---
title: "Best Dance Quotes by Misty Copeland"
description: "98 Dance quotes by Misty Copeland. Plus more from Misty Copeland and more Dance sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-didn-t-care-how-much-work-it-would-tak_684415.png"
---

> [I didn't care how much work it would take, and I didn't see the time invested as a waste or like I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-didn-t-care-how-much-work-it-would-take-and-i-didn-t-see-the-time/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d8/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-didn-t-care-how-much-work-it-would-tak_684415.png)

> [I know that I'll forever be involved in ballet. This is where my life was meant to be, and I don't see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-know-that-i-ll-forever-be-involved-in-ballet-this-is-where-my-life/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b4/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-know-that-i-ll-forever-be-involved-in_988446.png)

> [I will push myself in different ventures that I believe will make me a better artist, dancer and person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-will-push-myself-in-different-ventures-that-i-believe-will-make-me/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aca/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-will-push-myself-in-different-ventures_370003.png)

> [Depending on the level you're at in your company, the higher you go up in rank, usually the longer you can dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/depending-on-the-level-you-re-at-in-your-company-the-higher-you-go-up/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd2/misty-copeland-2012_business_depending-on-the-level-you-re-at-in-your_3166624.png)

> [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/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d06/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_my-first-ballet-class-was-on-a-basketbal_129575.png)

> [At least in my performances, the audience has become so diverse in a way that I don't think ballet has ever experienced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/at-least-in-my-performances-the-audience-has-become-so-diverse-in-a/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/misty-copeland-2012_audience_at-least-in-my-performances-the-audience_3052225.png)

> [I ended up training only for four years before I was accepted into American Ballet Theater in New York City.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-ended-up-training-only-for-four-years-before-i-was-accepted-into/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9a/misty-copeland-2012_accepted_i-ended-up-training-only-for-four-years_1589531.png)

> [40 years old is about the time a principal dancer would start to think about retirement, but some go on to dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/40-years-old-is-about-the-time-a-principal-dancer-would-start-to/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ddc/misty-copeland-2012_dance_40-years-old-is-about-the-time-a-princip_2769455.png)

> [I haven’t come from the typical path or background of someone who would make it to this level as a ballerina. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-haven-t-come-from-the-typical-path-or-background-of-someone-who/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/052/misty-copeland-2012_backgrounds_i-haven-t-come-from-the-typical-path-or_808277.png)

> [The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If…](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/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7e/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_the-woman-represents-ballet-she-is-most_155778.png)

> [When you see the body outside of a costume and see the strength that it takes, people would look at dance a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-you-see-the-body-outside-of-a-costume-and-see-the-strength-that/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc8/misty-copeland-2012_athletic_when-you-see-the-body-outside-of-a-costu_792725.png)

> [That something that I fought so hard for throughout the beginning of my career is I didn't want to pancake my skin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/that-something-that-i-fought-so-hard-for-throughout-the-beginning-of/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/991/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_that-something-that-i-fought-so-hard-for_1917763.png)

> [Most ballerinas take their first ballet class when they are 5 or 6 years old. I was 13 when I took mine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/most-ballerinas-take-their-first-ballet-class-when-they-are-5-or-6/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/942/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_most-ballerinas-take-their-first-ballet_1295752.png)

> [I wake up every morning, and I go to ballet class no matter what's going on the night before. That's my priority,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-wake-up-every-morning-and-i-go-to-ballet-class-no-matter-what-s/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb2/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-wake-up-every-morning-and-i-go-to-ball_3162274.jpg)

> [There are no taking days off. There are no distractions. If I had that, I physically wouldn't be capable of going onstage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/there-are-no-taking-days-off-there-are-no-distractions-if-i-had-that/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15e/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_there-are-no-taking-days-off-there-are-n_2834572.png)

> [How difficult it is to exist, that we are athlete and artist. We have injuries. People don't see the hard side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/how-difficult-it-is-to-exist-that-we-are-athlete-and-artist-we-have/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e2/misty-copeland-2012_art_how-difficult-it-is-to-exist-that-we-are_743882.jpg)

> [I'm definitely very careful about the things that I want to be a part of, but it's also important for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-m-definitely-very-careful-about-the-things-that-i-want-to-be-a-part/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/580/misty-copeland-2012_careful_i-m-definitely-very-careful-about-the-th_2663600.png)

> [Going on stage and transcending the audience and becoming this otherworldly thing makes you a dancer. It's not so black and white.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/going-on-stage-and-transcending-the-audience-and-becoming-this/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/misty-copeland-2012_audience_going-on-stage-and-transcending-the-audi_1529246.png)

> [It's hard to be the one that stands out when, you know, in a ballet company, you're trying to create unison and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/it-s-hard-to-be-the-one-that-stands-out-when-you-know-in-a-ballet/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92f/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-hard-to-be-the-one-that-stands-out_3192463.png)

> [When I was dancing, I felt in control and happy. I'm a Virgo, so I really like to be in control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-dancing-i-felt-in-control-and-happy-i-m-a-virgo-so-i/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/249/misty-copeland-2012_control_when-i-was-dancing-i-felt-in-control-and_3156835.png)

