Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Misty Copeland

Role / Field:

Pioneering American ballet dancer and author, known for breaking racial barriers at ABT.

Born:

1982-09-10

Century / Era:

1982s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Misty Danielle Copeland (born September 10, 1982) is an American ballet dancer and author. She has danced primarily for American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the three leading classical ballet companies in the United States. On June 30, 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 75-year history. Copeland was considered a prodigy who rose to stardom despite not starting ballet until age 13.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Two years later, in 1998, her ballet teachers were serving as her custodial and legal guardians, and her mother was fighting a custody battle against them. At the same time, Copeland – already an award-winning dancer – was receiving professional offers. The legal issues involved filings for emancipation by Copeland and restraining orders by her mother. Both sides dropped legal proceedings, and Copeland moved home to begin studying under a new teacher, who was a former ABT member. In 1997, Copeland won the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award as the best dancer in Southern California.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After two summer workshops with ABT, she became a member of ABT's Studio Company in 2000, its corps de ballet in 2001, and an ABT soloist in 2007. As a soloist...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Alan Ritchson — Contemporary (Born in 1982) (1982): American actor known for roles in Reacher, Titans, and superhero franchises.
• Albert Facey — Contemporary (Died in 1982) (1982): Australian writer and World War I veteran, best known for 'A Fortunate Life'.
• Adrian Frutiger — Shared historical date (09-10 · Died) (2015): Pioneering Swiss typeface designer, master of sans-serif aesthetics.
• Agostinho Neto — Shared historical date (09-10 · Died) (1979): Angolan communist revolutionary, poet, and first President of Angola.
• Albert Soboul — Historical peer (Died in 1982) (1982): Influential French historian specializing in the French Revolution and Napoleonic eras.
• Alexandre Alexeieff — Historical peer (Died in 1982) (1982): Russian-born artist, filmmaker, and illustrator known for inventing the pinscreen technique.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Al Arbour — Historical peer (Died in 2015) (2015): Pioneering Canadian hockey player, coach, and executive known for leading the Islanders.
• Aitana Bonmatí — Historical peer (Born in 1998) (1998): Star Spanish midfielder known for her decorated career with Barcelona and the Spain national team.
• 1982 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1982
• September 10 (09-10) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 10

Frequently Asked Questions about Misty Copeland