5 to Watch 2022: Morgan Leigh Ligon
We are excited to introduce Morgan Leigh Ligon, one of our 2022 “5 to Watch” honorees!
Photo: Morgan Leigh Ligon; shot by Rhi Lee Photography
Morgan is an 11-year-old ballerina from Texas. She started dancing at 4 years old, when she took recreational classes in many genres. At 7, she joined her dance school's company as a “mini.” The company competed in jazz, tap, lyrical and hip hop. Morgan has also attended summer intensives with Anthony Burrell and Joffrey New York. Today, Morgan trains with Elite Classical Coaching, where she studies ballet technique, variations, contemporary, ballroom, pilates, and character classes.
Learn more about Morgan’s ballet journey in her interview below!
Related: 5 to Watch 2022: Jalyn Postadan
What’s a dance accomplishment that you are proud of and why?
I am proud of winning the Hope Award at Youth America Grand Prix’s Dallas regionals in 2022. The Hope Award is given to a dancer who succeeded in both their variation and contemporary in the pre-competitive category. This was a huge personal accomplishment for me as this was my first experience with a major ballet competition.
What’s your most memorable dance moment?
When I was 8 years old, I went to see my first ballet at Lincoln Center. I saw The Sleeping Beauty and I felt really connected with the dancers on stage.
What dance events and milestones do you have planned for this year?
I am very excited to begin Pointe work with my coach in the next few weeks. I am also looking forward to participating in summer intensives both at my home studio and abroad. Some of my goals for the year would be performing a pas de deux, an opportunity to become an ambassador for a ballet brand, and more opportunities to model dance wear.
What does a day in your dance life look like?
I am virtually homeschooled, so I start my day with training. My day begins at approximately 6:15am, when I wake up. I have breakfast, pack my dance bag, and my mom prepares my lunch while I walk my dog. Then, my mom drives me to the studio for 8am lessons.
I arrive at least 30 minutes early to stretch. My classes begin at 8:30am and end by 3:30pm. However, I have a few breaks during the dance day that I use to eat lunch and do schoolwork. When I get home, I have a snack and continue my school work. Once that’s done, I eat dinner and watch one of my favorite programs. I go to bed roughly around 9pm.
What inspires you?
I attended the screening of A Ballerina’s Tale in NYC in October 2015. It was a birthday gift my mom gave to my Yia Yia (grandmother). At the end of the showing, Misty Copeland came out to do a Q&A. I remember her being really welcoming and passionate about ballet. She even said “bless you” when I sneezed. This small gesture made me so excited that she even realized I was there.
This documentary and experience inspired me to pursue ballet and learn more about the art form. This gift that was intended for my Yia Yia became a true life changing experience for me.
What’s your favorite part about being a dancer or the dance industry in general?
Performing. I love to portray the character or storyline to the audience. Dance also gives me great opportunities to meet people, travel the world, and perform. I also enjoy the discipline, the training, the technique of dance, and the instruction.
If you could change the future of dance, what changes would you make?
I would like to see additional ballet schools open in the USA that offer intense training for a broader population. Many dancers travel abroad to get the next level of training and often make a tough decision to leave their families. It would be great to have more opportunities at that level in the USA.
Is there anything else you want to share with dancers reading this article?
Having a great support system and good training is essential to your success. I would not have been able to receive recognition without working hard to train daily, or without my support system to motivate and encourage me. I am thankful that my parents allowed me to pursue ballet, and for what they sacrificed for me to improve.
Photo: Morgan Leigh Ligon; shot by David King
Keep up with Morgan’s dance journey on Instagram.
Every year, TaKiyah Wallace, the Founder of Brown Girls Do Ballet, handpicks five young dancers who are making a positive impact in their communities and/or great strides in their ballet journey. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be featuring each of this year’s honorees right here on the blog, so make sure you check back in! In the meantime, connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.
Note: This interview has been edited for concision and clarity.