--- title: "Best Dance Sayings 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/5e7/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_being-in-ballet-class-being-on-the-stage_400180.png" --- > [Being in ballet class, being on the stage, being surrounded by my peers at American Ballet Theater every day, keeps me so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/being-in-ballet-class-being-on-the-stage-being-surrounded-by-my-peers/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_being-in-ballet-class-being-on-the-stage_400180.png) > [In the ballet studio, it was such an organized and disciplined environment, like I'd never had in my life. Seeing myself in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/in-the-ballet-studio-it-was-such-an-organized-and-disciplined/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c1/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_in-the-ballet-studio-it-was-such-an-orga_1803269.png) > [I think most people think of ballerinas as kind of either as a fairytale, far-away thing that's really not attainable, something they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-most-people-think-of-ballerinas-as-kind-of-either-as-a/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb9/misty-copeland-2012_cool_i-think-most-people-think-of-ballerinas_1404085.png) > [I had no idea what I was walking into, and the years and years of hard work it would take. I felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-had-no-idea-what-i-was-walking-into-and-the-years-and-years-of-hard/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c68/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-had-no-idea-what-i-was-walking-into-an_430910.jpg) > [I think American Ballet Theatre is setting that standard now for classical ballet, that you can dream big, and it doesn't matter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-american-ballet-theatre-is-setting-that-standard-now-for/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-think-american-ballet-theatre-is-setti_2124781.png) > [Going on stage and doing ballet, for the first time, was even more verification of, "This is what I'm meant to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/going-on-stage-and-doing-ballet-for-the-first-time-was-even-more/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_going-on-stage-and-doing-ballet-for-the_450820.png) > [What makes people and companies and artistic directors and choreographers interested in working with dancers is the ability to kind of let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/what-makes-people-and-companies-and-artistic-directors-and/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/misty-copeland-2012_ability_what-makes-people-and-companies-and-arti_469506.png) > [When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the…](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/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68c/misty-copeland-2012_american_when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-califo_30901.jpg) > [I think all dancers are control freaks a bit. We just want to be in control of ourselves and our bodies. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-all-dancers-are-control-freaks-a-bit-we-just-want-to-be-in/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a6/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-think-all-dancers-are-control-freaks-a_965638.png) > [I think body-image issues are not just a dancer thing. I think we're much more in tune and aware because the body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-body-image-issues-are-not-just-a-dancer-thing-i-think-we-re/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d3/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-think-body-image-issues-are-not-just-a_952917.png) > [I say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-say-over-and-over-again-that-i-am-just-standing-on-the-shoulders-of/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-say-over-and-over-again-that-i-am-just_3136132.jpg) > [I wanted to open the dialogue about race in ballet and bring more people in. It's just beautiful to see the interest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-wanted-to-open-the-dialogue-about-race-in-ballet-and-bring-more/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88a/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-wanted-to-open-the-dialogue-about-race_670631.png) > [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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/it-s-hard-to-change-someone-s-ideas-when-they-might-not-even-really/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b9/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-hard-to-change-someone-s-ideas-when_743052.png) > [It's going to take a while before we see a real shift in the students and the dancers that are going into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/it-s-going-to-take-a-while-before-we-see-a-real-shift-in-the-students/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a6/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-going-to-take-a-while-before-we-see_3231316.png) > [I would have young dancers come to me and ask me questions and want to know what my experiences were like: 'What's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-would-have-young-dancers-come-to-me-and-ask-me-questions-and-want/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/misty-copeland-2012_ask-questions_i-would-have-young-dancers-come-to-me-an_414093.png) > [I was the first person in my family who was ever interested in dance, or fine art of any kind for that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-was-the-first-person-in-my-family-who-was-ever-interested-in-dance/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-was-the-first-person-in-my-family-who_944725.png) > [A young girl reached out to me to be her mentor one day, which I didn't really know anything about. What I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/a-young-girl-reached-out-to-me-to-be-her-mentor-one-day-which-i-didn/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e34/misty-copeland-2012_alone_a-young-girl-reached-out-to-me-to-be-her_1527183.png) > [Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character -…](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/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-th_299852.jpg) ## Other authors on Dance - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b017/author-martha-graham-64628.jpg) Martha Graham 77 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/martha-graham/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b024/author-twyla-tharp-92503.jpg) Twyla Tharp 70 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/twyla-tharp/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b020/author-robert-gottlieb-79785.jpg) Robert Gottlieb 53 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/robert-gottlieb/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b018/author-mikhail-baryshnikov-68192.jpg) Mikhail Baryshnikov 49 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/mikhail-baryshnikov/) - [Shakti Mohan 45 quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/shakti-mohan/) - [Sergei Polunin 42 quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/sergei-polunin/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b012/author-isadora-duncan-44766.jpg) Isadora Duncan 38 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/isadora-duncan/) - [Justin Peck 37 quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/justin-peck/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b014/author-judith-jamison-54013.jpg) Judith Jamison 36 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/judith-jamison/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b017/author-michaela-deprince-67549.jpg) Michaela DePrince 35 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/michaela-deprince/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b007/author-darcey-bussell-26810.jpg) Darcey Bussell 35 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/darcey-bussell/) - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b010/author-friedrich-nietzsche-36363.jpg) Friedrich Nietzsche 33 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/friedrich-nietzsche/) ## 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/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/misty-copeland/#itemlist", "name": "Best Dance Sayings by Misty Copeland", "numberOfItems": 18, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being in ballet class, being on the stage, being surrounded by my peers at American Ballet Theater every day, keeps me so humble and grounded. Being in ballet class, I feel, is like this meditation for me every morning.