Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland
Gilda N. Squire (Gildasquire) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Misty Copeland
Caption	Copeland in 2015
Birth date	1982-09-10
Birth place	Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Occupation	Ballet dancer, author, advocate
Years active	1995–present
Employer	American Ballet Theatre
Notable works	Giselle, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty

Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer, author, and cultural figure known for her pioneering role as a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and for her advocacy on diversity in the performing arts. Rising from a community arts program to international prominence, she has been credited with challenging historical norms at major companies such as the New York City Ballet, Royal Ballet, and institutions like the Prix de Lausanne and Bolshoi Ballet through performances, publications, and public appearances. Her career has intersected with figures and organizations including Plácido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and brands such as Under Armour.

Early life and training

Born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in San Pedro, Los Angeles, Copeland began formal dance training after being discovered at a community center program associated with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She trained at institutions including the San Pedro High School arts programs, the Kirov Academy of Ballet affiliate programs, and summer intensives linked to the American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Her early mentors included teachers from companies such as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and former dancers from the Royal Ballet School. Copeland's training involved competitions and showcase performances at venues tied to the Kennedy Center, Jacob's Pillow, and the Lincoln Center.

Professional career

Copeland joined the American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company before being promoted to the corps de ballet and later to soloist and principal dancer ranks, becoming the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer at ABT since its founding. Her career trajectory included guest appearances with companies such as the San Francisco Ballet, the Paris Opéra Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet, and collaborative projects with choreographers from the Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Twyla Tharp, and Justin Peck. She worked with artistic directors including Kevin McKenzie, Alexei Ratmansky, and Mikhail Baryshnikov in repertory staging and new commissions. Copeland's presence extended to festivals and venues such as the Savage Dance Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and televised events including the Kennedy Center Honors and the Tony Awards.

Major roles and performances

Her repertory encompasses canonical and contemporary roles such as the title role in Giselle, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Kitri in Don Quixote, and principal parts in works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Alexei Ratmansky. She has performed in signature productions staged at the Metropolitan Opera House, Royal Opera House, Mariinsky Theatre, and for tours with the American Ballet Theatre in cities like Tokyo, London, Paris, Moscow, and Sydney. Copeland has originated roles in new ballets by choreographers such as Christopher Wheeldon, William Forsythe, and Alvin Ailey affiliates, and collaborated on cross-disciplinary pieces with artists including John Legend, Alicia Keys, and Lang Lang.

Awards and honors

Copeland's recognition includes honors from institutions and awards such as the Princess Grace Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, and listings in Time (magazine)'s covers and year-end lists. She has received honorary degrees and fellowships from universities like Princeton University, Yale University, and arts organizations including the Kennedy Center and the CalArts. Media outlets and cultural organizations such as Vanity Fair, People (magazine), and The New York Times have profiled her work; she has been named among influential lists compiled by Forbes and Essence (magazine). Additional accolades include awards from dance-specific bodies like the Dance Magazine Awards and recognition from philanthropic organizations such as the United Service Organizations.

Media, publications, and endorsements

Copeland authored memoirs and children's books published by major houses; notable titles include a memoir published with Doubleday and children's books in collaboration with publishers associated with Penguin Random House. She has appeared on television programs including Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and 60 Minutes, and in documentary projects with networks like PBS and HBO. Her commercial endorsements have included campaigns with Under Armour, collaborations with fashion houses and retailers such as Balmain and Coach (company), and partnerships with arts funding initiatives linked to National Endowment for the Arts programs. Copeland has participated in photographic features shot by photographers affiliated with Vogue (magazine), Harper's Bazaar, and GQ.

Advocacy and outreach

Copeland has engaged in advocacy work through initiatives promoting access to classical ballet and arts education, partnering with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Turnaround Arts, and the National Dance Institute. She has supported scholarship programs and community outreach with institutions like the American Ballet Theatre's outreach wing and educational partnerships with universities including Columbia University and New York University. Her public speaking and testimony include appearances at forums hosted by United Nations-affiliated cultural programs, panels at TED Conferences, and events organized by civic leaders including Mayor of New York City offices and cultural ministries in countries she has toured. Copeland's advocacy extends to collaborations with nonprofits focused on racial equity in the arts and mentorship programs linked to foundations such as the Ford Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Personal life

Copeland's personal life has intersected with public roles, including collaborations with artistic partners and her marriage, family relationships, and residence in New York City. She has been involved in health and fitness initiatives and worked with trainers and physiotherapists tied to medical institutions such as Hospital for Special Surgery and Mount Sinai Health System. Copeland has shared aspects of family background and adoption discussions in her writings and public interviews, and she continues to maintain ties to community organizations in Los Angeles and San Pedro, Los Angeles.

Category:American ballerinas Category:People from Kansas City, Missouri