15 Facts About Wendy Whelan

Wendy Whelan was principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and performed with the company for 30 years, and toured in the US, Europe, and Asia.

In 2019, Wendy Whelan was named Associate Artistic Director of New York City Ballet.

Wendy Whelan was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, She started ballet at age three.

Wendy Whelan was asked to stay in New York and train, but chose to return to Kentucky and study at the J Graham Brown School, a public high school, because she was only 14.

Wendy Whelan joined the NYCB in 1984 as an apprentice and entered the company's corps de ballet in January 1986.

Wendy Whelan was promoted to soloist in 1989, and to principal dancer in 1991.

Wendy Whelan had danced lead roles in George Balanchine's works, and worked with Jerome Robbins.

Wendy Whelan is a frequent collaborator of Alexei Ratmansky, in works such as Russian Seasons and Concerto DSCH.

Wendy Whelan created roles in over 40 ballets, and is believed to have worked with more choreographers than any dancer in the company's history.

Wendy Whelan premiered this project at Jacob's Pillow in 2013.

In 2014, Wendy Whelan left NYCB after 30 years in the company.

Wendy Whelan was appointed an Artistic Associate for developing new projects at New York City Center for a 2-year term from November 2014.

Wendy Whelan was an artist-in-residence at Barnard College from November 2015 to May 2017.

In February 2019, Wendy Whelan was appointed as Associate Artistic Director of the NYCB.

Wendy Whelan is known for her angular body and muscularity, particularly suited to the Balanchine style.