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/being-in-ballet-class-being-on-the-stage-being-surrounded-by-my-peers/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_being-in-ballet-class-being-on-the-stage_400180.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_being-in-ballet-class-being-on-the-stage_400180.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_being-in-ballet-class-being-on-the-stage_400180.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Being in ballet class, being on the stage, being surrounded by my peers at American Ballet Theater every…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the ballet studio, it was such an organized and disciplined environment, like I'd never had in my life. Seeing myself in the mirror, surrounded by the classical music, that's when I started to fall in love with dance.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/in-the-ballet-studio-it-was-such-an-organized-and-disciplined/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c1/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_in-the-ballet-studio-it-was-such-an-orga_1803269.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c1/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_in-the-ballet-studio-it-was-such-an-orga_1803269.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c1/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_in-the-ballet-studio-it-was-such-an-orga_1803269.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In the ballet studio, it was such an organized and disciplined environment, like I'd never had in my life…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think most people think of ballerinas as kind of either as a fairytale, far-away thing that's really not attainable, something they can't grasp, or they think of them as European or Russian and kind of their nose up in the air. So, it's cool for me to, like, sit with them and for them to really see themselves as me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-most-people-think-of-ballerinas-as-kind-of-either-as-a/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb9/misty-copeland-2012_cool_i-think-most-people-think-of-ballerinas_1404085.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb9/misty-copeland-2012_cool_i-think-most-people-think-of-ballerinas_1404085.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb9/misty-copeland-2012_cool_i-think-most-people-think-of-ballerinas_1404085.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think most people think of ballerinas as kind of either as a fairytale, far-away thing that's really not…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had no idea what I was walking into, and the years and years of hard work it would take. I felt like an outsider and like it was never going to happen. But even if I would have known, I think I still would have done it. Dancers are perfectionists, and that's what keeps us going and growing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-had-no-idea-what-i-was-walking-into-and-the-years-and-years-of-hard/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c68/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-had-no-idea-what-i-was-walking-into-an_430910.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c68/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-had-no-idea-what-i-was-walking-into-an_430910.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c68/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-had-no-idea-what-i-was-walking-into-an_430910.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I had no idea what I was walking into, and the years and years of hard work it would take. I felt like an…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think American Ballet Theatre is setting that standard now for classical ballet, that you can dream big, and it doesn't matter what you look like, where you come from, what your background is.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-american-ballet-theatre-is-setting-that-standard-now-for/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-think-american-ballet-theatre-is-setti_2124781.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-think-american-ballet-theatre-is-setti_2124781.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a7/misty-copeland-2012_american_i-think-american-ballet-theatre-is-setti_2124781.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think American Ballet Theatre is setting that standard now for classical ballet, that you can dream big…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Going on stage and doing ballet, for the first time, was even more verification of, \"This is what I'm meant to do. This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to make it somehow.\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/going-on-stage-and-doing-ballet-for-the-first-time-was-even-more/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_going-on-stage-and-doing-ballet-for-the_450820.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_going-on-stage-and-doing-ballet-for-the_450820.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a5/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_going-on-stage-and-doing-ballet-for-the_450820.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Going on stage and doing ballet, for the first time, was even more verification of, \"This is what I'm meant…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What makes people and companies and artistic directors and choreographers interested in working with dancers is the ability to kind of let go of everything you think you know and be a blank canvas.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/what-makes-people-and-companies-and-artistic-directors-and/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/misty-copeland-2012_ability_what-makes-people-and-companies-and-arti_469506.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/misty-copeland-2012_ability_what-makes-people-and-companies-and-arti_469506.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb1/misty-copeland-2012_ability_what-makes-people-and-companies-and-arti_469506.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What makes people and companies and artistic directors and choreographers interested in working with dancers…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York. It all happened so fast - it was pretty unheard of that someone could train for so few years and become a professional at one of the most elite dance companies in the United States.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-california-to-train-at-a-more/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68c/misty-copeland-2012_american_when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-califo_30901.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68c/misty-copeland-2012_american_when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-califo_30901.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/68c/misty-copeland-2012_american_when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-califo_30901.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think all dancers are control freaks a bit. We just want to be in control of ourselves and our bodies. That's just what the ballet structure, I think, kind of puts inside of you.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-all-dancers-are-control-freaks-a-bit-we-just-want-to-be-in/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a6/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-think-all-dancers-are-control-freaks-a_965638.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a6/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-think-all-dancers-are-control-freaks-a_965638.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a6/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_i-think-all-dancers-are-control-freaks-a_965638.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think all dancers are control freaks a bit. We just want to be in control of ourselves and our bodies…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 10, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think body-image issues are not just a dancer thing. I think we're much more in tune and aware because the body is our instrument and art, and we stare at ourselves in a mirror all day, but I feel like it's something that every woman experiences and every girl experiences.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-think-body-image-issues-are-not-just-a-dancer-thing-i-think-we-re/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d3/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-think-body-image-issues-are-not-just-a_952917.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d3/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-think-body-image-issues-are-not-just-a_952917.