Misty Copeland has been named principal dancer by the American Ballet Theater – the first time a black ballerina has held the prestigious role.<br /><br /> Copeland, who began dance training at the relatively late age of 13, joined the ABT in New York in 2001. She is already a superstar in the dance world, performing some of its most famous roles and attracting enthusiastic young fans far outside the usual ballet audience.<br /><br /> This nomination is a dream came true she said at a press conference: “My dream has been ABT (American Ballet Theatre) since I was 13 and to be a principal dancer is reaching those heights and now I feel like I can breathe but David Hallberg told me this morning, ‘The hard work is just now starting.’ And I love a challenge and I don’t think I could be a part of this field if I didn’t like to work hard,” she said, fighting back tears. <br /><br /> The dance company announced the promotion shortly after Copeland made her New York debut in Swan Lake, one of the most coveted roles in balle
