Black History Month: Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer who made history in 2015 for becoming the first African American Female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre.
Find out more about Misty at her website: https://mistycopeland.com/
The movie A Ballerina's Tale is available for request in the Swank K-12 Streaming catalog. Black ballerina Misty Copeland is profiled in this documentary, which explores her career, her recovery from a serious injury and the lack of diversity in the world of dance.
Books in our SORA Collection
We have seven books about, by, or featuring Misty Copeland in our Monroe One BOCES SORA account:
- Life in Motion by Misty Copeland
When she first placed her hands on the barre at an after-school community center, no on expected thirteen-year-old Misty Copeland to become one of America's most groundbreaking dancers. A true prodigy, she was attempting in months roles that take most dancers years to master. But when Misty became caught between the control and comfort she found in the world of ballet and the harsh realities of her own life, she had to choose to embrace both her identity and her dreams, and find the courage to be one of a kind. - Bunheads by Misty Copeland
From prima ballerina and New York Times best-selling author Misty Copeland comes the story of a young Misty, who discovers her love of dance through the ballet Coppelia-a story about a toymaker who devises a villainous plan to bring a doll to life. - Firebird by Misty Copeland
In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl - an every girl - whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird. - Young, Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson
Meet 52 icons of color from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement - a collection of changemakers to encourage, inspire and empower the next generation of changemakers. Jamia Wilson has carefully curated this range of black icons and the book is stylishly brought together by Andrea Pippins' colorful and celebratory illustrations.
Multimedia Resources
American Ballet Theatre: A History
Grades 7-Adult
Ric Burns presents this rich, 75-year history of one of the world's preeminent ballet companies, from its earliest days as a small, financially struggling collective to its pinnacle as one of the most respected and revered dance companies in the world. With unprecedented access to the company, witness dramatic live performances in Paris and Havana, grueling rehearsals at the American Ballet Theatre's flagship studio in New York City and slow-motion captures at Kaatsbaan International Dance Center in Tivoli New York.
For the Misty Copeland segment only, click here: https://media.monroe.edu/?a=347235&s=01:34:56:00&e=01:36:16:00&d=56235AAPeg+Cat: The Dance Problem
Grades PreK-2
Peg and Cat can dance with their idol Misty Copeland, if Cat can overcome one big obstacle: his tail. Through engaging stories and physical comedy, ''Peg + Cat'' inspires preschool children to see math as exciting, accessible and fun. The show teaches measurement, shapes and patterns, and a wide range of fundamental pre-math skills, as established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics.Stretch with Misty Copeland
Grades PreK-1
In this video from Sesame Street, ballerina Misty Copeland teaches Elmo how to stretch and the importance of warming up his body before exercise. Hosted on YouTube.