Meet Destiny W.: A 2022 Brown Girls Do Ballet Micro Grant Winner
Destiny Wimpye is a Seattle-based ballerina and a back-to-back Micro Grant winner. When we interviewed Destiny last year, she was preparing to start classes at Seattle University and dance with the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Recently, we caught up with Destiny to learn how things have been going and what she has in store this year for her dance journey. In her interview below, Destiny discusses living solo, the importance of a good support system, and her big career transition!
Related: Meet Savannah B.: A 2022 Brown Girls Do Ballet Micro Grant Winner
Photo: Destiny Wimpye; shot by Dan Lao
Destiny just finished performing the role of Bella in Beauty and the Beast, and is now working on her Swan Lake performance with the Pacific Northwest Ballet. She’s been living in Seattle, away from family, for a few years - something she says she’s pretty accustomed to. “I moved away from my mom at 13, so I had a lot of independence and I had to grow up really fast. It’s kind of like the norm,” she said.
Fortunately, Destiny and her mom got to spend some quality time together when her mom visited to see her Beauty and the Beast performance. “I call her so much,” Destiny said. “It was really nice to see her.”
Having a solid support system is a key contributor to Destiny’s success and happiness. “I definitely think having a support system is really important. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the amazing support system I have with my family and my friends,” she said.
Related: 6 Ballet Companies Supporting Dancers of Color
Destiny’s involvement with Brown Girls Do Ballet led to her initial application for the Brown Girls Do Ballet Micro Grant, which is designed to increase access to - and opportunity for - education, travel, and professional tools for small dance programs and dancers year-round.
“It’s just been my mom and I so that’s been pretty hard, and Seattle is not a cheap place to live, so that’s definitely a struggle, but I think having a support system is so important because you really have to have people to rely on and lean on,” she said. “Brown Girls Do Ballet has always helped me tremendously - ever since I started as an ambassador.”
Other than taking a few college courses at Seattle University, Destiny is entering her second year in Pacific Northwest Ballet’s professional division and will begin dancing as an apprentice next year.
“I’m really excited about that transition. I’m also nervous and a little scared for it but I think I’m more excited out of all those emotions,” she said. “I’m excited for that transition from being a student to a professional, being in a company, and getting paid to do what I love.”
Photo: Destiny Wimpye; shot by Dan Lao
Destiny started dancing at 3, when she and her family lived in Georgia. She began with competition dancing until she was 9 years old. Next, she moved to Los Angeles and to dance with Debbie Allen Dance Academy, and later, the Colburn Dance Academy. You can connect with Destiny and follow her dance journey by visiting her Instagram profile.
Brown Girls Do Ballet is committed to providing resources and support to ballerinas of color through initiatives such as our Micro Grant Program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly by a panel of jurors. Dancers may apply at any time throughout the year. Visit our scholarships page to learn about all of our scholarships and grants today!