A Natural Talent
Misty Copeland is an inspiration for girls because of her journey as an African American ballerina. A woman renowned for becoming the first African American female principal dancer, her life-changing story has become an important turning point in America’s history revolving around ballet. Her story not only shows teens that they can pursue their goals, but her beautiful and talented performances show her perseverance and strength. Copeland’s struggle with body image and racial inequality throughout her career has been inspiring and empowering for me because it shows that anyone can defy the odds.
 |
| Misty Copeland starring in "Swan Lake" with James Whiteside. |
She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to San Pedro, California with her family when she was young. Misty Copeland was one of six children living with her single mother in a motel when she attended her first dance lesson at the age of thirteen years old. Copeland’s story began when her coach noticed her flair on the middle school drill team. Her coach suggested Copeland should take ballet classes at a Boys and Girls Club. She took this advice and attended classes that were taught by Cynthia Bradley, who quickly saw Copeland’s talent as well. She first practiced at the Lauridsen Ballet Center and the San Francisco Ballet school. On a full scholarship, Copeland studied at the American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive summer program and had been named the National Coca-Cola Scholar in 2000. This scholarship recognizes high school seniors’ ability to be leaders and serve in their school and community. Although she started much later than most ballerinas, her resilience and natural aptitude sent her to the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in 2000 where she later joined the corps de ballet in April of 2001.
 |
She was first given a role as a Soloist in the company in 2007. In 2008, she received the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the performing arts which is a program that offers assistance for young artists who are confident in becoming role models for their generation. A few of her significant performances were where she played the leading role in The Firebird in 2012 and the dual role in Swan Lake of 2014. She had been titled the National Youth of the Year Ambassador for the Boys & Girls Club in 2013 and was named a Principal Dancer, the highest rank with the American Ballet Theatre in 2015. Copeland found an interest in expanding ballet’s diversity and coaching aspiring dancers of color. When she first came to New York to train at one of the most esteemed companies, she could not shake the feeling of alienation. In an interview at WeWork in New York City, Ms. Copeland explains to her audience, "There was a slew of black women that came into my life…and [had allowed] me to believe though there was no one around me in my world that looks like me I still can succeed with their support. And I was introduced to so many black women that were the first in their field and it was really important for me to see that. We don’t know in history that black women, from the beginning of time in ballet, have been told to lighten their skin, and to shade their nose in a certain way to look white.” She noticed other dancers, who were white, with her similar body type but had never faced any adverse reaction. Copeland strongly felt that there was a certain language that was sanctioned because “[ballet] is a subjective art form, it’s about your aesthetic, and it is so easy just to tell someone you do not have the right body.” Although her years at the American Ballet Theatre had its peaks and valleys, Misty Copeland had found that her experiences could be a way for her to advocate for equity and empower young people. To further share her story, she became the author of the best-selling and prizewinning memoir for her book, Life in Motion, where she shares her amazing journey, and more recently published in 2020, Bunheads, a children’s book praising one’s love for ballet. It is about a girl named "Misty" who goes to her first ballet class and is pushed by her classmates to never give up. Ms. Copeland explained in an interview on PBS NewsHour that it is to, "bring a more authentic and positive experience to how young people experience dance." The book highlights the importance of friendship and encouragement. Misty Copeland continues to perform on stage while also public speaking as a spokesperson for young men and women of color.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Misty-Copeland
Comments
Post a Comment