Counselor Information
Counselor Positions
Ballet Magnificat!’s Summer Dance Intensive is much more than just a dance camp, it’s a missions opportunity! Each year, students, from around the world come to Jackson, MS, for the Summer Dance Intensive and find so much more than just ballet. These students discover that Jesus Christ is the source of true life, that He loves them, and that He has a plan and purpose for their lives. The result is students walking in the freedom that Christ provides and spreading His truth to a world that is in desperate need of His love.
These students need caring adults to mentor them and encourage them as they learn about Christ. If you have a heart to make an impact on young people, and desire to use some of your summer to attain that goal, a counselor position may be just what you are looking for.
Dates
First Session: June 25 - July 12, 2025
Second Session: July 9 - July 26, 2025
Four Week Session: June 25 - July 26, 2025
Dates above include the counselor orientation/training dates.
Requirements
Men and women (20 years old and older) to serve as counselors/chaperones
You may choose between 2-week and 4-week options for time of service
Qualifications are flexible, but a strong commitment to the Lord and references from a pastor are a must
There is no room fee for counselors, and one meal per day is provided (Counselors are responsible to pay for other meals)
Counselors are required to arrive three days prior to the start of their session for Counselor Orientation.
This is a missions opportunity
Deadline for submitting application is May 3, but earlier submission of your application is extremely helpful.
*Please note that a background check will be run on all counselor applicants.
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Thank you for your interest in a counselor position for our Summer Dance Intensive! We appreciate very much your heart's desire to serve the Lord in this way.
Please read over the Job Description below and pray about your involvement with Ballet Magnificat! before proceeding with the application. Then, if God would so lead, click the link below to begin the application process online.
Although not every student who attends the SDI has received Jesus as his/her personal Savior, most come from the various Christian backgrounds, from Catholic to Protestant, Baptist to Lutheran, Episcopal to Non-Denominational. We would encourage you, as counselors, to pray that God would give you a revelation of the greater body of Christ so that you can adequately minister to our workshop students out of the love the Father has for each member. We also hope that our workshop will bring in unchurched dancers who present a special challenge and opportunity for ministry.
Again, thank you for your interest. We will give you a prompt response after receiving your application and recommendation letters, and will take sufficient time to pray about your involvement with us this year.
Counselor Job Description:
IT'S A FULL-TIME JOB!
The job of a counselor is pretty much like that of a parent. They are not expressly needed 24 hours a day, but they are on call at all times and must put their students first. Some of the duties include:
making sure students participate in all scheduled events
leading group times 3 days a week
rotating dorm duty and on-call duty with other counselors
making grocery runs for students and assisting with medical needs
Time and time again, counselors from years past have said that the interaction with students is the most rewarding aspect of this job. Watching God work in students' lives and seeing relationships form between them is exciting. We ask that counselors come "prayed up" and ready to serve the Lord by serving the students, planning to seize every opportunity to share the love of God.
ARRIVAL
All counselors arrive three days before the students. The 1st session and 4-week sessions need to arrive on Wednesday June 25 (prior to 12:00 pm please). Counselors for the 2nd session need to arrive on Wednesday, July 9 (prior to 12:00 pm please). This early arrival allows you to become acquainted with the ministry and other counselors and for orientation and preparation. Counselors must stay the full time and not leave before the final day of their workshop period.
ORIENTATION
Orientation with workshop administration will begin the day you arrive. Orientation will serve as a time for counselors to receive instruction on workshop policies, rules and regulations, as well as to receive assistance with small group preparation. Also during this time, counselors will have the opportunity to view their students’ files. By reading a student’s bio, you can get a small glimpse into their personality, their likes or dislikes or maybe even a poem or a funny story.
Counselors will receive a Counselor Handbook prior to arrival that will acquaint them with the Counselor and Student rules.
ACCOMODATION AND MEALS
Ballet Magnificat! will cover the counselor housing fees, as well as 1 meal per day in the cafeteria. Counselors are responsible for the 2 remaining meals per day. Some options for meals are: paying each time you eat in the cafeteria ($8.61), purchasing multiple meals on a meal card, or providing your own meals and eating in your room or bringing it to the cafeteria. (For the 1 meal per day that Ballet Magnificat! covers, there will be a check-off sheet for you to use, instead of paying.)
Counselors are assigned private rooms in the same hallway as their group. Some dorms have hall baths and some have suite baths.
DAILY ROUTINE
A typical daily schedule is as follows:
7:00-8:15---------Breakfast
8:30-9:15---------Chapel
10:00-11:45-------Ballet Technique Class
12:00-1:15---------Lunch
1:45-3:00---------Pointe, Contemporary, Improvisation, Pas de Deux
3:15-5:00---------Variations
5:00-6:30--------Dinner
6:30-7:00--------Free Time
7:00-8:30--------Evening Activity
Evening and weekend activities may include small group Bible studies, company performances, large group Creative Worship times conducted by company members and staff, speakers, and student concerts. Counselors are required to chaperone at all of these events and are also required to be with your students during any time they are not in class. Free time for the students is scheduled on the weekends.
