---
title: "98 Dance Quotes By Misty Copeland"
description: "Dance quotes by Misty Copeland describe humble beginnings, perseverance, and the humility that comes from daily ballet practice."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d98/misty-copeland-2012_dance_my-goal-has-always-been-to-be-a-principa_2878562.png"
---

> [My goal has always been to be a principal dancer with ABT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-goal-has-always-been-to-be-a-principal-dancer-with-abt/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d98/misty-copeland-2012_dance_my-goal-has-always-been-to-be-a-principa_2878562.png)

> [Don't hold on to the barre like, 'I might die.' It's just ballet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/don-t-hold-on-to-the-barre-like-i-might-die-it-s-just-ballet/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/023/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_don-t-hold-on-to-the-barre-like-i-might_1872441.png)

> [Finding ballet was like finding this missing piece of myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/finding-ballet-was-like-finding-this-missing-piece-of-myself/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_finding-ballet-was-like-finding-this-mis_2867517.png)

> [I want to share the ballet world with everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-want-to-share-the-ballet-world-with-everyone/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-want-to-share-the-ballet-world-with-ev_1543401.png)

> [The higher you go up in rank, usually the longer you can dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-higher-you-go-up-in-rank-usually-the-longer-you-can-dance/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/739/misty-copeland-2012_dance_the-higher-you-go-up-in-rank-usually-the_3157940.png)

> [Every time I dance, I'm trying to prove myself to myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/every-time-i-dance-i-m-trying-to-prove-myself-to-myself/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afd/misty-copeland-2012_dance_every-time-i-dance-i-m-trying-to-prove-m_3112995.png)

> [As a child, I had been told that I was exactly what a ballerina should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/as-a-child-i-had-been-told-that-i-was-exactly-what-a-ballerina-should/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ab3/misty-copeland-2012_ballerina_as-a-child-i-had-been-told-that-i-was-ex_1460949.png)

> [Ballet.something pure in this crazy world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/ballet-something-pure-in-this-crazy-world/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7fd/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_ballet-something-pure-in-this-crazy-worl_2443562.png)

> [I'm a classical ballet dancer, and at the end of the day I want to be with American Ballet Theater, performing classical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-m-a-classical-ballet-dancer-and-at-the-end-of-the-day-i-want-to-be/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d4/misty-copeland-2012_and-at-the-end-of-th_i-m-a-classical-ballet-dancer-and-at-the_1986124.png)

> [I want to bring awareness to the lack of diversity in ballet, and feel like that's a large part of my purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-want-to-bring-awareness-to-the-lack-of-diversity-in-ballet-and-feel/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/70f/misty-copeland-2012_awareness_i-want-to-bring-awareness-to-the-lack-of_1675061.png)

> [The ballet world I don't think is an art form that is quick to change or to adjust or evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-ballet-world-i-don-t-think-is-an-art-form-that-is-quick-to-change/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08c/misty-copeland-2012_adjust_the-ballet-world-i-don-t-think-is-an-art_692142.png)

> [I think that having a platform and having a voice to be seen by people beyond the classical ballet world has really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-that-having-a-platform-and-having-a-voice-to-be-seen-by/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/29e/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-think-that-having-a-platform-and-havin_1203463.png)

> [Ballet was this thing that just felt so innate in me, like I was meant to be doing this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/ballet-was-this-thing-that-just-felt-so-innate-in-me-like-i-was-meant/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f1/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_ballet-was-this-thing-that-just-felt-so_2805698.png)

> [I believe that I definitely developed into a refined and graceful woman due to ballet. It has shaped me in every way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-believe-that-i-definitely-developed-into-a-refined-and-graceful/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56d/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-believe-that-i-definitely-developed-in_1042417.png)

> [In a ballet company, you're trying to create unison and uniform when you're in a cour de ballet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/in-a-ballet-company-you-re-trying-to-create-unison-and-uniform-when/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_in-a-ballet-company-you-re-trying-to-cre_995682.png)

> [I will never be the best dancer or artist. I will be growing until the day I retire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-will-never-be-the-best-dancer-or-artist-i-will-be-growing-until-the/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/69d/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-will-never-be-the-best-dancer-or-artis_585533.png)

> [I never knew I wanted to become a ballerina. I was discovered at the age of 13. I had a love for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-never-knew-i-wanted-to-become-a-ballerina-i-was-discovered-at-the/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d61/misty-copeland-2012_age_i-never-knew-i-wanted-to-become-a-baller_3082763.png)

> [Growing up, I was surrounded by R&B and Hip-Hop, and the closest thing I could find to dance was gymnastics which I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/growing-up-i-was-surrounded-by-r-b-and-hip-hop-and-the-closest-thing/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e36/misty-copeland-2012_dance_growing-up-i-was-surrounded-by-r-b-and-h_982268.png)

