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Misty Copeland © Juliana Thomas for the Clinton Foundation i
World Ballet Day: In Conversation with Misty Copeland
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12 November 2025
Industry News
On the occasion of World Ballet Day, our Director Edilia Gänz was honoured to host a special conversation with Misty Copeland, one of today’s most celebrated ballerinas, whose grace and courage have reshaped classical ballet.
Misty Copeland in Swan Lake © Darren Thomas/QPAC i
Misty Copeland began studying ballet at the age of 13, her exceptional talent and determination quickly setting her apart, leading her to join the American Ballet Theatre.
She was promoted to soloist in 2007 and made history in 2015 as the company’s first African-American woman appointed principal dancer. Renowned for her strength, grace, and advocacy for inclusion in the arts, she has embodied some of ballet’s most iconic roles, inspiring new generations of artists and audiences worldwide.
As she gracefully transitions into a new chapter following her recent retirement and unforgettable final bow, Misty Copeland reflected on her extraordinary journey and her hopes for the future of the performing arts. The discussion explored themes central to FEDORA’s mission, inclusion, innovation, and the transformative power of the performing arts, and how these values must guide the cultural sector toward lasting systemic change.
For Misty Copeland, the arts are not merely a reflection of beauty, but a mirror of society’s values and aspirations. She underlined the urgent need for the performing arts to embrace broader representation, not only on stage, but also within leadership and education, to ensure that the next generation of artists grows up seeing themselves reflected in the art form.
For Misty, the creation of new works is essential to keeping ballet alive and relevant:
“I think it's so vital, so important, that we do continue to have new choreographers and new works that are coming into the repertoire, specifically within the classical ballet realm. Because that's how we continue to grow, explore, challenge, and change people's ideas of what they think this world can be.”
Misty Copeland at her American Ballet Theatre Farewell Gala © Rights Reserved i
Throughout the conversation, Misty spoke passionately about her belief that representation shapes both artistry and identity. She hopes she has shown the world that “when you have representation and when you can see yourself reflected, it can change everything.”
This belief lies at the heart of her work with the Misty Copeland Foundation and its flagship program, BE BOLD, a groundbreaking afterschool dance initiative inspired by her own formative experience at the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club.
Through BE BOLD, the Foundation offers an introductory ballet program designed for young children of color ages 5-12. The initiative reimagines traditional dance education, making ballet accessible, affordable, and joyful while cultivating confidence, creativity, and community.
Reflecting on the importance of representation at every level of the arts ecosystem, Misty Copeland also shared exciting news about her new role at the American Ballet Theatre:
“I’m very honoured that I have just accepted a position at American Ballet Theatre to serve on their Board of Trustees. I’ll be the first artist to serve in that role. And as a Black woman, it’s important for me to be there and have a seat at the table, to make sure there’s representation in all aspects of the system.”
Throughout the conversation, Misty Copeland emphasized that inclusion in the arts requires not only opportunity but also structural evolution, from who creates and teaches, to who leads and funds institutions. She spoke passionately about supporting emerging choreographers, empowering diverse artistic voices, and fostering spaces where every child feels safe to express themselves through movement.
Misty Copeland’s journey embodies the values of artistic excellence, resilience, and generosity that FEDORA strives to champion. Her story is a powerful reminder that true artistry extends beyond performance, it has the capacity to inspire change, nurture belonging, and move the world forward.
