55+ Misty Copeland Quotes From The African-American Ballerina
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Misty Copeland was the first African-American ballerina who was promoted to principal dancer position in the American Ballet Theatre.
Misty Copeland has been involved in ballet since she was thirteen-years-old. She has appeared in the ‘Time’ magazine’s list of ‘100 Most Influential People In The World’.
Copeland is a firm believer in empowering people in life, and has written several books about being a ballet dancer. Some of her works include ‘Life In Motion’ and ‘Ballerina Body’.
She is also known for her public speaking skills and has been a part of the reality TV show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.
Misty Copeland quotes are truly inspirational for those who want to soar high even if they have limited means. These Misty Copeland quotes include Misty Copeland quotes on life, Misty Copeland quotes dance quotes, Misty Copeland quotes to persevere through tough times, and many more awesome Misty Copeland quotes!
For related articles, check out ballet quotes and [Martha Graham quotes].
Misty Copeland Famous Quotes
Here are some famous quotes about perseverance and more by Misty Copeland. These inspirational quotes by Misty Copeland and inspiring dance quotes let us get a look into her astonishing life and career. We hope you find these Misty Copeland quotes likable.
1. “I knew that I just didn’t have it in me to give up, even if I sometimes felt like a fool for continuing to believe.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
2. "He said don't let them take you over. Walk into the room knowing you are the best.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
3. “Every time I dance, I'm trying to prove myself to myself.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
4. “Before dance came into my life, I don’t remember having any major goals or dreams of wanting to be anything.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
5. “I was 13 when I took my first ballet class.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
6. “All you can do is be your best self. I'm representing more than just me. I think everyone should be like that.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
7. “I can do anything when I am in a tutu.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
8. “Start unknown, finish unforgettable.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
9. “Knowing that it has never been done before makes me want to fight even harder.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
10. “Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain, and still succeed.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
11. “I am thankful that a lot of my dreams have come true, from becoming a professional ballet dancer to becoming the first African American principal ballerina in the history of American Ballet Theatre.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
12. “Ballet found me, I guess you could say.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
13. “Don’t hold onto the barre like ‘I might die.’ It’s just ballet.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
14. “I just started this path of like, giving these people hope, and then it may be over.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
15. “It was such an incredible high to see, for the first time, such a diverse audience walking into the Metropoliton Opera House because a black woman was going to be up there.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
16. “I never really completely allowed myself to leave the stage.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
17. “The difference between being an amazing technician and being a soloist or principal is mastering those interpretive flourishes to tell the best story. Otherwise you aren’t a ballerina—you’re just another dancer.”
‒ Misty Copeland, ‘Life In Motion’.
18. “I think American Ballet Theatre is setting that standard now for classical ballet, that you can dream big, and it doesn't matter what you look like, where you come from, what your background is.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
19. “The ballet world I don’t think, is an art form that it quick to change or to adjust or evolve.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
20. “To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
21. “I didn’t want to pancake my skin to a lighter color to fit into the corps de ballet.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
22. “Being African-American has definitely been an obstacle for me, but it also allowed me to have this fire inside me that I don’t know I would have or had have if I weren’t in this field.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
23. “I never thought I could make a career out of something that I enjoyed doing, something I was passionate about, something that gave me a voice.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
24. “When you see the body outside of a costume and see the strength that it takes, people would look at dance a different way and see how athletic it is. You’re not just born like that.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
25. “Having a platform and having a voice to be seen by people beyond the classical ballet world has really been my power. ”
‒ Misty Copeland.
Misty Copeland Quotes From ‘Ballerina Body’
Along with her beautiful ballet performances, Misty Copeland is also known for her hard-hitting books and Misty Copeland quotes reflect that. So, here are some inspirational quotes for dancers and an array of diverse Misty Copeland quotes from her book 'Ballerina Body'.
26. “I was an ordinary young woman, trying to determine what was best for my body, my health, my spirit, mostly on my own.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
27. “My body was and is perfect for me, just like the body you’re in is perfect for you.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
28. “But that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the body you’re in.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
29. “One of the greatest secrets I have learned over the course of my career is that fat—eating it, absorbing it, and burning it for energy—is key to building the muscle and providing the strength so important for ballerinas.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
30. “When I entered the world of ballet, I was told by some that I was too old to be a beginner.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
31. “Putting pen to paper proved cathartic for me.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
32. “It’s about being your best self—empowered, focused, healthy, and joyfully you!”
‒ Misty Copeland.
33. “Decide what you want. Declare it to the world. See yourself winning.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
34. “See yourself vibrant and strong, emotionally centered and healthy.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
35. “Before we dancers take the stage, we often yell out a bit of French slang that doesn’t translate as ‘break a leg’ but is meant to have the same effect.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
36. “When negative thoughts rise in your mind and start to go round and round… push those self-critiques away and refocus on how singular you are.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
37. “You are fiercely, lovingly, and divinely you.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
38. “None of your effort, not a minute of your time, is wasted as you strive toward becoming your best, most vibrant self.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
39. “When I found ballet, I found a way to channel my voice for the first time.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
40. “So, when you’re practicing strong posture, remember all that you are accomplishing.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
41. “Take a moment to reflect on activities that make you happy, actions that you don’t think of as chores.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
42. “A mentor can mean the difference between giving up on a goal and pushing yourself to do things you didn’t know you could.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
Inspirational Quotes From Misty Copeland From 'Life In Motion'
Misty Copeland dance quotes are not the things that you can get out of the enigmatic dancer. Her work of mending herself from the scratch told through the books is inspiring to many amateur performers.
Misty Copeland quotes and inspirational ballet quotes provide the push to go further. These Misty Copeland quotes have a lot to inspire and we are sure you will like these Misty Copeland quotes.
43. “To all ballerinas and dancers of the world: Our art is vital. Let’s keep it alive, growing, and expanding!”
‒ Misty Copeland.
44. “I would realize the true gift of my visual memory—the ability to see movement.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
45. “It’s a wonderful aching every dancer knows.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
46. “You have to know the appropriate way to adorn each story and character with your body.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
47. “It’s what makes ballet so beautiful, that razor’s edge of timing and technique.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
48. “Not every one wants to push themselves to that brink of breaking.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
49. “Even a single day off can cause my muscles to forget what my mind knows by heart.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
50. “I have always been known as a jumper, able to soar to great heights and land like a feather on the stage.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
51. “My heart began to pound. A light was dawning, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to see what it illuminated.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
52. “The spotlight has often been focused on me because I was a late bloomer who turned out to be a prodigy.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
53. “A dancer’s body is the instrument with which she makes music.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
54. “I’ll bet you didn’t know that I could fly.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
55. “There are times it’s important to seize the spotlight on the ballet stage.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
56. “But there were some who believed there was no place in ballet for a brown swan.”
‒ Misty Copeland.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Misty Copeland quotes then why not take a look at dance quotes, or Zumba quotes.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English
Rajnandini RoychoudhuryBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English
With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature.
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