BE BOLD is a groundbreaking afterschool dance initiative inspired by Misty Copeland’s own formative experience at the San Pedro Boys and Girls Club. With BE BOLD, the Misty Copeland Foundation offers an introductory ballet program designed for young children of color ages 5 – 12. The program transforms conventional dance education and strives to make ballet accessible, affordable, and fun.
BE BOLD emphasizes a comprehensive educational experience and introduces students to ballet through a carefully crafted framework. This framework results from collaborative efforts involving a diverse set of leaders from ballet, dance education, DEI training, and child development. BE BOLD’s framework covers ballet fundamentals and incorporates age-appropriate health and wellness content, along with live music exploration. The program empowers disadvantaged children to experience the joy of artful movement, breaks down barriers to dance class participation, and fosters diversity in ballet and other dance forms.
BE BOLD strives to remedy the significant gap in quality afterschool programs and limited access to formal dance instruction frequently experienced by communities of color. By offering a holistic dance education, the program’s long-term aim is to bring more people of color into the world of ballet and other dance forms.
BE BOLD is guided by outstanding Teaching Artists dedicated to helping children develop through dance and music. Our Teaching Artists complete specialized professional development training run by the Misty Copeland Foundation twice a year to deliver an excellent learning experience. A robust evaluation system measures BE BOLD’s impact to ensure that its efforts are effective.