"The Swans of Harlem delves into the captivating history of the Dance Theater of Harlem, highlighting the remarkable journey of Black ballerinas whose talent and resilience shaped the world of dance. Centered around five exceptionally successful ballerinas, this narrative unveils a previously untold chapter of cultural significance. Initially expecting a work of Historical Fiction, I was surprised to discover it as a non-fiction account.

While the narrative brims with intrigue, I encountered difficulty in navigating its structure. The frequent shifts between timelines, seamlessly intertwining a ballerina's childhood, her journey into the theater, and reflections on her career, proved challenging to follow. Furthermore, the multitude of characters introduced throughout the book added complexity, requiring diligent effort to keep track of each individual.

Despite these challenges, immersing myself in the world of The Swans of Harlem was undeniably rewarding. Though a tough read at times, the profound insights and historical significance embedded within its pages made it an enjoyable and enlightening experience."

It seems so strange to even give this book a rating because of how much this book meant to me. I am am a big fan of history, it was my favorite subject in school and I am a ballerina too so I thought that I would enjoy this book and I was right. I think that preserving stories throughout history is very important especially POC voices. This book was very informative and as someone who has had an eating disorder in the past, whenever someone mentioned to be skinny or to stay in shape that really hit me. So overall, a fantastic and very informative book that I very much enjoyed.

Arthur Mitchell became the first African American dancer with the New York City Ballet in 1955. In 1969, at the height of the civil rights movement, and largely a response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., he opened the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). This book is based on the author’s interviews with five of the founding ballerinas of DTH. This is an important read. I’ll say it again for the kids in the back, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT READ. During Black History Month, yes, but always. There are too making striking accounts to retell here but the one that sticks with me is a white child going to a winter production ballet and upon seeing a black ballerina remarks about the “dirty snowflake.” This is an important read. But to be completely transparent, this book took me a while to get through. I can’t tell for sure whether it’s the writing, or me. Because it feels conversational, maybe it would be better digested as an audiobook? The content is engaging and interesting but maybe it should have been shorter? It seemed so disorganized in parts. I also did not enjoy how hard the author is on Misty Copeland at the beginning. Sure, she’s not technically the “first black ballerina” but she is the first African American woman to make principal dancer in the 75 year history of the American Ballet Theatre. That shouldn’t be taken away from her. Solid 5 starts for the story, but the actual production of the novel, 3.5 stars.

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley.com and the publisher in return for a fair review. Author Kaen Valby covers the creation of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and five of its black ballerinas: Lydia Abarca, Sheila Rohan, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Karlya Shelton-Benjamin, and Marcia Sells. Set in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement and long before Misty Copeland appeared in toe shoes, these five women struggled to be recognized as professional ballerinas in a dance world that was primarily white. While their stories were fascinating, it was hard to keep track of all of the players. The story jumped around from one to the next and was sometimes hard to follow. Arbaca seemed to be the star of the troop, while Arthur Mitchell (the founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem) appeared to be the bully who taught and berated them. I grew very curious about Mitchell--wondering why he acted the way he did. A little more background on him would have been interesting. The book was informative, I just wish it hadn't been so scattered. Picking one dancer and following through with her career while the rest intertwined, may have been a little better approach. Either way, these women deserve to be recognized for their outstanding talent and contribution to the art of ballet. They serve as inspiration for the rest of us--no matter who we are.

Brilliant non-fiction story of five Black ballerinas from Harlem in the 1950s and 1960s. I've heard of Misty Copeland as the pioneering Black ballerina, but the women in this book were the true pioneers of the ballet dance world. Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells were the ballerinas that broke barriers with the Harlem Dance Theater. I was immersed in their stories of how they got started and embraced their careers and life events in an environment that wasn't always welcoming. They emerged from their dance company to share ballet all over the world and allowed other little girls of color to see the all important representation in a traditionally white art form. The sacrifices these women made so that they could pursue their passion of ballet was inspiring, and heartbreaking.
You have to read this book to find out how they overcame racism, sexism, and colorism just to dance and to learn about the dance companies, celebrities, and heads of state that they danced for. I highly recommend this book for all fans of dance, justice, and people who follow their dreams.

#TheSwansofHarlem #NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

An important story to share about very remarkable women. I very much enjoyed learning of the "Swans of Harlem".

