Author

'The Firebird' just symbolizes a lot for me and my career. It was one of the first really big principal roles that I was ever given an opportunity to dance with American Ballet Theatre, and it was a huge step for the African-American community, I think, within the classical ballet world.

From Misty Copeland

It's hard to be the one that stands out when, you know, in a ballet company, you're trying to create unison and uniform when you're in a corps de ballet.

From Misty Copeland

When people meet me in person, they're usually surprised at how petite I am because there's this idea that because I'm black, I just look a certain way.

From Misty Copeland

Depending on the level you're at in your company, the higher you go up in rank, usually the longer you can dance.

From Misty Copeland

I think that having a platform and having a voice to be seen by people beyond the classical ballet world has really been my power, I feel.

From Misty Copeland

Being the only African American at this level in American Ballet Theater, I feel like people are looking at me, and it's my responsibility for me to do whatever I can to provide these opportunities in communities to be able to educate them.

From Misty Copeland

It's a European art form, and you're used to seeing a certain type of person as a ballerina. And I don't look like a lot of the girls around me.

From Misty Copeland

I love heels. I'm 5-foot-2, and I like feeling tall.

From Misty Copeland

Something happens when you feel that energy and excitement from the audience. And you do, I don't know, four pirouettes. You jump higher than you ever have. And it's just this really magical thing that happens in those moments.

From Misty Copeland

My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing called ballet. I didn't know anything about it.

From Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland

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