BE BOLDER is a new initiative designed to provide older adults (ages 50+) with access to ballet and live music through a comprehensive and welcoming program.
Building on the foundational principles of our signature program, BE BOLDER fosters confidence, curiosity, community, mobility, self-expression, and engagement with dance and music. Through movement and storytelling, participants are invited to explore ballet as a tool for personal growth, physical well-being, and creative expression in a safe and accessible environment.The program is open to older adults ages 50+ of all ability levels—from active individuals to those with limited mobility. Accessibility and inclusivity are central to BE BOLDER, with chair-based classes and modifications available to accommodate diverse needs.
Program Launch & Structure
The pilot program launched in Summer 2025 across three selected community sites from our current partners and will continue into the 2025–2026 academic year.
Each class features gentle warm-ups and stretches, ballet movements that build balance, strength, and coordination, creative exercises in storytelling and self-expression, live collaboration with diverse musicians, and gratitude practices.
BE BOLDER emphasizes a holistic approach to health, well-being, and creative engagement.
BE BOLDER fosters social connection to combat isolation, offers creative outlets for self-expression and storytelling, and provides a safe, adaptive environment with modifications such as chair-based options. Through live music collaborations, participants are invited to explore movement in dialogue with a variety of instruments and musical styles, deepening both the emotional and artistic experience.
Guided by these practices, BE BOLDER aims to empower older adults to embrace movement and creativity as tools for personal growth, build community through shared experiences, celebrate the vitality and visibility of older bodies in ballet, and promote lifelong learning, storytelling, and joy through dance.
As part of our revised program subsidy structure, each partner site will be required to cover the teaching fees for the Assistant Teaching Artist at a minimum. The exact amount will vary based on the number of sessions and will be finalized during the planning phase.
Partners may complete a Financial Support Request Form if this contribution presents a financial hardship. The Misty Copeland Foundation remains deeply committed to equitable access and will work collaboratively with each partner to explore solutions on a case-by-case basis.
For more information or inquiries, please contact:
Marley Poku-Kankam
MCF Programs Coordinator
mpoku-kankam@mistycopelandfoundation.org