I totally agree with what you said on believing in yourself; one quote I always carry with me is by Sandra King: "Unless someone can look into the core of your heart and see the degree of your passion, or look into the depths of your soul and see the extent of your will, then they have no business telling you what you can or cannot achieve. Because while they may know the odds, they do no know you. Nor do they know the power of your angels."
katy- you probably wont see this because its a fairly old video, but you made me cry when you were talking about how determined you were to get back to the stage. Im a late starter in ballet and started (seriously training) when I was 13, and i have been incredibly behind in my training. Its so hard to not give up sometimes, as tons of people tell me that i will never make it in ballet because im a late starter with a "terrible" body for ballet. anyways, i just wanted to thank you. ive been feeling down recently and this is exactly what i needed to hear right now. thank you so much❤️
Perry Lynn Wright hi, I know it's late, but I know how you feel. I had 3 months of ballet when I was 10 and then stopped for 2 years. When I started again, I was put in a level 2 years below my age and that was heartbreaking. I was always behind in class and I felt I was never going to get better. Eventually a year ago I started working hard and I moved up from that group, got pointe shoes and I have gotten so much better. But yet people say that I can't make it because I'm too old, and I'm not good. Sorry if this is a long comment, I just wanted to share this with you. I believe in you
I have hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) and trained and competed as a dancer from age 3 through college. I remember my ballet teacher saying I was "too fat" to be en pointe, in front of the whole class...I thought it had ruined dance for me forever until I found your channel. You remind me why I loved to dance, and your story has inspired me to start taking classes again! Thank you, thank you, thank you :)
I know this is an old video but I hope you still see this comment, I wrote to you around 4 years ago when I was thinking about trying ballet as a hobby you wrote back to me and encouraged me to give it a go and because of that and all of your encouraging videos I have an amazing hobby which has changed my life beyond belief it gave me the confidence to get out of the toxic relationship I was in and I then went on to find my new partner who is the love of my life and we now have a 1 year old beautiful baby boy after 16 years of being told i was infertile. So I just wanted to thank you so much and send you all my love, You are my idol and the most inspirational and beautiful person I have ever had the pleasure of speaking to xxx.
I have a different story...I love to practice I love to watch it too and dance it too...it is such a self ego food..because is something so fun to do makesme proud of myself
I only dance as a hobby but I love your videos so much, I think it's amazing to have a dancer from somewhere as prestigious as the New York City Ballet personally reply to young dancers! I know you're hoping to come and dance in Europe so I really hope I can come and watch! x
I've seen this video but I just watched it again. There's something about Katie that just draws you in and makes you feel safe. You can just feel her caring and love for you. And there's such a strength in her.
Hyper extension is something that is a weakness actually. You must strengthen if you have hyper extension, or risk injury (been there, done that with my knee injury ^^')
I want to commit 150% but my parents won't support me and we don't have enough money to pay for more than 5,5 hours of class I feel like I will be too old when I can start committing at 18
***** I hope your dream comes true too :) remember that there are always incredible success stories and you could become one! Thank you so much for your tips! i actually started saving up for a summer intensive and some other workshops i hope they help ! Good luck dear xx
I totally agree with you! And I've started to translate into Italian all your videos, in order to let my students (but not only mine) follow your tips.. Thank you
You are Such a great role model! I was wondering what an appropriate age to audition for SAB would be if I wanted to dance with NYCB. Also, I have bunions that give me relatively significant pain when dancing. I have orthotics and really work on not rolling-in, but I still have pain. Should I push through, take it easy, or see about surgery? I don't want surgery to ruin my dance career, but I don't know if the pain is causing other problems. Do you have any advice?
Kathryn, you really are such an inspiration. You're kind, positive, honest, humble but confident, unapologetic, and so lovely. It's _obvious_ you believe in yourself. I think your warning on doubting yourself is what we all need to hear now and then. P.S. your bedroom always looks so nice - especially that marking on your dresser! Would you ever consider doing a room tour?
Can't believe people would ask you about getting a real job. I got that when I was younger and training seriously, even when I was teaching. It was so discouraging. And looking back I'm sad I took these people's opinions as any sort of truth because they really didn't know anything about dance or good advice.
