Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Misty Copeland
Discover the career path of Misty Copeland, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Misty Copeland is a celebrated American ballet dancer, prominent with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Most notably, on June 30, 2015, she achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 75-year existence. Her journey and success have made her a significant figure in the world of ballet and a source of inspiration.
1998: Summer Workshop at San Francisco Ballet School
In 1998, Misty Copeland attended the summer workshop at the San Francisco Ballet School, declining offers from other prestigious ballet companies. She received a full-tuition scholarship and was offered a full-time position at the school, which she declined.
1999: Auditions and ABT Summer Intensive Program
In 1999, Misty Copeland auditioned for several dance programs and received offers from each. She performed with ABT as part of its Summer Intensive program.
September 2000: Joins ABT Studio Company
In September 2000, Misty Copeland joined the American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company and performed the Pas de Deux in Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty.
2000: Joins ABT's Studio Company
In 2000, Misty Copeland became a member of the American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company after participating in two summer workshops with ABT.
2000: ABT Summer Intensive and Junior Dance Troupe
In 2000, Misty Copeland participated in ABT's Summer Intensive Program, danced the role of Kitri in Don Quixote, and was declared ABT's National Coca-Cola Scholar. She was one of six dancers selected to join the junior dance troupe.
2001: Becomes Member of Corps de Ballet and Injury
In 2001, Misty Copeland became a member of the American Ballet Theatre's Corps de ballet but was sidelined for nearly a year due to a lumbar stress fracture. She later used birth control pills on doctors recommendation.
2001: Joins ABT's Corps de Ballet
In 2001, Misty Copeland became a member of the American Ballet Theatre's corps de ballet.
2003: Dance Magazine's '25 to Watch' and Early Career Reviews
In 2003, Misty Copeland was named to Dance Magazine's '25 to Watch' and received favorable reviews for her roles in La Bayadère and William Forsythe's workwithinwork.
2004: Breakthrough Season and Meeting Biological Father
In 2004, Misty Copeland's performances in ballets such as Raymonda and Swan Lake earned recognition, marking it as her breakthrough season. She also met her biological father for the first time that year.
2005: Notable Performance in Tarantella
In 2005, Misty Copeland's most notable performance was a pas de deux in George Balanchine's Tarantella. She also danced the Lead Polovtsian Girl in "Polovtsian Dances" from Prince Igor.
2006: Performances in Giselle, Glow-Stop, and Swan Lake
In 2006, Misty Copeland was acknowledged for her classical performance style in Giselle and created a role in Jorma Elo's Glow–Stop. She also performed in Swan Lake in New York and Southern California.
August 2007: Appointment as Soloist at ABT
In August 2007, Misty Copeland was appointed as a soloist at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), marking her as one of the youngest dancers promoted to soloist in ABT history.
2007: Becomes ABT Soloist
In 2007, Misty Copeland became a soloist for the American Ballet Theatre. She was described as having matured into a more contemporary and sophisticated dancer.
2007: Performances in Cinderella and The Sleeping Beauty
In 2007, Misty Copeland danced the role of Blossom in James Kudelka's Cinderella and the Fairy of Valor in The Sleeping Beauty. Her 'old-style' performance continued to earn her praise.
2007: Soloist Performances and Creation of Leading Role
In 2007, during her first season as a soloist at New York City Center, Misty Copeland received positive reviews in The New York Times for her Balanchine Ballo della Regina role. Also in 2007, she created a leading role in C. to C. (Close to Chuck), choreographed by Jorma Elo to A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close, Études 2, 9 & 10, by Philip Glass.
2008: Performances in Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor's Works
During the 2008-09 season, Misty Copeland was praised for her performances in Twyla Tharp's Baker's Dozen and Paul Taylor's Company B.
2008: Performances at the Metropolitan Opera House
In the summer of 2008, Misty Copeland's performances in Don Quixote and Sleeping Beauty at the Metropolitan Opera House were well received.
March 2009: Filming Music Video with Prince
In March 2009, Misty Copeland filmed a music video with Prince for a cover of "Crimson and Clover", the first single from his 2009 album Lotusflower, dancing along to the song in improvised ballet movements.
2009: Spring ABT Season and Role Creation
During the 2009 Spring ABT season at the Met, Misty Copeland performed Gulnare in Le Corsaire and leading roles in Taylor's Airs and Balanchine's Pas de Deux from Swan Lake. In 2009, she also created a role in Aszure Barton's One of Three.
2010: Featured in T-Mobile's ads for the BlackBerry
In 2010, Misty Copeland was featured in T-Mobile's ads for the BlackBerry.
