Being in ballet class, being on the stage, being surrounded by my peers at American Ballet Theater every day, keeps me so humble and grounded. Being in ballet class, I feel, is like this meditation for me every morning.
When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York. It all happened so fast - it was pretty unheard of that someone could train for so few years and become a professional at one of the most elite dance companies in the United States.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the rapid journey of Misty Copeland from a novice dancer to a professional in a prestigious ballet company.
Misty Copeland reflects on her remarkable journey from a young girl training in dance to becoming a professional with the American Ballet Theatre in a very short time. Her experience emphasizes that dedication and hard work can lead to exceptional success, even in highly competitive fields, and serves as an inspiring testament to the possibilities that can arise from pursuing one's passion.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about pursuing one's passions, one might say, 'Just like Misty Copeland, who joined the American Ballet Theatre at 19, your dreams are within reach if you work hard.'
More from Misty Copeland
All quotes →Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina.
It's all so surreal, and I'm living my dream. And you know, principal or not, I'm getting to dance all the roles that I've dreamed of doing.
Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.
I say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path for me, and they may not be seen or recognized or have been given an opportunity to have a voice, but I'm here representing all of those dancers. Dance Theatre of Harlem Virginia Johnson, Tai Jimenez, Lauren Anderson.
It's hard to be the one that stands out when, you know, in a ballet company, you're trying to create unison and uniform when you're in a corps de ballet.
Similar quotes
You long for success? Start at the bottom; dig down.
Being successful and fulfilling your lifes purpose are not at all the same thing; You can reach all your personal goals, become a raving success by the worlds standard and still miss your purpose in this life.
Being criticized in the media is a good problem to have - most of the time. It means you're doing something that is at least interesting or cool or crazy enough to be noticed. It might not always feel good, but it's usually better than the alternative of obscurity.
Our premise is there are going to be a lot of winners. It's not winner take all. Other people do not have to lose for us to win.
I don't feel like a wealthy person. Other people think of me as a wealthy person, but I don't. I feel the same as when I was a fifth-year associate trying to make partner at Lehman Brothers. I haven't changed.
I have my dream job. If I was seven years old and you asked me what I'd want to be 30 years from now, I'd say exactly who I am. So, 'rare' and 'lucky' are the exact right words. It took a lot of hard work, and I took a weird route to get here, but man, am I grateful for it.