Why Is Copeland Important To Dance

The KKK chased her out and threatened her. Everyone tried to make her blend in so that she didn’t make the dance look bad. When people think of an African American dancer they have this stereotypical picture in their head of what they think all African Americans look like. “You lack the right feet, Achilles tendon, turnout, torso length, and bust for ballet” (“Misty Copeland Seeks to Inspire”). That was what she heard from a dance critique before they met Copeland. In ballet you dance together and you typically are supposed to look the same and dance the same. Being the only colored person makes you the one that sticks out and that isn’t the same and people back then didn’t think that was ok. “And it’s hard to be the one that stands out when you know in a ballet company you’re trying to create unison” (“Misty Copeland”). That was a direct quote that she said about herself.

The first experience of watching a ballet, for me or any little girl, can be fascinating and exhilarating. Wondering how a dancer can be so steady on her toes as she spins in circles and leaps through the air. Watching a ballet, there is a feeling of wanting to be graceful, as well as the warm sensation felt by a little girl as she slips into dream land. My mom had taken me to my first ballet when I was 11 years old. When we returned home home, she signed me up for classes at the local dance center. The expectations to become a prima ballerina would involve much hard work and concentration. I knew when I started it would take years of steady practice and commitment. Learning the history of ballet and the famous

Copeland eventually went to the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) summer intensive. After that summer the company offered her a spot in the studio company. Copeland eventually made it to be in the Corps De Ballet and moved up the ranks. She became the first African American soloist at ABT. She danced with the company as the lead role in Stravinsky’s Firebird. She has become an inspiration to many young girls especially girls of any

In an interview for ‘Elle’ magazine, Misty Copeland, a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre expressed her struggles with body image issues as a ballerina and how she believed it was society as a whole and not just

Have you ever thought what it would be like to be dancing up on your toes with the American Ballet theatre (ABT)? That’s just what happened, Misty Copeland currently a principal dancer at ABT had a dream to dance there ever since she started to dance and she didn't think that she could do it,but with training, hard work, and passion you can achieve anything. For the month of September I decided to read “Life in Motion” written by Misty Copeland. This book was very inspiring in many ways. I learned so much that I didn’t know, not only about Misty Copeland but also about ballet. I decided to read this book because, Misty Copeland is one of my idols, she is also a big inspiration and I really wanted to learn more about her. Overall this book was amazing. I would recommend it to  not only ballet dancers but to also people who love non-fiction because it is full of so many details and a lot of imagery that it makes a person feel like they are in her shoes dancing through her life. I would recommend this book because many people can relate to Misty Copeland in many ways, your mind wanders while reading, and because the plot was very unbelievable and surprising.

Beautiful, ballerina, or courageous are three words that people often think of in connection with Misty Copeland. Many people may know that Misty Copeland was just an ordinary ballerina that was just like the others but really, she was so much more. Misty Copeland changed the world by working hard to become one of the first brown ballerina/soloist. She showed America that anyone can dance and achieve their goals. She left legacy as one of the first brown ballerinas in the world.

Duncan adamantly rejected ballet; she saw it as a form of dance that was rigid and unexpressive. The foundation of ballet consists of five still poses, but Duncan believed that in dance, the dancers body should be a "luminous fluid…a luminous moving cloud" (Duncan 51). She did not think that dance should be comprised of a string of still positions. This was what ballet was to her: rigid, still, unnatural. There was too much focus on technique in ballet. Duncan felt that dance was more than technique; it was about emotions, discovering the soul, and using those powers to compel movement. She saw a strong connection between dance and spirit, and this connection had been lost in ballet (Terry 31).

