92NY Harkness Dance Center announces Masterclass Workshop with Megan Fairchild

The 92nd Street Y, New York (92NY) announces Before the Bow: Masterclass Workshop with Megan Fairchild on Sunday, March 15. Drawing from her extraordinary career with New York City Ballet and geared towards dedicated young dancers ages 12–18, this immersive workshop offers a rare opportunity to train, learn, and reflect with one of today’s most respected ballerinas, and is ideal for students seeking not only technical growth, but also a long-term perspective on artistry, resilience, and life in dance. Registration begins at $250 and is available here.

The day begins with a rigorous technique class rooted in clarity, musicality, and precision, followed by an in-depth exploration of Balanchine choreography. Dancers will study excerpts from Coppélia, one of Ms. Fairchild’s final performance roles, gaining insight into stylistic nuance, artistry, and storytelling.

In the afternoon, participants will get a break from dancing as the focus shifts to dancer wellness. Through a guided conversation, moderated by her brother Robbie Fairchild, Megan will discuss topics from her book, The Ballerina Mindset, which draws on the wisdom she gained from a 25-year career in an intense and competitive industry. This session invites dancers to ask questions, reflect, and gain practical tools for navigating the pressures of training, performing, and identity, both inside and outside the studio.

“I’m very much looking forward to this master class day at The 92nd Street Y,” said Megan. “I’ve learned so much over the course of my career at NYCB, including how to conquer the physical and mental challenges, and I’m so excited to share it with the younger generation. Looking forward to meeting you all!”

The day begins with a technique class from 11am – 12:30pm. From 12:45-1:15pm, dancers will have pointe warmup, prior to variations from 1:15-2:15. The day ends with Q&A session from 2:30 – 4pm.

Megan Fairchild is a principal dancer with New York City Ballet. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, she began training at age four at Dance Concepts in Sandy and the Ballet West Conservatory in Salt Lake City. She moved to New York in 2000 to train at the School of American Ballet, joined NYCB as an apprentice in 2001, entered the corps in 2002, became a soloist in 2004, and was promoted to principal in 2005.

Her expansive NYCB repertoire includes leading roles in full-length classics like Swan Lake, Coppélia, The Sleeping Beauty, and La Sylphide, plus works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, and Alexei Ratmansky. She was featured as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the 2011 worldwide telecast of Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.

From 2014–2015, she performed on Broadway as Miss Turnstiles in the On the Town revival, earning a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut and an Outer Critics Circle nomination.

In addition to performing, she teaches at the School of American Ballet and holds an MBA from NYU Stern. Her book, The Ballerina Mindset (Penguin, 2021), offers advice on mental health and excellence for dancers and non-dancers alike.

She is the proud mother of three daughters and will retire from New York City Ballet in May 2026.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to train and learn directly from Megan Fairchild! Spots are limited for this inspiring, one-of-a-kind experience. Register now at 92ny.org

Megan Fairchild Workshop, Image Courtesy Michelle Tabnick PR