You're always working to improve, and you're always being critiqued on your next performance. It's not about what you've done. There's always room to grow.

Without my mentors there is no Misty.

My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing called ballet.

Going on stage and doing ballet, for the first time, was even more verification of, "This is what I'm meant to do. This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to make it somehow."

I absolutely love what I do, and I want to dance for as long as I can and feel good about what I am putting out there on the stage.

I just try to approach every opportunity on stage, as if it's my first time and my last time.

I feel like I represent every young dancer, and even non-dancer, who felt they were not accepted by the ballet world. I'd like to think that they can see themselves in me.