Many people think Misty Copeland, who became a principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre in 2015, was American's first Black ballerina. This is incorrect. In 1969, African American danseur Arthur Mitchell founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), a company that featured Black ballet dancers.

For many years, it was 'common knowledge' that Black dancers belonged in modern dance, not classical ballet. Mitchell explains, "I said to hell with that; I wasn't raised speaking Swahili or doing native dances. Why not classical ballet?" So Mitchell became a danseur in George Balanchine's New York City Ballet, and later founded DTH.

DTH's five pioneer ballerinas were well known in their time, but subsequently faded from memory. Author Karen Valby, who's White, thought it was time to restore these women - whom she calls the Swans of Harlem - to their place in history. In an interview, Valby said, "Fundamentally, I consider this book a gift to my [adopted] daughters — young Black girls who are dancers themselves. They deserve to know about the Swans, and to feel surrounded by the power of example. Writing in this case felt like an act of mothering.”

DTH's first group of ballerinas were Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, all of whom shared a calling to the classical stage. Valby writes about the ballerinas' lives and careers, then describes how, during the Covid pandemic, the women formed the '152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy Council.' Valby writes, "They had all been knocked off balance by the anointing of Misty Copeland, by what felt like a deliberate scrubbing of their groundbreaking history." The (now golden age) dancers would gather online once a week to "throw out an anchor to one another from their scattered perches across the country." This provides a platform for discussing the women's lives after they left DTH, and their stories are inspiring and touching.

I'll say a few words about each pioneering Black ballerina, to introduce these talented women. (There's much much more in the book, of course.)

Lydia Abarca: Abarca, who grew up in a working class family in Harlem, loved to dance. Lydia dreamed of being a celebrity, with limousines, red carpets, and enough money to buy her parents a house. Lydia's passion drew her to Mitchell's studio, where her talent soon made her a star. As for Lydia's dream, Valby notes, "For a flash of time, a decade of her youth, [Abarca] had a taste of all that, as Mitchell's muse and Dance Theatre of Harlem's first prima ballerina.

Gayle McKinney-Griffith: McKinney-Griffith was raised in Connecticut, and as a young girl, learned ballet from former Bolshoi dancers. Later, at Julliard, Gayle's instructors pointed her toward modern dance, even though Gayle was a ballerina. Gayle persisted, however, and became the only Black dancer in Juilliard's ballet classes. Gayle became frustrated at Julliard, and when she heard Arthur Mitchell was auditioning for an all-Black ballet company, Gayle tried out.....and the rest is history.

Sheila Rohan: Rohan was raised in Staten Island, had asthma, and contracted polio as a child. Sheila's doctor prescribed exercise to strengthen her polio ravaged body, and Sheila was enrolled in tap and ballet classes - where her talent shone. By the time Sheila joined DTH, she was a 28-year-old wife and mother, which made things difficult. However, Sheila was determined, and she recalls, "You know how they talk about planting seeds? Arthur Mitchell planted a seed in me, and [the other ballerinas] helped to nurture that seed and make it grow."

Karlya Shelton: Shelton's family lived in Denver, Colorado and Karlya took ballet lessons in the local dance shop. When Karlya was seventeen, she saw a picture of Lydia Abarca on the cover of 'Dance Magazine' and was amazed to see the visage of a Black dancer and a story about DTH. Karlya's parents helped her move to New York City, where she joined DTH, and in time (after many trials and tribulations and a strict diet) Mitchell made Karlya a full company member.

Marcia Sells: Sells was raised in Cincinnati, where she started ballet classes at the age of four. When Marcia was ten, DTH performed in her home town, and Marcia was amazed to see a Black ballerina perform. Marcia would imagine herself dancing in productions like the 'Sugar Plum Fairy' and Balanchine's 'Serenade' and 'Concerto Barocco' and she "daydreamed about greeting her fans backstage, her arms heavy with roses." When Marcia met Mitchell - and he examined her feet - Mitchell insisted the girl move to New York City, live with a local family, and train at DTH. Young Marcia didn't move right away, but eventually joined Mitchell's company.

Arthur Mitchell was a perfectionist and a VERY hard taskmaster. Mitchell was relentless about practice; insisted the ballerinas be rail thin; had rules about ALWAYS looking perfect in public; and so on. Mitchell would rage and shout if he was confronted (even a drop), and the troupe had to walk on eggshells around him. Still, Mitchell was an amazing talent who gave unprecedented opportunities to people of color.

