City Ballet The Podcast

In this week's New Combinations episode, Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan sat down with Jennifer Archibald ahead of the world premiere of her debut commission for New York City Ballet. Archibald shares how she found her choreographic calling at a young age, what it means to create a work for the Fall Fashion Gala, how she approached casting, and matching the strength of the score with the power of movement. (20:03)

Music:
"Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird
Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co

Edited by Emilie Silvestri

Alysa Pires' new ballet premieres October 1 at the 2026 Fall Fashion Gala and, as she discusses with Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan in our latest podcast episode, the work is a manifestation of maternal themes ignited by the music of late Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock. For the piece, Pires knew she wanted to work with Amsterdam-based fashion house Viktor&Rolf, whose fashion shows stood out to her as particularly theatrical and perfectly suited for the music. Listen as Pires shares her perspectives on the unique process of mounting a work for the Gala and the incredible collaborative effort that goes into bringing all the elements together. (22:10)
Music:
"Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird
Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co
Edited by Emilie Silvestri

As our 25-26 Season comes to a close, Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan reminisce over some of the year's most memorable moments. 

From welcoming former dancers to the front of the room and guest musicians into the orchestra pit, to choreographers returning to create in our studios and a wave of well-deserved promotions, this season was filled with artistry, growth, and unforgettable milestones. (51:10)
Music: 
Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra (1929) by Igor Stravinsky
Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 (1875) by Peter Ilyitch Tschaikovsky
Edited by Emilie Silvestri

Associate Artistic Director and host Wendy Whelan is back for a New Combinations conversation with Principal Dancer Tiler Peck as she prepares for the May 7 premiere of Symphonie Espagnole, her second choreographic commission for the company. Peck dives into the granularities of her process—from music selection to costumes to casting the 40-person ballet—and reflects on the unexpected ways in which choreographing has uncovered new facets of her own dancing and artistry. (35:24)

Music:
"Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird
Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co
 
Edited by Emilie Silvestri

New Combinations Host and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan is joined by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon this week, whose ballet Continuum will have its NYCB premiere on May 1. It's part of a trilogy of leotard ballets, including Polyphonia and Morphoses, set to a score by György Ligeti—a composer whose music Wheeldon was "really intrigued by," but also "terrified" by. Wheeldon and Whelan discuss unlocking and understanding the mysteries of Ligeti's works, setting this piece on the company, and the positive impact fear can have on one's creative process. (35:39)
 
Music:
"Sisyphus" by Andrew Wegman Bird
Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. as agent for Muffet Music Co
 
Edited by Emilie Silvestri