Skip to Main Content

Moments of Grace: Wendy Whelan

Kentucky Muse meets Wendy Whelan as she comes home to participate in the Louisville Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Celebration. Her family and friends share home movies, photos, and special memories of Whelan’s path to becoming one of ballet’s greatest dancers.
Season 5 Episode 2 Length 58:24 Premiere: 01/11/13

ARTICLE

Wendy Whelan, 2016 Governor’s Awards in the Arts Recipient

Wendy Whelan’s love of dance was born in her hometown of Louisville when she attended a performance of Louisville Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” a work in which she would later perform as a young dancer. She left Louisville as a teenager to study at the School of American Ballet and in 1984 she was named an apprentice with the New York City Ballet, joining the corps de ballet a year later. In 1989, she was promoted to soloist and then to principal in 1991. Whelan retired from dancing in 2014 after a 30-year career with the New York City Ballet.

By: KET Staff

Recent Episodes

Sponsored by:

Turquoise and blue background with illustrations of smartphone, tv, computer. Text reads Used by more than two millions people each weekTurquoise and blue background with illustrations of smartphone, tv, computer. Text reads Used by more than two millions people each week

Season 5 Episodes

Frank X Walker: I Dedicate This Ride
S5 E3 Length 27:30 Premiere Date 01/21/13

Moments of Grace: Wendy Whelan
S5 E2 Length 58:24 Premiere Date 01/11/13

Tracks of Imagination
S5 E1 Length 57:33 Premiere Date 12/16/12

See All Episodes

caret down

TV Schedules

Jump to Recent Airdates

Upcoming

Kentucky Chautauqua - S7 E1

Premiered On: 11/16/2015

Follow actors as they go through the audition and extensive preparation project to join the Kentucky Humanities Council's Kentucky Chautauqua program. The program includes performances portraying Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, Col. Harland Sanders, Lucy Bakewell Audubon, Mary Settles, and other characters from Kentucky history. A 2015 KET Production.

  • Monday June 15, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 15, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday June 15, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 15, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 17, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 17, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 17, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 17, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday June 18, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 17, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Friday June 19, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday June 19, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY

Merle Travis: Guitar Man - S7 E2

Premiered On: 02/01/2016

Raised in the Western Kentucky coalfields during the Great Depression, songwriter and guitarist Merle Travis grew to worldwide stardom by the 1940s and 1950s. Today he is one of country music's most celebrated stylistic pioneers. His life story and his musical legacy are the focus of the documentary, "Merle Travis: Guitar Man". Perhaps best recognized as the original balladeer of the classic "Sixteen Tons" as well as hits like "Nine Pound Hammer" and "Dark as a Dungeon" - which all drew inspiration from the struggles of coal miners - Travis, who died in 1983, is also celebrated as the developer of a unique thumb-picking guitar-playing style eventually dubbed "Travis pickin.'" A 2016 KET Production.

  • Monday June 22, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 22, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday June 22, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 22, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 24, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 24, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 24, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 24, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday June 25, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 24, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday June 25, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday June 25, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Friday June 26, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday June 26, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY

Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame Ceremony 2016 - S7 E3

Premiered On: 03/21/2016

The 2016 induction ceremony honors Bobbie Ann Mason, James Lane Allen, Harlan Hubbard, Alice Hegan Rice, and Jean Ritchie. A 2016 KET Production.

  • Monday June 29, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 29, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday June 29, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 29, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 1, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 1, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 1, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 1, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday July 2, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 1, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday July 2, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday July 2, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Friday July 3, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday July 3, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY

Kentucky by Design: Kentucky Muse - S8 E1

Premiered On: 01/26/2017

The program explores Kentucky's contributions to The Index of American Design, a Federal Art Project work relief program established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to document what was uniquely American about utilitarian art in this country. A 2017 KET Production.

  • Thursday July 2, 2026 5:30 am ET on KET
  • Thursday July 2, 2026 4:30 am CT on KET

Eighty-Eight Keys, Three Hundred Years - S3 E1

Premiered On: 11/01/2009

This celebration of the 300th anniversary of the piano features Dr. Diane Earle of Kentucky Wesleyan and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra. Earle tells about the history of the instrument and performs piano works by a variety of composers. A 2009 KET production.

