Iconic ballerina Wendy Whelan enjoyed a groundbreaking career, both in length and breadth. She danced with New York City Ballet for 30 years and has had more roles made for her than nearly any other ballerina. Despite her accomplishments, the last few years of her career at NYCB were riddled with worsening injuries and a […]
When ballet icon Wendy Whelan met contemporary choreographer Brian Brooks at Fire Island five years ago, she had no idea it would lead to a larger collaboration. Now, the two are performing a program of solos and duets called Some of a Thousand Words. This month, they’ll return to the Festival—a benefit for Dancers Responding to […]
It’s safe to say that Wendy Whelan has not slowed down since retiring from New York City Ballet last year. From her Restless Creature tour, to her recent collaboration with The Royal Ballet’s Edward Watson, to her upcoming performance in the Japanese Noh work Hagoromo alongside Jock Soto, she’s continued to explore new terrain. Now […]
This story originally appeared in the October/November 2015 issue of Pointe. This November, recently retired New York City Ballet principal Wendy Whelan will return to the stage alongside her longtime NYCB partner Jock Soto. The Brooklyn Academy of Music will present Hagoromo, a production directed by Whelan’s husband, the artist David Michalek. Hagoromo is a […]
Photo by Sean Malyon, Courtesy Royal Opera House I’m still getting over goose bumps from watching Wendy Whelan in Restless Creature at the Joyce Theater two weeks ago. But now that her tour is over, this former New York City Ballet star isn’t taking any sort of break. July 9–12, she’s pairing up with […]
Wendy Whelan is taking a busman’s holiday from her day job, which, many would agree, is being the preeminent ballerina at New York City Ballet (and maybe everywhere else). In a master class at Jacob’s Pillow, she’s telling 22 pre-professionals they’re “awesome” as she gives corrections and hard-won performance tips. Afterwards, she cheerfully poses arm-in-arm […]
A master class can be many things: It can be a source of inspiration, a networking opportunity, the key to a new technical revelation, or simply an awesome time with an amazing dance celebrity. Manhattan Movement and Arts Center is offering a master class with the singular New York City Ballet star Wendy Whelan next […]
Wendy Whelan, NYCB principal, on teaching a recent master class at Manhattan Movement & Arts: I don’t teach often, so I’m learning about myself as a teacher. You have to articulate both with your body and with your words. A certain word might make all the difference to someone in the class. As I teach, […]