2010: Performances After Recovery from Stress Fracture
In 2010, after recovering from a stress fracture, Misty Copeland performed in Birthday Offering at the Met and at the Guggenheim Museum, dancing to David Lang's music. She also created the Spanish Dance in ABT artist-in-residence Alexei Ratmansky's new version of The Nutcracker, premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
April 2011: Performance with Prince on Lopez Tonight
In April 2011, Misty Copeland performed alongside Prince on the Lopez Tonight show, dancing to his song "The Beautiful Ones."
2011: Unveiled dancewear line, M by Misty
In 2011, Misty Copeland unveiled her designed dancewear line, 'M by Misty'.
2011: Featured in Hulu web series and guest judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance'
In 2011, Misty Copeland was featured in Season 1, episode 5 of the Hulu web series 'A Day in the Life'. Also in 2011, Copeland served as a guest judge for the 11th season of FOX's 'So You Think You Can Dance'.
2011: Recognition and Performances
In early 2011, Misty Copeland was well received at the Kennedy Center as the Milkmaid in Ratmansky's The Bright Stream. In Black History Month in 2011, Copeland was selected by Essence as one of its 37 Boundary-breaking black women in entertainment. In May 2011, she created a role in Ratmansky's Dumbarton.
March 29, 2012: Starring in The Firebird Premiere
On March 29, 2012, Misty Copeland starred in The Firebird, with choreography by Ratmansky, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. The Los Angeles Times hailed the performance as one of the year's best dance performances.
June 2012: Leading Role and Injury
In June 2012, Misty Copeland was set to alternate in the lead for The Firebird at the Met, marking her first leading role at ABT. However, after only one New York performance, Copeland withdrew from the entire ABT season due to six stress fractures in her tibia.
May 2013: Return to the Stage
In May 2013, Misty Copeland returned to the stage as the Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote. Nelson George began filming a documentary to capture her comeback.
June 2013: Reprising Role in Le Corsaire
In June 2013, Misty Copeland reprised her role as Gulnare in the pirate-themed Le Corsaire. She also played an Odalisque in the same ballet.
2013: Appeared in Dr. Pepper Ad and represented Coach, Inc.
In 2013, Misty Copeland was featured in an ad for Dr. Pepper and represented Coach, Inc., becoming a spokesperson for Project Plié.
May 2014: Lead Role in Coppélia and Performances at the Met
In May 2014, Misty Copeland performed the lead role of Swanilda in Coppélia at the Met. Also in May 2014, the Met staged a program of one-act ballets featuring Copeland in Theme and Variations, Duo Concertant and Gaîté Parisienne.
June 2014: Performances in Cinderella, Manon, and La Bayadère
In June 2014, Misty Copeland danced the Fairy Autumn in Frederick Ashton's Cinderella at the Met. Also in June, she played Lescaut's Mistress in Manon and performed the role of Gamzatti in La Bayadère.
2014: Sponsored athlete for Under Armour
In 2014, Misty Copeland became a sponsored athlete for Under Armour, which paid her more than her ballet career.
2014: Released memoir 'Life in Motion' and children's book 'Firebird'
In 2014, Misty Copeland released her memoir, 'Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina', co-authored by Charisse Jones. Also in 2014, she released her children's picture book, 'Firebird', with illustrator Christopher Myers.
March 2015: Role in The Sleeping Beauty
In March 2015, Misty Copeland danced the role of Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California.
April 2015: Premiere of 'A Ballerina's Tale' at Tribeca Film Festival
In April 2015, 'A Ballerina's Tale', a documentary film about Misty Copeland, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
May 2015: Roles in Rodeo, Othello, and Giselle
In May 2015, Misty Copeland played Cowgirl in Rodeo, Bianca in Othello, and Zulma in Giselle.
May 2015: Featured on '60 Minutes'
In May 2015, Misty Copeland was featured on '60 Minutes' in a segment with correspondent Bill Whitaker.
June 2015: Debut in Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake
In June 2015, Misty Copeland created the small role of the Fairy Fleur de farine (Wheat flower) in Ratmansky's The Sleeping Beauty. She also made her debut in Romeo and Juliet and her New York debut in the Odette/Odile double role from Swan Lake.
June 30, 2015: Promotion to Principal Dancer
On June 30, 2015, Misty Copeland made history by becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre's 75-year history.
July 2015: Release of 'Misty Copeland: Power and Grace'
In July 2015, the book 'Misty Copeland: Power and Grace' was released by photographer Richard Corman.
October 2015: Release of 'A Ballerina's Tale' in theaters
In October 2015, 'A Ballerina's Tale', a documentary film about Misty Copeland, was released in theaters.
October 2015: Performance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'
In October 2015, Misty Copeland performed on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' accompanied by cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
December 2015: Role of Clara in The Nutcracker
In December 2015, Misty Copeland reprised the role of Clara in Ratmansky's Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
2015: Brand ambassador for Seiko
In 2015, Misty Copeland became a brand ambassador for Seiko.
