I want to bring awareness to the lack of diversity in ballet, and feel like that's a large part of my purpose. — 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
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
I want the ballet world to be given the respect that it deserves and to be seen by more people - for… — 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
Being one of the few African American women to make it to this level in a classical ballet company, the level of… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet became this escape for me. I feel like I was on my own a lot. I was searching for stability, so… — 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
In the ballet studio, it was such an organized and disciplined environment, like I'd never had in my life. Seeing myself in… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
There are no taking days off. There are no distractions. If I had that, I physically wouldn't be capable of going onstage… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
My career came together very quickly. I only trained for four years before I became a professional, so I didn't have a… — 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
'The Firebird' just symbolizes a lot for me and my career. It was one of the first really big principal roles that… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
My family didn't have very much money, so ballet wasn't even on my radar; I just found it randomly when I was… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I feel like I represent every young dancer, and even non-dancer, who felt they were not accepted by the ballet world. I'd… — 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
That something that I fought so hard for throughout the beginning of my career is I didn't want to pancake my skin… — 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
I wake up every morning, and I go to ballet class no matter what's going on the night before. That's my priority,… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet was exactly what I was searching for, but my environment definitely made me the dancer and the person that I am… — 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
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
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
To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
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
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
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
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
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
I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
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
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
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
Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina. — Misty Copeland Copy Share
I was 17 when I moved to NYC . I'm now 32. But I do know I can't see myself living anywhere else. I… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
I grew up poor in San Pedro, California, sleeping on the floor of shady motels with my five siblings and not always sure when… — Misty Copeland Copy Share
