Kirkland, Gelsey

Gelsey Kirkland Photos

Gelsey Kirkland Biography

Notable: Born 1952; New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre

Gelsey Kirkand was born in Pennsylvania, USA, in 1952. She studied at the School of American Ballet and joined the New York City Ballet in 1968. With her extraordinary gifts she was soon promoted, to soloist in 1969 and to principal in 1972.

At the NYCB George Balanchine created his new Firebird production for her and his Suite No. 3, both in 1970. Jerome Robbins created roles for her in The Goldberg Variations 1971, Scherzo Fantastique 1972 and An Evening’s Waltzes 1973.

In 1974 she moved to the American Ballet Theatre, where she often danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev. Personal problems and illness made her leave ABT in 1984. She appeared as guest artist with the Royal Ballet 1980-86.