Aging in New York

The Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging has been honored to partner with the Misty Copeland Foundation on the development and first evaluation of the BE BOLDER program. This is an adaptation of the Misty Copeland Foundation’s signature program, BE BOLD, a groundbreaking after-school dance initiative inspired by Misty Copeland’s own formative experience at a Boys and Girls Club. Through BE BOLD, the Misty Copeland Foundation offers an introductory ballet program designed for young children of color ages 5–12.  The program transforms conventional dance education and strives to make ballet accessible, affordable, and fun. BE BOLDER is created for adults aged 50 and older. Rooted in inclusion, joy, and expression, the program offers ballet-based movement classes that support physical wellness, creative exploration, and community connection. BE BOLDER offers ballet classes with live music, storytelling, and movement.

Brookdale’s principal role is to evaluate the pilots of the new program, comprising two multisession courses offered at Covello Senior Center in East Harlem and the Williamsburg Oval Recreation Center in the Bronx during the summer of 2025. We will also evaluate a second round of pilots offered in additional locations beginning in November. The older dancers are loving the program: “I love the sisterhood. It’s beautiful to see women working together and coming together to teach us.” The teaching artists are stimulated by teaching this new group: “They are all choosing to be here. No one’s Mom dropped them off and they have to stay. … People bring their experiences and perspectives on what they’re doing. Balance has improved. Many want to return in the fall.”