Arkansas Festival Ballet Performing Company

Reminiscing on our 2026 summer intensive 🌞🩰✨

Thank you dancers, faculty, and parents for an INCREDIBLE two weeks of movement, dedication, and pure joy filling the studios! We are beyond grateful for every single one of you, and the love you pour into everything you do. Our cups are SO full 🥰💐

Week two of summer intensive is off to a great start 🌞🩰🥰

That’s a wrap on week one of our summer intensive! See you tomorrow, for the start of week TWO 🥰✨❤️

All smiles, because we’re halfway through week one of summer intensive! 🥰🩰✨🫧

✨2026 Summer Intensive Guest Faculty✨

Another day, another summer intensive faculty highlight. Up next is a LR local, Todd Belin!


⭐️ Graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a BFA in Dance Performance

⭐️ Performed for several companies and institutions, like Walton Arts Center, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Arkansas Festival Ballet, Afriky LoLo, ATLA Connect, and Contra Tiempo

⭐️ Featured in several publications, including Shoutout Atlanta, Voyage ATL, Inviting Arkansas, Butterfly Magazine, Memphis Voyage, and Arkansas Democratic Gazette

⭐️ Operates MOVES IN MOTION LLC, an organization designed to create more opportunities in performing arts, and provide services for all entertainment

⭐️ Currently works as a dance educator, focusing on creative outreach, building community, and supporting the next generation of artists

We cannot wait to welcome him back to the studios!

Summer Intensive is TWO days away! Join us by registering below ⬇️
https://arkansasacademyofdance.com/summer-intensive

✨2026 Summer Intensive Guest Faculty✨

Our next highlight for our summer intensive faculty is also an AFB alum, Emily Karnes! Discover more about her below ⬇️


⭐️ Trained at Arkansas Academy of Dance, under the direction of Rebecca Miller Stalcup, Melinda Tobian, Dennis Poole, Mark Bush, and Laura Hood Babcock

⭐️ Received her BFA in Dance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she was also awarded a full-scholarship to study abroad at Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy

⭐️ Performed extensively with Arkansas Festival Ballet, Lisa Nick’s Band of Wild Peonies, and Shakti Moves Dance Company

⭐️ Directed and taught the youth program at Slavin Nadal School of Ballet and Capital City Ballet in Austin, TX

⭐️ Currently directs Ovation Ballet Company, and teaches at the affiliated school, Dancers Workshop located in Austin, TX

We are beyond excited to have her on faculty this summer, and to welcome her back to AFB!

➡️ We still have a few spots open at https://arkansasacademyofdance.com/summer-intensive

✨2026 Summer Intensive Guest Faculty✨

Next up on our faculty highlight, is the one and only, Brian Earles!


⭐️ Graduated from Hendrix College with a major in Theater Arts and minor in Dance

⭐️ Performed extensively with The Rep, Arkansas Shakespeare Festival, Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, Argenta Contemporary Theatre, and The Studio Theatre

⭐️ Served as the assistant director and assistant choreographer for The Rep’s production of “A Little Shop of Horrors”

⭐️ Choreographed many productions at Actors Theatre of Little Rock, Argenta Contemporary Theatre, and The Studio Theatre

⭐️ Served as a co-director for “The Rocky Horror Show” at Actors Theatre of Little Rock

We are thrilled to have them back this summer!

➡️ Registration is still open at: https://arkansasacademyofdance.com/summer-intensive

✨ 2026 Summer Intensive Guest Faculty ✨

Our first guest faculty highlight is our very own alum, Caroline Young! Learn more about her below ⬇️


⭐️ Began her ballet education at Arkansas Academy of Dance, under the direction of Rebecca Miller Stalcup and Melinda Tobian

⭐️ Spent her summers training at The School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, and more

⭐️ Completed her high school training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts

⭐️ Graduated with her BFA in Ballet Performance from the University of Oklahoma School of Dance, while also performing with Oklahoma City Ballet

⭐️ Currently a company member with Central West Ballet in Modesto, CA

We cannot wait to welcome you back in the studios, NEXT WEEK!

Register here ➡️ https://arkansasacademyofdance.com/summer-intensive

SUMMER INTENSIVE is less than two weeks away! We will be highlighting all of our incredible faculty soon, but in the meantime, check out our amazing lineup of classes and sign up below, if you haven’t yet!! 🌞

We cannot wait to dance with you this summer ❤️🩰✨

https://arkansasacademyofdance.com/summer-intensive

Last, but certainly not least on our senior spotlight is Mary Olive Smith, who will be attending Loyola University Chicago to study Theatre, and minor in Dance 🎓🎭

✨ What is your favorite memory at AFB?
The pre-show rituals we would do in the dressing room before the last performance of any show.

🩰 What advice would you give to younger dancers?
Remember that progress is not linear. There will always be bad days but you have to keep pushing through to improve. Constructive criticism is your best friend, and the best thing you can do is to take your corrections with pride and apply them to the best of your ability.

You are destined for incredible things, and we look forward to following you on your journey. Give some love in the comments 💕