You are so helpful! I have learned so much more in your classes and youtube channel than my usual classes at my studio! You have helped me to grow and understand so much more about dance improvement! :)
This truly helps me push forward...I have the same illness and i go to a college in the dance program but I cant move up i the ballet part because of my weight, which is effected by my thyroid. Such a same but thank you this helps me alot!!!
Have you heard of the HARID Conservatory in Florida I know that it is vaganava training and not Balanchine but I was wondering what you think of it (pros and cons) my friend got a full scholarship to there this year and I was planning on auditioning for there summer next year but wanted a professional opinion #AskKatie
Loved all of your answers and love your outlook on everything. So refreshing and so encouraging to see someone giving out sound and great advice to all those younger dancers who need it. I know exactly what you mean by no one telling you stuff when you were younger. Keep the videos coming!
I have been wearing Suffolk solo prequels for about a month now. I really love them and they fit well, the only problem is they die VERY quickly. I have been jet gluing them and even tried a hard shank but it hasn't been helping much. Any suggestions?
For your next Conversations with Katie, I have some questions. 1. I am striving to become a professional ballerina, but I am not improving, and I think my body is not ideal, my body is more bulkier with heavier bigger bones than those very thin toned ballet dancers. What can I do??? 2. I do pilates, cross training, abs, leg strengthening, arm strengthening, and eat well, very well and healthy, but my body isn't showing it, my body size is normal, but not enough!!!
How do you do chenes (Not sure how to spell that, but the turns that means "in a chain" that are taught in low level classes) with hyper-extended legs? I have super hyper extension, and so when I do these turns, I either get the correction "tighter feet", if my legs are truly straight, or "straighter legs" if I have tight feet, because I can't figure out how to do both at the same time with hyper extension! When my legs are straight my knees are together and my feet are about 15" apart, hence the annoying contrasting corrections that I can't figure out how to do. IT also makes 1st position rather awkward. Any tips or tricks?
Your tips are so helpful...thank you! I am attending Butler University as a freshman dance major this fall, and I am wondering how to transition from a small dance school that I've gone to since I was 5 to an intense program with such advanced dancers. I am afraid of getting burned out by the physical and emotional demand. What are your thoughts on how to keep up stamina and not letting the change be discouraging?
Hi katherine!I have a question for next conversation with katie.My teacher is getting a bit mad about me and I have no idea why??? What should I do?My mom and I talked to teacher about making my own variation but she can't make!Thank's
This came up in my feed and it was such an inspiration to watch. I love what you said about self belief and to see how you have transformed through all you have been through to where you are today in 2020! Thank you for sharing and the wonderful encouragement and inspiration you provide to young (and old!) dancers. xx
Thank you for what you do, I am a actress, dancer, and singer and my dream is to perform on Broadway and even though I am not exactly a ballerina, youve inspired me to improve upon my dancing and work hard towards my dreams. Ive watched all your videos and I have taken so much from every video!! You have no idea how much I value your videos and experiences and tips. Im going into college as a freshman, and after watching this video, I know now that I WILL work hard to make my dreams come true. Thank you for giving me hope and inspiring me to follow my dreams, you truly are incredible and I am so thankful and blessed to have found your channel on RU-vid
I've been doing your exercise barres and I just do it for the exercise because I like to dance, even though I'm not very good, and they are kicking my butt! But it's so fun and I always look forward to doing them. So thanks for making those videos it really helps!
