Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Gordon.
Hi Taylor, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey to dancing professionally internationally for more than two decades began in my hometown of Milford, MA. My family ran a dance studio in that small town, so basically since I could walk, I was dancing. My grandmother saw that I had knack for it and loved it, so she brought me to train more seriously at Boston Ballet School, where I performed in student roles with the professional ballet company. I just loved being on stage and ate up the challenge and specificity of ballet technique.
When I was 15, I moved away from home to attend a ballet boarding high school called The Rock School in Philadelphia. I spent two years there and ended up graduating high school at age 16. That’s when I knew I wanted to moved to New York City.
I moved into my college dorm at Marymount Manhattan College just after turning 17 years old. I knew nobody in the city. I just had a dream of dancing professionally. I trained for the first two years in New York at Ballet Academy East on the Upper East Side while finishing my bachelor’s degree in communication arts in 2 1/2 years. I went on to get my masters degree in publishing by the time I turned 20, and my last semester of grad school was my first season dancing in the ensemble of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It was a wild time juggling accelerated education and my first big job as a dancer.
I went on to dance with numerous tours, ballet companies, and shows, including the off Broadway and U.S. tour of “Angelina Ballerina, The Musical,” the Metropolitan Opera Ballet at Lincoln Center, the Black Iris Project at the Kennedy Center and Jacob’s Pillow, and numerous shows abroad with Dublin Worldwide Productions.
During COVID, I ruptured my Achilles tendon and while recovering, I fell in love with choreography. I became a Show Supervisor for RWS Global, where I staged shows on cruise ships and assisted more than 10 Broadway choreographers in their creative processes. I shifted to creating my own work in 2024, and I’m currently choreographing my third new musical for Princeton University. My choreography has been presented across the world including the Peru Bienal, in residencies in Bali and France, as well as teaching in Japan, India, and China.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Being being a freelance artist in New York City comes with its own set of challenges and staying here more than two decades has had multiple ups and downs. I had my first Achilles surgery when I was just 22 and had to take some time off – but the recovery from that led me to getting certified to teach Pilates, which was life changing for my sustainability – both physically and financially. In 2016, unfortunately my brother committed suicide and that was another personal challenge that made me turn even more to my dance career to heal. COVID of course was another challenge, which stopped a lot of performance opportunities, but I was able to teach more virtually, which was a huge help. My full Achilles rupture in 2021 was probably the biggest set back to my dancing. I still don’t have full range of motion in my left ankle joint and never will, but I’ve learned how to fake things and compensate. I’m still in pain daily and have accepted it as part of my dance life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I pride myself on being an international dancer, creator, and educator with more than two decades of experience in New York City and abroad. My choreography blends classical ballet technique with theatrical storytelling and jazz musicality, connecting audiences to human stories in a deep and nuanced way. I am most proud of my incredible team of dancers I create with in New York City, who I’ve watched grow with my work as a creator. I’ve been so fortunate to dance extensively internationally, having visited 51 countries and counting, and I’m excited to continue sharing those international opportunities with emerging artists. I’m also proud of the creative work I do with the veteran community with Exit12 Dance Company. My brother was an army soldier and I’m grateful to remain connected to the veteran community after his death.
Any big plans?
In the immediate future, I am excited to both direct and dance in my 10th season of Christmas on Ice with Dublin Worldwide Productions. I’m incredibly grateful that my body still allows me to perform a rigorous show schedule with high athletic demands. I also have several other performances of my choreography coming up this fall, and I am excited to plan international performances for 2027.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.taylorjgordon.com
- Instagram: @taylorjgordon
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@taylorjgordon