> [ Everything I was being shown was ABT, so I grew up watching these videos of \[Mikhail\] Baryshnikov, Gelsey \[Kirkland\] and Paloma \[Herrera\].… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/everything-i-was-being-shown-was-abt-so-i-grew-up-watching-these/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68e/misty-copeland-2012_angel_everything-i-was-being-shown-was-abt-so_802757.png)

> [Ballet was exactly what I was searching for, but my environment definitely made me the dancer and the person that I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/ballet-was-exactly-what-i-was-searching-for-but-my-environment/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dfc/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_ballet-was-exactly-what-i-was-searching_2184033.png)

> [Ballet found me, I guess you could say. I was discovered by a teacher in middle school. I always danced my whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/ballet-found-me-i-guess-you-could-say-i-was-discovered-by-a-teacher/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/014/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_ballet-found-me-i-guess-you-could-say-i_1309306.png)

> [My family didn't have very much money, so ballet wasn't even on my radar; I just found it randomly when I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-family-didn-t-have-very-much-money-so-ballet-wasn-t-even-on-my/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a43/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_my-family-didn-t-have-very-much-money-so_2059468.jpg)

> [I feel like I represent every young dancer, and even non-dancer, who felt they were not accepted by the ballet world. I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-feel-like-i-represent-every-young-dancer-and-even-non-dancer-who/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c6/misty-copeland-2012_accepted_i-feel-like-i-represent-every-young-danc_2437379.png)

> [What you put into your body is just as important as how hard you dance. I believe with the right training and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/what-you-put-into-your-body-is-just-as-important-as-how-hard-you/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b8/misty-copeland-2012_believe_what-you-put-into-your-body-is-just-as-i_1858993.png)

> [Just as a child, before I ever knew what ballet was, there was something in me where I was always searching for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/just-as-a-child-before-i-ever-knew-what-ballet-was-there-was/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_just-as-a-child-before-i-ever-knew-what_2588467.png)

> [I think most people don't really understand all that it takes to stand on your toes, and to be able to jump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-most-people-don-t-really-understand-all-that-it-takes-to/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/misty-copeland-2012_able_i-think-most-people-don-t-really-underst_2977145.jpg)

> [To have a platform like So You Think You Can Dance, where you're reaching this audience that's been created over the 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/to-have-a-platform-like-so-you-think-you-can-dance-where-you-re/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ead/misty-copeland-2012_air_to-have-a-platform-like-so-you-think-you_933121.png)

> [I absolutely love what I do. And I want to dance for as long as I can and feel good about what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-absolutely-love-what-i-do-and-i-want-to-dance-for-as-long-as-i-can-2/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48a/misty-copeland-2012_aurora_i-absolutely-love-what-i-do-and-i-want-t_2402849.png)

> [Ballet was so structured. I'd been craving something that could guide me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/ballet-was-so-structured-i-d-been-craving-something-that-could-guide/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_ballet-was-so-structured-i-d-been-cravin_1814875.png)

> [My curves became an integral part of who I am as a dancer, not something I needed to lose to become one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-curves-became-an-integral-part-of-who-i-am-as-a-dancer-not/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b60/misty-copeland-2012_curves_my-curves-became-an-integral-part-of-who_1550336.png)

> [It takes a lot of money to be a part of the ballet world. Both the training and the supplies are expensive,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/it-takes-a-lot-of-money-to-be-a-part-of-the-ballet-world-both-the/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/161/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-takes-a-lot-of-money-to-be-a-part-of_2789497.png)

> [It's all so surreal, and I'm living my dream. And you know, principal or not, I'm getting to dance all the roles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/it-s-all-so-surreal-and-i-m-living-my-dream-and-you-know-principal-or/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c8/misty-copeland-2012_dance_it-s-all-so-surreal-and-i-m-living-my-dr_2709884.png)

> [I think that I'm so fortunate to have found classical ballet. It completely changed my life and it shaped the person that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-that-i-m-so-fortunate-to-have-found-classical-ballet-it/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cad/misty-copeland-2012_and-off_i-think-that-i-m-so-fortunate-to-have-fo_2763551.jpg)

> [I absolutely love what I do, and I want to dance for as long as I can and feel good about what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-absolutely-love-what-i-do-and-i-want-to-dance-for-as-long-as-i-can/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e6/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-absolutely-love-what-i-do-and-i-want-t_1536307.png)

> [Before dance came into my life, I don't really remember having any major goals or dreams of wanting to be anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/before-dance-came-into-my-life-i-don-t-really-remember-having-any/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/misty-copeland-2012_dance_before-dance-came-into-my-life-i-don-t-r_2653781.jpg)

> [My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-first-ballet-class-was-on-a-basketball-court-i-m-in-my-gym-clothes-2/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/442/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_my-first-ballet-class-was-on-a-basketbal_2694962.png)

> [It's a European art form, and you're used to seeing a certain type of person as a ballerina. And I don't look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/it-s-a-european-art-form-and-you-re-used-to-seeing-a-certain-type-of/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bc/misty-copeland-2012_art_it-s-a-european-art-form-and-you-re-used_675491.png)