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d3/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-think-body-image-issues-are-not-just-a_952917.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think body-image issues are not just a dancer thing. I think we're much more in tune and aware because the…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 11, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path for me, and they may not be seen or recognized or have been given an opportunity to have a voice, but I'm here representing all of those dancers. Dance Theatre of Harlem Virginia Johnson, Tai Jimenez, Lauren Anderson.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-say-over-and-over-again-that-i-am-just-standing-on-the-shoulders-of/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-say-over-and-over-again-that-i-am-just_3136132.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-say-over-and-over-again-that-i-am-just_3136132.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/743/misty-copeland-2012_dance_i-say-over-and-over-again-that-i-am-just_3136132.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path for me…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 12, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I wanted to open the dialogue about race in ballet and bring more people in. It's just beautiful to see the interest that has exploded for such an incredible art form that I will forever be grateful to!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-wanted-to-open-the-dialogue-about-race-in-ballet-and-bring-more/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88a/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-wanted-to-open-the-dialogue-about-race_670631.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88a/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-wanted-to-open-the-dialogue-about-race_670631.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88a/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-wanted-to-open-the-dialogue-about-race_670631.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I wanted to open the dialogue about race in ballet and bring more people in. It's just beautiful to see the…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 13, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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, just because ballet has been this way for hundreds of years.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/it-s-hard-to-change-someone-s-ideas-when-they-might-not-even-really/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b9/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-hard-to-change-someone-s-ideas-when_743052.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b9/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-hard-to-change-someone-s-ideas-when_743052.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b9/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-hard-to-change-someone-s-ideas-when_743052.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It's hard to change someone's ideas when they might not even really consciously know that they're being…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 14, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's going to take a while before we see a real shift in the students and the dancers that are going into professional companies because it takes so many years of training, but I do think that there's a new crop of dancers, of minority dancers that are entering into the ballet world.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/it-s-going-to-take-a-while-before-we-see-a-real-shift-in-the-students/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a6/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-going-to-take-a-while-before-we-see_3231316.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a6/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-going-to-take-a-while-before-we-see_3231316.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a6/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_it-s-going-to-take-a-while-before-we-see_3231316.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“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", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 15, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I would have young dancers come to me and ask me questions and want to know what my experiences were like: 'What's it like being a black dancer?' So I just felt like it was necessary for me to share my experiences with them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-would-have-young-dancers-come-to-me-and-ask-me-questions-and-want/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/misty-copeland-2012_ask-questions_i-would-have-young-dancers-come-to-me-an_414093.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/misty-copeland-2012_ask-questions_i-would-have-young-dancers-come-to-me-an_414093.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7e/misty-copeland-2012_ask-questions_i-would-have-young-dancers-come-to-me-an_414093.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I would have young dancers come to me and ask me questions and want to know what my experiences were like…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 16, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was the first person in my family who was ever interested in dance, or fine art of any kind for that matter - I came from a very humble beginning in San Pedro, California.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/i-was-the-first-person-in-my-family-who-was-ever-interested-in-dance/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-was-the-first-person-in-my-family-who_944725.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-was-the-first-person-in-my-family-who_944725.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/89a/misty-copeland-2012_art_i-was-the-first-person-in-my-family-who_944725.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I was the first person in my family who was ever interested in dance, or fine art of any kind for that…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 17, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A young girl reached out to me to be her mentor one day, which I didn't really know anything about. What I did remember was what it was to be alone as an African-American dancer in the ballet world and wanting to connect with someone who looks like me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/a-young-girl-reached-out-to-me-to-be-her-mentor-one-day-which-i-didn/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e34/misty-copeland-2012_alone_a-young-girl-reached-out-to-me-to-be-her_1527183.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e34/misty-copeland-2012_alone_a-young-girl-reached-out-to-me-to-be-her_1527183.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e34/misty-copeland-2012_alone_a-young-girl-reached-out-to-me-to-be-her_1527183.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“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", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 18, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance is incredible. It takes a lot to make it through and keep the same energy throughout the entire performance.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Misty Copeland" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-through-a-ballet-like-swan-lake/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-th_299852.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-th_299852.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21c/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_once-you-become-a-professional-to-get-th_299852.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing…” — Misty Copeland", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/misty-copeland/page/3/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/misty-copeland/page/3/", "name": "Dance Quotes by Misty Copeland · Page 3", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/misty-copeland/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5e7/misty-copeland-2012_ballet_being-in-ballet-class-being-on-the-stage_400180.png" }, "description": "98 Dance quotes by Misty Copeland. Plus more from Misty Copeland and more Dance sayings from other authors.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/misty-copeland/page/3/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/misty-copeland/page/3/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Topics", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Dance", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Misty Copeland", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/misty-copeland/page/3/" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```