Megan Fairchild

Megan Fairchild is an American ballet dancer recognized for her technical skill, musical precision, and versatility on stage. Fairchild served as a principal dancer with New York City Ballet, where her tenure spanned a quarter century and established her as a defining artist within the company. She advanced rapidly through the ranks, beginning as an apprentice at age 17, joining the corps de ballet at 18, becoming a soloist at 19, and achieving the rank of principal dancer at 20. Alongside her brother, Robert Fairchild, she is a recipient of the Mae L. Wien Award at the School of American Ballet, marking them as the only siblings to share this distinction.

Fairchild’s repertoire includes leading roles in nearly 80 ballets, with more than 30 works by George Balanchine. Notable performances include Swanilda in "Coppélia," the lead in "Ballo della Regina," and the Green Girl in "Dances at a Gathering." She originated principal roles in world premieres such as "Russian Seasons," "Namouna, A Grand Divertissement," and Alexei Ratmansky’s "Voices." Fairchild also appeared as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the PBS "Live From Lincoln Center" telecast of "The Nutcracker." She represented New York City Ballet in an international festival of George Balanchine’s "Jewels" at David H. Koch Theater, performing alongside Bolshoi and Paris Opera Ballet in the "Rubies" excerpt.

Fairchild expanded her career beyond ballet by performing on Broadway in "On the Town," where she debuted as Miss Turnstiles. Her performance earned a nomination for an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut. This experience led her to launch the podcast "Ask Megan," where she offered advice on topics such as auditioning, injury management, and balancing academics with a dance career. The podcast’s broad appeal inspired her to author the book "The Ballerina Mindset: How to Protect Your Mental Health While Striving for Excellence," published by Penguin Life. In the book, Fairchild addresses challenges such as stage fright, critical feedback, and body image, sharing insights relevant to both dancers and a wider audience.

In addition to her performing career, Fairchild earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and economics from Fordham University and a Master of Business Administration from NYU Stern School of Business. She served as a Teaching Fellow and later joined the faculty at the School of American Ballet, contributing to dance education and mentorship.

Fairchild has spoken publicly about the mental and physical challenges faced by professional dancers, including performance anxiety and body image issues. Her career exemplifies longevity and resilience in ballet. Upon her retirement, she performed the role of Swanilda in George Balanchine and Alexandra Danilova’s "Coppélia." Fairchild continues to contribute to the ballet community as a répétiteur for the Balanchine Trust in Europe, supporting the preservation and staging of Balanchine’s works.