> [I learned how to communicate and articulate myself from ballet. It's just insane to me, when they don't think of that as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-learned-how-to-communicate-and-articulate-myself-from-ballet-it-s/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/408/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-learned-how-to-communicate-and-articul_2511473.png)

> [Hopefully, I'll be a part of ABT, in some way, forever. I think I'll always be a part of ballet and try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/hopefully-i-ll-be-a-part-of-abt-in-some-way-forever-i-think-i-ll/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f7c/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_hopefully-i-ll-be-a-part-of-abt-in-some_2567738.png)

> [I never thought of myself as special or particularly good at anything. But once I started ballet, suddenly I had a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-never-thought-of-myself-as-special-or-particularly-good-at-anything/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-never-thought-of-myself-as-special-or_816322.png)

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## More by Misty Copeland

> [I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps, but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-traced-the-marley-floor-with-my-pointe-shoes-and-imagine-myself-on/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-california-to-train-at-a-more/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/to-be-empathetic-to-everyone-around-you-i-think-is-such-a-powerful/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-first-ballet-class-was-on-a-basketball-court-i-m-in-my-gym-clothes/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/there-are-muscles-that-we-have-in-our-feet-that-most-human-beings-don/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/be-strong-be-fearless-be-beautiful-and-believe-that-anything-is/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If anything she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-woman-represents-ballet-she-is-most-important-powerful-and-vital/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/if-i-m-put-in-a-situation-where-i-am-not-really-sure-what-s-going-to/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-never-experienced-getting-nervous-on-stage-i-think-i-was-most/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-word-prodigy-was-thrown-around-a-lot-but-i-didn-t-understand-what/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-that-the-ideal-physique-and-look-of-a-ballerina-is-always/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-through-a-ballet-like-swan-lake/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/perseverance-has-always-just-been-something-that-was-in-me-and-it-was/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-was-17-when-i-moved-to-nyc-i-m-now-32-but-i-do-know-i-can-t-see/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

> [I grew up poor in San Pedro, California, sleeping on the floor of shady motels with my five siblings and not always sure when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-grew-up-poor-in-san-pedro-california-sleeping-on-the-floor-of-shady/)

[Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/)

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                        "text": "Everything I was being shown was ABT, so I grew up watching these videos of [Mikhail] Baryshnikov, Gelsey [Kirkland] and Paloma [Herrera]. Paloma and Angel [Corella] were the first people I ever saw dance live.",
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                        "text": "Ballet was exactly what I was searching for, but my environment definitely made me the dancer and the person that I am today. And the Hip-Hop culture was a big part of it.",
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                        "text": "Ballet found me, I guess you could say. I was discovered by a teacher in middle school. I always danced my whole life. I never had any training, never was exposed to seeing dance, but I always had something inside of me. I would love to choreograph and dance around.",
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                        "text": "My family didn't have very much money, so ballet wasn't even on my radar; I just found it randomly when I was 13 at a Boys & Girls Club. We were practicing in a basketball court in gym clothes with some old socks on. Even though it terrified me at first, I found that I really liked it.",
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                        "text": "I feel like I represent every young dancer, and even non-dancer, who felt they were not accepted by the ballet world. I'd like to think that they can see themselves in me.",
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                        "text": "What you put into your body is just as important as how hard you dance. I believe with the right training and an understanding of how to take care of your body, you can mold it to be whatever you want it to be.",
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                        "text": "Just as a child, before I ever knew what ballet was, there was something in me where I was always searching for something structured, something that was bigger than me, and something so historical that I could be a part of. I didn't find that until I stepped into the ballet world, and it was overwhelming, the feeling of being a part of something that's bigger than you.",
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                        "text": "I think most people don't really understand all that it takes to stand on your toes, and to be able to jump and land without any noise, or for a male dancer to be able to lift a girl. All of these things look so effortless, but there's an attention to detail and years of training, as well as being able to transform into a character and being able to meld all of those things together.",
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                        "text": "To have a platform like So You Think You Can Dance, where you're reaching this audience that's been created over the 10 years that they've been on the air. People who didn't know anything about dance and aren't going to go to the theater are learning about it, even if it's ballroom and jazz, by just turning their television ono. They're building this audience that's advanced and educated enough to introduce them to ballet.",
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                        "text": "I absolutely love what I do. And I want to dance for as long as I can and feel good about what I'm putting out there on the stage. But my goal has always been to be a principal dancer with ABT. Before I knew that there had never been a black woman, that was always my goal. I wanted to dance Odette-Odile and Kitri and \"Don Quixote\" and Aurora in \"Sleeping Beauty.\" So that's still my goal. But knowing that it's never been done before, I think makes me fight even harder.",
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                        "text": "Ballet was so structured. I'd been craving something that could guide me.",
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                        "text": "My curves became an integral part of who I am as a dancer, not something I needed to lose to become one.",
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