A cramped motel room housed eight family members. Quiet was seldom found, but a thirteen-year-old girl managed to find her own space amongst the chaos. Alone, she would dance around to Mariah Carey, or in her words, “create movement.”
Her love for movement found a home on the American Ballet Theatre stage. Misty Copeland, the first African-American woman to be named principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, discovered herself through traditional dance.
For Copeland, ballet expands beyond a form of dance, empowering her to not only shatter barriers for dancers of all races, shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds, but find her purpose and broadcast her journey’s teachings.
Dancing revolutionized Copeland’s lifestyle, “I’m constantly trying to share with people what ballet has done for me. It changed the path of my life… and made me the woman that I am today."
En pointe in a new direction
Copeland has molded into the inspiration she, or any dancer before her, never had, presenting the opportunity to communicate what her career has taught her.
“Whenever I mentor children, I want them to understand that they are individuals. Being an individual separates you from everyone else. It’s a beautiful thing when you don’t try to be anyone but you,” Copeland said.
Copeland’s message has become rooted in the hearts of dancers and is often seen in action. Dance Instead, a Toledo organization that highlights the positive influence of dancing, reflects Copeland’s spirit.
Jada Boles, senior at Toledo School for the Arts, is the spokesperson and founder of Dance Instead. “Dance Instead is about using dance to overcome things like drugs, alcohol and other distractions. We… put those things aside for dance,” Boles said. She has been dancing for fifteen years.
Also an African-American ballerina, Boles idolizes Copeland, “Obviously I look up to her as a role model because we are both dancers. She overcame the stereotypical ballet image.”
On Sunday, July 26, Copeland will bring her grace to Maumee High School for “A Conversation with Misty”.
Success against the odds
Copeland’s first exposure to ballet was a free class at The Boys and Girls Club. In just four years, Copeland transcended from living in a disadvantaged environment with no dance experience to becoming one of the most recognized ballerinas in the country.
Race was not a concern in her childhood ballet studios, but when Copeland first arrived at ABT in 2000, she was the only black ballerina in a company of eighty. With no black ballerina to follow as a role model, isolation in a ballet studio was an uncomfortable new feeling.
“I never felt out of place or different in ballet class as a child. I don’t know if at the time a black ballerina as a role model would have had an impact on my life,” Copeland said. “But definitely in my professional career. It would have given me confidence when I doubted whether this was my path or not.”
Additionally, Copeland’s curvy figure challenged the typical image of the tall, thin ballerina. And at 19, she was still underdeveloped, physically and emotionally. So what powered her perseverance? “[Ballet] gave me confidence and a voice.”
Inspiration to all
Dancers listen to Copeland’s voice. “[She] sends the message that dancing is for all shapes and sizes. Her coming out like that makes people stronger about themselves… and want to dance even more,” Boles said.
Misty Copeland has shown the world that ballet has power. It serves as heartening artistry to anyone, both dancer or audience member.
“Ballet is such a beautiful art that hasn’t been turned away. Even if you’re not a ballet dancer, you look up to it because it’s so beautiful. It’s something that I’ll always keep close to my heart,” Boles said.
Copeland agrees. “It’s important for a child to have that opportunity. [Ballet] enriches a child’s life. It is a beautiful thing that everyone should experience, whether or not they chose that path.”
“A Conversation with Misty” will be held on Sunday, July 26 at 6pm, featuring a book signing and Q&A session. $20/at door, also available online. Maumee High School, 1147 Saco St., Maumee. danceinstead.com.
