The rarefied world of classical dance has been slow to welcome people of color, too slow says the woman in charge of "Project Plie," a program named after one of the most basic moves in ballet.
To practice ballet at ABT's headquarters just north of Union Square in Manhattan is to build a bridge between an elite world and kids from from the community who yearn to learn how to dance.
"The training they're giving us now is helping me become a better dancer," 10-year-old Catalina Espinoza said.
Her mom, Grecia Matthews, is originally from Nicaragua.
"(This is) an opportunity for her to have opportunities that I didn't have growing up," she said.
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The idea is to discover ability and nurture talent.
The students are part of what ABT calls "The Bridge Class," meaning both a bridge to different communities and a bridge between those who dance for fun and those who hope to dance professionally one day.
Twelve-year-old Danilynn King, from Harlem, graduated from "The Bridge Class."
"My teacher made sure that I got to the top," she said.
She was chosen to attend ABT's elite Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Ballet School.
"They actually gave her a full scholarship," mom Linda King said. "As well as giving her car fare and uniforms and slippers, and just so many different tickets and opportunities."
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The chance to meet Misty Copeland is inspiring for young dancers, while management works hard to ensure Misty is not alone at the top in a classical art form that has been slow to change.
"This is something that should've been taking place a long, long time ago," artistic director Cynthia Harvey said. "If we're not helping the communities that have the need, then I won't have the students. And the future of dance might actually be threatened."