MISCELLANEOUS
Counselors who have a child(ren) attending the workshop will not be in the same group(s) as their child(ren).
A car is not a necessity, but it is very helpful.
Counselors who are also dancers may take classes when it does not interfere with their counselor duties.
APPLY
Click this link to apply to be a counselor at the SDI!
Being a Counselor
Counselors play a significant role in everyday life here at the Summer Dance Intensive. Students are divided into small groups, approximately 10-12 per group. Housed on the same floor as their small group, counselors oversee and provide support for their students. Responsibilities range from being an away-from-home mother/dad/friend, to overseeing the students when not in class, to conducting the Bible Study.
Each year, counselors arrive prepared to share their love for our Lord as they lead their students through the riggers of the Summer Dance Intensive. Most first-time counselors are not prepared for the tremendous blessings they receive from their students and for the personal spiritual growth they encounter as a participant in this unique ministry. Click below to read what previous counselors have to say about their experiences.
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"I sensed the Lord calling me to be a counselor last year so I sent in an application despite some apprehension. Little did I know that it would turn out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! As you fulfill your counseling responsibilities and pour into the precious students that attend, the Holy Spirit pours right back into you- through times of worshiping, studying the Bible, hearing testimonies, and interacting with His people. If your experience is anything like mine, you’ll leave feeling as if you’ve had a little taste of heaven!"
Ashlyn, MI
"I wish I could be a summer counselor every single summer for the rest of my life. It was a perfect balance of responsibility, rest, and time with the Lord. It was truly one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my life. If you love Jesus and love people and want to grow in Him and share that love with others, DO IT!"
Wendi, TN
"I love being a counselor at Ballet Magnificat!'s Summer Dance Intensive Workshops, even though I often feel inadequate. It is an awesome joy and privilege to serve the dancers, in whatever manner is needed, showing love, acceptance and grace daily. I view the position of counselor as a combination of many roles: counselor, teacher, second mom, nurse, artist, activity director, intercessor, courier, and friend. Every dancer's needs are unique, and every day brings a different challenge and adventure. I have to rely totally on the Holy Spirit for wisdom, discernment, and strength. God does amazing things with the dancers, as well as with the counselors. I often think I learn (and receive) more than the students! Ministering at Summer Workshop is the ultimate in multi-tasking -- and I wouldn't miss the opportunity for anything!"
Jayne, GA
I first came as a counselor because I didn’t want to send my then 14-year old daughter to Jackson MS by herself. As a counselor, I could keep an eye on things; what I found was unexpected. I found the Lord not only works in the hearts of dancers, He also works in the counselors’ hearts, too. He has brought healing in many areas of my life while at each workshop. Here I thought I would be teaching and ministering to dancers, but many times I was the one ministered to. Another unexpected surprise is the life-long friendships I have made with other counselors. God has brought many deep relationships due to the experience of being a counselor together – and we’ve had LOTS of fun! Every year I look forward to spending July in Jackson – as long as the Lord is willing!
Lori, CA
At age 13, our daughter wanted to attend SDI, but she had never been away from home. So I decided to accompany her as a counselor. I must admit that I had dual motives in coming because I wanted to "check out" Ballet Magnificat for myself. I wanted to see if they were "real!"
We would need almost double the funds for both of us to go. But as usual, God showed us His cattle on 1,000 hills! He ALWAYS enables those He calls! A friend encouraged our daughter to write support letters explaining the ministry of dance to family & close friends and then He started sending in the needed funds for us both.
I truthfully came blindly and then fear flooded my heart as the time got closer. What had I committed to? My inadequacies haunted me, but God helped me to put one foot in front of the other. She and I planned, listed, shopped, and packed and through it all, we bonded even stronger as mother/daughter.
Upon arrival, my girls welcomed ME and made ME feel comfortable! What a blessing! (We're still friends today!) On the very first day, I heard God say "next year...a month!" I loved every easy AND difficult moment of it all! There's time for sillyness and trips to Walmart. There's time for serious spiritual talks with tears on your shoulder. There are cafeteria lines and lots of walking to and from dorms. There are rules to follow and rules to enforce.
At the end of the 2 weeks, I probably wept harder than they did because I did NOT want to leave my new girlfriends! (Who wouldn't want to feel about 20 years younger AND befriend 12 girls who think whatever you said or did was cool with them??)
Personally, God dealt with my hidden feelings of inadequacy and used the girls to affirm ME!
Spiritually, digging into God's Word with others was JUST what I yearned for and I grew!
Relationally, I met countless friends from all over the world!
Where else can you experience escape from the routines of life and see GOD imparting HIS wisdom, love and acceptance to young people all around me?
This ministry is MORE THAN REAL and VERY TRANSPARENT! (I have tested it and found it to be true!) Jesus IS the desire of their hearts as He is mine! My life has been changed through the ministry of The Word, dance, worship, singing, friends, and trips to Super Walmart. Having been a counselor for 4 years now, I have been able to see God prove His Word (Eph 3:20) to me as He does exceedingly abundantly beyond all that I could ever ask, think, dream, or hope!
Do prayerfully consider joining me as a counselor whether you bring a dancer with you or not!
Linda, GA