Misty Copeland, American Ballet Theatre Soloist with CEO of Kiner Enterprises Inc., Ashani Mfuko
Check out a video highlight from our interview with Misty Copeland!
PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 09, 2011 – American Ballet Theater soloist, Misty Copeland, appears as a guest tonight on “The Kiner Hour – Let’s Talk Dance With Ashani Mfuko” internet radio show. The interview airs live from New York City, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST on the Talking Alternative Radio Broadcasting Network. The weekly internet radio show covers hot topics in the dance industry, ranging from the business side of dance, to health and wellness tips for dancers. Learn more about the show and view video highlights from previous shows at http://kinerenterprisesincblog.com.
In 2007, Misty Copeland made history and became the first African American soloist at the American Ballet Theater (ABT). Her roles with ABT include The Flower Girl in Don Quixote, The Peasant Pas De Deux from Giselle, The Sinatra Suite by Twyla Tharpe and Work Within Work by William Forsythe. Copeland currently, stars in several national advertising campaigns including Blackberry Bold, Proactiv, and Payless Shoe Stores. She has received numerous awards throughout her dance career including the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts in 2008 and the American Ballet Theater Coca Cola Scholar in 2000.
When contacted about having Misty as a special guest on “The Kiner Hour – Let’s Talk Dance with Ashani Mfuko” radio show, Misty’s Media Relations representative, Gilda Squires, responded, “based on your interview style and the esteemed dance luminaries you’ve had on the show, I’m going to recommend that she do it.”
Misty Copeland took her first ballet class at the age of 13 in San Pedro, California at the San Pedro Dance Center. She was on pointe within three months of training and was named the Best Young Dancer in the Greater Los Angeles Area by the Los Angeles Times just two years after she began dancing ballet. In 2001, after attending American Ballet Theater’s Summer Intensive on full scholarship, Copeland was one of six girls selected to join ABT’s Studio Company. In 2007 she was promoted to the rank of soloist.
“I am a huge fan of Misty Copeland! She is not only a phenomenal ballet dancer, but she is intelligent, driven, and such an inspiration to me, and millions of dancers all over the world. She beat the odds, and is living her dream, in spite of so many challenges. She is the epitome of the type of dancer my show was created to spotlight, and represent. I’m honored to have her on our radio show!” stated, Ashani Mfuko, CEO/President of Kiner Enterprises Inc.
“The Kiner Hour,” hosted by Kiner Enterprises Inc. CEO/President Ashani Mfuko, airs live from New York City every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Talking Alternative Radio Broadcasting Network. The show has hosted dance professionals including, Dance Camera West award-winning filmmaker, Ron Honsa, Martha Chapman and Anne Merrick of Dance New Amsterdam, award-winning choreographer Camille A. Brown, Fela! on Broadway star, Adesola Osakalumi, Hip-Hop Dance Masters including, Emilio “Buddha Stretch” Austin Jr., Rennie Harris, Robin Dunn, Tweetboogie, Ana “Rokafella” Garcia, Gabriel “Kwikstep” Dionisio, and Founder of the Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory, Safi Thomas. Master Tap Dancer Jason Samuels Smith, has also made an appearance on The Kiner Hour. Upcoming guests include: Anthony ‘AntBoogie” Rue II, House Dance Master Marjory Smarth, World-renowned Street Jazz choreography Rhapsody James, and Michele Assaf of Tezoro Productions Live.
