Every time I step onto the stage, it's not only proving to the audience that I'm capable but to myself. — 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
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
Being one of the few African American women to make it to this level in a classical ballet company, the level of… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think American Ballet Theatre is setting that standard now for classical ballet, that you can dream big, and it doesn't matter… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
'The Firebird' just symbolizes a lot for me and my career. It was one of the first really big principal roles that… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
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
When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the… — 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 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
