Misty Copeland by Lawrence E. Walker

Misty Copeland Teaches Ballet Technique and Artistry | Official Trailer | MasterClass

From the moment she stepped on the dance floor at age 13, Misty Copeland broke away from the norm. Three months later, the burgeoning ballerina was dancing en pointe. In just over a year, she was performing professionally, a nearly unfathomable accomplishment in the world of classical dance.

Misty Copeland’s last performance with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) was on October 22, 2025, at the David H. Koch Theater during the company’s Fall Gala. The event was a celebratory send-off featuring tributes and performances that honored her career. 

Details of the farewell performance

• A return to the stage: This will be Copeland’s first time performing with ABT in five years.
• Program: The evening will feature a curated selection of works from Copeland’s repertoire, including excerpts from classics like Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake, as well as George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations.
• Special tributes: The performance will also include heartfelt speeches and video montages honoring her career. Notable individuals like Debbie Allen and Oprah Winfrey are expected to provide tributes.
• Free simulcast: For the public, a live simulcast of the gala will be streamed for free to Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center on a first-come, first-served basis. 

A Farewell, But Not Goodbye

Although she is retiring from her role as a principal dancer with ABT, Copeland has stated that this is not the end of her dancing career. In interviews, she has indicated that she will continue to dance and remain active in the ballet world through her foundation, books, and production projects.

Music and performing gave her a voice and helped her rise out of difficult circumstances. They also helped her create a platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion. Now, as the prestigious American Ballet Theatre’s first African American female principal dancer, she’s an inspiration around the world and a cultural icon. Through her MasterClass, the history-making ballerina is teaching you to develop a deeper appreciation for ballet and the liberating power of movement. In Misty’s class, learn to embrace your own uniqueness and tell a story on stage through the universal language of dance. At the barre, Misty demonstrates her warm-up routine and buildable techniques, from pliés to ronds de jambe, and teaches you to focus on the quality of your moves over repetition. She also breaks down her Black Swan variation and Nutcracker performances and shares her approach to delivering powerful, dynamic performances. She’ll show you how she works with partners and with choreographers to create artistry on stage, how she embodies characters, and how you can bring emotion to life through authentic, organic dance and movement.