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Being one of the few African American women to make it to this level in a classical ballet company, the level of American Ballet Theatre, takes a lot of perseverance.

From Misty Copeland

Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance is incredible. It takes a lot to make it through and keep the same energy throughout the entire performance.

From Misty Copeland

I think all dancers are control freaks a bit. We just want to be in control of ourselves and our bodies. That's just what the ballet structure, I think, kind of puts inside of you.

From Misty Copeland

If I'm put in a situation where I am not really sure what's going to happen, it can be overwhelming. I get a bit anxious.

From Misty Copeland

Before dance came into my life, I don't really remember having any major goals or dreams of wanting to be anything.

From Misty Copeland

Ballet was this thing that just felt so innate in me, like I was meant to be doing this.

From Misty Copeland

I wake up every morning, and I go to ballet class no matter what's going on the night before. That's my priority, and that's what makes me feel sane and not removed from the realities of my world.

From Misty Copeland

I would have young dancers come to me and ask me questions and want to know what my experiences were like: 'What's it like being a black dancer?' So I just felt like it was necessary for me to share my experiences with them.

From Misty Copeland

It's going to take a while before we see a real shift in the students and the dancers that are going into professional companies because it takes so many years of training, but I do think that there's a new crop of dancers, of minority dancers that are entering into the ballet world.

From Misty Copeland

At least in my performances, the audience has become so diverse in a way that I don't think ballet has ever experienced.

From Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland

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