> [The classical ballet world is so exclusive and small, and a lot of people don't know about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-classical-ballet-world-is-so-exclusive-and-small-and-a-lot-of/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4bd/misty-copeland-2012_about_the-classical-ballet-world-is-so-exclusi_1018644.jpg)

> [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/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac6/misty-copeland-2012_always_i-think-that-the-ideal-physique-and-look_183964.png)

> [I don't want to be anything else other than a ballerina. I love what I do outside of my work, but at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-don-t-want-to-be-anything-else-other-than-a-ballerina-i-love-what-i/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24c/misty-copeland-2012_ballerina_i-don-t-want-to-be-anything-else-other-t_2568136.png)

> [Dance kind of was always just a part of my natural state as a child. It's something that, whenever music was playing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/dance-kind-of-was-always-just-a-part-of-my-natural-state-as-a-child/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/84d/misty-copeland-2012_always_dance-kind-of-was-always-just-a-part-of_2529571.png)

> [Ballet is number one, everything else is scheduled in the small windows when I'm not in the studio taking class, rehearsing, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/ballet-is-number-one-everything-else-is-scheduled-in-the-small/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5df/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_ballet-is-number-one-everything-else-is_464335.png)

> [I was on a path. I was going to become a principal dancer. I never let my mind rest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-was-on-a-path-i-was-going-to-become-a-principal-dancer-i-never-let/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d40/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-was-on-a-path-i-was-going-to-become-a_2301709.png)

> [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that-i-m-not-in-american-ballet/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b39/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-know-that-i-m-talented-and-i-know-that_2068683.png)

> [I think I always felt a connection to music and to movement. Growing up, I was surrounded by R&B and Hip-Hop, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-i-always-felt-a-connection-to-music-and-to-movement-growing/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de6/misty-copeland-2012_closest_i-think-i-always-felt-a-connection-to-mu_2044370.png)

> [My body is very different from most of the dancers I dance with. My hair is different than most I dance with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-body-is-very-different-from-most-of-the-dancers-i-dance-with-my/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/969/misty-copeland-2012_ballerina_my-body-is-very-different-from-most-of-t_2053569.png)

> [My career came together very quickly. I only trained for four years before I became a professional, so I didn't have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/my-career-came-together-very-quickly-i-only-trained-for-four-years/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/54d/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_my-career-came-together-very-quickly-i-o_2977547.png)

> [Ballet found me. I was discovered by a teacher in middle school. I always danced, my whole life. I never had any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/ballet-found-me-i-was-discovered-by-a-teacher-in-middle-school-i/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afe/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_ballet-found-me-i-was-discovered-by-a-te_1386149.png)

> [I've always approached my career and my life, you know, one day at a time, as if this was the last day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-ve-always-approached-my-career-and-my-life-you-know-one-day-at-a/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbc/misty-copeland-2012_career_i-ve-always-approached-my-career-and-my_795015.jpg)

> ['The Firebird' just symbolizes a lot for me and my career. It was one of the first really big principal roles that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-firebird-just-symbolizes-a-lot-for-me-and-my-career-it-was-one-of/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/796/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_the-firebird-just-symbolizes-a-lot-for-m_920076.png)

> [I'm definitely influenced by the music. We dance to music, and you have to listen to it and phrase your dancing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-m-definitely-influenced-by-the-music-we-dance-to-music-and-you-have/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01a/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-m-definitely-influenced-by-the-music-w_433125.png)

> [I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps,…](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/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-traced-the-marley-floor-with-my-pointe_22107.jpg)

> [Finding ballet gave me passion for the first time in my life. I was always very shy and just wanted to fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/finding-ballet-gave-me-passion-for-the-first-time-in-my-life-i-was/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ce/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_finding-ballet-gave-me-passion-for-the-f_1344179.png)

> [I want the ballet world to be given the respect that it deserves and to be seen by more people - for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-want-the-ballet-world-to-be-given-the-respect-that-it-deserves-and/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/840/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-want-the-ballet-world-to-be-given-the_2796147.png)

> [Being one of the few African American women to make it to this level in a classical ballet company, the level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/being-one-of-the-few-african-american-women-to-make-it-to-this-level/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef9/misty-copeland-2012_african-american_being-one-of-the-few-african-american-wo_2501664.png)

> ['The Company' was interesting. I didn't love it, although it might be compelling to someone who isn't a dancer. There wasn't a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/the-company-was-interesting-i-didn-t-love-it-although-it-might-be/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9f/misty-copeland-2012_business_the-company-was-interesting-i-didn-t-lov_2038021.jpg)

> [Ballet became this escape for me. I feel like I was on my own a lot. I was searching for stability, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/ballet-became-this-escape-for-me-i-feel-like-i-was-on-my-own-a-lot-i/)

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

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e12/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_ballet-became-this-escape-for-me-i-feel_2458573.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": "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 I'm a gifted dancer.",
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                        "text": "My body is very different from most of the dancers I dance with. My hair is different than most I dance with. But I didn't let that stop me. Black girls rock and can be ballerinas.",
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                        "text": "'The Firebird' just symbolizes a lot for me and my career. It was one of the first really big principal roles that I was ever given an opportunity to dance with American Ballet Theatre, and it was a huge step for the African-American community, I think, within the classical ballet world.",
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