Tyler Donatelli, Principal Dancer: YAGP and The Road to Houston Ballet

"Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Tyler Donatelli, Principal Dancer, Houston Ballet⁠In this episode of "Dance Talk” ® , the second in a special 4-part series with Houston Ballet & YAGP, host, Joanne Carey interviews one of Houston Ballet's principal dancers' Tyler Donatelli . Listen in as Tyler shares her journey from childhood dance enthusiast to professional ballet star. Discover insights on dedication, overcoming challenges, and the importance of versatility in dance. Tyler also talks about her experience with YAGP (Youth America Grand Prix) which led her to Houston Ballet where she is thriving in her role as Principal Dancer.Tyler says, "I feel not just one moment onstage defines me in my career, but rather every time I bow onstage." Houston Ballet is hosting the season's finals of YAGP May 10-18, 2026.Get Tickets here https://yagp.org/yagp-2026-houston-tx-finals/Tyler Donatelli was born in Huntington Beach, California and trained at the Southland Ballet Academy in Fountain Valley, CA.  She was the silver medal winner at 2012 Youth America Grand Prix as well as first prize in ballet at The Music Center Spotlight Awards 2012.   She joined Houston Ballet II in January 2013 and became an apprentice for Houston Ballet in 2014.  She continued her journey as a member of the Corps de Ballet in 2015, rising through the ranks with standout artistry and dedication. In 2017, she earned two promotions in one year — advancing to Demi Soloist in March and Soloist in September. She was then promoted to First Soloist in 2022.  Donatelli was promoted to Principal in December 2025.She has performed roles in Stanton Welch's The Nutcracker (Clara & Sugar Plum Fairy), Cinderella, Zodiac, Tapestry, Romeo and Juliet, Red Earth, and Giselle; Mark Morris’ The Letter V ; George Balanchine's Serenade, Jewels, Stars and Stripes (Liberty Bell) and Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux; Trey McIntyre's Peter Pan (Tinkerbell); Justin Peck's Year of the Rabbit and Under the Folding Sky; John Neumeier's A Midsummer Night's Dream (Helena); Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Mayerling (Princess Louise) and Ben Stevenson's Coppélia (Swanhilda). She has had roles created on her in Stanton Welch’s Zodiac, Just and Sparrow; Arthur Pita's Good Vibrations and Justin Peck’s Reflections and Under the Folding Sky.Donatelli has danced in several tours including Stanton Welch’s Swan Lake in Tokyo, Japan (2022), Dubai, UAE and Minneapolis, MN (2018); Stanton Welch’s Velocity in Bonn and Tapestry in Ludwigshafen, Germany (2017); and Stanton Welch’s world premiere of Just and Sons de L'âme and Trey McIntyre’s In Dreams at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA (2018).  As part of the Company’s 50th Anniversary in October of 2019, she traveled to New York City’s City Center to reprise her original role in Justin Peck’s Reflections.⁠“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://dancetalkwithjoannecarey.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please leave us a Review.Please help support the podcast:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gofund.me/e561b42ac⁠⁠⁠⁠