Fresh Faces 2026

New dancers join the ranks of New York City Ballet every year, each of whom brings a unique, individual spark to the performance of our vast repertory and the identity of the organization. As we approach the opening of a new season, we are thrilled to welcome Ariel Erez, Corbin Holloway, Keenan Kiefer, Laina Mae Kirkeide, Simeon Daniel Neeld, and Lucie Richard to the corps de ballet. Read on to learn a little bit more about them in preparation for catching them onstage this fall.

ARIEL EREZ

Do you have any special memories from the School of American Ballet (SAB) or your years in training? 

Serenade was the first ballet I ever saw NYCB perform. It was my first year at SAB and opening night of NYCB’s fall performances. Sterling Hyltin was the “Waltz Girl.” I remember that during the part when she lets her hair down and falls to the ground, I was so surprised. After seeing it that night it became my favorite ballet. A couple years later, for my Workshop, I got to perform the "Waltz Girl" role, and I had the most fun doing it. It was so special to me because it felt like a full-circle moment, looking back to when I was 14 watching Serenade for the first time versus being 17 and getting to dance it. 

What did you do when you first found out you would be part of the company?  

I got my apprenticeship before the holidays in December. I had been recovering from surgery and had just started coming back to dancing. It was my final year at SAB and I was worried I wouldn’t heal in time for audition season, so when I got my apprenticeship, it was a big relief and a dream come true. I ran outside and called my parents in tears. 

What is your favorite movie? 

My all-time favorite movie is The Devil Wears Prada, which takes place in NYC. When I was younger and first watched it, it made me fall in love with the city.

What have been some of your favorite moments as an apprentice with the company? 

A core memory from my apprentice year was meeting Anne Hathaway, who plays the main character in The Devil Wears Prada, after one of the Nutcracker performances. She came backstage after the show. I remember being so excited, we talked to her and took a photo with her—it made my night. 

CORBIN HOLLOWAY

What did you do when you first found out you’d be a part of the company? 

I was in my second year at SAB and had the option to stay for a third year in Advanced Men, so I had no expectation that I was being considered for an apprenticeship. Because of that, the anticipation leading up to the announcement was incredibly intense. I still remember the nerves I felt that day so vividly—I knew how much I wanted the opportunity and how much work I had invested in reaching that point. When I found out, I immediately ran out to the plaza and called my parents and family. Hearing the pride and excitement in their voices is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. It took some time for the reality of the accomplishment to fully sink in. I think it was only on my first day, standing face-to-face with the extraordinary dancers of New York City Ballet, that I began to understand the significance of what had happened.

What makes NYCB special to you? 

What makes New York City Ballet special to me is the extraordinary legacy it carries. While there are many remarkable ballet companies around the world, there is something truly unique about the history and artistic language of this company. George Balanchine created works that fundamentally changed ballet and continue to feel timeless and deeply human. I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to dance these ballets and discover something new in them every time I perform them. To be part of this company is to be part of something much larger than myself. I’m incredibly proud to carry that legacy forward and deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to it.

What have been some of your favorite moments as an apprentice with the company? 

Some of my favorite moments as an apprentice have been the opportunities to perform onstage alongside some of my closest friends. There is something incredibly special about spending so many hours together in the studio—rehearsing, challenging one another, and working toward something we all care deeply about—and then getting to share that work onstage. Performances feel especially meaningful because they are the culmination of so much time, trust, and collaboration. Being able to experience those moments with people who I love, who inspire me, and who have shared the process with me has made my apprenticeship year incredibly rewarding. Those are the moments I know I will look back on and cherish most.

KEENAN KIEFER

Who inspires you most, or is a particularly important model or mentor? 

I am so grateful for Megan Buckland. Mrs. Meg is the director of my home studio, Academy of Dance Arts in Allen, Texas. She is the reason why I am in NYCB. I never thought I could be a ballet dancer, and I set my mind on the contemporary side of dance. However, Mrs. Meg told me to just audition for the SAB summer intensive, and then, once I got in, she told me to actually go to the intensive. There, I fell in love with the School and started believing that I could be a ballet dancer. Mrs. Meg believed in my ability and pushed me to go for it! I am forever grateful. She believes in the work. All of your effort and dedication are put into practice, and the shows and results are fun. She taught me to take failure lightly, and just to enjoy as much as I can. 

What do you do when you’re having an off day, or an off week, to get back into the right headspace? 

It's important to remember that off days, or weeks, or even a whole season, create the most opportunity for growth. Struggle is a huge part of life, and dance brings that to the forefront. Every dancer struggles and fails, and you really can't do anything to change that. Those moments hurt because we bring so much of ourselves into dance. Dance forces us to grow as people. It's important to embrace those teaching moments. So I just continue, I live life. I meditate, sleep, hang out with friends, and enjoy everything I can. 

Do you have any special memories from SAB or your training in general? 

My favorite experience at SAB was working with [choreographer] Fran Diaz for the New York Choreographic Institute. When we met him, we noticed how soft-spoken and kind he is, and when he auditioned us he made us turn into dance animals. The piece was set on three of us at SAB: Cameron Fikes, Simeon Neeld, and me. We all fell in love with Diaz and the process, so we wanted to study the steps and music outside of rehearsal. During rehearsals, we would stretch our brains trying to memorize the music and fully adapt ourselves to this chaotic piece. I grew so much as a dancer! Fran's piece is the most athletic, tiring, intricate piece I have ever performed. We whipped our heads, we wore sneakers, we grooved, we went crazy. I love Fran and I am so grateful for that experience.

