Podcast Summary: The Leadership Dance

Episode 26: Owning the Spotlight, with Mira Nadon
Host: Alissa Hsu Lynch
Guest: Mira Nadon, Principal Dancer, New York City Ballet
Date: September 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Leadership Dance features Mira Nadon, the first Asian American woman promoted to principal dancer at New York City Ballet. Host Alissa Hsu Lynch, herself a barrier-breaking leader in both dance and business, delves into Mira's journey, the pressures and passions of leadership, navigating identity, overcoming setbacks, and advice for the next generation. Mira reflects candidly on her rapid rise, the responsibility of representation, her approach to individuality in a demanding art, and maintaining balance beyond the stage.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Stepping into Principal Dancer at 21

• Surreal Promotion: Mira describes her promotion as “surreal,” something she aspired to but didn’t expect so soon. She credits timing as part of the process and shares that it took months to feel comfortable in her new status.

  “I knew that I had done the work, but actually thinking of myself with that title seemed a bit foreign. So I would say it definitely took a year to really feel comfortable and at home with that title.” (02:14)

• Announcement Experience: Promotions at NYCB are unpredictable, adding excitement. Mira recalls being grouped with other dancers after a show under the pretense of a “promo shoot,” and realizing something special was happening.

  “I went up to him, and I was like, did they tell you to stay after? ...we just kind of looked at each other like, okay.” (03:12)

• Family First: The first people she shared the news with were her parents—her dad celebrated with champagne.

  “I FaceTimed my dad...And then he went out and bought a bottle of champagne.” (04:11)

Early Life and Family Dynamics

• Academic Roots: Raised in a highly academic family, Mira’s initial path seemed destined for college, not professional dance. Her progression into ballet was driven by passion, not pressure.

  “There was just never a doubt in my mind that I was just going to go to college and do that thing.” (04:36)

• Academic Balance: Mira attended Professional Children’s School, which enabled her to juggle rigorous dance and academics.

  “They are just a really great school that kind of allows you to have this flexible schedule while still getting all the classes that you need.” (06:21)

• Sibling Story: Mira has a driven twin brother who chose a very different career—Princeton and the Army—underscoring the independence and work ethic fostered by their upbringing.

Individuality within the Corps

• Performance Experience: Early, low-pressure stage experience helped Mira find comfort and individuality on stage, easing the transition to professional performance.

  “I felt very comfortable on stage and felt like I could be myself on stage.” (07:27)

• Advice to Young Dancers: Mira advocates for as much stage experience as possible, especially in less pressured environments, to cultivate confidence and authenticity.

  “I was really grateful to have these kind of more low stakes opportunities to be on stage and not be stressed and not be scared.” (08:44)

Representation and Responsibility

• Navigating Identity: As someone who is half Indian and half white, Mira didn’t initially see herself as a representative for Asian dancers because her background isn’t always visible.

  “Most people didn’t know I was Asian. And, you know, that’s a part of my background that I love. But it wasn’t something that I was really thinking about... So when I got promoted and there was all this press, it did kind of make me rethink that.” (09:34, 00:00)

• Embracing Visibility: Promotion brought attention and a sense of honor; Mira now feels a responsibility to be a source of inspiration for young dancers and their families.

  “If they can look up to me and…see someone that is inspiring, that’s so wonderful. And I do feel a little more of a responsibility, I think, to be visible and be out here.” (09:34)

• Host Reflection: Alissa shares her own realization about being a role model for Asian women in business:

  “I didn’t really think of myself as a standard bearer or representative of other Asians until…I became more successful in business...there actually aren’t that many Asian women who reach the executive roles that I have.” (10:29)

Overcoming Setbacks

• Pandemic Disruption: The pandemic was especially hard for dancers, disrupting routines and causing uncertainty. Mira highlights the joy of returning to stage, especially performing “Serenade” after the shutdown.

  “Being on stage when the curtain came up was just really special.” (11:22)

• Ankle Surgery: Shortly after becoming soloist, Mira had surgery for an extra bone in her ankle. She details her recovery and emphasizes the importance of patience and steady progress.

