Michaela Deprince

About the Author

Michaela DePrince is a renowned ballerina, activist, and author whose extraordinary journey from a war-torn orphanage in Sierra Leone to the world's most prestigious dance stages has inspired millions. Orphaned at a young age during the Liberian civil war, she faced unimaginable hardships before being adopted by an American family that nurtured her passion for ballet. DePrince's debut book, Ballerina Dreams: From Orphan to Dancer (Step Into Reading, Step 4), chronicles her resilient path to becoming a principal dancer with the Dutch National Ballet and a star of the documentary First Position. Through her writing, she empowers young readers to pursue their dreams against all odds, blending memoir with motivational storytelling to highlight themes of perseverance, diversity, and the transformative power of art.