Thank you SO MUCH for PREACHING about adult class! As someone who couldn’t afford ballet as a kid, it’s so disappointing to show up to an adult class & the teacher is just going through the motions. Heaven forbid a pre-pro student comes to open class & many teachers just ignore us completely for them 😕. We’re not delusional - we know we’re not gonna be principals at City Ballet. We just LOVE ballet & like you said we’re there because we want to be - not because mom already paid tuition for the year.
Thank you! I also couldn't afford classes as a kid and have just gotten into ballet just recently in the last couple years and have felt discouraged thinking that teachers don't care about older ballet students. And I'm falling in love with ballet. It's the closest I can get to gymnastics or dance in my older years... lol
I started at 23. The teacher at my first studio was a go-through-the-motions type. We were lucky if we got corrections. I've since found another studio that takes me seriously. I'm now 26 and heading towards pointe. Keep searching for the right studio until you find it!!
Yes!! I had a wonderful teacher for adult ballet who pushed us so hard and created such beautiful choreography for even the most basic class exercises. Then she went on maternity leave and the sub gave us these ridiculously easy exercises and gave all her attention to the one pre-pro teen who sometimes attended the class :/
I also couldn't afford Ballet/dance as a kid... I just started college in 2018, at the age of 29 and I took a random Ballet class, OMGoodness! I am so in love! It helped me make up my mind that I need to have some sort of dance/movement in my life and career. I have been dancing basically every single day since then. I am so grateful for my professor because she instills the love of dance in everyone no matter the age or level! She sees my passion and she helps me, I have grown so much as a dancer and a person in the past year and I am nervous to look for a studio. I feel like I will judged for my age and exactly like you guys are saying... not get what I need out of the class! I was directed to watch your videos Katherine by my professor, her name is also Catherine!
Your values are why so many people love listening to you! Decency, honesty, openness, sharing your struggles and achievements makes you a beautiful human being! Everyone goes through different, difficult things. It’s such an inspiration to see how you face(d) your challenges and it gives much hope to others to be able to do the same in their life. I am not a dancer but I started doing recreational ballet at home again bc I discovered your videos. And that’s fun but what is truly special about you, is how you are able to empower others by choosing to share your story. Mental health , self-doubt, and other health issues- everyone who is honest can relate to that. I wish you all the best for your future from the bottom of my heart. -Much joy, happiness and health !!! Thank you so much for sharing ! It makes me feel like I am ‘normal’ and I can deal with the challenges that come along my way.
I so appreciate your comments about adult students! I’m in my 30s and fat and I started taking adult ballet classes - my first dance classes ever. They’re so much fun. I think it’s a sickness in our culture that so many people think there’s no point to doing something if you can’t make a career out of it. But it is worth it to do things for the joy of it, or even just because it’s interesting to do something new! At any age, and at any level of skill.
I've missed these more personal videos. (LOVED that it was lengthier, I think we could all listen to you for hours!) That emerald color looks divine on you. I"m so happy to see you so looking so confident, radiant, and empowered. xxx
Kathryn I just want to say that your videos are really helpful as I started ballet late but you have helped me realise that it doesn't matter as long as I enjoy it and have fun xx like if anyone else agrees
Kathryn supporting adult ballet students and asking everyone to take us seriously.... 😭😭 I didn’t think I could love you more girl! Thank you so much for telling the truth about adult hobbyists, that we LOVE this art and we want to SERIOUSLY learn technique and repertoire!
I’ve been trying to get my mom to dance again for years (she was a recreational ballet dancer still when I was little) but this year during quarantine she started doing your beginner classes at home! And thank you for your support of us adult dancers! You really understand us.
