Misty Copeland's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Misty Copeland.

Misty Copeland is a celebrated American ballet dancer and author. She is renowned for her groundbreaking achievement as the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in its 75-year history, a milestone reached on June 30, 2015. Copeland's accomplishment is significant in promoting diversity and inclusion within the world of ballet.

Sections (4)

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

1997: Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award

In 1997, Misty Copeland won the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award, recognizing her as the best dancer in Southern California.

March 1998: First Place at Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards

In March 1998, at fifteen years old, Misty Copeland won first place in the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards at the Chandler Pavilion. This recognition secured her title as the best young dancer in the Greater Los Angeles Area by the Los Angeles Times.

2000: ABT Summer Intensive and Coca-Cola Scholar

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 also selected to join the junior dance troupe.

2003: Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" and Role in La Bayadère

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.

2008: Performances in Twyla Tharp's Baker's Dozen and Paul Taylor's Company B

During the 2008–09 season, Misty Copeland garnered praise for her performances in Twyla Tharp's Baker's Dozen and Paul Taylor's Company B.

2008: Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts

In 2008, Misty Copeland won the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts, which funds study with master teachers and trainers outside of ABT.

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.

2009: Performances at the Met and ABT's Trip to Beijing

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. Late in 2009, she performed in ABT's first trip to Beijing at the new National Center for the Performing Arts and created a role in Aszure Barton's One of Three.

2010: Performances at the Met and Guggenheim Museum

In 2010, after recovering from a stress fracture, Misty Copeland performed in Birthday Offering at the Met and at the Guggenheim Museum danced to David Lang's music. She also created the Spanish Dance in Alexei Ratmansky's new version of The Nutcracker.

2011: Recognition by Essence and Performances in London and at the Met

In Black History Month in 2011, Misty Copeland was selected by Essence as one of its 37 Boundary-breaking black women in entertainment. That same month, she toured with Company B and performed at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. Her Summer 2011 ABT solos included the peasant pas de deux in Giselle and, in Ratmansky's The Bright Stream at the Met in June, her reprise of the Milkmaid was called "luminous, teasingly sensual".

March 29, 2012: Starring in The Firebird

On March 29, 2012, Copeland starred in The Firebird, with choreography by Ratmansky at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California. The performance was hailed by Laura Bleiberg in the Los Angeles Times as one of the year's best dance performances.

May 2013: Return to the Stage in Don Quixote

In May 2013, after her injury, Copeland returned to the stage dancing the Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote. Nelson George began filming a documentary about her comeback.

2013: Named National Youth of the Year Ambassador

In 2013, Misty Copeland was named National Youth of the Year Ambassador by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

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 and was praised in the dual role of Queen of the Dryads and Mercedes in Don Quixote. Later in May, she performed in Theme and Variations, Duo Concertant and Gaîté Parisienne.

2014: Sponsored athlete for Under Armour

In 2014, Misty Copeland became a sponsored athlete for Under Armour, with her women-focused ad campaign widely publicized and recognized.

2014: President's Council and honorary doctorate

In 2014, Misty Copeland was named to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hartford.

June 30, 2015: Promotion to Principal Dancer

On June 30, 2015, Misty Copeland achieved a career milestone by becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre's 75-year history.

August 25, 2015: Broadway Debut in On The Town

On August 25, 2015, Misty Copeland began playing the role of Ivy Smith in the Broadway revival of On The Town for two weeks, receiving favorable reviews.

2015: Glamour Woman of the Year, ESPN Impact 25, and Time 100

In 2015, Misty Copeland was named one of Glamour's Women of the Year, one of ESPN's Impact 25, and one of the Time 100.

2015: Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2015, Misty Copeland was recognized as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, appearing on its cover. She has also become a public speaker, author, celebrity spokesperson, stage performer, and has endorsed products from various companies.