When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character -… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Being in ballet class, being on the stage, being surrounded by my peers at American Ballet Theater every day, keeps me so… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Going on stage and doing ballet, for the first time, was even more verification of, "This is what I'm meant to do.… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet is number one, everything else is scheduled in the small windows when I'm not in the studio taking class, rehearsing, on… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
It's weird for minorities even just to buy tickets to the ballet. We feel like it's not a part of our lives… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I wanted to open the dialogue about race in ballet and bring more people in. It's just beautiful to see the interest… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I didn't care how much work it would take, and I didn't see the time invested as a waste or like I… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The ballet world I don't think is an art form that is quick to change or to adjust or evolve. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
It's hard to change someone's ideas when they might not even really consciously know that they're being racist, or have racist ideas,… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I never thought of myself as special or particularly good at anything. But once I started ballet, suddenly I had a new… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
To have a platform like So You Think You Can Dance, where you're reaching this audience that's been created over the 10… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think all dancers are control freaks a bit. We just want to be in control of ourselves and our bodies. That's… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I know that I'll forever be involved in ballet. This is where my life was meant to be, and I don't see… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
In a ballet company, you're trying to create unison and uniform when you're in a cour de ballet. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The classical ballet world is so exclusive and small, and a lot of people don't know about it. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I believe that I definitely developed into a refined and graceful woman due to ballet. It has shaped me in every way. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I don't feel like my life is that of a superstar! Every day I wake up, I take the train, I go… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think that having a platform and having a voice to be seen by people beyond the classical ballet world has really… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Most ballerinas take their first ballet class when they are 5 or 6 years old. I was 13 when I took mine… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet found me, I guess you could say. I was discovered by a teacher in middle school. I always danced my whole… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Finding ballet gave me passion for the first time in my life. I was always very shy and just wanted to fit… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet found me. I was discovered by a teacher in middle school. I always danced, my whole life. I never had any… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps, but as… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing called ballet. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
There are muscles that we have in our feet that most human beings don't even know that we have. The strength that we have… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If anything she… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
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… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The word "prodigy" was thrown around a lot, but I didn't understand what that meant, or the weight of it. It didn't really mean… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