I teared up when you talked about adult ballet dancers. I was abused by the ballet studio I attended as a child and made me fall out of love with ballet. I quit in middle school, right before I would’ve started really advancing in the company (had they let me). I started singing and found it to be my true passion, now I have a degree in Vocal Music and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. I’m tentatively deciding to dip back into ballet about 10 years after quitting, but I’m very nervous. The fact that I have more of a choice now as an adult, it gives me the freedom I didn’t have as a kid. Because I have zero regrets from quitting ballet, maybe I even could’ve quit sooner (though I didn’t have much of a choice) because I truly wasn’t happy anymore after pouring my heart into it for so many years and getting torn to shreds every single day. It made me feel worthless. But years later I can’t deny that I’m still enthralled by the beauty of ballet but I wish for it to come from my own freedom, which I feel I have much more of now. So hopefully I’ll be able to start lessons again in the near future ❤️
Your face is actually glowing. so good to see it! And I'm happy to hear that you decided to go with "Kathryn Morgan and friends". I'm an adult who started dancing ballet at 28 (now 30), and I can say for myself, I never worked harder on anything in my life, as hard as I work on ballet. And I use a lot of your videos. especially now, with covid and all. so thank you for everything!
You and Chris are on a whole different level, than you and your Ex were. So happy to see you happy Katie! And thank you for praising adult ballet students! ❤️
Thank you so much for your lovely comments about adult ballet dancers. I almost started crying hearing you talk about your adult students. As an adult ballet dancer myself I feel so blessed that I finally found a ballet school that takes my training seriously. But it has been a long road of teachers that either ignored me or were horrible to me. Thank you so much for being you and love being part of the Kathryn Morgan ballet community!
Oh, loved your comment about adult dancers! I started almost a year and a half ago at age 30 and it is my absolute favorite thing I’ve done for myself. I felt like my old teacher didn’t take us super seriously but my current teacher does and I appreciate it SO much.
I want to watch this video now so badly but 37 mins is exactly the time it takes for me to bike to work 😅 I adore how you light up talking about Chris or when he is there. You seem to be such a natural match. I only wish he still danced so you two could perform together 😁 Would you two be a good height fit for dance?
I'm so glad that you're happy and doing great! Also as an adult ballet student (I'm 27 and started ballet when I was 23) it's amazing to hear what you had to say about adult dancers! Made me love the fact that I found this passion later in life and stuck to it even more
Oh it’s so wonderful you appreciating adult ballet students! I’ve always been so self-conscious about learning much older, but you’re so right, we love Ballet 🩰 and we are here because we love it! It’s so nice to hear you say that! How does one get so lucky to be your student?! ❤️
Hi Kathryn, I love ballet. It is my passion. My parents grew up in a place where dancing is considered a sin but when I was 11 I asked for ballet lessons. I worked super hard waking up early and stretching and doing barres and I have to say that you were the biggest inspiration for me. Right when I was getting on track quarantine happened which devastated me, but your barres kept me entertained. Soon ballet is starting again and I want to thank you for keeping me sane. I love ballet and I thank you for teaching me so much about it.
As a non-dancer and long time ballet lover, I would love a Ballet Terms 101 video! I think it would help others like me gain a greater depth of appreciation for dancers and performances. You have made the ballet world so accessible to people like me - Thank you!
Great pep talk on how to get through Covid positively. That green looks amazing on you. Your eyes glow like green emeralds! I am an adult ballet learner. I do it because I love it, and I love it not just for the beauty but also for the rigour of it, which is like nothing else I know. I have never done anything else in my life that demands such hard, unnatural and yet at the same time logical things of my body - but through that it opens up such a wonderful, beautiful language of physical expression. Ballet has changed my life for the better. Working really hard in adult ballet classes is the most personally satisfying work I've ever done. And the best thing of all is that my ballet teacher respects that and takes my desire to learn seriously. I wouldn't have this wonderful thing in my life without that. Thanks for sticking up for adult baller learners. I am glad things are going well for you now and you have such exciting prospects with KM & Friends.
recently came across your channel from your leaving Miami City ballet video and I dont know Chris but from the few things you've said about him, I love him for you.
