Kistler was born in Riverside, California, the fifth child (with four older brothers) of a medical doctor and his wife.

Her brothers excelled in amateur wrestling, and she followed them into water-skiing, basketball, football and horseback riding.

Signature roles include Balanchine's Jewels (Diamonds), Agon, Prodigal Son and Symphony in C. She danced the rôle of the Sugarplum Fairy in City Ballet's 1993 film version of The Nutcracker.

Throughout her career, she had numerous dance-related injuries, including a broken ankle that sidelined her for three years.

[5][7] When she next performed in a ballet two days later, she reportedly wore heavy makeup to conceal bruises she had suffered.