It’s a year later and Leah loves ballet. She’s even trying to get some dance classes at her school. All of her football friends took some classes of ballet and loved it as much as Leah so now they’re in ballet too! Leah overall learned how the knowledge that her mom had versus her ignorance that knowledge is always going to win over

"I quit" (Copeland 34). Those were the first words out of Misty Copeland's mouth as she walked out of her first ballet class when she was only thirteen years old (Copeland 34). This quote illustrates just how hard Misty Copeland has had to work to achieve the greatness she has accomplished. If one would watch Misty Copeland today he/she may not believe this. The clean lines along with the stretched fingers would leave the viewer to think she has been doing this her whole life. Copeland, being black, has had to overcome many barriers the common ballerina would normally not have to deal with. With her being only thirty-four years old, she has worked many stressful hours to earn her spot in today's dance world. She was born on September 10, 1982 and grew up with six siblings (Biography.com). She moved often during her childhood due to her mother having multiple boyfriends and husbands. Although her family did not stay in one place long, the one constant thing in her life has always been dance. Dance, being her only outlet in her life, enabled her to focus extremely hard on her training. Every decision she made revolved around her dance career, even at the age of thirteen. Her unstable childhood and life events may lead the reader to question: what qualities did Misty Copeland obtain that enabled her to become a significant person in the dance

Naomi Lang was born in a small tribe in Arcata California (1)(2)(4), it is close to the Redwood National Forest (2). December 18,1978 Naomi was born in the Karuk Tribe (1)(2). Her Indian name is “Maheetahan” it means “Morning Star”(1). In her tribe there are about 3,096 members(4). Naomi started dancing at three years old (3). Naomi’s mother became ill and so Naomi’s family moved to Michigan to be with her (4).She started skating lessons in Michigan when she was eight (1)(2)(4). The Ice Capades inspired her to skate (2)(3). When Naomi was twelve she went to the Interlochen Arts Academy and the Grand Rapids Ballet Company to be a ballerina (2)(3). While Naomi was there she was awarded the ‘Outstanding Achievement in Ballet’ (3). Once she was sixteen she went from skating to dancing (2). At this point in her life her mother was very encouraging and supportive to her (5). Naomi Lang’s childhood and teenage years were filled with skating and dancing schools

When she was younger, it wasn’t hard for her to learn the new choreography.She was a natural dancer,but no matter how well of a dancer she was she knew that she could always improve her skills. She also became a local dancer and she performed at rodeos and county fair. One of instructor said “She didn't know learn the basics.” She needed to be taught the basics.

Even with her love for modern, Johnson has a special place in her heart for ballet as well with Misty Copeland as one of her role models. The recent news of Copeland being selected as the first African American Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre motivated her even more.

"You Can Do Anything You Want, Even If You Are Being Told Negative Things. Stay Strong and Find Motivation." Misty Copeland, an African American dancer, who fought through multiple hardships in her childhood.

“Go within everyday and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out” (A Quote by Katherine Dunham 1). Once one of the most successful dancers in both American and European theater, Katherine Dunham, a dancer, anthropologist,social activist,and educator, continues to inspire people throughout the world. Named America’s irreplaceable Dance Treasure in 2000. Dunham remains a name heard regularly in dance schools across the world (“Katherine Dunham Biography” 4). She is known for always trying to make a difference and in the process she has become of the world’s greatest humanitarians (Osumare 5). Katherine Dunham’s work in African American rights in the dance world and her creation of new styles of dance makes her an important figure in American dance History.

Misty copeland was born on september ,10 ,1982 in Kansas city Missouri. Misty was the 4th child out of 6 children.copeland’s Mother Delacerna,was married multiple times and have many boyfriends. The family of 7 moved plenty of times under trouble conditions.The family finally settled down in San Pedro,California.Delacerna 4th husband was very violent. He physically and emotionally abused his wife,and stepchildren,using racial words and slurs.After Delacerna left the 4th husband, Delacerna and her 6 children moved into a motel.Copeland joined the boys and girls club ballet team.When Misty was only 13 she moved in with Bradly(her dance teacher),to be closer to the dance studio.Later on when misty was only 15 years old, Delacerna said that it