Before Misty Copeland, there were other Black ballerinas. This book tells their story. It was a bit hard to keep the different people straight while reading. I also don't have a background or interest in ballet so I am probably not the intended audience for the book. I read an ARC and there were no photos - not sure if they will be in the final book but I would have enjoyed photos while reading. Anyone with an interest in ballet and the history of dance should enjoy this book.

Title: The Swans of Harlem
Author: Karen Valby
Publisher: Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Pantheon
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Swans of Harlem" by Karen Valby

My Thoughts:

This was my first read about these five black ballerinas, 'The Swans of Harlem.' I found the story very interesting, especially about their lives, the founding dancers of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and their work with Arthur Mitchell. These women and even men danced on the stages of the United States and Europe, and we learned some of their culture and history through their contributions to the art. These ballerinas were fascinating dancers, although they were not accepted during the Civil Rights Movement. This story was a beautiful and essential part of our Black History Arts.

'The Swans of Harlem' was a fascinating story, and I am so glad I could read it. And oh my, that ending was superb. A must-read, that is all that is left to say about this novel.


Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes you have to write your own history.

Let me ask you a question….what is the name of the groundbreaking female ballet dancer who made history by becoming the first African-American prima ballerina, and when did she achieve this accomplishment? If you are like most people, and I would have included myself in that group until this book entered my consciousness, you would say Misty Copeland, who was indeed the first African-American woman to be named principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre. It happened fairly recently, in 2015, and it was Very Big News (as indeed it should have been). What was never mentioned in the breathless coverage of Ms Copeland’s achievement was the fact that the ABT is not the only world-reknowned ballet company in the US, and that there were in fact many other African American ballet dancers whose successes preceded her. The Swans of Harlem tells the story of one of these other ballet companies and the people who created it. Founded in 1968 by Arthur Mitchell, an accomplished dancer himself who trained with George Balanchine and danced with the New York City Ballet Company, the Dance Company of Harlem was a place designed to show the world that classical dance was for all. Lydia Abarca emerged as the unofficial principal ballerina in the DCH’s early years, turning away form her acceptance at Fordham University to pursue her dream of stardom. Others, including Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells and Karla Shelton-Benjamin, were every bit as integral to the fame the company would achieve, as were the male danseurs who supported them (literally and figuratively). How is it that this troupe of accomplished artists who travelled the world performing for people including presidents and members of royalty, who rubbed shoulders with celebrities from all walks of life, could have been so completely forgotten fifty years later?
The Swans of Harlem is a fascinating look at the lives of these five ballerinas, who came from very different backgrounds but who shared the dream of performing ballet at the highest level of accomplishment in a world that told them that they couldn’t. The color of their skin and (in many cases) the shape of their bodies just did not conform with the accepted image of a ballerina, everyone said….but they studied and practiced and dreamed anyway. In addition to the challenges that face any dancer, these women and others like them also had to confront other barriers, many of them racial in nature. Their company’s financial survival depended a great deal on the largesse of wealthy donors, whose commitment was never guaranteed. Mitchell was a highly driven and harsh taskmaster, whose own prejudices for slimmer and lighter skinned women of color was also very much in play. He could, and often was, verbally nasty and his moods were mercurial. As the company’s resources rose and fall, some of the dancers eventually looked to pursue their futures (some in dance, some not) elsewhere. Families, relationships, and the dancers’ own personal demons had an affect on each of them, and many experienced difficult times. But they were, and are, strong women who “knew their own value, no longer fighting for the attention and respect of their teachers or critics”. Their stories are becoming known, and it is due in no small part to their own determination to set the record straight. I loved learning about each woman, what inspired them, what they overcame, and what they accomplished. Readers of books like Sally H. Jacobs’ “Althea” and Margot Lee Shetterley’s “Hidden Figures” as well as biographies of dancers like Misty Copeland’s “Life In Motion” will find this an appealing tale. Many thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon Books for allowing me early access to this thoroughly readable and enlightening tale of the dedication and bonds of this amazing group of women.

A delightful peek into a history that has been forgotten and overlooked for too long.

In the late 1960s during the height of the Civil Rights movement, the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) had a troupe of Black ballet dancers, including prima ballerina Lydia Abarca. She was on the cover of Dance magazine and Essence, in The Wiz and a Bob Fosse production on Broadway. She and her close friends and fellow founding DTH members performed iconic ballet works in front of famous audiences, including the Queen of England, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder. But now their history is almost entirely ignored or forgotten, so founders Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith and Sheila Rohan and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells have teamed together to share their story with the world. The Swans of Harlem are sharing a bit of the world of Black ballet with us all.

