Ballet Icon Misty Copeland to Visit New Canaan Library

New Canaan Library is pleased to present a special event featuring world-famous ballerina Misty Copeland, speaking on her art, her journey, and her latest book, Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace and Other Gifts from my Mentor, Raven Wilkinson.
Ms. Copeland will speak at the Library on Monday, April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Jim & Dede Bartlett Auditorium. The presentation will be preceded by a light reception at 6:30 p.m.; registration for the event is online at newcananlibrary.org.

The Wind at My Back tells the story of two unapologetically Black ballerinas, their friendship, and how they changed each other—and the dance world—forever. Misty Copeland shares her own struggles with racism and exclusion in her pursuit of this dream career and honors the women like Raven who paved the way for her but whose contributions have gone unheralded. She celebrates the connection she made with her mentor, the only teacher who could truly understand the obstacles she faced, beyond the technical or artistic demands.

Misty Copeland began her ballet studies at the late age of thirteen and joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company in September 2000, joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in April 2001, and in August 2007 became the company’s second African
American female Soloist and the first in two decades. In June 2015, Misty was promoted to principal dancer, making her the first African American woman to ever be promoted to the position in the company’s 75-year history. She is the author of the bestselling memoir Life in Motion, Ballerina Body, and several picture books including Firebird and Bunhead.