Being in ballet class, being on the stage, being surrounded by my peers at American Ballet Theater every day, keeps me so humble and grounded. Being in ballet class, I feel, is like this meditation for me every morning.
When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York. It all happened so fast - it was pretty unheard of that someone could train for so few years and become a professional at one of the most elite dance companies in the United States.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the rapid journey of Misty Copeland from a novice dancer to a professional in a prestigious ballet company.
Misty Copeland reflects on her remarkable journey from a young girl training in dance to becoming a professional with the American Ballet Theatre in a very short time. Her experience emphasizes that dedication and hard work can lead to exceptional success, even in highly competitive fields, and serves as an inspiring testament to the possibilities that can arise from pursuing one's passion.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about pursuing one's passions, one might say, 'Just like Misty Copeland, who joined the American Ballet Theatre at 19, your dreams are within reach if you work hard.'
More from Misty Copeland
All quotes →Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina.
It's all so surreal, and I'm living my dream. And you know, principal or not, I'm getting to dance all the roles that I've dreamed of doing.
Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.
I say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path for me, and they may not be seen or recognized or have been given an opportunity to have a voice, but I'm here representing all of those dancers. Dance Theatre of Harlem Virginia Johnson, Tai Jimenez, Lauren Anderson.
It's hard to be the one that stands out when, you know, in a ballet company, you're trying to create unison and uniform when you're in a corps de ballet.
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