San Pedro intersection named for ballerina Misty Copeland

SAN PEDRO, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - The intersection adjacent to San Pedro City Ballet was dedicated Monday as Misty Copeland Square, honoring the American Ballet Theatre's first black female principal dancer.

Copeland began training at San Pedro City Ballet when she was 13 years old. Councilman Joe Buscaino called Copeland "a role model to women and girls everywhere -- to my daughter Gia, to all the dance students across the globe, to your hometown of San Pedro and to every American child.''

"Your hard work, dedication and resilience prove that you are the epitome of what makes America great,'' Buscaino, who represents San Pedro, said during the ceremony at West 13th Street and South Pacific Avenue.

A mural of Copeland on the side of San Pedro City Ballet was unveiled in connection with the square dedication.

Copeland taught a master class to 50 students at San Pedro's Warner Grand Theatre following the ceremony. Proceeds benefited the San Pedro City Ballet's DancEd Steps Up outreach program, which provides a wide array of dance instruction to children in public schools that lack dance education.

Copeland joined the American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in 2001. She became its second black female soloist in 2007 and was prompted to principal dancer in June.

"It's possible to come out of a small town and succeed,'' Copeland said after the ceremony. "You just have to believe in yourself and have support.''