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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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Your Possibilities In Dance

If you are a training or professional dancer reading this, chances are you enjoy being on the stage. I mean, I totally get it and feel the exact same way. To me, there aren't too many things that are better than feeling those hot lights for the first time during company class, seeing the stretched out marley and prepping for an audience. It is truly a gift. Dance, however, comes with many gifts.

Today while on a strategy call I was expressing to my mentee the importance of knowing what it is she wants to pursue upon graduating college. Helping her understand the benefits of being specific versus the downfalls of being vague in professional dance. As we continued on in conversation I reminded her of how rare and valuable she is because of the diversity she carries within the realm of dance. That I what I'd like to share with you.

There are so many possibilities within the profession of dance. Did you know that it is possible to increase your value as a artist be using transferrable skills? What do I mean by transferrable skills? Administrative strength, costume creativity, simple stitching (that's how I became an impromptu repairer for a costume piece belonging to Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre), master teacher, etc. All of these things can be done full time but they can also be the vehicle getting you to network for that next huge contract.

Pretty amazing, right!?

Just to get you thinking and expanding I am going to share a few dance jobs you probably didn't know you can also pursue. These jobs are from an document created by Associate Professor of Dance, Michael Medcalf, University of Memphis.

Enjoy and teach yourself to dream big!



Careers in dance

Dance Therapist

Dance Company Administrator

Dance Critic

Costume Shop Manager

Dance Outreach Coordinator

Dance Grant Manager

Dance Company Archivist

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