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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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The Fast Track Of The Future Of Dance

 Last October during an interview I was asked if I felt that I had to work harder than other dancers because I’m black. Although this portion wasn’t included in the article my answer was a resounding “No!”. My explanation was simple, I work and love dance just as much as the next person. There is no need for me to work harder.

I don’t dance to outwork my skin tone. Neither do I dance to prove myself to anyone. In 2024 I hope this can be the mentality of every professional dance artist. It is about time we restore dance back to its regality and wonder. You know, the things that made us marvel at the throwback stories and the legends that previous decades built? We’ve gotta get back. I have said it before but none of those people (name your favorite dancers from back then) made history without tenacity, audacity and respect for the work of dance. 

December has certainly proven to be a reflective dance month for me. From being a guest artist with Ballethnic Dance Company (Urban Nutcracker), watching tons of photos and content roll in from dance companies all over the world (more of nutcracker), watching dance-lovers everywhere celebrate the triumphant performance of The Dancers of Syracuse and witnessing the Dew Drop downpour of New York City Ballet’s India Bradley and Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Alexandra Hutchinson, I have been sitting in a pool of thought-provoking questions. It is also bliss because I know change is on the wind.

I have been speaking about the woes, happenings and gems within the industry of dance for a while now. With so much changing, and rather quickly, I am looking forward to what is to come. With so much to be accomplished who has the time to worry about stereotypes or to people please? 

My stance will always be, as Joan Myers Brown put it [my] audacious hope. I hope my mindset and informative inspiration can positively impact the world of dance as it morphs beyond the last 4 years with gentle nods to the ones we have learned and love. 


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