Ballet Bound: The Formative Years of Misty Copeland Under Liz Cantine
Photo courtesy of Misty Copeland - LaKisha Mosley
Ballet Bound: The Formative Years of Misty Copeland Under Liz Cantine
At the recent launch of her third book, "Misty Meets Palet at Segerstrom," the dynamic Liz Cantine celebrated with fans over a lavish luncheon at Raffaello Ristorante in San Pedro. The narrative centers on Misty Copeland and a painter, Palet, coming together at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa. They bring famous paintings from the Metropolitan Museum in New York to life through dance and poetry. Misty introduces readers to the world of dance and inspires Palet to depict today's diverse world through his art.
The highlight of Cantine’s discussion was Misty Copeland's evolution from her student in dance and PE at Dana Middle School in San Pedro to becoming the principal dancer at the American Ballet Company in New York. Raised in Alhambra, Cantine found her haven at Burch Mann dance studio. After earning her degree from UCLA, she taught English and history in Los Angeles Unified School District. Seizing an opportunity in the early 1990s, she founded a drill team at Dana Middle School.
During the drill-team captain tryouts, one petite girl, poised like a dancer, caught her attention. This prodigious talent was none other than Misty Copeland. Despite Misty's unfamiliarity with technical dance terms, she effortlessly replicated moves demonstrated by Cantine. In one memorable performance, Misty's flawless execution left her middle school audience spellbound.
Cantine introduced Misty to Cindy Bradley of San Pedro City Ballet, leading Misty on a path from Dana Middle School, through various ballet companies, and finally to the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in New York. Misty’s dream materialized as she became ABT’s first black principal dancer. Her talent was so compelling that, at just 19, she took center stage in "Swan Lake" at the Met. However, her journey wasn’t without challenges, including a request to lighten her skin tone. When questioned about Misty's potential success, Cantine confidently dismissed such dated notions, affirming Misty's brilliance.
Today, Misty Copeland stands as a ballet icon, breaking barriers and setting new standards. Cantine's commitment to empowerment shines through her book donations to schools and organizations in underserved areas, aiming to inspire and educate about the beauty of diverse humanity.
Liz’s first published book is “Graceful Gratitude – A Book of Holiday Graces.” It is a collection of her poetic family holiday blessings for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving plus a week of everyday graces. It has been enjoyed by people of all religions and as daily meditation for those with no religious affiliation. Please consider it as a gift for a hostess and/or birthday, anniversary, graduation, memorial, or just friendship.
Find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Her second book, “Brush of Giftedness” is a collaboration of famous art including Chegal, Da Vinci, Degas, Kahlo, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Warhol with 18 of her biographical descriptive original poems. The book is illustrated by Heidi Dong, one of her gifted students with autism. It is dedicated to those with special needs and to everyone who brushes individual giftedness into life. The book has been implemented in high school classes to motivate creative writing and poetry. It is a perfect gift for anyone who enjoys art and/or poetry.
Find it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Her third book, “Misty Meets Palet at Segerstrom,” is a children’s book that integrates famous art, poetry, and dance with the vital themes of diversity, inclusion, and acceptance. One main character is Misty Copeland, famous ballerina, Liz’s former student and current goddaughter. Her inspiration for writing this book: eliminate hate, bullying, and violence as Misty and Palet educate and appreciate humanity.
About the Author Elizabeth Cantine
Elizabeth (Liz) Michele Cantine, a graduate from UCLA, has spent her career of over 50 years as a classroom and dance educator. She has written and presented many units integrating the fine arts into the K-12 curriculum. She was an LA Music Center Arts Education Bravo Award Finalist and has served as President of California Dance Educators Association. As Dance Drill Team Coach at Dana Middle School in San Pedro, California, she discovered and taught the awe-inspiring Misty Copeland, first African-American Principal Ballet Dancer at American Ballet Theatre. After retiring from Los Angeles Unified School District, Liz was the Outreach Coordinator for the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Musical Theatre West, and the Norris Theatre. Later, Liz became the Dance and PE mentor in Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. She also had the opportunity to teach dance in Adaptive PE at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. The students and parents motivated her to begin an afterschool dance program at Palos Verdes Performing Arts (PVPA) Conservatory for students with special needs. Recognizing the incredible talent of these enthusiastic students, she called the program Ready, Willing and Able (RWA) – life changing for all! She continues to teach privately to some RWA students and group classes to fellow adult dancers. As a former professional dancer and choreographer, she performs with her adult Tap Happy troupe at local and senior venues. She also dances in Anne Destabelle’s Pennyroyal Players who donate all profits to charities including RWA. Recently, PVPA recognized Liz with their first In-House Celebrity Award for her community service.
