What she says about Nutcracker always being someone’s first is definitely something I can attest to. I saw Nutcracker when I was about four, but the one I have a clear memory of was the first time I had seen it eleven years later. I honestly remember sitting in my seat enjoying the first act. Everything was fine and dandy, and I didn’t think it was anything spectacular. But, then Snow began. I think it was about a third of the way through, and I remember hearing the music combined with the dancing giving me a sense of absolute euphoria. That’s what motivates me to continue ballet and aspire towards a professional career. My next classes after that, I got that sense of utter joy over and over again. Now I’m working towards being a professional because I really want to share that feeling with every person I can. That’s something that really keeps me going when my inspiration and motivation starts to decline.
Back in November I took my 5 and 3 year old little girls to a nutcracker-themed tea party sponsored by our local professional ballet company. They did a mini performance and my girls have not stopped talking about the sugar plum fairy since then. We decided to forego giving toys for Christmas and instead put them in a ballet class and got them some basic dance wear. They are so excited! What you say is true - no matter what # performance you are on, it is always someone's first time in the audience. Who knows how many more dancers are born with every curtain!
Do you have a picture of yourself as the grandmother? I‘d be really interested to see how the make up-Artists „transformed“ an 18 year old girl into an elderly lady.
I saw the NYCB Nutcracker a few weeks ago, and while it was lovely, the whole production seemed a little tired to me. The Corps didn’t look sharp. Some of the soloists were great, others not so much. The principals were also a mixed bag. John Clifford and Merrill Ashley have spoken very publicly about the loss of the Balanchine aesthetic. Thoughts?
Hi Katie!! As a non-dancer who's only familiar with the Royal Ballet's version of Nutcracker (with Arabian, Flowers, Reed Flutes, Chinese...) could you, maybe, do a comparison video explaining the NYCB version? Because I am LOST when you mention Spanish or Marzipan or whatever for your version! Please - it would be super useful to know the differences (though I think you have all the same music for yours? I had to look it up and I think your Marzipan is RB's Reed Flutes variation. Or at least they have the same music!) And I hope you're having a lovely New Year - and good luck with getting back into a company (NYCB again, at a guess?).
It is Nutcracker Season. The fact that she’s doing ANY videos during this time is amazing in itself. Google it. The music is the same. Wikipedia has a good explanation.
Rewatching all of these videos after watching On Pointe. What I was most in awe of was all the people we don't see when we see a ballet. The sab faculty that wrangles all the children, God bless! And the dressers! Kai's quick change, the girls' hair, everyone is so incredible! Do you have any stories highlighting the people behind the scenes?
I might have laughed. This ballet momma sweats her kid being double cast and we only do six shows. I do adore Nutcracker and never get tired of watching it. Sending love to all the ballet dancers that make the magic every year over, and over, and over...
Loved this story, Katie! Question, did you get "in trouble" following mishaps on stage like the one you mentioned with you and Tiler Peck? Or was it more of a, these things happen, don't do it again response?
Can you please do a video for dancers starting at a new studio!? How to make friends and impress the dance teacher! I hope to see this! Haven’t seen this anywhere lol ❤️😂 love you! So pretty!!
Katie in split leap as snowflake. The pinacle of BEAUTY. like seeing a rare , priceless, bird that everyone says is extinct. But God less you see ihis..... that one picture, years of work that says to the REST of us, beauty, PURITY and God is real. FAITHFULNESS and dedicated love. Thankyou. So nonchalant about it.........
From the perspective of someone in a country that doesn't have such a thing as a almost mandatory Nutcracker every year for ballet companies, this is really fascinating !
Thank you so much for your videos you are an incredible dancer and thank you for being so upfront with us you're an inspiration to me happy new year I wish you all the best
Happy New Year, Katie! My close friend's daughter recently started pointe and is having a hard time. She asked me for some advice as a former ballet dancer and in addition, I also recommended she look at your videos for some exercises to help! :-)
New video, yay!!! Thanks Katie. I personally, in addition to new ballet videos (particularly pointe class and centers), would really enjoy new everyday makeup tutorials, and favorites videos! Love you!
Happy New Year Katie! So good to have you back, and genuinely smiling. I hope this new year brings you peace, happiness and an abundance of all that you love.
Hi! I've danced for years and currently i have an injury on my neck due to ballet. I don't know if i'm going to dance again, i feel so sad, everything take me to ballet, all the advs in my browser, my clothes... Appart from the pain of the injury. Could you make a video about finnishing career or techniques to feel better while injuried? Tnanks a lot.