  “It definitely took time for it to actually to get the full range in my ankle and to really feel like I didn’t have to do extra warmups...” (12:36)

Defining Performance Moments

• Favorite Roles:
  • “Tall Girl” in Balanchine’s Rubies—her first principal role and career turning point.
  • Waltz Girl in Serenade—significant as her principal debut and a full-circle moment tied to childhood inspiration.

  “I got promoted to principal. So I thought it was kind of funny that my first principal role was going to be the corps of Serenade. But then someone ended up going out…and then did that. But that was very special.” (13:25)

• Proactive Self-Advocacy: Mira raised her hand for roles, a critical career skill highlighted by Alissa:

  “You kind of proactively raised your hand and said, hey, if there’s an opening, I’d be really interested. That’s actually a skill that people need in any field to speak up for yourself.” (15:19)

Leadership Perspectives

• Leading by Example: Mira views leadership as setting an example in attitude, artistry, work ethic, and interpersonal relationships within the company.

  “You see behaviors that you don’t want to emulate and behaviors that you do...the way you’re acting in the studio and the way you’re treating everyone...is really important.” (17:38)

Life, Balance, and Passions Offstage

• Balance Matters: Mira values downtime—reading, outdoor activity, travel, time with friends and loved ones—as vital to maintaining perspective and staving off burnout.

  “Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back and be like, you know, what if I fell out of that pirouette? It really doesn’t matter… I have a full life that is fulfilling and makes me so happy.” (18:33)

• Reading Recommendations: Enjoying historical fiction for escapism; recently loved Demon Copperhead.

  “It was such beautiful world building and like painful and sad, but beautiful.” (19:28)

Social Media

• Not aiming to be an influencer, but finds social media valuable for connecting with global dance community and staying inspired.

  “It’s very inspiring to see dancers from all over the world and it’s nice to be able to stay connected in that way...” (19:50)

Advice for the Next Generation

• Authenticity Over Comparison:

  “Just staying true to yourself. I think in the ballet world it can be so easy to fall into comparison…everyone always looks the best when they’re doing whatever is the most natural for them.” (20:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Representation:

  “It is quite an honor to hold this position and be able to inspire people...I do feel a little more of a responsibility, I think, to be visible and be out here.” —Mira Nadon (09:34)

• On Rediscovering Leadership:

  “Part of that is leading by example and being a good example for people to look at…trying to be a good example for the younger people in the company.” —Mira Nadon (17:38)

• On Work-Life Balance:

  “Sometimes it’s nice to take a step back and be like, you know, what if I fell out of that pirouette? It really doesn’t matter.” —Mira Nadon (18:33)

• On Self-Advocacy:

  “I thought it was worth a shot to just express my interest… I really wanted to go on a fun trip and go on the tour.” —Mira Nadon (15:38)

• On Advice to Young Dancers:

  “Whatever is the most natural for you is going to feel the best and also look the best.” —Mira Nadon (20:33)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:14] – Mira on being promoted and advice for new principals
• [04:36] – Childhood and family’s academic influence
• [06:21] – Professional Children’s School and balancing school/dance
• [07:27] – Finding individuality in ballet
• [09:34] – On being a representative for Asian American dancers
• [11:22] – Navigating the pandemic and returning to stage
• [12:36] – Ankle surgery and recovery
• [13:25] – Most memorable performance moments
• [15:19] – Speaking up for oneself in ballet (self-advocacy)
• [17:38] – Mira’s approach to leadership
• [18:33] – The importance of balance and life outside ballet
• [19:28] – Favorite books and recent reads
• [19:50] – Mira’s approach to social media
• [20:33] – Closing advice for aspiring dancers

Closing Thoughts

This episode illustrates Mira Nadon’s humility, grace, and thoughtfulness in both her artistry and leadership. She candidly addresses the visibility that comes with breaking barriers, the need for authentic self-expression, and the power of balanced living. Her story and advice resonate far beyond ballet—applicable to aspiring leaders and creatives in every field.