Sierra Leonean American ballerina Michaela DePrince has died at 29 In 2011, audiences have been captivated by a 14 12 months previous, initially from war-torn Sierra Leone, dancing within the ballet documentary First Place. Michaela DePrince has died on the age of 29.In 2011, audiences have been captivated by a 14 12 months previous, initially from war-torn Sierra Leone, dancing within the ballet documentary First Place. Michaela DePrince has died on the age of 29.
In 2011, audiences have been captivated by a 14 12 months previous, initially from war-torn Sierra Leone, dancing within the ballet documentary First Place. Michaela DePrince has died on the age of 29.In 2011, audiences have been captivated by a 14 12 months previous, initially from war-torn Sierra Leone, dancing within the ballet documentary First Place. Michaela DePrince has died on the age of 29.
ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:
In 2012, a teenage dancer captivated audiences within the ballet documentary “First Place.” It was Michaela Mabinty DePrince. She was from war-torn Sierra Leone, and she or he went on to bop professionally, ultimately becoming a member of the Boston Ballet. Nicely, immediately, we discovered she died of undisclosed causes. She was 29. NPR’s Elizabeth Blair has this appreciation.
ELIZABETH BLAIR, BYLINE: Michaela DePrince could not have appeared to suit the normal lily-white world of ballet, however in Bess Kargman’s documentary “First Place,” she appears undeterred.
(SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, “FIRST POSITION”)
MICHAELA DEPRINCE: It is a miracle I am even right here. It is – I simply – I can not consider I am right here.
BLAIR: DePrince was born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone. She was a toddler when her father was killed by rebels. Her mom died shortly after from fever and hunger, in line with her web site. Her ardour for dance started when she was just a little lady. In her e-book, “Taking Flight,” she writes that she danced in her naked toes within the mud of the wet season. She hung out in an orphanage and was ultimately adopted by an American household.
DePrince made her skilled debut with the Joburg Ballet in South Africa. She appeared in adverts for Nike, Chase Financial institution and different manufacturers. DePrince was an envoy of Battle Youngster, a company that helps kids dwelling with violence and armed battle. She stood as a beacon of hope for a lot of, reads a press release saying her loss of life, displaying that regardless of the obstacles, magnificence and greatness can rise from the darkest of locations.
Elizabeth Blair, NPR Information.
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