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.
Misty CopelandRead
Every time I dance, I'm trying to prove myself to myself.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a personal quest for self-validation through dance.
Misty Copeland emphasizes that her dancing is not merely a performance for others, but a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and self-approval. Each time she dances, she seeks to affirm her own capabilities and overcome her inner doubts, highlighting the importance of personal challenges and the emotional connection to her art.
In practice
In a motivational speech to young dancers looking to establish their own identities.
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.
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.
Whimpering never kept a leaking vessel from foundering. Vigorously manning the pumps has. Get busy with your head and hands, not your chin.
Remember why you started, remember where you're headed, think of how great it will be to get there, and keep going.
Go out on a limb. That's where the fruit is.
Persistence overshadows even talent as the most valuable resource shaping the quality of life.
You never lose until you actually give up.
When you're throwing the football the way you want to, you're not thinking about it. You're not thinking about your drop or your release point or the trajectory or where your feet are. It's just coming off your hand exactly the way you want it to, fluid and confident.
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