MasterClass

Misty Copeland Teaches Ballet Technique And Artistry

As the first African American female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland made history. Now shes one of the worlds most influential dancers, and shes inviting you to the barre to develop a deeper appreciation for ballet and the language of dance. From plies to partners, Misty demonstrates her techniques and teaches you to own your movement, own who you are, and do the dance only you can do.

Where to Watch Misty Copeland Teaches Ballet Technique And Artistry

17 Episodes

Introduction: Owning Your Power
E1
Introduction: Owning Your PowerMeet your new instructor: American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland. Misty talks about the philosophy that’s helped her through challenges, and she shares how this class will help you gain confidence and a fresh perspective.
Misty's Technical Transformation
E2
Misty's Technical TransformationMisty opens up about some of the errors she’s made in past performances, explaining how she’s dealt with criticism and revealing her technical transformation to rebuild strength and increase quality of movement.
Performance: Black Swan Variation
E3
Performance: Black Swan VariationMisty discusses how she prepares her pointe shoes and which type she chooses for different performances. Then she demonstrates a warm-up at the barre and performs a solo variation from Swan Lake.
Barre Warm-up: Pliés and Tendus
E4
Barre Warm-up: Pliés and TendusMisty introduces placement principles for proper alignment and shares a series of stationary exercises to practice pliés and tendus. These exercises will help you build strength and prepare for jumps.
Barre Technique: Temps Lié
E5
Barre Technique: Temps LiéTo help you learn placement principles and prepare for larger moves like arabesques, Misty demonstrates a series of small movement exercises to practice temps lié and maintain stability while shifting her weight from side to side.
Barre Technique: Ronds de Jambe
E6
Barre Technique: Ronds de JambeIn an advanced demonstration, Misty shows you exercises to practice ronds de jambe. These sequences prepare you for turns and help you engage placement principles while executing elaborate choreography.
Performance Deconstruction: Black Swan Variation
E7
Performance Deconstruction: Black Swan VariationAll the techniques shown so far come together in a slowed-down version of Misty’s Black Swan variation. You’ll see Misty’s proper alignment for jumps and turns.
Technique Informs Artistry
E8
Technique Informs ArtistryMisty tells you why a dedication to mastering technique in the studio will help you create dynamic performances, and she motivates you to become a storyteller through movement on stage.
Performance: White Swan Pas de Deux
E9
Performance: White Swan Pas de DeuxWatch as Misty and her dance partner, Calvin Royal III, perform the White Swan pas de deux. Sharing the story of Swan Lake, Misty emphasizes the importance of understanding both your role and your partner’s to create a compelling performance.
Partner Workshop: White Swan Pas de Deux
E10
Partner Workshop: White Swan Pas de DeuxCalvin Royal III, a soloist for American Ballet Theatre, joins Misty as she explains her approach to working through choreography. Watch as Misty and Calvin collaborate and finesse a piece rarely performed by two Black dancers.
Creating Powerful Performances
E11
Creating Powerful PerformancesA strong stage presence is rooted in the connection you have with the audience. Misty guides you to focus on portraying roles with honesty and encourages you to stay in the moment on stage.
Performance: Kyle Abraham's Ash
E12
Performance: Kyle Abraham's AshMisty introduces Kyle Abraham, a contemporary dance choreographer, and performs his piece Ash to show how she fuses modern and classical ballet styles.
Choreography Workshop: Ash Rehearsal
E13
Choreography Workshop: Ash RehearsalMisty brings you into a rehearsal session with Kyle Abraham. Watch as Misty works with Kyle to discover the story behind the movement and execute the choreography in a way that feels natural to her and honors his vision.
Working With Choreographers
E14
Working With ChoreographersFrom her formative years through her experiences at American Ballet Theatre, Misty opens up about working with different choreographers, including Debbie Allen, Alexei Ratmansky, and Twyla Tharp.
Style Evolution With Prince
E15
Style Evolution With PrinceMisty shares how working with Prince was a life-changing moment for her as an artist, and she encourages you to step out of your comfort zone as a dancer and explore different genres.
The Value of Mentorship
E16
The Value of MentorshipMisty talks about mentorship, including the support she received from Raven Wilkinson, one of the first Black ballerinas with a major dance company. Calvin Royal III shares his story of being mentored by Misty.
Diversity and Inclusion in Ballet
E17
Diversity and Inclusion in BalletMisty speaks to her hope for a legacy that fosters more inclusivity in ballet. She urges you to actively participate in the conversation around diversity to change the perception of what a ballet dancer should be.