What a beautiful person! More power to you, dear Kathryn. 52 year old adult ballet dancer here who uses your online yt basic classes as a staple during the pandemic. Definitely useful to keep in shape and correct bad habits.
Kathryn's sense of humour is one of the things I like most about her. She is truly funny without trying to be. She has such a great personality. And she is always just herself, no pretensions. A natural person. You always get the real deal. And SO productive. S doer. She has such a great channel and I'm sure she puts so, so much work into it. And: you would be a good actress. And even a movie star. It could be a movie with a ballet theme.
Regarding motivation and covid: before the first lockdown in Europe (March 2020) I really wanted to quit from ballet. My adult amateur studio became the most toxic environment what I've experienced since high school. But I couldn't because of the enormous investment of the last 3-4 years. Time, energy, money. Still, I did not feel ok in the classes. So lockdown solved my problem. I focused on myself, my relationship with ballet, I asked myself many times "why am I doing this to myself? Why am I doing ballet? etc etc..." I started to focus on different sports eg. gym work out, walking, hiking things like that. But I missed ballet, I went to another studio which opened just recently closer to my apartment and I started to take 1 or 2 classes per week. Thanks to this new studio and new teachers I found my way back to ballet, and this is a way healthier relationship than before. I started to focus more on pointe technique and variations. So long story short, keep focusing on yourself, on what your soul and body needs and try to let go the toxic people and environment. Lockdown is a great opportunity to do so :) Love
At the start of COVID I realized I don’t love ballet at a professional level and am now applying to physical therapy schools hoping to help future dancers. Thank you so much for mentioning that it’s happening to the pros too. When I first changed my mind I felt like such a failure. For anybody in the same boat Kathryn is right, you aren’t a failure even if it feels that way sometimes ❤️
You should listen to interviews with Miko Fogarty. She decided to stop pre pro and go to medical school. I think you would find her experiences very encouraging!
Thank you for celebrating adult dance students. It often feels like there is a real disconnect between the professional world and the recreational world. And that other professionals are a bit sniffy of adult students and don’t take us seriously. At this point, I’d expect no less from you, but still feels nice to be respected and appreciated by a professional. Your message makes me hopeful for the future. The idea that there would be backlash from a video that promotes the health, mental and physical of young people is mind blowing. What exactly are the old guard defending anymore. I very much look forward to Kathryn Morgan and friends. X
Yaaay for the adults students!!! Thank you for that. Yaaay for Kathryn Morgan & friends! Yaaay for Belle! (favorite here. Haven't seen the live action yet😱) But seriously, it's great to know how well you're doing. Thanks for always being gracious and sharing your time with us all here. ♥️
Excited for your dad's book! Would still love to hear your perspective of being adopted. As an adoptee I think it is great to hear from other adoptees, our voices are often overshadowed by adoptive parents but our story and perspectives are just as valuable and important!
I wanted to ask on instagram but i chickened out, so i would like to suggest a video theme on musicality. How to improve, how to be more musical, the basics of how to count music, and exercices for advanced students. I would find this topic so interesting to hear your pointe of view, from your dancing and musician perspective. Thanks for sharing this Q&A it was great to listen, i loved the long format ! Wishing you a great week !
