Misty Copeland: I Didn't Have 'The Means To Be Part Of The Ballet World'

It's no secret that dance can be a pricey hobby for young kids and the parents who foot the bill. The cost of classes, coupled with expensive leotards, tights and every type of shoe imaginable may make the dream seem out of reach, but renowned ballerina Misty Copeland told HuffPost Live that aspiring dancers shouldn't feel discouraged.

Copeland, who made history last year as the first-ever black female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, said that even she didn't have the funds to pay for her instruction alone.

"I mean, my entire training basis was from scholarships. I did not have the means to be a part of the ballet world," she told host Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani on Monday.

While she acknowledged that money can be an obstacle, she encouraged dancers to seek out programs that "promote diversity" and seek out people that are passionate about the art.

"I think it's just about finding the right program. Project Plié, I think, is a good one for people to research through ABT.org," she said.

Watch the full HuffPost Live conversation with Misty Copeland here.

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