Hi Katie, when you get in a company are you expected to know all the roles you’re given or do they teach you the choreography during the first few rehearsals?
I love your videos so much!!! And your podcasts!! I performed in yagp today and it was a great experience! Master classes and award ceremony tomorrow!!
o my gosh that was me this year!!! We barely had any company members and I had to do rats,snow.flowers and candy cane! I definitely know how Broadway people feel!
Katie - of all random things to notice in this wonderful post, your lipstick is beautiful! I've been trying to find a good pink for a fair skin/blue eyed/brunette, and you've found a great one! What brand/color is it? Keep up the amazing work - I wish you so much good in 2019 and hope to see you on a New York stage again soon!
A happy new year Kathryn and all the best for your current and future plans, we are all very courious! My question to you: what are your thoughts about the racism problem in or with the most nutcracker versions when you are a part of it and especially because it´s and will be the most danced and visited ballet during Christmas time? A short time ago I read a comment of an asian dancer who wrote that he feels really offended by the yellow facing and even by the racist choreographies of the chinese dance. He only can watch nutcracker productions with more modern CoreOS without the feeling of offense. Even the very sexualised oriental dance (to be honest, we watch one of the sultan's many playmates here...), as fascinating as it may be to watch, seems a little bit weired when you think of the treatment of women in this region still today (and elsewhere). At the same time as you mentioned it is such an iconic ballet (interesting because I read it failed the first years after it appeared on stage). So wouldn´t it be the right time to blow away the cobwebs, rethink abaout what should be transported on stage to people and get some brand new nutcrackers all over the world?
like there is Blackfacing there is also Yellofacing for example which is shown in almost all nutcracker versions I saw until now in the Chinese dance, the same with the orientalism which is shown. Just google for"nutcracker" and "racism" - you will find many articels and comments about all the things in the nutcracker which should be reconsidered when we speak about nutcracker productions in the year 2019. Here are just three examples: www.dancemagazine.com/burning_question_is_nutcracker_racist-2306921922.html or nextshark.com/racist-gesture-tv-network/ or redthreadbroken.wordpress.com/2017/12/31/exploring-orientalism-in-the-nutcracker/ and there are many, many more. So if a communitiy feels offended and communicates it very openly and clear since years there should be consequences.
I understand where you are coming from, but most companies choose dancers for the roles completely colorblind. In 19th century Europe, every other culture was seen as exotic and beautiful. Also, how is the dance of sexualized? As far as I see, there is nothing sexual about the oriental dance. It's kind of like, do you want a company to choose someone of that ethnicity who can't dance for that role, or someone of a different ethnicity who is technically capable of the role, and can execute it well? Also, thank you for the civil discussion, very rare, Lol.
Hi Katie. What would you say to 10 Christmas Shows (Musical Theater) a week for 7 and a half weeks? That is our “normal” run. No one gets just how draining it really is. This is the closest I have ever heard someone mention. From Katie S.
I remember being about eight and I danced in the sugarplum fairies and then the next year I was about 4 inches taller than everybody and they made me the mother. I was so pissed off. All I did was lay in the darn bed !
I really love ballet and also each part of that but in my country they don't know about ballet so here is not any Pointe shoes so I can't do ballet without shoes please help me
Hi kathryn! I am 4 foot 9 and probably wont grow any more. Is that too short to be a professional ballet dancer? I know the average height is around 5'4. (I am girl)
I really want to audition for NYC Ballet and go to SAB but my mom thinks that moving at 14 or 15 is too young so could I go and audition when I’m near 17 or is that too late?
You audition to get into the School of American Ballet, the company school. From there you are chosen to be an apprentice, and from there you are chosen to be one of the few given contracts to join the company. For the most part there is no other way to get in as the company doesn't hold auditions. There are a few videos about this on yt.
I love the snowflakes I can't imagine that it would be extremely difficult but as an entertainer you got to go big , nobody says that ballet is all cake walk it's certainly lol . In future video maybe if possible maybe if you can teach us a inspired snowflake combination?
"everytime you do a show, it could be someone in the audience's first time"
this quote should shine high and bright for all performers
Love that that's why Ian McKellen did some pantomime, bc going to a panto is often most kids' first trip to a theatre 😂
The zoom on “every. single. show.” 😂😂 Love it!