I’d love it so much if you vlogged again! To be honest, I don’t even think it would be bad if it was just you and no one else showing how you structure your days, how you prep for teaching, how you are feeling about what’s going on in the world and doing q&a’s like you used to. I also think it would be interesting to watch Kathryn Morgan & Friends as a start-up come into formation behind the scenes. Would also probably be great for those who have to leave dance to learn how to put together a business empire like you have. Ps. Love the subtle shade at the beginning. We stan 😂👏🏻
Yessss adult dancers!! I danced as a kid, but when I returned to ballet many many years later as an adult, it was a completely different (and wonderful) experience because of the mindset of the other adults around me. I started taking ballet with older women who had decided to learn ballet later in life, and their approach to learning ballet was just so refreshing. Because they were there on their own terms and just there to learn, they weren't embarrassed to ask questions and weren't worried about how they looked in the process-for the first time, I felt that I could focus entirely on working on my technique starting back from the basics, and didn't have to worry about comparing myself to others or looking silly the way I did in dance classes growing up
Kathryn, thank you so much for encouraging adult students. I started ballet more than 2 years ago and love, love, love it! During lockdown have been doing various online classes (thank you!!!) 5 early mornings a week for about an hour. Such a joy to have the time to do this. Such a joy to have people like you who so kindly teach on RU-vid - and I really love the way you teach. Nothing compares to the physical and emotional high ballet brings. Just want to be the best I can be and enjoy. Bless you. - from Australia
First of all, your hair looks so so good! Second, thank you so much for supporting the adult dancer community. I pursued ballet seriously through college and ultimately decided to part ways with it. Now I've found my way back to it as an "adult dancer" taking classes for adults of all ranges I find that it is such a different loving and supportive community full of people who *want* to be there.
Kathryn is movie star material. She looks strikingly beautiful. A pale, brunnette wonder! There's so many ballets you would look so striking in. I love your make up in this video. The answers are good and fun.
We’re around the same age and have the same condition. I’m not a dancer but was in a grad program that turned out very toxic for me: a lot of egos, was used as a pawn for departmental politics, and was not treated as a human being with valid issues and concerns. Being back home in quarantine made me realise my priorities. Honestly it’s been freeing but worrying. I had just submitted my withdrawal. But at the same time the self-flagellation emerges and the questioning of if i was a failure is real. I teared up at what you said at around the 9-11 minute mark. Changing directions and acknowledging when something isn’t right for you is a positive and doesn’t make you a failure.
Yay adult dancers!! 🙋🏼♀️ I also LOVED your honesty regarding listening to your heart during this time to learn if ballet really is something you are passionate about. I totally agree! This is a great time to evaluate your desires, your motivation and your future goals! Really enjoyed listening to this in my car with my warm latte waiting for my baby ballerinas to take their classes 😊💕🩰
You are such an inspiration and I can definitely tell a huge difference in you since the Miami video! You are unapologetically you and it’s so refreshing! Love you
4:48 me EXACTLY the first time you walked into Studio 1 at Ballet West Academy! And I seriously doubted myself, because I always imagined you being 5' 11" or something! So glad we still get to have you in SLC!
Kathryn, thank you so much for radiating great motivation, positivity, and optimism! And you are an amazing ballerina, and a great outspoken person well heard in the world of ballet.
Hi Katie, thank you for your comments on adult students. 😊 I am a former gymnast, now work full time and am a mom and learn ballet as a creative and meditative outlet for wellbeing. I can’t do the sport I loved growing up because it is so harsh on the joints, but ballet allows me to use all my muscles again and learn new skills. I absolutely love it, and you are spot on that adult students are there because it’s something they truly enjoy learning!
Not a dancer, and have no interest in ballet, but somehow stumbled upon your channel, and watched this video-just out of sheer curiosity… And I’m glad I did. You do a lovely job, and you’re genuine personality is magnetic, you’re simply a joy to listen to. I know this video is two yrs old, but I just wanted to reach out and show admiration & support. Nothing but love & kind wishes..
I'm actually quite grateful for the pandemic, because otherwise I would have moved to Toronto as planned on May 1st, and probably wouldn't have discovered your channel! Thanks to you, I was able to work on strong ballet basics, both on RU-vid and in your zoom classes. Thank you for always sharing your truth. Your legacy is full of love and light. Thank you for everything!
