpsiv8305]

Such a great interview! We actually learned things that haven't been mentioned before. Thank you both for this

[@nicyeets631]

Amazing interview! Thank you both x

[@shaunasavala5494]

This was SO fun to watch! Thanks for this :-)

[@Dahmaduty]

I just recently started following Kathryn Morgan, I think she's amazing! I'm not a dancer but I love ballet. I also happen to have Hashimoto's Hypothyroid like Kathryn and I can't even imagine being able to perform with this condition. Hashimoto's has so many symptoms one of the main one's is the Extreme Fatigue, and it also has weight gain, we can't lose weight, it's so difficult, I was already thin like Kathryn but have gained about 30lbs and cannot lose the weigh, it's not easy. This is how I explain Hashimoto's Hypothyroid to someone that doesn't have this condition. Say you own a top of the Line vehicle, say a Ferrari, or Lamborghini for instance, it's brand new, nothing wrong with it, all the parts are brand new, BUT it is on EMPTY no gasoline, so although the car looks good to everyone else and it's brand new, it can't go anywhere because it's Empty even if you try to PUSH it , you just can't get it to go... I know it's a silly analogy but I think it paints a good picture. Kathryn you're a beautiful Ballerina and I hope you can help other's and especially little girls so that they are not made to feel bad about their weight, sometimes our weight is genuinely due to a health condition such as in your case and mine. Ballerinas should come in all sizes. :)

[@FredCompton]

What a great interview! Thank you ladies

[@paulinaobriggs8158]

YES YES YES!! love this content

[@a.phillips6892]

Love both these dancers, great to listen to them both💓

[@Chelsea_HHF]

Really enjoyed this interview! Thank you so much!

[@redlantern3371]

Loved this! Great work ladies!

[@carinyoung6976]

Love this interview! I got thyroid cancer when I was 19 and stopped dancing and it is my biggest regret. I wish someone would have told me, love yourself, don't give up, and don't be afraid to think outside the box. Glad you're staying in the community, Kathryn, and bringing awareness to some of the physical challenges of being in this industry. And the importance of listening to your body! Megan, great interviews. This was a great idea to help bring stories to life for young dancers.

[@MultiJalynn]

I love these!! Keep them coming!!!!!!!❤️❤️👍🏽

[@larissaswayze]

This was such a lovely interview. Felt more like listening in on two friends chatting. Thank you for sharing!

[@kathrynschumann5254]

That was a fabulous interview! Well done ladies!

[@pegasusdancing]

Loved this!

[@ameliaelizzabeth]

Please do more of these interviews!!! They are amazing!

[@aeringlenn8815]

Great video! So excited about this channel!!

[@rosacotton]

What interviews! I am enjoying these immensely. Thank you!

[@lizguzman5962]

These interviews are great! You are a natural. Keep them coming!

[@Budscer]

Two lovely ladies that I admire so much! ❤️❤️

[@juliebrady2869]

My 2 favorite ballerinas ❤️

[@karenkaren3189]

You are doing such a service to us, by providing these wonderful interviews.

[@mhdances3674]

Two of my favorite ballerinas! Love this! I want to learn more about you Megan! ❤️

[@arnelnacino6754]

Thoroughly enjoyed hearing from you both. You're both naturals at interviewing and being interviewed. Great job!

[@applesidertea]

this was great. thank you for giving her a platform to tell her story. stories of struggle and triumph need a voice.

[@ruthdavidson-schaller2245]

Another wonderful interview!!! Thanks Megan! You are so generous and I have such a soft spot for Katie and her story❤️

[@em.kay21]

This is a dynamic duo!!! Two of my favorite dancers in one conversation omg!!!

[@jmkauth558]

I love Kathryn Morgan for sharing her gifts with us all -- thank you!

[@veramentegina]

this is such a great conversation with lovely Kathryn.. Megan is so warm and friendly and down to earth and surprisingly great interviewer..

[@kellymac2404]

Love this ❤️

[@kimberlyrussell9007]

A wonderful discussion - Thank you sooo very much. Touched me in ways I cannot place into words.

[@martyjones5750]

Oh my gosh Megan, your interview with Katie was just the best! I smiled, and laughed, and nodded, with you both, the entire piece. It was lovely!🥰

[@richardvergara]

We’re all in our late twenties early thirties and that time is when we start making big changes in our lives, ie graduations, marriages, divorces, children, et al. It’s an amazing feeling and kudos to both of you for all that.

[@sallypalermo9600]

I love the both of you! Megan, I saw your Swan Lake performance on February 20. You were magnificent!