In a sad section, Valby writes about the horrible toll of AIDS on the ballet world. Take out your tissues for these chapters.

At it's height, DTH toured Europe and America; performed for presidents, royalty, and celebrities; and was feted and wined and dined. It's hard to imagine how the ground-breaking DTH dancers were forgotten by history. Valby's book should help right that wrong.

Aficionados of ballet will enjoy all the talk about pirouettes, relevés, pas de deux, pas de trois, arabesques, échappés, etc; and mentions of ballets such as 'Afternoon of a Faun', 'Swan Lake', 'Holberg Suite', and more. I'd like to emphasize, though, that one needn't be knowledgeable about ballet to enjoy the book, which is excellent. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, Karen Valby, and Pantheon for a copy of the book.

The Swans of Harlem tells the true story of 5 of the founding members of the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

In college I learned about Arthur Mitchell and DTH, but we never talked much about the dancers who started it all. It’s eye opening to realize how many of these incredible performers have been forgotten about by the dance world.

It was amazing to learn about these women and their experiences as a part of the DTH company. But I found it even more impactful to learn about their lives after leaving the company, and how the erasure of their history had a profound impact on the rest of their lives.

I’m thankful that these women came together to tell this story, and I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to uncover the history of Black ballet.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon for the ARC!

Karen Valby thoroughly recounts the lives of five ballerinas of color who pioneered the Ballet Theater of Harlem and set the course for many dancers to follow in their footsteps. After the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968, Arthur Mitchell returned to Harlem, where he was determined to provide opportunities in dance for the children in that community. A year later, he and his teacher, Karel Shook, inaugurated a classical ballet school. They started with 30 children in a church basement, and two months later, Mr. Mitchell had attracted 400 youngsters to attend classes.

This is an inspiring read that takes us into the lives of these amazing women, each of whom endured hardship, pain, humiliation, and loss—all to fulfill their passion—to be classical dancers. Even as they drove themselves toward perfection, they supported one another, creating a life-long bond and support system. Through their courage and sheer grit, these five ballerinas paved the way for today's women of color to rise to even greater heights in classical ballet.

This book made me fall in love all over again with dance, particularly ballet, while demanding that I open my eyes to Black ballerinas in dance. No, and nothing against her, Misty Copeland is absolutely not the first prima ballerina as much as the publicity, marketing, and hype lead the present world to believe. The fact that this has been the narrative for so long is due to the fact that Black achievement is so readily forgotten, swept under the rug, and plain ignored.

Because, more than fifty years ago, Copeland's path was paved by all the beautiful, hard-working, heart-wrenching stories of all the Black dancers that came before her.

Right around the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., dancer Arthur Mitchell opened the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), in Harlem, where he recruited, trained, molded, and brought together Black women and men at his dance school. He built a mecca where Black dancers could unite and dance together, especially as they were being shunned for principal roles at other companies all around the world. DTH grew and grew until it shuttered in the early 2000's due to heavy financial burdens.

But this book looks at all its glory, with the pinnacle focus being on five of the founding ballerinas at DTH: Lydia Abarca (who, had the times been different, would have been the "Copeland" of her day), Gayle McKinney Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton and the way they were founded, split onto different paths, and came back together because dancing together at DTH formed a sisterhood they'd embrace forever.

This book is an easy-to-read narrative nonfiction that is eye-opening, inspiring, heart-breaking and necessary social, racial, and cultural commentary. You will find yourself googling pictures and videos of the dancers, their dances, and the songs they danced to. I cannot give it enough stars.

Karen Valby, you did the Black dance world absolute justice and I'm so grateful I received this early Advanced Reader's Copy. I cannot wait for others to get their hands on it. My only ask: will the published version include original pictures of the dancers, their partners, their costumes, their dances?

P.S. Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for this early copy!

Thank you to @knopfdoubleday and #NetGalley for the digital ARC of #TheSwansofHarlem. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

This book is a revelation! Valby has beautifully captured the inspiring human stories behind 5 talented black women who challenged the very white world of classical ballet. Spanning 5 decades, you get a "behind the scenes" look at professional ballet layered with historical events such as civil rights, the AIDS crisis and more recently the COVID pandemic.

I wish the book had included photographs of the dancers through the years. It's a shame it took so long for this story to be told, but I'm glad it's out there now. Here's hoping PBS does an American Masters episode on these amazing women.