I adore your honesty. I am one of your adult ballet dancers who is elated to have found you during this pandemic. Thank you for putting out amazing classes, thoughtful cues and honest discussion. I will be a lifelong member of the Kathryn Morgan Fan Club Oh and I’ve shown my 3yo daughter your performers. You have garnered yet another fan ☺️
Last year was one of my best years ever, returning to practice ballet with Ms Kathryn her you tube free classes and losing a lot of weight it is very exciting...getting stronger
Girl COME THROUGH re: adult ballet students! So many teachers discount us because we learn slower/we've got to exams or comps to prep for/we're never going to become professionals. All true, but never discount our great attitudes. (Even though my attitude is like...30 degrees high lol)
The shade when talking about past people lol, Katie I am SO glad you are happy now with Chris, sounds like you have a beautiful relationship ❤️ wishing you both all the best! Hope to see him on the channel more, teaching/dancing or talking about his career (if he wants to)!
My parents couldn't afford it as a kid and I started ballet at 29 after a very difficult pregnancy and I was also facing postpartum depression. I found that dance school and they had the adult class. All of my classmates were dancing since they were kids or had started at 18 20 years old. No one ever made fan of me. We became best friends. They helped me so much. I owe so much to my teacher. She could have easily tell me to leave because sometimes when my postpartum depression was at its worst I was giving her and to my friends a very hard time. I was ruining the class. I hadn't tell her about my illness ( I didn't know I had it because I was so attached to my child and when I was with my daughter I was quiet, I actually realised that I was sick after I got healthy again). I think my teacher knew from the very first moment. She never told me anything. The way she treated me was what I needed to get back my health. I owe her so much. I feel I owe her my life. Now this school has become one of the most important dance schools in Italy and I am so proud to be a part of it and that my daughter is a part of it. Now we are doing class via zoom because they closed dance schools and gyms again. Even though it's really hard all the teachers do everything to make us work a lot and good. They sacrifice a lot of moments for all the students. I feel so grateful! Belle is my favourite too!
You are such a sound voice and I love to listen to you speak on all these important, hard topics! I love your RU-vid classes and dancing videos as well! You’ve really helped me rediscover my love for ballet, thank you
6:20 Yes!! I absolutely LOVE how you spoke about reframing your thinking during covid, both in terms of technique and our relationship with ballet! This is where shifting your mindset can literally change both the way you experience life and the tangible results you create.
Even though you’re so much younger than me, you’re still kind of a role model for me and what you said about adults ballerinas touched me , so frustrated that I have been never to have the body and abilities to be a professional dancer. Things have been very hard here, in Lebanon: after our home burned in February, we had to leave our girls (16 and 18) in France with my sisters because it is safer for them there, but it is so hard to live separated!!! Your problems are very different from mine, but you always give me inspiration! Thanks for being you!!!😍❤️😘
Longtime fan here (for many years now!) - I love your positivity & encouragement as always, Katie. You never fail to be such a lovely & good person & I love you for it! Side note: So happy for you & Chris ♥️♥️♥️ you seem so, so good together. You & I actually suffered similar heartbreaks around nearly the exact same time & while healing I have pulled my strength from myself but also watching you perservere. (Also, I similarly did not eat/eat much at all for months whilst grieving & found myself losing a lot of weight in a unhealthy way. Like you did, I'm channeling this sudden weight loss & turning it into an opportunity to strengthen myself & keep my size in a healthy, good way.) I've also found the male version of myself & I think I'm falling for him. Fingers crossed that we both got it right this time around -- I know that you have, which bodes well! ♥️
Thanks a lot ;) I love your Q&A’s so much! Could you please do a video about your tips for teachers, teaching adult ballet classes? I've just graduated from an MA in ballet education and the whole program was totally focused on kids and professionnals...
Omg adults in ballet, THANK YOU!! I danced seriously as a kid and as an adult it's been SO hard to find teachers that will nit pick and be really serious about technique and improvement with me.
That's so exciting that your Dad is writing a book! Hooray for the dance dads! The have a unique perspective. I look forward to that book. Thank you for your transparency for current and future dancers. My little girl is just 5 years old and is dancing now. If she wants to continue on that path, I have dancers to point her towards for inspiration and guidance. I'm excited to see what Kathryn Morgan & Friends will do, where they will go, who they will inspire!
