The ballet community is mourning the passing of dancer Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a professional ballerina for the Boston Ballet and star of the 2011 First position documentary who died at the age of 29.

DePrince grew up as an orphan in Sierra Leone before being adopted by an American family and moving to the U.S., she said Enchanting from 2015.

Passionate about dancing since childhood, she studied at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet of the American Ballet Theatre. In 2012, she joined the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She also danced with the Dutch National Ballet and in 2021, she joined the Boston Ballet as a principal.

The news of DePrince’s death was confirmed in a statement posted to her official Instagram account on Friday, September 13.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired so many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet and beyond,” began the statement, signed by “Team MDP.”

DePrince’s life was “one defined by grace, purpose and strength,” her team continued. “Her unwavering dedication to her art, her humanitarian efforts and her courage to overcome unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us,” remembering the dancer as someone who “was a beacon of hope to so many, showing that beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places, no matter the obstacles.”

Team MPD continued by adding, “Although her time with us was far too short, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her story for generations to come. Love and prayers go out to her chosen family, friends, and those who loved her.”

There is no known cause of death.

DePrince is survived by her five sisters and two brothers. In a written statement on Facebook, her sister Mia said she was “truly in shock and deeply saddened” by her sister’s death.

“My beautiful sister is gone,” Mia continued. “From the beginning of our story in Africa, sleeping on a shared mat in the orphanage, Michaela (Mabinty) and I would create and act out our own musicals.”

Mia remembers how, as children, she and her sister “created our own ballets.”

“When we were adopted, our parents immediately threw themselves into our dreams and she became the beautiful, graceful, strong ballerina many of you know her as today,” said Mia, who called her sister “an inspiration.”

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“Whether she was jumping across the stage or hopping on a plane and flying to third world countries to teach orphans and children how to dance, she was determined to make all her dreams come true in the arts and dance. Michaela (Mabinty) has left her footprints in the sand and on so many stages around the world. She will be truly missed,” Mia concluded.

The DePrince family thanked the public for “their privacy during this difficult time” and said the ballerina’s memorial service will be private.

Boston Ballet also released a statement Friday honoring DePrince. “We send our love and support to the family of Michaela Mabinty DePrince during this time of loss,” the company said, adding, “We were so fortunate to know Mabinty; she was a wonderful person, a wonderful dancer, and she will be deeply missed by us.”