Above the Barre

                          Misty Copeland first Black dance principal at American Ballet Theatre

                                      

That’s right, twirl honey! Ballerina Misty Copeland became the first black dance principal for the American Ballet Theatre this week. The accolade is not only groundbreaking for Copeland, who has spent most of her career as a San Francisco Ballet dancer, but for the company as well. The decision has broken down the diversity barrier within the company and has helped to form allegiance with dancers of all races.

After 75 years, the idea of a black principal dancer at ABT seemed to come at an adagio pace (sorry had a dancer moment: slowly) but for Copeland, the decision seemed to have come right on time. Battling with doubts, Misty shared that when she was younger, she dreamed of dancing for ABT but there were no ballerinas that look like her.

“I had moments of doubting myself and wanting to quit, because I didn’t know if there would be a future for an African American woman.”



Well for Copeland, 32, her future is shining bright like a diamond! Copeland has been one of ballet’s biggest pop culture icons to date. She has appeared on Time Magazine, the subject of a Tribeca Film Festival documentary “Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina” and has made several music video cameos. The epitome of her career came during her recent role as the prima ballerina in Swan Lake. We’re sure the star will have a lot more lined up following her new position. The ballerina has pirouetted into the hearts of millions.

-Mahogany Waldon