This video was such a treat today! I’m having a bit of a tearful high pain day so I just sat myself down to watch this before tackling my work for today. I’m looking forward to KM & Friends! I hope you come to NY and I can see a show. As a dancer during this time (swing dancing) I agree that going back to basics is best. It’s hard to practice a partner dance alone but I do the best I can! Zoom classes are getting more comfortable and learning solo routines. I’ve never been able to turn to the right without looking like a wobbly spinning top, even in my youth ballet days, but with learning a routine that has 95% right turns, I’m so much better now! I’m glad the pups are doing well, it seems they’ve come into their own as well, and I’m looking forward to your dad’s book. You’re as elegant and headstrong as ever Katie!
Love many of your old videos! Dance wear collection, dance hair essentials, even any updated makeup or beauty regimens. I recall you had a video giving tours of your old apartments or homes. Now that you're in Salt Lake, perhaps another tour? Updates of healthy eating tips or what your new food favorites are these days. At one point, you did some piano demos and music, so if you have some new ones, that'd be great. Oh, favorite books and or dramas (pandemic binging!). Lots of ideas!!!
katie i am so so happy that you touched on the topic of ppl finding their priorities during this time bc after 10+ years of dancing i decided to give it up and let it go bc i have found other priorities. it was probably one of the hardest decisions of my life but it was so moving to hear you say “you’re not a failure bc you quit” bc for a long time i felt like i just gave up everything i had worked for and felt like i waisted everything i had . so thank you from the bottom of my heart for touching on that bc hearing it from a fellow dancer was just so so encouraging 💗
Kathryn, I’m an older dancer and this class has been so enlighten to me! You are so genuine and Thank you for caring so much about us. You are an amazing teacher! Diane ❤️
I love listening to you because you are so kind, encouraging, knowledgeable, and honest, and so generously share helpful ballet tips and insights. And thank you so much for your kind words about us adult ballet students (I always can’t wait till the next online class I can take with you)-just love you❣️🩰
oh my goodness you are so inspiring! I found you years ago when I was a student and have followed you ever since! I'm now a professional contemporary dancer and I'm so thankful for you in this industry. thank you for being honest and open with us always! much love xx
Adult ballet student here! Thank you so SO much for loving us and encouraging us! 💕 It's tough being an adult and knowing I'll never have the right lines that make ballet so beautiful. But I love ballet to bits despite how terrible I am. So I appreciate your encouragement doubly. Love your videos, love your channel, and love love LOVE you!! 💕💕💕
Can I say you are looking so much better. You are glowing and looking healthy and happy. That is what we want for you. Thank you for being SO honest and open with us. We are so excited about your future projects and YOU are changing the ballet world because of this. All the best to you.
Hi Katie, I love watching you so much, and you are so inspirational! ❤️ I was also wondering if in that separate body in ballet video, you could touch on being really short in ballet, because that is something I’ve struggled with a little bit
I loved this so much... It felt like chatting with a friend! I'm so happy for you and your future. Also... you could NEVER let us down. I'm sure I can speak for all of your followers when I say that we will always love and support you, regardless of where your journey takes you. And that's not because of any of your successes or troubles... it's because of who you are as a person.
You are such a sweet soul, Kathryn! Thank you for recognizing what's truly important, and for speaking your truth. As a former ballet dancer originally on the path of becoming a professional dancer, it was so nice to hear you say that there's life beyond ballet. You are such a blessing!
Love you! I have been following you for almost a year now, and I find your videos both inspirational and motivational. I take your classes multiple times a week, and even when I am doing my own thing I have your voice running through my head when I have to fix my posture/remember to breathe, etc. Thank you! (adult here!!!)
its also nice that you're thinking of keeping your personal life private. its totally warranted. people online tend to think they're entitled to know everything about the youtubers they watch, but you don't have to show us, really. its very much up to you and what you/those close to you are comfortable with. please don't feel pressured by a few nosey people who should really stay out of other's businesses 🙄🙏
