Dancer Spotlight - Misty Copeland

After only three months of ballet classes, Misty Copeland was en pointe. Ballet prodigy Misty Copeland was born on September 10th, 1982 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was raised in San Pedro, California. In her younger years, Copeland faced many rocky patterns, as her parents were divorced and lived in various home scenarios— from her step father being divorced and living with her mother’s boyfriends. However, Copeland’s resilience still made her an ambitious and intelligent child. Despite starting her ballet studies late at the age of thirteen, Copeland proved to hold a magnitude of talent. Although ballet studies were always hard to maintain due to her family’s lifestyle, many people believed in Copeland’s talent and have helped keep her dreams alive. Copeland started her ballet studies at the Lauridsen Ballet Center, then at San Francisco Ballet School, and at the American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Investive on a full scholarship. Soon after, her efforts proved fruitful. In 2000, Copeland joined the American Ballet Theater and in August of 2007 was appointed as a Soloist. In 2008, she was the only African American ballerina in the company. Since 2015, she has been a Principal Dancer. Copeland is passionate and proud of her role as an African American dancer in the predominantly white world of ballet. One of her biggest achievements was being the first African American to star in New York’s Swan Lake— one of the most prestigious ballerina roles. Copeland says “My fears are that it could be another two decades before another black woman is in the position that I hold with an elite ballet company… if I don't rise to principal, people will feel I have failed them." Copeland stands as a sign of hope and power for young Blacks and People of Color for the future of diversity in the arts.