Ballet was so structured. I'd been craving something that could guide me. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
As a child, I had been told that I was exactly what a ballerina should be. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I know that I'm talented, and I know that I'm not in American Ballet Theater because I'm black - I'm here because… — 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
I was on a path. I was going to become a principal dancer. I never let my mind rest. — 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
Dance kind of was always just a part of my natural state as a child. It's something that, whenever music was playing,… — 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
I don't want to be anything else other than a ballerina. I love what I do outside of my work, but at… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
40 years old is about the time a principal dancer would start to think about retirement, but some go on to dance… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I would have young dancers come to me and ask me questions and want to know what my experiences were like: 'What's… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I was the first person in my family who was ever interested in dance, or fine art of any kind for that… — 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
A young girl reached out to me to be her mentor one day, which I didn't really know anything about. What I… — 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 say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path… — 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
It's going to take a while before we see a real shift in the students and the dancers that are going into… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I absolutely love what I do. And I want to dance for as long as I can and feel good about what… — 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 most people don't really understand all that it takes to stand on your toes, and to be able to jump… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Just as a child, before I ever knew what ballet was, there was something in me where I was always searching for… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I'm definitely very careful about the things that I want to be a part of, but it's also important for me to… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
When I was dancing, I felt in control and happy. I'm a Virgo, so I really like to be in control. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
It's hard to be the one that stands out when, you know, in a ballet company, you're trying to create unison and… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Going on stage and transcending the audience and becoming this otherworldly thing makes you a dancer. It's not so black and white. — 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
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
I ended up training only for four years before I was accepted into American Ballet Theater in New York City. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
At least in my performances, the audience has become so diverse in a way that I don't think ballet has ever experienced. — 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
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
I will push myself in different ventures that I believe will make me a better artist, dancer and person. — 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