This book hit a major emotional punch. Each of these ballerinas has seen amazing highs and also incredible lows during their lifetimes. We watch them go from young teenagers (for the most part) joining a fledgling ballet company through their lives after ballet and into the modern times where they've formed the Legacy Society to preserve the history of DTH. As they worked to become the best at their craft, there were also intersectional challenges with the racism and the AIDS crisis and family difficulties. Their stories are simultaneously relatable and awe-inspiring.

Honestly, my biggest complaint with this book is that I just wanted more. It's impossible to give an entire history of ballet in the United States, even just focused on Black ballet, in a single book, but I can't help but want that after reading the stories of the Swans of Harlem. In this respect, I suppose they have fully achieved their goals, since I now have a desire to go out and explore more on my own.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Everyone should read it and understand another piece of history. Be prepared for an emotional read, but it will still fly by as you feel like you're sitting in a room with these women hearing their story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Five strong women- strong physically and psychologically- breaking barriers in dance. This is a must read for fans of the ballet. These women and Arthur Ailey forged a path for those like Misty Copeland and others but they never received the individual attention they deserved. This is well researched and written in an accessible, entertaining way. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Wonderful,

I loved this book! THE SWANS OF HARLEM recounts the experiences of five Black women who navigated the world of Ballet during an era when Black women were not welcomed in the dance realm. It's a wonderful read for all dance enthusiasts and for those who enjoy a historical read that fully embraces history that is rarely, if ever told. Kudos to the author and much appreciation to the publisher and to NetGalley for the advanced read.

The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas Fifty Years of Sisterhood and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History opened my eyes to a story I never knew in this world of dance.

This novel focuses on five women who came up through Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theater of Harlem during the height of the Civil Rights movement: Lydia Abarca-Mitchell, who was the first Black prima ballerina at this studio, fellow Founding members Gayle McKinney-Griffin and Shelia Rohan, and First Generation members Karyla Shelton and Marcia Sells. It details the formation of Dance Theater of Harlem and their legacies, which has been mostly underwritten and lost to history. It details their struggles in this industry and their triumphs.

I really adored hearing these women’s stories. They had ups and downs, but their legacy was important! Arthur Mitchell was blunt and tough in the way he handled the men and women in his company, but it was because he wanted greatness from them. The woman detail this in their stories and there are conversations about colorism in their company and the fight to get the roles they knew they could perform. I also enjoyed the stories of taking younger incoming dancers under their wing and showing them the ropes.

This book also shares a lot about the formation of Dance Theater of Harlem and the inner workings of shaping perceptions of the company both within the dance industry and with the general audiences. Beyond creating a dance company, Mitchell helped people in all aspects of the production at the studio from music to costume creation. The book talks about their financial struggles, as time went on how those who wanted to help Black organizations during the Civil Rights era withdrew their support when they no longer thought the causes needed their help.

I do wish the story had had a bit more of the women’s stories as opposed to the history. I got a bit bogged down in some of the history at times.

Overall, I really liked this story and am happy this book is getting out there to further cement these women’s legacies.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pantheon books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a terrific story of the Black women who wanted to dance and had to crash barriers that kept them from taking the stage. To be able to join a company that had been started by a Black male dancer was almost as challenging as trying to get on a troupe of white dancers. I enjoyed meeting these strong, courageous women in a well written narrative that made them and their circumstances come alive. Well done!

“The world goes hard on us all, even mythical creatures like ballerinas. Their lives have been set to thunderous applause and the damp hush of obscurity. They once soared under the brightest of spotlights but have struggled since to find contentment and in some cases equilibrium and financial security.”

Misty Copeland is a household name and is often credited for being the first black ballerina, but decades ago five women blazed the trail for her and others:
Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton. They waited in the wings for 50 years for their story to be told, and finally, five pioneers of black ballet take center stage.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, assassination was the catalyst for dancer Arthur Mitchell’s creation of The Dance Theater of Harlem, a black ballet school and company. From a church basement to renowned venues across the globe, this book highlights the triumphs and the tragedies. On the other end of the timeline, the recent global pandemic inspired these 5 women to come together and establish the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy Council. A particularly well written section describes the impact of the AIDS crisis in the company and the dancers.

