I don't want to be anything else other than a ballerina. I love what I do outside of my work, but at the end of the day, I have to sacrifice. Misty Copeland ballerinadayend Change image and share on social
Finding ballet was like finding this missing piece of myself. Misty Copeland balletfindmiss Change image and share on social
I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps, but as a principal dancer. It felt right. It felt like a promise. Some day, somehow, it was going to happen for me. Misty Copeland corpsdancerday share on social
In the ballet studio, it was such an organized and disciplined environment, like I'd never had in my life. Seeing myself in the mirror, surrounded by the classical music, that's when I started to fall in love with dance. Misty Copeland balletclassicaldance share on social
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. Misty Copeland audienceenergyexcitement share on social
My curves became an integral part of who I am as a dancer, not something I needed to lose to become one. Misty Copeland curvedancerintegral Change image and share on social
My favorite role of all? Whatever I'm working on in the moment. Misty Copeland favoritemomentrole Change image and share on social
When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York. It all happened so fast - it was pretty unheard of that someone could train for so few years and become a professional at one of the most elite dance companies in the United States. Misty Copeland advanceamericanballet share on social
More often than we realize, people see in us what we don't see in ourselves. Misty Copeland peoplerealize Change image and share on social
Most ballerinas take their first ballet class when they are 5 or 6 years old. I was 13 when I took mine on the basketball court of the San Pedro Boys & Girls Club in California. Misty Copeland ballerinaballetbasketball Change image and share on social