Copeland, Misty

"Tells the story of two unapologetically Black ballerinas, their friendship, and how they changed each other--and the dance world--forever. Misty Copeland shares her own struggles with racism and exclusion in her pursuit of this dream career and honors the women like Raven Wilkinson who paved the way for her but whose contributions have gone unheralded. She celebrates the connection she made with Raven, the only teacher who could truly understand the obstacles she faced, beyond the technical or artistic demands"--Provided by publisher.

"From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland comes a nonfiction picture book celebrating dancers of color who have influenced her on and off the stage. As a young girl living in a motel with her mother and her five siblings, Misty Copeland didn't have a lot of exposure to ballet or prominent dancers. She was sixteen when she saw a Black ballerina on a magazine cover for the first time. The experience emboldened Misty and told her that she wasn't alone--and her dream wasn't impossible. In the years since, Misty has only learned more about the trailblazing women who made her own success possible by pushing back against repression and racism with their talent and tenacity. Misty brings these women's stories to a new generation of readers and gives them the recognition they deserve. With an introduction from Misty about the legacy these women have had on dance and on her career itself, this book delves into the lives and careers of women of color who fundamentally changed the landscape of American ballet from the early twentieth century to today"-- Provided by publisher.

A young Misty Copeland discovers her love for dance through the ballet of Copp?lia.

Ballerina Misty Copeland provides exercise and nutrition advice to reshape the body and achieve a lean, strong, and healthy physique.

American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland encourages a young ballet student, with brown skin like her own, by telling her that she, too, had to learn basic steps and how to be graceful when she was starting out, and that some day, with practice and dedication, the little girl will become a firebird, too. Includes author's note about dancers who led her to find her voice.

Misty Copeland became the third African American ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre and the only African American soloist dancing with this group. She has made history because of this fact. She first put her hands on the barre at an after-school community center and the undersized, underprivileged, and anxious thirteen-year-old knew she had found what she loved. A true prodigy, she was attempting in months roles that took most dancers years to master. When she became caught between the control and comfort she found in the world of ballet and the harsh realities of her own life, she chose to embrace both her identity and her dreams and found the courage to be one-of-a kind.

As the first female African American principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre history, Misty Copeland has been a constant game changer during her illustrious career. This is a story for all the kids who dare to be different, dream bigger, and want to break stereotypes in whatever they do.