2015: Recognition as Influential Person and Endorsements
In 2015, Misty Copeland was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people, appearing on its cover. She also endorsed products from T-Mobile, Coach, Inc., Dr Pepper, Seiko, The Dannon Company, and Under Armour.
2015: Continued as Soloist Until Mid-2015
Misty Copeland continued as a soloist for the American Ballet Theatre until mid-2015. During this time, she was recognized for her growth as a dancer.
January 2016: Reprising Role in The Sleeping Beauty
In January 2016, Misty Copeland reprised the role of Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty at the Kennedy Center, choreographed by Ratmansky.
February 2016: 'A Ballerina's Tale' airs on PBS' Independent Lens
In February 2016, 'A Ballerina's Tale', a documentary film about Misty Copeland, was aired as part of PBS' Independent Lens series.
February 2016: Interview with President Barack Obama and Walked at New York Fashion Week
In February 2016, Misty Copeland and President Barack Obama were interviewed together for Time and Essence magazines, discussing race, gender and opportunity. The same month, she walked the runway at New York Fashion Week for the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign.
2016: Mattel created Misty Copeland Barbie doll and Dannon hired Copeland as a spokesperson
In 2016, Mattel created a Misty Copeland Barbie doll. Later that year, the Dannon Company hired Copeland as a spokesperson for its Oikos brand.
2016: Launched 'Égal Dance' dancewear line
In 2016, Misty Copeland launched another dancewear line, 'Égal Dance', marketed as inclusive for all body types.
2016: Voiced herself on 'Peg + Cat'
In 2016, Misty Copeland voiced herself on an episode of the animated TV series 'Peg + Cat', titled "The Dance Problem/Follow The Bouncing Ball".
February 2017: Debuted activewear collection for Under Armour
In February 2017, Misty Copeland debuted her own collection of activewear for Under Armour and criticized statements by Under Armour founder and CEO Kevin Plank.
July 2017: Launched a digital ad campaign for Under Armour and became spokesperson for an Estée Lauder fragrance
In July 2017, Under Armour launched a digital ad campaign featuring Misty Copeland. At the end of that month, she became the spokesperson for an Estée Lauder fragrance.
2017: Guest Artist with La Scala Theatre Ballet
In 2017, Misty Copeland appeared as a guest artist with La Scala Theatre Ballet when it visited Southern California.
2017: Guest judge on 'World of Dance'
In 2017, Misty Copeland appeared as a guest judge on 'World of Dance'.
2017: Released 'Ballerina Body'
In 2017, Misty Copeland released the book 'Ballerina Body', a health and fitness guide.
2018: Lead role in 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms'
In 2018, Misty Copeland danced the lead ballerina role in the Disney film 'The Nutcracker and the Four Realms'.
2019: Dancing Harlequinade with Calvin Royal III
In 2019, Misty Copeland danced Harlequinade opposite Calvin Royal III in the roles of Pirrette and Pierrot, marking a rare instance of a black couple dancing together in ballet.
2019: Danced with Craig Hall at American Music Awards
In 2019, Misty Copeland danced with Craig Hall during Taylor Swift's performance of her song "Lover" at the American Music Awards.
May 2020: Co-founded 'Swans for Relief' fundraiser
In May 2020, Misty Copeland co-founded 'Swans for Relief', a fundraiser compiling videos of 32 ballerinas from 14 countries dancing 'The Dying Swan' to raise funds for COVID-19 relief.
2020: Performed at the Grammy Awards
In 2020, Misty Copeland performed at the Grammy Awards.
2020: Released 'Bunheads'
In 2020, Misty Copeland released her children's book, 'Bunheads'.
2021: Released 'Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy'
In 2021, Misty Copeland released the book 'Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy'.
2022: Co-founded sports apparel label 'Greatness Wins'
In 2022, Misty Copeland co-founded the sports apparel label 'Greatness Wins'.
2022: Founded The Misty Copeland Foundation
In 2022, Misty Copeland founded The Misty Copeland Foundation, which provides after-school programs for children that combine ballet training, health and wellness, musicianship, mentoring and tutoring.
2022: Released 'The Wind at My Back'
In 2022, Misty Copeland released another memoir, 'The Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace, and Other Gifts from My Mentor, Raven Wilkinson', co-written with Susan Fales-Hill.
2023: "Flower", a silent documentary featuring Copeland
In 2023, silent documentary "Flower" was released featuring Misty Copeland.
2024: Screening of "Flower" at The Bentonville Film Festival
In 2024, The Bentonville Film Festival hosted a screening of "Flower", a 2023 silent documentary featuring Misty Copeland.
October 2025: Farewell Performance
Misty Copeland is planning to retire after 25 years with ABT and give a farewell performance in October 2025.
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