Each year, teachers from across the country come to the Ballet Magnificat! Summer Dance Intensive for training and development classes with our ministry professionals. Open to all dance teachers ages 18 and up, our format provides an opportunity for teachers from a wide variety of backgrounds to come together with other teachers to learn, be refreshed in the Lord and share ideas.

Ballet Magnificat! School of the Arts is a thriving and growing school with approximately 400 students and is under the direction of Ballet Magnificat! founder and IIUSA IBC silver medalist Kathy Thibodeaux. Drawing from the many talents of the Ballet Magnificat! professional companies during daily operations, the School puts the Lord Jesus Christ first as it offers "training of excellence" to Jackson area students, plus Trainees from many states and nations.

During our Teachers' Summer Workshop, we offer you the opportunity to draw from these artists, as well as from the Ballet Magnificat! staff and School personnel to assist you in creating a school of excellence.

ARRIVAL WEEKEND

Saturday - Arrival Day. Arrive and settle into your dorm room, meet your counselor, roommate, and small group members. After a hot dinner and a good night's rest, everyone is ready for the next day.

Sunday - Chapel and Orientation, and Planned Activities

Monday - Classes begin!

Teachers are allowed to plan their own daily schedules!

• You will receive a schedule of all the classes being taught (both teacher specific classes as well as student classes) and you plan your day just like you want it!
• Take/observe classes of your choice with the students, or
• attend any of the many classes designed specifically for teachers.
• Each evening, participate in the same activities as the dance intensive students, including Bible studies, Creative Worship. and Company performances.
• Teachers have their own prayer and Bible study groups.
• Choose to stay one week (8 nights) or two full weeks.

Special Teacher Classes taught by Ballet Magnificat! staff (includin Kathy Thibodeaux, John Vandervelde, Jiri Sebastian Voborsky and Sol Nazario) are planned for our Teachers.

Each teacher receives session notes at the sessions they attend. This year's sessions will include:

• Principles and fine points of classical ballet training with an emphasis on the Vaganova method of instruction for ages 8 - Advanced Level, including a Curriculum Overview and classes designed to develop the teacherxs ability to identify and correct weak areas in students' technique
• Introduction of ballet to the lower school student - including: Curriculum Overview - a Christ-centered focus in the Lower School Classroom - creative worship for children - choreography for the lower school student
• Teachers' Master Classes with Kathy Thibodeaux, Sol Nazario and Jiri Sebastian Voborsky
• Improvisation and Creative Worship - Takes the dancer from the classical setting and gives instruction on how to use dance and creative talents as a worship tool. The "how-to's" are discussed to help your students learn to explore their God-given talents in movement using improvisational techniques in both group and individual expression. This class also includes a brief explanation of the biblical foundation for worshiping in a creative way, and teaches principles for the interpretation of songs, scripture, and themes through creative movement.
• Anatomy, Physiology, Dance Therapy & Injury Prevention - expanded by popular demand! Some of the topics coverd include: proper ballet classroom mechanics, basic principles of kinesiology, identifying major components of injury prevention by looking at body alignment and correct posture, principles of conditioning to improve strength, balance, alignmnet, flexibility and muscle coordination both inside and outside the classroom.
• Choreography with Ballet Magnificat! Resident Choreographer Jiri Sebastian Voborsky. A class you won't want to miss! Jiri brings his unique Czech flavor and style to a class that excites and inspires all who attend. We also offer a second choreography class with Alpha Dancer Hannah Beaver, who has choreographed several pieces for Ballet Magnificat! She'll inspire you with technical basics and creative ideas.
• School Administration & Organization - Elements to bring peace and order to your busy school office, including personal organization, the paperwork used by our School of the Arts, the computer program that "does it all for you", forms that make your school run smoother, and tips on dealing with your staff and parents. In additions, we'll cover recitals and productions - from planning to staging, we'll give you tips and tricks to guarantee you'll take your final bows sane and calm! Taught by our Operations Manager Brenda Holden and School Administrator Julia Fritz.
• Lighting and Props with Tour Directors P. J. Beaver (Alpha) and Erin Beaver (Omeaga). You'll leave with lots of ideas.
• From Textbooks to Reality with Jiri Sebastian Voborsky - Always popular with the teachers, Jiri helps the teacher learn to utilize what has been written in the classical ballet textbooks and combine it with the reality of the dancer's body in the setting of the physical world the Lord has created, to achieve the highest possible technical advancement and progress.
• Is Your School/Teaching Redeemed? Encouragement and inspiration from Company Minister John Vandervelde.
• Pilates - conditioning for the dancer
• Modern
• Ballet Class Etiquette
• Break-It-Down class with School of the Arts Senior Teacher Tracey Thompson - she'll get to the basics for specific areas, like pirouettes and jumps.

Special Dinner - Hosted by Keith and Kathy Thibodeaux,Teachers love this wonderful opportunity to hear Keith and Kathy's vision and pick their brains for help in implementing their individual school or ministry's vision. We will take you to one of Keith and Kathy's favorite local restaurants. Transportation on the company tour bus provided, if possible.

Prayer Retreat with Sol Nazario, Ballet Mistress, at her lovely home in the woods for an afternoon of praise and worship, edification and prayer.

Outings - We're making plans for off-campus outings for food, shopping, coffee and fun!

TWO COMPANY PERFORMANCES take place during the first week of the Teachers' Workshop. Each of the two professional companies (Alpha and Omega) will perform.

LOCATION AND HOUSING

1. Classes and chapel meetings held at Ballet Magnificat! studios and Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi.
2. Belhaven College dormitories reserved for teachers who wish to stay on campus.
3. Meals served daily by the cafeteria on campus.
4. Teachers are required to bring bedding, towels, and personal toiletries.
5. Coin-operated laundry facilities available in each dorm.
6. Prior to the workshop, participants are prayerfully divided into groups.
7. Counselors are assigned to each group to provide assistance, moral support, spiritual encouragement and Bible studies.
8. Teachers choosing to stay off campus are responsible for their own meals and transportation to and from Belhaven College each day.  Meals may be purchased at the Belhaven cafeteria for $6.50 per meal and meals cards are available for purchase at the cafeteria.