United by their experience with DTH, divided by separate personal challenges after leaving, these five ballerinas came together to embrace their past and share their stories. Ms. Valby has written a clear, emotional and impactful account for us to embrace, and I hope it gets the attention it deserves. I have a profound love for dance and activism, and the two concepts married here, created a riveting and immersive reading experience for me.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Pantheon for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

In The Swans Of Harlem by Karen Valbey we learn about five ballet dancers spanning the ages of 62 to 80 and they have all attended the ballet school in Harlem started by Arthur Mitchell the first black man to dance in a ballet with a white woman he was set to open the school in South America but due to the death of Martin Luther King Jr. he felt spiritually called to start one in the neighborhood he grew up in Harlem. The five ladies who this book is based on whose names I will probably not spelled right or Lydia A barker Mitchell no relation to Arthur, Gail McKinney Griffith, Marsha Cells, sheila Rohan and last but not least Carlyia Shelton Benjamin they were all members in the schools beginning and had different levels of success Lydia was even all the perfume box for Houston Charlie perfume were many things I love about this book but there were also things I didn’t care for like at the end how she said eating too much ice cream killed Arthur Mitchell in for a man who accomplish so much to be wrote off with such a put down statement just rubbed me the wrong way for one thing ice cream has never killed anyone so I would really find it more respectful to just state what finally took his life I mean he was 84 when he died was it really ice cream that took his life or old age? Moving on there were other things I found that a lot of authors do when writing about minorities and that is making their growing up years sound like they were always left wanting in the main focus was on Lydia Barker Mitchell who for one train that Juilliard for another went to Catholic school in yet another had a scholar ship to Fordham university instead of writing about what a great job her parents did giving her so much in a world that didn’t want her to have much of anything instead we focus on all that she was left without which wasn’t much and most was just fanciful material things. And in most cases the same things other little girls who dream would want. This was a pretty good book for the most part as you get the bones of the story before ending my review I have one question I am blind and if they put on a ballet for me I would be sitting there bored to tears so please explain to me how they dance for Stevie Wonder and how that benefited him? I can’t wait until the day comes that we can just write a respectful homage to those who have accomplished so much as the women in this book is done. As far as misty Copeland goes from what I hear she is a beautiful skilled dancer and always mentions the ladies in interviews that is not the fault of misty Copeland but the fault of the idiot reporters who try and make her the first even though she’s just the latest in a long line. Estelle read the book from beginning to end and do recommended as it is a great piece of African-American history and for the most part truly interesting my opinion is probably in the minority so definitely give it a chance. I want to thank The publisher for my free arccopy via NetGalley please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

I am not a fan of ballet and am a novice when it comes to the ballet culture. However, I don’t have to enjoy it to appreciate the talent, hard work and dedication needed to be a ballet dancer. My main interest in wanting to read this book is because I continue to find so many instances that Blacks are excluded from history. I appreciate the author’s effort to give us a more accurate picture of the true history black ballet and The Dance Theatre of Harlem.

I was inspired by the sacrifices made by Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Shelia Rohan, Marcia Sells and Kayla Shelton to ensure the success of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and for Arthur Miller for creating the environment for black dancers to fulfill their dreams. I can’t imagine how it would feel to rarely find someone who looks like me when seeking out my roles models and these five women became those role models for numerous black children who were interested in ballet.

Because I have such limited understanding and knowledge of the ballet world, some of the details were lost on me but that is about me and not the content of the book. However, I did struggle keeping track of the characters because of the periodic switching of first/last name references throughout the book. In spite of that, I still feel strongly that this was well worth the read because it gave me a more accurate understanding of the history of black ballerinas and the impact, they had on the ballet world.

Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#TheSwansofHarlem, #KarenValby

What a heartbreaking - because it has been silenced, marvelous - because they endured so much to follow a dream in a world determined to ignore and break them, true story of our history. Not Black history, American history. These are the stories I wish were shared so that all children could see what each of us are capable of. It is not about skin color but talent, drive, and a willingness to be your best. These women's stories broke my heart. At times I wanted to cry. Their fight was something else. Beautifully written and captivating to read. Wow! Excellent!

This was such an interesting topic to read about, and one that I had absolutely zero existing knowledge on. The book started off really strong for me, but there were so many ballerinas being discussed that it was hard to keep track of them all, and I really found myself struggling through the middle.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for sending me this book!

The Swans of Harlem is a beautifully written story about 5 black ballerinas and their journey with the Dance Theater of Harlem, the first black ballet company.

I normally don’t go for nonfiction books, but this book was so well written I kept forgetting it was about real events and people.

Thank you Pantheon and NetGalley for the advanced copy.