  • Monday July 6, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday July 6, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday July 6, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday July 6, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday July 9, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday July 9, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday July 9, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Friday July 10, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday July 10, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY

Harry Pickens: In the Garden of Music - S3 E2

Premiered On: 05/02/2010

Louisville pianist Harry Pickens performs a variety of selections of jazz and original pieces and shares his ideas on music and its ability to bring people together. A 2010 KET production.

  • Monday July 6, 2026 3:30 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday July 6, 2026 2:30 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday July 6, 2026 11:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday July 6, 2026 10:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 1:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 12:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 5:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 4:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday July 9, 2026 12:30 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 8, 2026 11:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday July 9, 2026 11:30 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday July 9, 2026 10:30 am CT on KETKY
  • Friday July 10, 2026 7:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday July 10, 2026 6:30 pm CT on KETKY

Joe Molinaro: Hands in Clay - S3 E3

Premiered On: 05/09/2010

Follow Kentucky ceramics artist Joe Molinaro as he works in his pottery studio, teaches students at Eastern Kentucky University, and studies indigenous pottery in South America. A 2010 KET production.

  • Monday July 13, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday July 13, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday July 13, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday July 13, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY

Painting with Glass - S4 E1

Premiered On: 10/24/2010

This documentary by Seattle independent producer Marc C. Pingry follows the creation of Kentucky stained-glass artist Guy Kemper's large public art commission for a major light rail station in Seattle. From Kemper's Woodford County design studio to German fabrication plant visits, to the installation and opening, the process is followed from conception to completion. A 2010 KET Production.

  • Monday July 13, 2026 3:30 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday July 13, 2026 2:30 am CT on KETKY
  • Monday July 13, 2026 11:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday July 13, 2026 10:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 15, 2026 1:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday July 15, 2026 12:30 pm CT on KETKY
Jump to Upcoming Airdates

Recent

Kentucky by Design: Kentucky Muse - S8 E1

  • Wednesday June 10, 2026 3:30 am ET on KET
  • Wednesday June 10, 2026 2:30 am CT on KET
  • Monday June 8, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KET
  • Monday June 8, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KET

Actors Theatre of Louisville - S6 E4

  • Friday June 12, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday June 12, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday June 11, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday June 11, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Thursday June 11, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 10, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 10, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 10, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 10, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 10, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Monday June 8, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 8, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Monday June 8, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 8, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY

Merle Travis: Guitar Man - S7 E2

  • Sunday June 7, 2026 3:00 am ET on KET
  • Sunday June 7, 2026 2:00 am CT on KET
  • Friday June 5, 2026 10:00 pm ET on KET
  • Friday June 5, 2026 9:00 pm CT on KET

Of Hands and Hearts: The Kentucky Guild of Artists - S6 E1

  • Friday June 5, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday June 5, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday June 4, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday June 4, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Thursday June 4, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 3, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 3, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 3, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 3, 2026 1:53 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday June 3, 2026 12:53 pm CT on KETKY
  • Monday June 1, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 1, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Monday June 1, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday June 1, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY

Wendy Whelan: Moments of Grace - S5 E2

  • Friday May 29, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday May 29, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday May 28, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday May 28, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Thursday May 28, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 27, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 27, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 27, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 27, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 27, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Monday May 25, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday May 25, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Monday May 25, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday May 25, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY

Tracks of Imagination - S5 E1

  • Friday May 22, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday May 22, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday May 21, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday May 21, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Thursday May 21, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 20, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 20, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 20, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 20, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 20, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Monday May 18, 2026 10:30 pm ET on KETKY
  • Monday May 18, 2026 9:30 pm CT on KETKY
  • Monday May 18, 2026 3:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Monday May 18, 2026 2:00 am CT on KETKY

Tin Can Buddha: Shades of Blue - S4 E3

  • Friday May 15, 2026 7:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Friday May 15, 2026 6:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Thursday May 14, 2026 11:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Thursday May 14, 2026 10:00 am CT on KETKY
  • Thursday May 14, 2026 12:00 am ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 13, 2026 11:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 13, 2026 5:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 13, 2026 4:00 pm CT on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 13, 2026 1:00 pm ET on KETKY
  • Wednesday May 13, 2026 12:00 pm CT on KETKY
Top

Explore KET