The Ballad of Baby Rain

My first ballad was inspired by a young Misty Copeland, now a principal ballerina for American Ballet Theatre in New York. I wrote feature articles about her and watched her dance in The Nutcracker at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, California, when she was barely fifteen years old. Copeland has gone on to be a globally recognized name, but even at thirteen or fourteen, everyone knew this hard-working girl—against immeasurable odds—was going to accomplish her goals. Baby Rain was a nickname given to Misty by a ballet teacher, which aptly portrays my sweet fictional character.