[@kristiLB93]

Such a great interview! Kathryn has been such an inspiration. She has been such a giver in the ballet world. I think her voice will continue to be a force of guidance for generations to come if she continues to reach out as a teacher as a social media presence. Great conversation! Thanks for sharing. Please post more interviews if you can!❤️🩰

[@dancingprincessmj]

Loved this interview! I'm a huge fan of both of you thank you! Also as a ballet dancer myself and a teacher thank you so much for talking about staying in shape during Covid 19 and the importance of not doing crazy pointe work like pirouettes on a hardwood surface! Unfortunately there are live stream classes surfacing right now from top professional dancers promoting that to young students.

[@shelbyelsbree5717]

Megan your interviews are just lovely!! So thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this... Thank you for sharing your *incredibly* inspiring story Kathryn - I have such vivid memories of you sparkling on stage in NY, how lovely Miami gets to share your shine.

[@user-np6wq1tx9c]

Two ballet beauties!!💖

[@LChonie]

Eeeek!! Love Katie!! Her strength, her story, everything. I take her classes they are amazing, she’s a fantastic teacher and a gorgeous dancer!! 🥰

[@cjaquay29]

The of legend Kathryn! I take so much of what I learned from her over the years into my plays. Thank you for your resilience. A wonderful conversation between the two.

[@christinafavela2732]

Thank you for this interview! As a former childhood ballet student, this made me smile. I like your “freeing” attitude of being grateful for any opportunity to dance. I take adult classes now, and it is purely for the joy of ballet, which is a wonderful feeling.

[@TheCerealluvr]

AWWWW!!!! Two amazing beautiful humans I grew up looking up to. This was so lovely.

[@Ggoldwyn]

OMG, I am a fan of you both, I was so happy to see this interview! Long-time viewer of Kathryn Morgan's channel and amateur ballet dancer and lover. So happy that Megan has a channel now too!! Can't wait to watch the Sara Mearns interview too!! Thank you Megan for starting all this!

[@stephanietaylor1109]

Megan - I am SO incredibly excited that you've started a KZbin channel. Really enjoying it! So, I hate to be that person, and ask a question like this - but where did you get your glasses? They're so cute.

[@Kimllg88]

Beautfiul Morgan, who speaks as an advocate for many!

[@powerofalto]

What an astonishing story!

[@Juli-ri2zf]

This is fantastic! such a good look into nycb, especially from the point(e) of view of such amazing dancers, maybe you could have tiler peck on next?

[@AmeliaBressler]

Here 2 years after the fact, but oh my goodness it's my two favorite dancers!!!

[@lmstenroos]

Amazing interview.

[@PoisonedApathy]

Whoa! I just finished watching the interview with Skyler, and now this. Love it! Keep them coming Megan. I'm such a fan :)

[@physhac]

I love Kathryn Morgan and miss her dancing...

[@David-pt8ge]

Thank you. That was inspiring.

[@sungjinlui3972]

Love this interview so much! Can you have Katie on more? 😻

[@jasonhadley1064]

Great interview Ladies.

[@balletforever7993]

This was great

[@micheleoverman7745]

You remind me of Melissa Hayden, the great NYC Ballet Ballanchine star of my generation. She was Balllanchine's ideal physical type for a female dancer: short trunk and long expressive limbs. Yes, dancer's should be slim, but from what I've seen in your video, you have beautiful technique and a dancer's back, (which to me is key) and strong and graceful line. I studied with the School of American Ballet (where you probably also trained?), started at 9 (which then was the ealiest you could join the school, and had to audition for, in my day (60s and 70s), then with Vera Nimchinova and finally, at Joffrey Ballet School with Gerard Arpino (their choreographer). So I was very, very lucky to train with these amazing people and although I did not pursue a career in dance ( which I often regret), I think I'm qualified to say you seem to be an exquisite dancer, fighting horrid obstacles and odds in an industry that can be so toxic and harmful to the very people who are their bread and butter. I applaud your bravery and honesty. I think by putting your journey out there, you are probably giving strength to many young dancing hopefuls, and that is a gift. Your grit and determination will hopefully bring you the joy of being able to achieve your ballet dreams. You deserve it. Those idiots in Miami did not deserve you.

[@ciara1734]

This is fabulous! Love this- you guys should collaborate again! Stay safe xx

[@najah7781]

great interview Ladies!

[@noahburke]

This is fascinating. I'm a long-time NYCB lover from waaaaaaay back. I love learning more about what goes into being a dancer so that I can get more out of every performance. It's wonderful to see how you support and encourage and celebrate each other. Keep it up! And thank you. Also, Morgan, I love your eye makeup! Can you tell us brand and color?

