5 to Watch 2021: Mia Patton
Each year, we feature 5 young ballerinas who are on the road to creative success. Due to their growth, hard work, and accomplishments, we’ve kept these girls on our radar, and will continue to look after them as they blossom in their dance careers!
Mia Patton, a 14-year-old ballerina based in Phoenix, Arizona, started dancing when she was 3 years old. Her first performance, at 7-years-old, was as an angel in her art school’s production of The Nutcracker. Today, Mia is in the Pre-Professional Training Program with the Master Ballet Academy with a focus on ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz, flamenco, character, tap, and hip-hop.
Continue reading our interview with Mia below to learn why we named her one of Brown Girls Do Ballet’s 5 to Watch for 2021!
Photo: David Hofmann
What’s a dance accomplishment that you are proud of and why?
The dance accomplishment I’m most proud of so far is being accepted into the pre-professional program at Master Ballet Academy (MBA). It has been a dream of mine to train at one of the top ballet schools in the U.S.A. MBA was my dream school because of its amazing and dedicated teachers. MBA has trained some of my favorite dancers who have gone on to dance professionally. I love that I can train alongside such hardworking and talented students who push me to work hard to improve and to grow in my artistry.
What’s your most memorable dance moment?
My most memorable dance moment was seeing my first professional ballet, The Nutcracker, with Ballet Arizona. It was my first time seeing a live professional ballet performance. Although I had been dancing for several years, I had not seen professional ballet dancers perform live on stage. The ballet was so magical to me. The stage props, costumes, and lights made for a dazzling backdrop to the beautiful ballerinas who danced so expertly across the stage. I knew at that moment that I wanted to be a professional ballerina and that I would always have a love for ballet.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by the many beautiful Brown ballerinas living their dreams and dancing in professional ballet companies. I can remember from a very young age being obsessed with Misty Copeland. She was such a beautiful dancer and I remember my mom and me celebrating when she became the first African American Principal at American Ballet Theatre. I felt I had so much in common with her because she was Brown like me and like me, she didn’t have any resources in order to train. She had to overcome many obstacles throughout her journey and she inspires me to believe that I can do it too. Whenever I’m a little discouraged or facing a new challenge or obstacle, I always look at Misty Copeland’s career and all that she has accomplished, and it inspires me to keep going, keep working toward my dreams, and never give up.
What’s your favorite part about being a dancer or the dance industry in general?
My favorite part of being a dancer is being able to share my gift with others and inspiring others through my art. Ballet gives me joy and I love to share that joy with others. Good times with friends have mostly been centered around dance and all the fun we have at the studio, shows, and competitions. I also love sharing my love of ballet with younger dancers who are so excited to learn and watch. I hope to be an inspiration to the next generation.
If you could change the future of dance, what changes would you make?
If I could change the future of dance I would want to help make ballet more accessible and affordable for everyone who has a gift and a desire to dance. I have known very talented dancers who have had to quit dance because they could not afford it. I, myself, have had to spend periods of time training from home on my own because we lacked the resources to continue my training. I’m grateful for organizations like Brown Girls Do Ballet and EJB Ballet Scholarship who help dancers and provide scholarships and grants; however, opportunities like these are far too few. My dream is to one day be able to provide scholarships and training opportunities to young gifted dancers in financial need. Through my scholarship program, I would love to be able to provide continual training and to give the resources needed to help dancers succeed.
Photo: Mariela Franque
A typical day in Mia’s life as a dancer begins with a light breakfast and about four hours of virtual school. After classes, lunch, and stretching, Mia heads to her dance studio for about 4-6 hours of training. After dinner, Mia works on her homework so she can have time for social media, chatting with friends, and playing video games before bed.
This year, Mia will be competing in the Youth America Grand Prix finals in Tampa, Florida. In 2022, if travel is permitted, Mia hopes to compete in Russia. In the meantime, she will attend the Master Ballet Academy’s summer intensives. You can follow Mia’s dance journey here!