We all know the incredible Misty Copeland, who recently ascended to the ranks of principal dancers at the American Ballet Theater, marking a historic moment for African American women in ballet. But Misty’s journey was far from effortless, and her story is just one of many inspiring narratives. Black ballerinas from around the world are breaking stereotypes and reaching prestigious heights in predominantly white ballet companies. Their stories are as powerful as they are, and they deserve to be shared, for, as Misty Copeland has shown, visibility holds immense power.
Misty Copeland
1. Olivia Boisson: Shining in the Big Apple
Hailing from Queens, New York, Olivia Boisson is the only African American female dancer with the New York City Ballet. This renowned institution, founded by choreographer George Balanchine in 1933, is considered the pinnacle of American dance. Olivia’s journey began at the School of American Ballet, the official school of NYCB, where she received the prestigious Mae L. Wien award. She is the fifth Black woman to dance with the company, breaking barriers in the world of ballet.
Olivia Boisson
2. Michaela DePrince: A Miraculous Journey to Stardom
Michaela DePrince’s life story reads like a balletic fairy tale. From war-torn Sierra Leone to center stage, her journey has been nothing short of miraculous. Rebels killed her father when she was three, and her mother succumbed to starvation days later. But a photograph of a smiling ballerina at her orphanage’s gate ignited her dream of a better life. Destiny intervened when an American couple adopted her, and Michaela’s training began at The Rock School in Pennsylvania. Despite obstacles, she rose to fame in 2011 when her journey was chronicled in the documentary “First Position.” After graduating from the American Ballet Theater’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, she danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem before joining the Dutch National Ballet. 120712 CITY PRESS NEWS. Photo shoot with Michaela DePrince. She was little more than a toddler when she saw her first ballerina an image in a magazine page blown against the gate of the orphanage where she ended up during Sierra Leone’s civil war. Both her parents were killed during war and she was adopted by a Canadian couple. She is currently in South Africa dancing. PHOTO HERMAN VERWEY CITY PRESS
Michaela DePrince
3. Precious Adams: Defying Discrimination with Grace
Precious Adams made headlines when she moved to Moscow to study at the Bolshoi Ballet, one of the world’s oldest ballet institutions. As the sole African-American face in the academy, she faced fierce discrimination, even being told to “try to rub the Black off.” Precious’s unwavering dedication led her to become one of the first African-American ballerinas to graduate from the school. Armed with exceptional technique and classic lines, she has taken the ballet world by storm. She accepted an invitation to dance with the English National Ballet in London and won two top prizes at the 2014 Prix De Lausanne.
Precious Adams
4. Jasmine Perry: From North Carolina to the World
Jasmine Perry’s journey was chronicled in the Teen Vogue web series “Strictly Ballet,” where she shared her experience as an advanced student at the prestigious School of American Ballet. Hailing from North Carolina, she began her training with Charlotte Ballet (formerly North Carolina Dance Theater), dancing the lead in “The Nutcracker.” At just 15, she moved to New York City after being invited to train with the School of American Ballet full-time. Her talent shone brightly, especially in George Balanchine’s “Discord and War.” After graduation, she joined the Los Angeles Ballet.
Jasmine Perry
5. Francesca Hayward: Britain’s Rising Star
Francesca Hayward has been hailed as “a firefly among moths” and “the next great British Ballerina.” Born in Nairobi to an English father and Kenyan mother, she moved to Sussex as a toddler and began dance lessons. At 18, she was one of the few students to graduate from the Royal Ballet School into the company. Her brilliant dancing has captured the attention of critics and fans across the UK, fast-tracking her into principal roles.
Francesca Hayward
6. Awa Joannais: Paris Opera Ballet’s Trailblazer
Awa Joannais was a standout student at the Paris Opera Ballet School before winning a coveted apprenticeship with the company, founded in 1669 and the world’s oldest ballet company. Awa is the first woman of African descent to join this esteemed institution, breaking barriers with every graceful step she takes.
Awa Joannais
7. Nicole Zadra: Social Media’s Power and Perseverance
Nicole Zadra’s journey from New York to the world stage is a testament to perseverance and the power of social media. When the Bolshoi Ballet Academy offered her a year-long traineeship, she faced a daunting $16,000 tuition. With courage, Nicole set up a GoFundMe page and sent a heartfelt email to her idol, Misty Copeland. Misty shared Nicole’s email on her Facebook page, leading to a surge in donations. Thanks to this incredible support, Nicole completed her training at the Bolshoi and earned a spot with the Hong Kong Ballet.
Nicole Zadras
8. Kimberly Braylock: Dancing from New Jersey to the World
Kimberly Braylock, a New Jersey native, received a full scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet school before joining the company in 2010. Her career has taken her on tours to London and China, where she showcased her talent in featured roles. Besides dancing, she models for Discount Dance Supply and recently married a musician from the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.
Kimberly Braylock
9. Dara Holmes: Dancing Through Tragedy
Dara Holmes is a mesmerizing dancer with a poignant past. Despite facing financial constraints, she pursued her dream of dancing. An outreach program at the Wilmington School of Ballet recognized her talent and awarded her a scholarship. Tragedy struck when a car accident took her mother’s life, but Dara used dance as therapy to overcome her grief. She won a scholarship to train with the prestigious Harid Conservatory and earned a spot with The Joffrey Ballet, where she has performed lead roles in iconic ballets.
Dara Holmes
10. Katlyn Addison: From Ontario to Ballet West
Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Katlyn Addison briefly danced with The Houston Ballet before joining Ballet West in 2011. In 2014, she was promoted to demi-soloist. An emerging choreographer, Katlyn’s work, “The Hunt,” a ballet set to percussion, premiered in 2015 with Ballet West. In her spare time, she also models for Elevé dancewear.
Katelyn Addison
These ten remarkable Black ballerinas are not just changing the face of ballet; they are revolutionizing it. Their stories of determination and resilience inspire us all to break barriers, chase dreams, and dance to the rhythm of our hearts. Ballet belongs to everyone, and these extraordinary artists are lighting up the stage, one graceful leap at a time.
