Columbia Dance Center

t. Students become familiar with the French terms and learn a heightened awareness of movement and music. Inventive teaching helps children learn with discipline and enjoyment. ELEMENTARY (I / II) students master the basics to develop stronger and increased physical and mental capabilities. The training becomes more exacting with careful attention to the positions of the body, head, feet, hands and proper technique. INTERMEDIATE (III) and ADVANCED (IV) students move through a structured, progressive method which is proven by years of experience. Students are taught and encouraged in a positive atmosphere with careful regard for individual potential and ability. Inspiration to excel provides the motivation for each pupil. Sound technical training prepares students for professional work, teaching, college dance programs – or for any other activity in which confidence in a public environment is important. CONTEMPORARY classes are designed to expand the dance horizon and enhance the dance experience. These classes help create a flexible and well-rounded dancer through the development of rhythm, movement, balance, and control. Students MUST be at least 10 years old, had one year of ballet and attend at least one Ballet class a week to maintain a proper foundation for technique and an understanding of general dance vocabulary. FACULTY:
YVONNE BERGERON has come out of retirement to return to the studio she and her sister established over 40 years ago. She received her early training in New Orleans from Lelia Haller (Paris Opera Ballet) and later studied with Valerie Smith (Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo). At 13 she was accepted into New Orleans Ballet and achieved solo status at 16. After seven years with the company she began teaching in Columbia with her sister, Yvette Johnson, in 1973 establishing a reputation of staging full-length ballet productions. She also served as choreographer for CHS musicals, Chamber of Commerce summer productions, and the Jr. Miss program. In 1993 she was appointed artistic director of the Laurel Ballet School and established Pine Belt Ballet Company & Dancentre in Hattiesburg. She attended teacher training courses through summer studies with Henry Danton, a former Royal Ballet soloist, at Western Kentucky University. Many of her dancers have been accepted into companies and schools across the US and Europe. Former students have pursued and enjoy successful professional careers in dance and theatre. HENRY DANTON performed with Sadler's Wells of London, Australian National Ballet, Roland Petit Ballet de Paris; Founding director of Venezuela National Ballet, Colombia National Ballet; Director of Australian National Ballet, Panama National Ballet. In 1996 he moved to Columbia as Ballet Master for Pine Belt Ballet. At the age of 101 he loves to stay active teaching and travelling. Danton is available for private classes and coaching. LISA BROWN grew up in Columbia and studied dance with Yvette Johnson for 8 years before completing her BFA in Dance at USM. She taught for 28 years in the Jackson Public School Gifted and Talented Program, Ballet Magnificat and Ballet MS. In 2015 she was awarded the Thad Cochran Distinguished Arts Educator Award. FULL SCHEDULE ON OUR WEBSITE.