What she says about Nutcracker always being someone’s first is definitely something I can attest to. I saw Nutcracker when I was about four, but the one I have a clear memory of was the first time I had seen it eleven years later. I honestly remember sitting in my seat enjoying the first act. Everything was fine and dandy, and I didn’t think it was anything spectacular. But, then Snow began. I think it was about a third of the way through, and I remember hearing the music combined with the dancing giving me a sense of absolute euphoria. That’s what motivates me to continue ballet and aspire towards a professional career. My next classes after that, I got that sense of utter joy over and over again. Now I’m working towards being a professional because I really want to share that feeling with every person I can. That’s something that really keeps me going when my inspiration and motivation starts to decline.
Back in November I took my 5 and 3 year old little girls to a nutcracker-themed tea party sponsored by our local professional ballet company. They did a mini performance and my girls have not stopped talking about the sugar plum fairy since then. We decided to forego giving toys for Christmas and instead put them in a ballet class and got them some basic dance wear. They are so excited! What you say is true - no matter what # performance you are on, it is always someone's first time in the audience. Who knows how many more dancers are born with every curtain!
Do you have a picture of yourself as the grandmother? I‘d be really interested to see how the make up-Artists „transformed“ an 18 year old girl into an elderly lady.
I saw the NYCB Nutcracker a few weeks ago, and while it was lovely, the whole production seemed a little tired to me. The Corps didn’t look sharp. Some of the soloists were great, others not so much. The principals were also a mixed bag. John Clifford and Merrill Ashley have spoken very publicly about the loss of the Balanchine aesthetic. Thoughts?
Hi Katie!! As a non-dancer who's only familiar with the Royal Ballet's version of Nutcracker (with Arabian, Flowers, Reed Flutes, Chinese...) could you, maybe, do a comparison video explaining the NYCB version? Because I am LOST when you mention Spanish or Marzipan or whatever for your version! Please - it would be super useful to know the differences (though I think you have all the same music for yours? I had to look it up and I think your Marzipan is RB's Reed Flutes variation. Or at least they have the same music!)
And I hope you're having a lovely New Year - and good luck with getting back into a company (NYCB again, at a guess?).
Teverell marzipan is the same a reed flutes it like the same way how in some places arabian is coffee and Chinese is tea :)
Same. Balanchine, Marzipan it's all confusing for a non dancer 😂
It is Nutcracker Season. The fact that she’s doing ANY videos during this time is amazing in itself. Google it. The music is the same. Wikipedia has a good explanation.
Rewatching all of these videos after watching On Pointe. What I was most in awe of was all the people we don't see when we see a ballet. The sab faculty that wrangles all the children, God bless! And the dressers! Kai's quick change, the girls' hair, everyone is so incredible! Do you have any stories highlighting the people behind the scenes?
I might have laughed. This ballet momma sweats her kid being double cast and we only do six shows. I do adore Nutcracker and never get tired of watching it. Sending love to all the ballet dancers that make the magic every year over, and over, and over...
I'm off to see the Nutcracker finally tomorrow! Can't wait!
Snow has always been my favorite part of Nutcracker. 😊
Silly question. Do apprentices get paid?
Love you Katie!!
thanks so much for these videos it gives such an insight into the new york city ballet
First! Also, I love that you were the grandmother because you’re short. I’m 5ft so at least you’re taller than me 🤗
Loved this story, Katie! Question, did you get "in trouble" following mishaps on stage like the one you mentioned with you and Tiler Peck? Or was it more of a, these things happen, don't do it again response?
Yes, I'd love to know!
You are such a good historian! Love hearing your perspective. All the best to your future endeavors!
I use that hack all the time! run through the dance twice so when you only do it once it seems easier!
I haven't clicked on a video so fast. Absolutely love when you tell us stories from your time in the company ❤
First, hey Kathryn I just want to let you know I really love and appreciate your channel it has helped me so much as a dancer 💗✨
Love you Katie! I recommend your classes in UA-cam to my ballet mentor and we have started doing them in class! You've helped me alot! Thanks.
Can you please do a video for dancers starting at a new studio!? How to make friends and impress the dance teacher! I hope to see this! Haven’t seen this anywhere lol ❤️😂 love you! So pretty!!
YAY IT’S BACK! 💕
P.s would love to see an updated skincare, makeup routine:)
I recently went to NYC and say the NYCB nutcracker and it was sooo inspiring and beautiful!! loved this video! I even got to go onstage and backstage!
