16 Facts About Stephanie Saland

Stephanie Saland was spotted by George Balanchine whilst a student at the School of American Ballet, then joined the New York City Ballet in 1972, and was promoted to principal dancer in 1984.

Stephanie Saland had created roles for both Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, before retiring in 1993.

Stephanie Saland then started teaching ballet in both the US and internationally.

Stephanie Saland's father, Ronald, was a film producer and director.

Stephanie Saland was raised in Syosset and Great Neck, Long Island.

Stephanie Saland started taking dance lessons at age five, but only "sporadically," and she had rejected others' suggestions to pursue dance seriously.

When she was fourteen, Saland learned that handwritten report cards would instead be computerized the following year.

Stephanie Saland went to high school at Professional Children's School and graduated in 1972.

Shortly after that, when the New York City Ballet held the Stravinsky Festival, Stephanie Saland was chosen by Balanchine to join the company, when more dancers were needed for the festival.

Stephanie Saland initially found it difficult to follow Balanchine's company classes, and deemed the ballets Balanchine cast her in were unsuitable for her.

Six months after Stephanie Saland joined the company, principal Gelsey Kirkland decided to mentor her, and introduced her to independent teacher Maggie Black, even though at the time, young corps dancers rarely worked with outside teachers.

Stephanie Saland took Gyrotonic classes and worked with a physical therapist, and credited both for helping her dance career.

Stephanie Saland developed a close working relationship with Jerome Robbins.

In 1993, Stephanie Saland retired from the New York City Ballet.

Stephanie Saland had no plans to work in dance, though at her partner's encouragement, she started teaching ballet.

Stephanie Saland opted to teach freelance, and had taught in both the US and internationally, including at the Youth America Grand Prix.