LAINA MAE KIRKEIDE

What have been some of your favorite moments as an apprentice with the Company? 

An absolute highlight was this past winter when I had the opportunity to perform with the corps in Serenade. Serenade has always been extremely special to me because it was the first ballet I saw the company perform when I joined SAB in the Fall of 2021, and during my final year at SAB, I also performed Serenade at the Koch Theater as part of SAB’s 90th Anniversary commemoration. It truly felt like a full-circle moment in January as I stood with the corps and felt the iconic rush of the wind against my skirt as the curtain went up. I still get goosebumps just thinking about it! I also loved dancing in the All Balanchine III program during spring performances. Performing in the first and third movements of Symphony in C in what the more senior company members dub a “double Bizet” definitely felt like arriving at a rite of passage, but following that up with the whimsy of Firebird was the highlight! Being silly and dancing in a fat suit onstage is not an experience I anticipated, but I had so much fun with my friends. It turned out to be one of my favorite memories of the year. 

What did you do when you first found out you’d soon be a part of the company? 

Being offered my apprenticeship was a total shock. Originally, I had planned to stay at SAB for another year, and was simultaneously deep in the process of completing my college applications. I was caught off-guard when I was invited to a meeting with faculty about making adjustments to my pointe shoes, only to be offered my dream job! The first thing I did was FaceTime my mom. She has always been my biggest supporter in everything I have pushed myself to do. I will never forget her face when I told her, she thought I was pulling a prank on her until she saw the tears running down my face!

What are you most proud of, outside of dancing? 

I pride myself on my love for and commitment to academics. As a young child, I always loved learning. Throughout high school at SAB, I prioritized my academic opportunities as equally as my artistic development. When I joined the company, I made a promise to myself to not let that commitment waver. Entering higher education while also starting a full-time job has taught me not only incredible time management skills, but self-accountability as well. I enjoy the discipline of maintaining my studies. 

SIMEON DANIEL NEELD

What did you do when you first found out you’d be a part of the company? 

During my final year at SAB, I was a capstone student, so I understood that this decision would be life-changing. When I found out that I would soon be joining the company, I was overwhelmed with shock and disbelief. I immediately ran out of the building and called my mom, realizing that all my hard work and dedication had finally paid off. My family has always been my greatest support system, so I spent that afternoon calling as many of them as I could and taking in all their love and encouragement.

What makes NYCB special to you? 

NYCB is special to me because of its extraordinary range of repertory and the incredible opportunities it provides its dancers to grow as versatile artists. Beyond that, the company's legacy is deeply inspiring. Walking into the building each day, I'm reminded that I'm part of an institution with a rich history that has shaped the world of ballet. The opportunity to train and perform in the style George Balanchine created, while contributing to that ongoing tradition, is both an honor and a constant source of motivation.

What are you most proud of, outside of dancing? 

Outside of dancing, I'm most proud of my choreography and my drive to create art in any form. Choreography is where I see myself growing the most as I get older, and it's something I'm excited to continue exploring. While performing a role onstage is about bringing someone else's vision to life, choreography allows me to express my own perspective and creativity in a much more personal way. It's also become an important creative outlet for me. Even when I'm off the stage, choreography keeps my mind engaged, inspired, and connected to the art form I love. It gives me the freedom to keep creating, challenging myself, and telling stories through movement.

LUCIE RICHARD

Who inspires you most, or is a particularly important model or mentor?

The entire company inspires me, especially the women. They show that it's possible to be an incredible artist while also building a full life outside the theater. Many of them are mothers, have earned degrees, started businesses, or pursue other passions alongside their careers. School has always been important to me, so it's inspiring to be surrounded by people who excel both onstage and off. We see them every day, so it's easy to forget just how extraordinary they are, but the group of people we're surrounded by is truly incredible.

What have been some of your favorite moments as an apprentice with the company?

I was fortunate to perform several ballets during the spring season that I hadn't expected to dance. One of the most memorable was Standard Deviation, not only because of how unique and exciting it was to perform, but also because I received my corps contract during that run. It will always hold a special place in my memory for that reason. Performing Opus 19/The Dreamer and Agon were also absolute dream opportunities. After receiving my corps contract, I had the chance to perform Divertimento No. 15 in our sensory-friendly performance, which was one of the most joyful experiences I've had onstage. Beyond the dancing itself, what stands out most is how supportive everyone was. During the spring, when I was unexpectedly going into ballets, dancers constantly checked in on me, shared snacks, answered questions, and went out of their way to make sure I felt prepared. It created an environment where I felt genuinely supported, and it confirmed that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

How do you unwind after a tough day of rehearsals or a performance?

No matter how tired I am, I almost always leave the theater feeling fulfilled. Of course, not every show goes perfectly, but when you're performing every night, you learn to let things go and focus on the next one. When I get home, I usually have dinner with my roommate, Kylie, and my two cats. We'll put on a show, or I'll read for a while. I also enjoy doing schoolwork during breaks because it gives my mind something completely different to focus on. It's a nice balance that lets me rest physically while staying mentally engaged.