isty Copeland is soloist with American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She was born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in San Pedro, California, Misty Copeland began her ballet studies at the age of 13 at the San Pedro Dance Center. At the age of fifteen she won first place in the Music Center Spotlight Awards.
She then began her studies at the Lauridsen Ballet Center. Copeland has studied at the San Francisco Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive on full scholarship and was declared ABT’s National Coca-Cola Scholar in 2000. Copeland joined ABT’s Studio Company in September 2000 and then joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in April 2001 and was appointed a Soloist in August 2007.
Under Armour athlete and principal ballet dancer Misty Copeland launched the fall collection Monday of her signature apparel line for the Baltimore-based sports apparel brand. The apparel maker introduced the Misty Copeland Signature Collection earlier this year. “This collection is about being able to mix it up and not having just one look,” Copeland said in an announcement. “We have so many sides to us, and it’s nice to have that balance and not to be told you have to be one way or another.”
Copeland used her talent to create opportunities for herself outside of the ballet studio. In 2014, she published her first memoir, Life in Motion: An unlikely Ballerina.
As a co-designer, Copeland wanted pieces that could go from yoga class to the office, “something that you can wear with sneakers or pumps, dressedup or down,” Under Armour said. The new offerings, a series of structured pieces designed to hug the body in a flattering way, incorporate the brand’s “Breathelux” fabric for a sweat-wicking and lightweight material. The fall line includes a crop top and legging set, a bomber jacket, a dress, sweaters and tank tops, with prices ranging from $50 to $180, available at Under Armour Brand Houses, at some Macy’s and online. From taking her first ballet class on a basketball court at the Boys & Girls Club to becoming American Ballet Theatre’s first African American female principal dancer, Misty Copeland proved that with determination, the right guidance, and community support anything is possible.
Misty Copeland was born on September 10, 1982 in Kansas City Missouri and later moved to San Pedro, California with her mother and five siblings. Copeland was first introduced to the world of dance after joining her school’s drill team. Surprised by her talent, the team’s coach suggested that Copeland take classes at the local Boys & Girls Club, where she also captured the attention of the program’s ballet teacher, Cynthia Bradley. Although most ballet dancers begin dancing as early as three or four years old, Copeland’s late start at age 13 did not overshadow her talent and the potential that she possessed.
Money was sparse in Copeland’s single-parent household, but with assistance from the community in purchasing pointe shoes and leotards, in addition to having her fees waived, Copeland was able to take classes with Bradley at the San Pedro Ballet School. Copeland later moved in and lived with Bradley and her family for 3 years, because the studio was too far from her home to travel back and forth.
At 15, Misty Copeland participated in the San Francisco Ballet Summer Intensive program on a full scholarship. She was invited to study with the company afterwards, however, she turned that offer down. After completing a summer intensive session with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Copeland moved to New York and joined the company in 2001. Six years later, she became the company’s second African American female soloist. After 14 years with ABT, Copeland was promoted to principal dancer, making her the first African American woman to hold this role within the company. That same year, Copeland was named one of Time Magazine’s “Most Influential People in the World.”
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Ashley Burns is the founder of Frontier. He has degrees in architecture and literature and is an award winning writer and film maker.