I enjoyed learning about the real first black prima ballerinas, pre-isty Copeland. Kudos to them and those who helped them along their dancing careers. Thanks to the author who did the research, and to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Loved, loved, loved it! How is it I never knew of Swans? These magically gifted and talented women? I lived in NYC my entire life. I attended dance classes at Carnegie Hall. With me being the only black girl in that class. My first intro to theater was The Wiz with Stephanie Mills. I was amazed to learn that some of these women were in The Wiz( the film). And some went on to Broadway. I too thought Misty Copeland was the first ballerina. Not knowing that these ladies were right here under my nose. These ladies deserve more tribute and recognition for the barriers they have broken. This was an exceptional read! I highly recommend it! The perfect read for Women's History Month!

I am always thrilled to see light shed on underrepresented stories in the arts, but this masterpiece by Karen Valby, highlighting the contributions of the five previously-unsung women whose pioneering careers paved the way for Misty Copeland, is one of the best I've ever read. These "Swans of Harlem" are all incredible in their own individual rights, but their story of camaraderie and mutual love and support - instead of the competition that so often poisons the relationships between women, especially in such a demanding field - is the standout star of this intricately-woven dance of a book. At the same time, the utter injustice that their stories were so erased, and their contributions to the world of classical dance all but ignored for so long, infuriates me - not only on their behalf, but on the behalf of all of the aspiring dancers who never took the leap to follow their dreams because they thought there was no precedent for their inclusion in the world of ballet and classical dance. What an important, timely, and beautiful tribute to these women this book is; it's just a shame that it's only now coming to us in 2024.

This was an eye opening book. I have seen performances of the dance theater of Harlem but never thought about what these dancers must have gone through to achieve their goals in the world of dance. This book evoked many emotions while reading it. The main emotion was the anger I felt because of the treatment of these black swans and the trials they had to endure because they were women of color. It was well written and I had to stop many times to look up information on items that interested me. It is a must read for anyone interested in the world old dance and the struggles of minorities in the arts.

The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby tells the story of five Black ballerinas, and their time with the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH).

Predominately a character study, and a recount of the triumphs and trials of the featured five Black ballerinas, Swans also touches on history, racism, and AIDS. DTH was created in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell, and was one of the first all-Black ballet companies.

Capturing a forgotten history, The Swans of Harlem is a powerful narrative, and a reminder of how easily we can all be forgotten.

I enjoyed learning more about ballet, the history of DTH, and the ballerinas themselves. My only complaint about the novel is that it switches the narration and time abruptly, so I often felt lost as to whose story I was reading at a particular moment and when that story was taking place.

Recommended for fans of ballet or with an interest in history, both Women’s history and Black history.

"The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History" by Kellie Jones is a captivating exploration of the lives and legacies of five pioneering African American ballerinas. Through meticulous research and poignant storytelling, Jones unveils the untold stories of these remarkable women, shedding light on their struggles, triumphs, and enduring impact on the world of ballet.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby.

This is a great true story about a company started for Black ballerinas during the civil rights era, when Black women couldn't get a job as ballet dancers. It highlights many of the main players, especially the founder of the company, Arthur Mitchell, as well as a lot of his primary dancers. It's fascinating, inspiring, frustrating, and full of history. I loved going down the rabbit hole while I was reading it, looking at pictures, and watching these dancers. It's also just another reminder of the white supremacy in this country, and the heroes that have busted down doors to create opportunities for people of color.

Everything you could possibly want to know about Black ballerinas and the ballet scene in NYC and beyond. Well written, compelling stories. I liked how they focused on five individual women. It gave the book a lot of depth rather than it being a more straightforward history.

Had so much potential, but the format and writing was choppy and disjointed. I enjoyed the characters but the structure made it difficult for me to follow them.

Let me begin by saying I am very thankful I received an ARC of this book because I was so glad to learn about the women featured in this book who so deserve this recognition and MANY MORE ACCOLADES for the sweat and toil they gave to the art of ballet. I ended up skimming much of the book because the details were so dense, but it is definitely worth reading so we can SAY THEIR NAMES!!

Karen Valby skillfully blends contemporary insights from five pioneering women with their historical journeys to the Dance Theater of Harlem, revealing both the triumphs and challenges of their careers. Despite Valby's non-dancer background, she adeptly conveys the art's complexity and its physical toll. The women faced daunting racial and physical stereotypes in the 1950s and 60s, yet Arthur Mitchell's founding of DTH opened new opportunities for black dancers previously shut out from the ballet world.

