Since her humble beginnings dancing at The Link School of the Arts in Troy, Michigan, ballet dancer India Bradley has climbed her way to the top. She now lives in New York, and dances with one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the U.S.

This year marks her 8th year as a with NYCB and her 7th year as a paid professional dancer with them. Bradley began her apprenticeship with the company in August 2017, only a year later Bradley was quickly promoted to a member of the corp de ballet, marking her start as a professional ballerina.

During her time as a member of the corp de ballet, Bradley debuted several iconic performances, such as excerpts from “Rubies” including the pas deux. Bradley made history back in 2023, when she debuted as the role of dew-drop in George Balanchines’ “The Nutcracker,” becoming the first african-american dancer to perform the role.

Though she was in one of the lower ranks within the company, Bradley performed alongside some of the biggest names in ballet, Tiler Peck, Isabella Boylston are just a few examples. Bradley graced the stage at Vail Dance Festival, where she made her debut as Terpsichore and performed excerpts from the ballet “Apollo.” Performing at a world renowned festival is something that not everyday members of a corp de ballet get to experience, and is a testament to Bradley’s talents. Black Enterprise described Bradley as “a prima ballerina making history in the dance world.”

As Bradley kicks off her first season as a soloist, she and the rest of NYCB prepare for their 2025-2026 fall season. For the start of the season they get ready to perform classic works such as “The Nutcracker” and premiere newer works such as “Innovations Past and Present” by Juliano Nunes. Bradley continues to push boundires, as the first woman in 77 years to be a soloist with the New York City Ballet, her career as a soloist is just beginning.