Katie in split leap as snowflake. The pinacle of BEAUTY. like seeing a rare , priceless, bird that everyone says is extinct. But God less you see ihis..... that one picture, years of work that says to the REST of us, beauty, PURITY and God is real. FAITHFULNESS and dedicated love. Thankyou. So nonchalant about it.........
Missed these!!! So glad you’re back. Good luck in this new year as well. :)
From the perspective of someone in a country that doesn't have such a thing as a almost mandatory Nutcracker every year for ballet companies, this is really fascinating !
I love these stories about your career. It’s very interesting.
Thank you so much for your videos you are an incredible dancer and thank you for being so upfront with us you're an inspiration to me happy new year I wish you all the best
absolutely love these once upon a pointe videos!🥰🥰🥰
Wow your my new hero! Youre amazing for posting turtorials! You’re helping me get back into my passion
Thank you so much! I love these videos! Supper excited for the class video to come!
I love your videos because I get to live my ballet dreams vicariously through you haha💓💓
I love Once Upon A Pointe so much, it gives such great insight into what it takes to be in a company. Looking forward to the pointeclass!
Happy New Year, Katie! My close friend's daughter recently started pointe and is having a hard time. She asked me for some advice as a former ballet dancer and in addition, I also recommended she look at your videos for some exercises to help! :-)
I absolutely love you and what you're doing for the dance community! Keep it up! :-)
Yay, so happy to hear a new OnceUponaPointe!
Yay! I love these Once Upon a Pointe videos!
I just saw the Nutcracker for the first time last Saturday! It was amazing!
I love Once Upon a Pointes!!!!
New video, yay!!! Thanks Katie. I personally, in addition to new ballet videos (particularly pointe class and centers), would really enjoy new everyday makeup tutorials, and favorites videos! Love you!
Also, maybe some tips on setting up a dance space at home, please?? Ok, I'm done, sorry thanks!
Happy New Year Katie! So good to have you back, and genuinely smiling. I hope this new year brings you peace, happiness and an abundance of all that you love.
Hi! I've danced for years and currently i have an injury on my neck due to ballet. I don't know if i'm going to dance again, i feel so sad, everything take me to ballet, all the advs in my browser, my clothes... Appart from the pain of the injury. Could you make a video about finnishing career or techniques to feel better while injuried? Tnanks a lot.
How are you now?
katie: what happens if an apprentice gets the flu or gets really badly injured. do they still have to dance since they don't have an alternate?!
Yay my favorite series!
Love your videos!! So glad you are doing so well. Praying this year brings you many blessings!!!
Totally fascinating! I loved this! Thank you!
Hi Katie, when you get in a company are you expected to know all the roles you’re given or do they teach you the choreography during the first few rehearsals?
So lovely!! Happy new year! I love your videos ❤️
Happy New Year!! Best wishes that 2019 is going to be your best year ever!!!
Loved this video. I enjoy #onceuponapointe immensely 🤗😀 And you look so radiant 💕 Happy New Year ❄🎆🎉
Love your storytime, happy new year 🐾💟🐾💟
I’ve got to know what lipstick you’re wearing on this video. It’s perfect!
I love your videos so much!!! And your podcasts!! I performed in yagp today and it was a great experience! Master classes and award ceremony tomorrow!!
Looking GORGEOUS Katie xx
Love the lighting set up! 😊
Could you Film more workouts? I’d love that :)
Rebekka H yees that’d be amazing :)
Happy New Year Katie!
Yayyyy! I love these video's!
Happy new year Katie! xxxx
oh I love these!
Yay I love these videos!
o my gosh that was me this year!!! We barely had any company members and I had to do rats,snow.flowers and candy cane! I definitely know how Broadway people feel!
Wow, that’s a lot of shows!
Katie - of all random things to notice in this wonderful post, your lipstick is beautiful! I've been trying to find a good pink for a fair skin/blue eyed/brunette, and you've found a great one! What brand/color is it? Keep up the amazing work - I wish you so much good in 2019 and hope to see you on a New York stage again soon!
