Misty Copeland Misty Copeland woke up one morning long hours of dancing She enjoyed in 2012 with aching muscles from the feeling That night she would take the stage in her biggest role yet The movements she would perform were as familiar as breathing She glanced in the mirror imagining the fiery feathered headdress and red glitter on her face Copeland was the first black woman to play the title role in The Firebird for a major ballet company That night Copeland was greeted by the largest crowd she had ever seen The music started She could barely hear it over the Misty Copeland was the first African American woman to be a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre ABT
The Firebird The Firebird is a story about magic and love A prince wanders into an evil magician’s garden He sees the beautiful Firebird She offers him one of her feathers She tells the prince it will help him if he is ever in trouble The prince also finds the magician’s castle The magician holds a princess captive The prince uses the feather to defeat the magician and marry the princess thunderous applause Copeland ran onstage and the flock of dancers parted She was the star she was the Firebird There are many types of dance but they all have some aspects in common A career in dance requires constant dedication Dancers sacrifice time with family and friends to perfect their skills They often find it difficult to balance dance and life outside the studio LEARNING TO DANCE Copeland called herself an unlikely ballerina in her book Life in Motion She started ballet lessons at
BALLET COSTUMES BALLET COSTUMES Romantic tutus are knee to ankle length to create an airy look Powder puff tutus Powder puff tutus have a short skirt have a short skirt with no wires Pancake tutus are Pancake tutus are short with wired short with wired frames to keep their shape Today’s ballet costumes come in different lengths and styles Some outfits are long and loose Others are shorter and simpler Which styles do you see in this chapter Which type do you think is easiest to dance in age 13 Many ballerinas start training in elementary school Her instructor molded Copeland’s body into poses few people could do She had never seen anyone like Copeland Her small head long legs and big feet made her the perfect ballerina Copeland learned quickly She worked hard and loved dance She received a standing ovation for her