The book also delves into the problematic aspects of leadership within such groundbreaking organizations, questioning the necessity of a strong ego for effective leadership. Despite personal conflicts with Mitchell, the women retrospectively acknowledge his crucial role in their careers and the broader impact on black artists. Issues of colorism within DTH and the external pressures to conform to traditional ballet aesthetics are also explored.

Misty Copeland's emergence as a prominent black ballerina brings a modern perspective, reminding readers of the ongoing struggle for recognition within the ballet community. The women's stories, interwoven with Copeland's acknowledgment of their pioneering roles, underscore the book's significance in chronicling the legacy of black dancers in America.

Swans of Harlem is a winding story that is quite overdue. It chronicles the founding of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, tells stories of it's creator Arthur Mitchell and 5 of his original ballerinas. This story weaves together past and present as we hear not just the stories of the dancers, but their children and grandchildren.
Emotions are felt right away as the women are reunited during the COVID-19 pandemic to make sure their story of being in the first all-Black ballet company is not erased, as it has seemed for years. This book is powerful, albeit hard to follow at times, and inspiring for someone who has a passion and no matter what they do, just want people to know who they are and that "we were here.".

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the advance copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Before Misty Copeland, there was the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the vision of one man, but a company that would not have been possible without his ballerinas. Fifty years later, while the company was still going strong, Misty was being hailed as the first Black ballerina with a major company. She was in fact the first African American principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, and her rise inspired the five ballerinas who were part of the founding of Dance Theatre of Harlem to tell their stories and take their place in ballet history.

This is a stunning piece of research that reads like a conversation between friends. There was some irony in the fact that the writer began meeting with the ballerinas to talk about their careers and events during the Civil Rights era of the late 1960s just as the Black Lives Matter movement was picking up steam. She spent three years meeting with them and their families, learning about their lives and communities, the different ways in which they became part of DTH, their experiences with DTH, and the paths that their lives took when they left. After being erased from history, together the women rebuilt their legacy.

This book is for anyone interest in ballet, Black history, Civil Rights, or history and memoir in general.

4 stars

Having some background in classical ballet myself, I was very curious to read the stories of these early prima ballerinas, all the more so after having read Misty Copeland's story. (I never achieved any of the company roles they speak of - my interest was genuine, but it wasn't my life.)

I was heartbroken over the lack of respect and honor given to these women simply because of the color of their skin. The writing was vivid enough for me to see the extensions, the grace, the suspension these mistresses of dance commanded while on (and off) stage. Oh, to be able to see some recordings and really soak in the beauty they've brought to ballet.

Parts of the book felt a bit redundant, but hearing each woman's story was refreshing as well as challenging. These women are ballerinas, but they are also warriors, determined to fight for what is right, and rightly theirs. A quote that summed the book up well, even if it was focused on Arthur Mitchell is this: "He wasn’t a Black man who dared to dance ballet. He was a dancer who dared ballet to see and celebrate his Blackness." This. 100% this.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

Wow! Such a tour de force and engrossing read! Five fine ballerinas of color lost to the annals of history. That is, until now.

Karen Valby has done a spectacular job of recounting the lives of five amazing women of grace and inordinate strength. Women who endured hardship, pain, humiliation, and loss - all for the sake of their passion - to be a classical dancer. Through the courage and sheer grit of these women, today's women of color can rise to even greater heights in the classical ballet world. They were the pioneers of the Ballet Theater of Harlem and set the course for so many dancers to follow in their footsteps. These are their stories and they're worth every moment spent in the pages of this inspiring book.

The writing is solid and the research vast. The reader really gets to know each of the celebrated dancers; their motivations, challenges, fears, desires and depth. They are smart, dedicated and driven artists. As hard as each dancer is on themself, driving themselves toward perfection, collectively they lift one another up and have created a life-long bond and support system. Their devotion to their art and to one another is inspiring. But their stories don't end when they step off the stage at the end of their dance careers. The lives they step into when the footlights dim are equally inspiring, if not even more so.

This was an engaging, inspiring and beautifully delivered story of five amazing women. I'm glad I got the chance to meet them and hear their compelling stories.

I am grateful to Pantheon Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: Pantheon Books
Publication date: April 30, 2024
Number of Pages: 304
ISBN: 978-0593317525