I don't know if you're gonna read this since this video is already a little older but I wanna say you actually really are very inspiring. I've started watching them a little while ago and it helped me a lot. I struggle with a lot of things mentioned in this video like body image,a little more extreme than others maybe since I have an eating disorder. The ED goes along with a series of other mental illnesses and behaviours which can make dancing really hard. I'm a huge perfectionist and I tend to beat myself up about every single mistake and not getting something perfect the first time. And i don't know why but watching videos like this one actually spark the tiniest bit of hope for recovery inside of me. I want to dance. It's what I love. I'll never do it professionally seeing I started at age 14/15 and already had to take a year off due to an ankle injury and my mental illnesses and I've been dancing for half a year now again but you really inspire me to keep going. I wish I could talk to you a bit personally because I think I could learn so much from you and because you are so inspiring but yeah.. I just wanted to let you know that you are amazing and how you never gave up and keep fighting really inspires me to do the same. xx
Hi Kathryn! I have low arches and I go over my box but I tend to go to my baby toes and I don't know how to fix it! It is a habit! I was wondering if you have any exercises on how to go to my big toe. Thank you so much! I LOVE your videos btw!💕
Kathryn, You are such an inspiration to me! As I am working really hard in all of my ballet classes because I want to be a ballet dancer. Hearing you say that if you just believe in yourself it is possible, makes me believe that I can do it and work very hard. Thank you so much for your videos, they have helped me gain self esteem and confidence in my training and as a person!:)
Thank you so much for this video, I loved it! It was very helpful, especially what you said about height! =) I also read Jenifer Ringer's book. It was very good!
Kathryn, you said that you took classes in 2 studios but in my city i take classes for only 5 hours a week! And my studio is the best in town! The other studios take about 3 hours of class a week! I dont think that will help me much, so what should I do? My dream is to be w abt! Thank you!
Great video, Katie. Beautiful words. Thank you! I believe you have a wonderful future in dance ahead of you and I can’t wait to see you back on stage! Anyone who knows anything about ballet knows that a person who has danced since a very early age and for so many years (and so many hours a day) has that technique “memorized” in her/his body and I’m sure you’ll have no problem getting back into shape!
I started ballet at 3 and quit do to health problems at 14. I am now seventeen and regret my decision to leave every day. I really want to go back to ballet but I am afraid because I lost a lot of vocab and gained weight through treatment of my health problem. I do not want to be judged because I am not what I used to be, but I want to go back. Advice?
Megan Ross I think just take it slowly. I certainly understand about medical weight. And make sure you have a teacher that is supportive- not someone who will criticize you constantly.
Question- Whenever my pointe shoes die the inside corner on my right shoe always curves and is completely misshapen is there s way to fix this and make them last longer I wear grishkos if that helps? #AskKatie
As a non ballet dancer I'm curious and ask: is one foot usually weaker in some spots, therefore the shoe has to provide more support and wears down the more quickly ...? It would physically make sense. Just imagining things at 2 am.^^ As I know pointe shoes usually last maybe a show and 4 hours of training on professionals.....
I just think you're great! I'm 38 years old - soon to be 39 and I LOVE ballet. Always have, but have never actually done it. Maybe one day :-) However, I did play highly competitive tennis from age 11 to about 23. Your tips about having people in your life who support you, plus being your own advocate to make it if this is your passion, are completely spot on. Have a wonderful day! From Illinois. :-)
Great video and great answers! You are an inspiration and your energy is contagious! Thank You! Keep working towards your own dream! I believe you will come back to the professional ballet stage!
You are so lovely, knowledgable, down to earth... used to be a ballet dancer (not professionally), but I could really listen to you all day. Thank you for being so helpful and kind. I wish we were friends in real life! :)
next summer I will be 15, and my goal is to get into the sab winter from the summer course, but I have a single mom, and she said I cant go because its too much money. any tips on how to get a scholarship?
isabella curtis I would actually call the school and ask about their scholarship policy. Because it has changed since I was there. So I would start there. :)
She said not. Look at her Romeo and Juliet Balcony scene without commentary (like is in the commentary video). Reason is that she would have to sacrifice her health in order to be ballet thin again.
Here is a question for your next video:) So I'm 13 and my ballet studio is a very very good studio, one of the best studios in utah but I would LOVE to go to a summer intensive my financial situation at home is great but I don't think my parents think it's a good investment to spend 2,000-3,000 dollars for a couple weeks! I don't know what to do!
First of all,your channel is SO great,your story is even more and the fact itself that you help and inspire so many people is a demonstration of great kindness! Keep doing it :D I have a technique question: I'm actually good at balance(don't know if so good or quite good tho) but my pirouettes are my biggest weakness,also because I have hyperextension. I think(and my teachers do too) I actually struggle keeping my body straight in a line,but how can I be a good"balancer" but at the same time have weak turns? Do you have any tips? Thank you :*
