Misty Copeland made history on 2 June 2015 when she became the first African American woman promoted to the rank of principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the world’s foremost classical ballet companies. Her journey from a difficult childhood to the apex of classical ballet is one of the most remarkable stories in the art form’s history — and one that has inspired millions of young dancers around the world.
Early Life and Unlikely Beginning
Misty Danielle Copeland was born on 10 September 1982 in Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up in San Pedro, California, in difficult circumstances — her family moved frequently and financial instability was a constant presence. She was one of six children and at times lived in a motel room.
Copeland did not begin ballet training until age 13, extraordinarily late by professional standards. Most future principal dancers start between ages 3 and 7. She was first introduced to dance through the drill team at her middle school and later attended a free ballet class at the local Boys & Girls Club taught by Cynthia Bradley. Bradley recognised her exceptional talent immediately and within three months Copeland was performing on pointe — a level of progress that typically takes three or more years.
Rise Through the Ranks
Copeland’s talent was recognised at the highest levels almost immediately. She won first place at the Music Center Spotlight Awards in Los Angeles at age 15 — an extraordinary achievement for someone with fewer than two years of training. At 17 she auditioned for ABT’s Studio Company (the company’s training and second company) and was accepted.
Her progression through ABT was rapid:
- 2000 – Joined ABT Studio Company
- 2001 – Promoted to corps de ballet of ABT’s main company
- 2007 – Promoted to soloist — the first Black woman to hold a principal soloist position at ABT in two decades
- 2015 – Promoted to principal dancer — the first Black woman in ABT’s 75-year history
Landmark Roles
Copeland has performed virtually every major classical and contemporary role in the repertoire:
- Odette/Odile in Swan Lake — her 2015 debut in this double role was watched worldwide
- Juliet in Romeo and Juliet
- Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty
- Kitri in Don Quixote — a famously demanding, high-energy role
- Giselle in Giselle — requiring both athletic and lyrical depth
- Firebird in The Firebird by Stravinsky
She has also performed contemporary works by Alexei Ratmansky, Twyla Tharp, and Frederick Ashton, demonstrating extraordinary range across styles.
Cultural Impact and Advocacy
Beyond her technical achievements, Copeland has become one of the most visible advocates for diversity in classical dance. She has been featured on the cover of Time magazine, named one of TIME‘s 100 Most Influential People, and partnered with Under Armour for a viral advertising campaign viewed over 10 million times. Her 2014 memoir Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina became a New York Times bestseller.
She has spoken extensively about the lack of diversity in classical ballet — both in terms of representation on stage and in the training pipeline — and has worked with organisations to bring ballet access to underserved communities. Her visibility has measurably increased the number of Black girls attending ballet schools across the United States.
Physical Achievements
Copeland’s body type was considered unconventional by classical ballet standards — curvier and more muscular than the typical ideal of the 1990s and early 2000s. She overcame six stress fractures in her tibia in 2012, an injury that required surgery and threatened her career. Her recovery and return to full performance level was documented in the film A Ballerina’s Tale (2015). Her physicality has since been recognised as part of a broader shift in how the ballet world defines the “ideal” dancer’s body.
Misty Copeland’s Influence on Young Dancers
For students and parents looking for inspiration, Copeland’s story demonstrates that late starters with exceptional talent and work ethic can reach the highest levels of the art form. Her books Life in Motion and the children’s book Firebird (illustrated by Christopher Myers) are widely read in dance schools. She has also co-founded the Misty Copeland Foundation to provide access to dance education for underserved communities.
For students following the RAD or ISTD pathway, exploring the careers of great contemporary dancers like Copeland alongside historic figures from our ballet biographies reading list provides invaluable context for understanding the art form they are training in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Misty Copeland?
Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer who became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre in 2015. She is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in contemporary ballet, both for her extraordinary technical achievements and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in classical dance.
How old was Misty Copeland when she started ballet?
Misty Copeland began ballet training at age 13 — considered extremely late by professional standards. Most future professional ballerinas begin training between ages 3 and 7. Despite this, she was performing on pointe within three months of starting classes and won a major regional competition at age 15.
What company does Misty Copeland dance with?
Misty Copeland has been a member of American Ballet Theatre (ABT) since 2001, when she joined the corps de ballet. She was promoted to soloist in 2007 and to principal dancer — the company’s highest rank — in June 2015, making history as the first Black woman to hold a principal position at ABT in the company’s 75-year history.
What awards has Misty Copeland won?
Among her recognitions: the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts, named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People (2015), the 2014 Spingarn Medal from the NAACP, Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year Award, and honorary doctorates from several universities. She has been the subject of two documentary films and her memoir was a New York Times bestseller.