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A Decade After Her Rise Misty Copeland Shifts The World of Ballet Once Again

 For maybe two months I’d have random moments of quick thoughts. Although quick, they were important. They were worth pondering in my mind because, whenever it actually came true, it’d mean things in dance, things in ballet are really changing. Those quick, repetitive thoughts were about the retirement of Misty Danielle Copeland.  Today was the today. Today is when I actually read the news. Although I’d been having thoughts of the inevitable, reading that NY Times headline made me feel more mentally prepared than I assumed. Allow me to explain. I recognize the retirement of Misty Copeland, just about on the heels of Gillian Murphy's, to be an announcement of a monumental shift in ballet. When I was a high school dancer, the most beautiful dancers— the dancers I looked up to, seemed to dance forever. While companies are looking younger and social media is hailing as a prominent stimulant to detect and experience true artistry, the turning of the tide is truly here.  I’ll b...
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How To Be More Than A Dancer

connectivity, grace, passion, teachability, discipline...

These are a few characteristics that come to mind when I think of being more than a dancer. On the surface, a dancer is one who can execute well. A dancer can even be one who enjoys dancing, but on the Artist Impression's platform we love to dig deeper. I always want readers to challenge their thoughts and actions about dance and within dance because a restorative awareness is needed within this craft. 

Today it is nothing to walk into a class or audition where dance talent is swarming. Dancing along is not special. In some arenas, now, this may be the case. However, when considering a professional career and even an impactful career in, one must fulfill everything and then the steps. What are some words that come to your mind when you think about ways to be more than a dancer? Develop those within. Whatever your words are, keep in mind that they are not relegated to only an emotional performance. Your execution of grace, connectivity and maturity, for example, begins to develop during your training. Rehearsals (which Milton Myers told us is like our lab), more rehearsals, classes and observing either of the two can help develop who you are beyond perfect memorization of choreography. Proper execution is needed. This is why we take technique classes. However, there is more.

Here are three ways I believe you can be more than a dancer:

Be versatile, be willing to discover, be dedicated to the work and the craft...

What are some ways you can be more than a dancer?

Be bold with what you come up with and be dedicated to your journey and truth.






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