[@kiaraeijo]

Stacey Harwood-Lehman Her brand colors are pink and white

[@Hanax4]

its crazy to think I was watching these two on the city ballets series five years ago and now they're casually having real conversation in the same video

[@kathleenharrison5023]

Loved this interview! Take care ladies.❤️

[@merdeshow5601]

Stick around you have helped me so much.

[@shivneelprasad7027]

juliet at 17??? she's such a hardworking dancer!!! you as well meghan! thank you :)

[@kiaraeijo]

Great interview! I know some of the members of the orchestra of Miami City Ballet ( They were my professors from undergrad). Gary Sheldon ( the conductor of Miami City Ballet) because he adjudicated a competition that I competed in.

[@Diamondelight92]

In Dressage (fancy horse dancing), the judges all have a scribe that sits next to them and then they quietly say their scores and critiques out loud so they never have to look away. I've always wondered why other judged competitions don't do that? Scribes are usually volunteers too, because it's a great opportunity to hear an experienced judge's thoughts about a whole day of tests, I would think it would be the same for YAGP.

[@lucyinthesky9479]

This is really interesting! Kathryn, just to let you know, I also have Hashimoto's and it doesn't automatically equal being immunocompromised, unless you are on certain other medications (not levothyroxine) and/or have an additional condition. This is because the immune response responsible for Hashimoto's is separate from the immune system that fights off viral infections. I hope this provides at least a little comfort - it has for me. :)

[@kathryn_morgan]

Yes! Thank you for that!

[@MartaJoannaKlara]

I have Hashimoto also Kathryn and i am also a dancer. Thank you for sharing and talking about our struggle.

[@deerockt]

I was thinking of commenting the same (I have Hashimoto's since I was 14 - now I'm 26 - it's been rather aggressive in the first few years and now it's more under control). I made sure that I was not at higher risk during the pandemic. What could be affecting the Hashimoto's is the stress of being in lockdown, as it has been shown in many studies that generally autoimmune conditions do get worse when we are feeling stressed.

[@balletteacher621]

Kind of surprised at Kathryn's comment about Miami - don't think I'll be there very long.

[@xy2565]

Loved this chat!!

[@joshuachristie3032]

Awe Kathryn. I feel for people that have health conditions during these times soo much.

[@joshuachristie3032]

Keep it up though! Your doing a wonderful job on youtube and online for the community!

[@marymohagheghi4875]

Megan ... You are so intelligent and beautiful......just lovely

[@steve-o5600]

Two very cool people.

[@thesparkypilot]

Ahh my Hashimotos started at 23, it’s tough!!!

[@erpollock]

I don't know if these young dancers realize Merrill Ashley, who was coaching them in Aurora, was a major principal with the company and Balanchine created two ballets for her. I have a book she wrote which contains pictures of her doing positions in the correct technique. It's also a very interesting book and one I value.

[@maxwell8549]

Beautiful women!

[@xy2565]

No pointe work on wood 😂😂 my old dance studio was all floorboard 😭 it was the worst!

[@PthaloGreen2]

Random thought ....it would be interesting if there were a ballet draft..like the NBA or NFL draft. Ballet scholarships/college as the norm. Then draft! Hmm.

[@tammystiletto]

Looking back now Miami Citi probably isn’t with the union because they like to body shame 💁🏼‍♀️

[@muffin_heart]

GASP

[@hay_bail1]

So had Kathryn left MCB at this point?

[@chimalmadanza8548]

Megan is charming.

[@sandralinares1579]

Katie is adopted?? Wow she must have amazing parents

[@milkweedlake]

Has Kathryn left Miami permanently? Her Instagram says "former soloist."

[@kimhaas7586]

Megan Fairchild has a future in interviewing people. Move over Terry Gross.

[@susanpaul4752]

Dear Megan, I am so thrilled to find you on You Tube. You sparkle with intelligence and professionalism, both in teaching and in speaking to others. ONE heartfelt suggestion from someone of another generation, who has not bought into the current vernacular of speech. With all due respect...PLEASE consider choosing to not say "like"...as now endlessly present in current parlance...that simple. It seems to many to be the hallmark of the inarticulate, which you most certainly are not. Where it started, I do not know, but it is a detraction from your high intelligence and honed skills of expression and communication. You are above the assumed concomitant message of lack of ability to use words to say what you mean. It may have become normalized but it is still an offense to the ears of those who grew up in a different era. Sent with love.