Britt Stewart already had a full dance career before “Dancing with the Stars” came calling. Growing up, the Colorado native had trained in just about every style except for ballroom, landing a spot in Disney’s High School Musical at 15 after she met one of the movie’s choreographers, Bonnie Story, at New York City Dance […]
As a student at Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy, American Ballet Theatre corps member Erica Lall saw iconic former Houston Ballet principal Lauren Anderson on a regular basis. “I think I assumed her position as an African-American principal dancer was a one-time thing,” Lall says. “Lauren became a principal in 1990. Why aren’t there dozens […]
Misty Copeland. Her name is synonymous with exquisite artistry and outspoken advocacy. And her visibility has made a huge impact on the ballet world. Ballet’s relationship with race has always been strained at best, hostile at worst. But Copeland’s persistent message and star quality have finally forced the ballet industry to start talking about racial […]
When we think of a dancer who’s broken barriers, American Ballet Theatre principal Misty Copeland tends to be the name that comes to mind. And though Copeland has been a crucial advocate for equality in the world of ballet, Raven Wilkinson—a mentor of Copeland’s—is considered one of the original pioneers of the movement. In 1955, […]