Misty Copeland's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

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

1997: Wins 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: Wins first place in 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. She was recognized by the Los Angeles Times as the best young dancer in the Greater Los Angeles Area.

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.

2003: Named to Dance Magazine's '25 to Watch'

In 2003, Misty Copeland was named to the 2003 class of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch".

August 2007: Appointed Soloist at ABT

In August 2007, Copeland was appointed a soloist at ABT, becoming one of the youngest ABT dancers promoted to that position.

2007: Performances at New York City Center and Creation of a Leading Role

In 2007, during her first season as a soloist at New York City Center, Copeland received good reviews for her role in Balanchine's 'Ballo della Regina'. She also created a leading role in Jorma Elo's 'C. to C. (Close to Chuck)', and her performances of Tharp's works were recognized.

2008: Praised for Performances in Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor Works

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

2008: Won the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts

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

2008: Performances at the Metropolitan Opera House

In the summer of 2008, Copeland's performances in 'Don Quixote' and 'Sleeping Beauty' at the Metropolitan Opera House were well received.

2009: Performances at the Met and in Beijing

In 2009, Copeland performed Gulnare in 'Le Corsaire' and leading roles in Taylor's 'Airs' and Balanchine's 'Pas de Deux from Swan Lake' during the ABT season at the Met. She also participated in ABT's first trip to Beijing and created a role in Aszure Barton's 'One of Three'.

2010: Performances after recovering from a stress fracture

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

2011: Recognition and Performances

In early 2011, Copeland was well received at the Kennedy Center in 'The Bright Stream'. She was also selected by Essence as one of its 37 Boundary-breaking black women in entertainment. In May, she created a role in Ratmansky's 'Dumbarton'.

March 29, 2012: Starred in The Firebird Premiere

On March 29, 2012, Copeland starred in Ratmansky's 'The Firebird' at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California, which was hailed as one of the year's best dance performances.

May 2013: Danced the Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote

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

2013: Named National Youth of the Year Ambassador

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

May 2014: Performed the Lead Role in Coppélia and More

In May 2014, Copeland performed the lead role of Swanilda in 'Coppélia' at the Met, reportedly becoming the first African American woman to dance the role. She was also praised in the dual role of Queen of the Dryads and Mercedes in 'Don Quixote' and featured in a program of one-act ballets at the Met.

2014: President's Council and Honorary Doctorate

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

June 2015: Debut in Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake

In June 2015, Copeland created the role of the Fairy Fleur de farine in Ratmansky's 'The Sleeping Beauty'. She also debuted in 'Romeo and Juliet' and made her New York debut in the Odette/Odile double role from 'Swan Lake'.

June 30, 2015: Promoted to Principal Ballerina at ABT

On June 30, 2015, Copeland became the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal ballerina in ABT's 75-year history.

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 and appeared on its cover.

2015: Glamour Woman of the Year, ESPN Impact 25, Barbara Walters' Most Fascinating, Time 100

In 2015, after being promoted as principal dancer, Copeland was named one of Glamour's Women of the Year, one of ESPN's Impact 25, one of Barbara Walters' "most fascinating" people, and one of the Time 100 and appeared on the cover of Time Magazine.