Early Life and Education of Misty Copeland: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Misty Copeland, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Misty Copeland is a renowned American ballet dancer, notably with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). She made history on June 30, 2015, by becoming the first African American woman to achieve the rank of principal dancer in ABT's 75-year history, marking a significant milestone in the world of ballet.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

September 10, 1982: Misty Copeland's Birth

On September 10, 1982, Misty Danielle Copeland was born. She would later become a renowned American ballet dancer.

Others born on this day/year

1994: Mother separates from Robert

By 1994, Misty Copeland's mother, DelaCerna, had separated from Robert. DelaCerna and her children moved into two small rooms at the Sunset Inn in Gardena, California.

1996: Attends ballet class at Boys & Girls Club

In early 1996, Misty Copeland was convinced by Cantine to attend a ballet class at her local Boys & Girls Club, where she started ballet studies at the age of 13 at the San Pedro Dance Center when Cynthia Bradley began picking her up from school.

September 1998: Custody controversy publicized

In September 1998, the custody controversy surrounding Misty Copeland was highly publicized in the press, especially in the Los Angeles Times and Extra.

1998: Attends San Francisco Ballet School summer workshop

In 1998, Misty Copeland attended the summer workshop at the San Francisco Ballet School, declining offers from the Joffrey Ballet, ABT, and Dance Theater of Harlem. At the end of the six-week workshop, she received an offer to continue as a full-time student at the school but declined.

1998: Custody battle and professional offers

In 1998, Misty Copeland's ballet teachers and her mother engaged in a custody battle. At the same time, Copeland, already an award-winning dancer, was receiving professional offers. This period involved legal issues such as filings for emancipation by Copeland and restraining orders by her mother. Eventually, both sides dropped legal proceedings, and Copeland moved home to study under a new teacher.

1998: Emancipation papers and restraining orders dropped

In 1998, after DelaCerna stated she would always make sure Copeland could dance, both the emancipation papers and restraining orders were dropped. Copeland re-enrolled at San Pedro High School for her junior year. Late in 1998, all parties appeared on Leeza Gibbons' talk show, Leeza, where Copeland sat silently as the adults "bickered shamelessly".

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1999: Auditions for dance programs

In 1999, Misty Copeland auditioned for several dance programs and received offers from each to enroll in their summer program. She performed with ABT as part of its Summer Intensive programs.

2000: Earnings from ballet set aside

In 2000, DelaCerna stated that Misty Copeland's earnings from ballet were set aside in a savings account and only used as needed.

2000: Joins ABT Summer Intensive program and declared Coca-Cola Scholar

In 2000, Misty Copeland performed with ABT as part of its Summer Intensive programs and she was declared ABT's National Coca-Cola Scholar. In the 2000 Summer Intensive Program, she danced the role of Kitri in Don Quixote.

2004: Breakthrough season and meets biological father

The 2004 season is regarded as Misty Copeland's breakthrough season. In 2004, she met her biological father for the first time and regretted that she had not done so sooner. She was also included in the 2004 picture book Getting Closer: A Dancer's Perspective by Rosalie O'Connor.