Love your videos so much!!! I really look forward to them:) I hope someday you write a book, I think that would be so awesome!!:)
A happy new year Kathryn and all the best for your current and future plans, we are all very courious! My question to you: what are your thoughts about the racism problem in or with the most nutcracker versions when you are a part of it and especially because it´s and will be the most danced and visited ballet during Christmas time? A short time ago I read a comment of an asian dancer who wrote that he feels really offended by the yellow facing and even by the racist choreographies of the chinese dance. He only can watch nutcracker productions with more modern CoreOS without the feeling of offense. Even the very sexualised oriental dance (to be honest, we watch one of the sultan's many playmates here...), as fascinating as it may be to watch, seems a little bit weired when you think of the treatment of women in this region still today (and elsewhere). At the same time as you mentioned it is such an iconic ballet (interesting because I read it failed the first years after it appeared on stage). So wouldn´t it be the right time to blow away the cobwebs, rethink abaout what should be transported on stage to people and get some brand new nutcrackers all over the world?
I don't understand why anyone would feel offended. Can you please explain? I'm genuinely curious.
like there is Blackfacing there is also Yellofacing for example which is shown in almost all nutcracker versions I saw until now in the Chinese dance, the same with the orientalism which is shown. Just google for"nutcracker" and "racism" - you will find many articels and comments about all the things in the nutcracker which should be reconsidered when we speak about nutcracker productions in the year 2019. Here are just three examples: www.dancemagazine.com/burning_question_is_nutcracker_racist-2306921922.html or nextshark.com/racist-gesture-tv-network/ or redthreadbroken.wordpress.com/2017/12/31/exploring-orientalism-in-the-nutcracker/ and there are many, many more. So if a communitiy feels offended and communicates it very openly and clear since years there should be consequences.
I understand where you are coming from, but most companies choose dancers for the roles completely colorblind. In 19th century Europe, every other culture was seen as exotic and beautiful. Also, how is the dance of sexualized? As far as I see, there is nothing sexual about the oriental dance. It's kind of like, do you want a company to choose someone of that ethnicity who can't dance for that role, or someone of a different ethnicity who is technically capable of the role, and can execute it well? Also, thank you for the civil discussion, very rare, Lol.
I’d love to hear Katie’s opinion on this
@@jasminedoyle1724 Yes, me too, I feel like it would be an interesting topic.
Such a fan!
Hi Katie. What would you say to 10 Christmas Shows (Musical Theater) a week for 7 and a half weeks? That is our “normal” run. No one gets just how draining it really is. This is the closest I have ever heard someone mention. From Katie S.
They call that a Baptism by Fire!
For the next q&a..in your professional opinion how old do you think a young dancer should go full time?
finally 😍😍
I remember being about eight and I danced in the sugarplum fairies and then the next year I was about 4 inches taller than everybody and they made me the mother. I was so pissed off. All I did was lay in the darn bed !
Oh no...do you still do ballet?
What Carousel video?
I really love ballet and also each part of that but in my country they don't know about ballet so here is not any Pointe shoes so I can't do ballet without shoes please help me
Hi kathryn! I am 4 foot 9 and probably wont grow any more. Is that too short to be a professional ballet dancer? I know the average height is around 5'4. (I am girl)
When are you gonna take entries for your scholarship again? Ily💜💜💜
I really want to audition for NYC Ballet and go to SAB but my mom thinks that moving at 14 or 15 is too young so could I go and audition when I’m near 17 or is that too late?
Eva Kelly go when you're younger if possible you'd get more out of it
❤️❤️❤️
I love your channel
Do you know why the man doesn’t get a variation in this version of the Nutcracker? Tough break
Brian Syms Jr “Ballet is woman.” - George Balanchine
it some versions the prince/nutcracker dances the "candy cane" variation and in other versions there is no pas de deux the nutcracker/prince does that
How do I get into the New York City ballet???
You audition to get into the School of American Ballet, the company school.
From there you are chosen to be an apprentice, and from there you are chosen to be one of the few given contracts to join the company. For the most part there is no other way to get in as the company doesn't hold auditions. There are a few videos about this on yt.
Are you in the corps?❤️
you and sarah lane (from ABT) look like sisters. not sure why it only hit me today.
msbeejones, I thought the same when I saw Kathryn’s first video.
How old are you?
I know I am not in that nutcracker but I will not complain
I love the snowflakes I can't imagine that it would be extremely difficult but as an entertainer you got to go big , nobody says that ballet is all cake walk it's certainly lol . In future video maybe if possible maybe if you can teach us a inspired snowflake combination?
It sounds like your only easy day was Yesterday.
So this is Nutcracker could you maybe show rather than describe? It may be much more entertaining.