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In this episode, we sit down with Taylor Stanley, principal dancer at New York City Ballet, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, self-acceptance, and what it means to take up space on stage and in life.
Taylor reflects on growing up in ballet, navigating gender and fluidity within a highly traditional art form, and learning to trust an evolving sense of self. We talk about musicality as instinct, softness as strength, and how sensitivity, often misunderstood, can become a source of power. Taylor shares how therapy, community, and creative outlets beyond ballet have helped shape a more grounded, expansive relationship with both art and self.
From redefining masculinity in classical roles, to finding freedom in Balanchine rep, to stepping into Broadway and visual art, this episode explores what happens when you stop trying to fit the mould and instead let your whole identity lead the movement.
A conversation about courage, presence, and creating spaces where dancers, and humans, feel safe to be exactly who they are.
Some links we mention:
Taylor Stanley's Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tgsdrwngs/?hl=en-gb
Taylor's broadway show Gotta Dance: https://www.yorktheatre.org/gotta-dance
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Take class with one of our incredible Grace & Form teachers, here: Train with the best
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By graceandform4.9
3636 ratings
In this episode, we sit down with Taylor Stanley, principal dancer at New York City Ballet, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, self-acceptance, and what it means to take up space on stage and in life.
Taylor reflects on growing up in ballet, navigating gender and fluidity within a highly traditional art form, and learning to trust an evolving sense of self. We talk about musicality as instinct, softness as strength, and how sensitivity, often misunderstood, can become a source of power. Taylor shares how therapy, community, and creative outlets beyond ballet have helped shape a more grounded, expansive relationship with both art and self.
From redefining masculinity in classical roles, to finding freedom in Balanchine rep, to stepping into Broadway and visual art, this episode explores what happens when you stop trying to fit the mould and instead let your whole identity lead the movement.
A conversation about courage, presence, and creating spaces where dancers, and humans, feel safe to be exactly who they are.
Some links we mention:
Taylor Stanley's Art Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tgsdrwngs/?hl=en-gb
Taylor's broadway show Gotta Dance: https://www.yorktheatre.org/gotta-dance
---
Take class with one of our incredible Grace & Form teachers, here: Train with the best
Try 7 Days Free and Download our App: Launch the app

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