Misty Copeland Named First African-American Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theater

Best-selling author and social media star has been with company for 14 years, eight as a soloist

Misty Copeland Prince
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Misty Copeland has been named principal dancer by the American Ballet Theater, becoming the first African-American ballet dancer to hold the position in the company’s 75-year history.

Copeland, who has become a celebrity in her own right, with a best-selling memoir and Time magazine cover to her name, was outspoken about her desire to hold such a distinction.

“My fears are that it could be another two decades before another black woman is in the position that I hold with an elite ballet company,” she said in her memoir “Life in Motion.” “That if I don’t rise to principal, people will feel I have failed them.”

Copeland already made history this year when she became the first African-American dancer to perform “Swan Lake” with the company at the Met.

At a company meeting Tuesday, Copeland’s promotion was announced by Kevin McKenzie, American Ballet Theater‘s artistic director.

Stella Abrera, with the company since 2001, was also promoted to principal, and American Ballet Theater also hired Maria Kochetkova, a principal with San Francisco Ballet, and Alban Lendorf, a principal with Royal Danish Ballet, as principal dancers.

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