Teacher Workshop and Retreat
LOCATION AND DATE:
Ballet Magnificat! studios and Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi
July 12th - July 26th, 2025
SESSIONS
1 Week: July 12-20
2 Weeks: July 12-26
Application and Information
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Please apply through our online portal (The portal is designed for students, but this is the portal teachers should use as well. You can put your own name down as the "parent", as well as the student.)
Once you have submitted the application online, please then email your headshot to bmag.workshop@balletmagnificat.com
Ballet Magnificat! will send you a confirmation email within two weeks of receiving your application (including $50 registration fee) and headshot (emailed to bmag.workshop@balletmagnificat.com).
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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 that is under the direction of Ballet Magnificat! founder and II USA 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 our company artists, as well as from the Ballet Magnificat! staff and School personnel to assist you in creating a school of excellence.
The Workshop
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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 classes designed specifically for teachers.
This year, ALL of the teacher-specific classes are in Week 1. Week 2 is more open for you to observe student classes and enjoy a more flexible schedule.
Each evening, participate in the same activities as the dance intensive students including Bible studies and Creative Worship. There will be evening activities and Bible studies in weeks 1 and 2.
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! faculty (including Kathy Thibodeaux and Sol Maisonet) are planned for our Teachers.
Each teacher receives session notes at the sessions they attend.
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.
Outings:
We're making plans for off-campus outings for food, shopping, coffee and fun!
Performances:
Teachers will be able to attend a Ballet Magnificat! company performance on Saturday, July 19, as well as the Student Gala on Friday, July 25 (for 2-week Teachers).
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Housing
Classes and chapel meetings held at Ballet Magnificat! studios and Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi.
For teachers who need housing, the accommodations will be at Belhaven University.
Meals served daily in the Belhaven cafeteria. You may eat on campus - or not. All teachers can be set up to pay-per-meal. Often teachers like to eat meals off campus or eat light in their rooms, to save on cost. Should you choose to eat at the hotel, you may pay for each meal as you eat - $8.61 per meal.
Teachers do need to bring bedding and towels.
Laundry facilities are available in the dorm.
Counselors are assigned to the group to provide assistance, moral support, spiritual encouragement and Bible studies.
Teachers choosing to stay off campus are responsible for their own meals and transportation to and from classes each day. Meals may be purchased at the cafeteria for $8.00 per meal.
Arrival and Departure
We provide a shuttle for those on-campus teachers coming by plane, train, or bus on arrival and departure days, with greeters assigned to check in each arriving participant.
Preferred Arrival and Departure Times:
Arriving on Saturday, July 12
Preferred arrival time if driving: 12pm - 4pm
Preferred arrival time if flying: 12pm - 4pm
Departing on July 20 or 26
Preferred arrival time if driving: 6am-10am
Preferred arrival time if flying: 6am - 12pm
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You have the option of staying on campus or off campus.
Teachers usually stay in "quads"- an area at the end of a dorm hallway with 4 individual rooms, sharing 1 bathroom.
2025 Fees
1-Week Total: $825
*Tuition: $485
Housing: $280
**Special Dinner: $602-Week Total: $1,079
*Tuition: $577
Housing: $442
**Special Dinner: $601-Week Off-Campus Total: $545
*Tuition: $485
**Special Dinner: $602-Week Off-Campus Total: $637
*Tuition: $577
**Special Dinner: $60*Includes session notes and Bible study materials.
**Special Dinner with Keith and Kathy Thibodeaux at one of their favorite local restaurants.
The on-campus fees include a dorm room on Belhaven University campus and one meal on Saturday, July 12, your arrival day. All other meals will be paid for individually by you (except the Special Dinner).
The off-campus fees include tuition and the Special Dinner. All other meals will be paid for individually by you. It does not include the single meal on the arrival day.
Teachers receive 5% tuition discount for each registered student from his/her studio attending the workshop. (Only one teacher per studio receives this discount.)
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This year, all payments will be made online via eCheck (ACH), credit card, or debit card. There is a 2.3% transaction fee for paying with a credit card, but there is NO transaction fee for paying with eCheck or debit card!
Payment Plans
There are 2 payment plan options, either “Pay in Full by May 1” or “Monthly Installments”. Both payment plans are compatible with a credit/debit card and eCheck (ACH).
“Pay in Full by May 1” – With this option, you are able to make payments on your account as frequently as you’d like in whatever dollar amount you choose, as long as it is paid in full by May 1, 2025.
“Monthly Installments” – With this option, your payment method will be automatically charged on the first of each month. Your account balance will be divided into equal installments depending on when you register. For those who register in November, your first installment will be charged on December 1, 2024.
More about the workshop
At Ballet Magnificat! we seek to honor Jesus Christ and make Him known to the widest possible audience through the medium of dance. So how does that happen at our Summer Intensive? We begin each day with praise and worship and an opportunity to hear personal testimonies from Ballet Magnificat! staff and professional company members.
Also, all teachers are assigned to counselor groups. These groups meet for Bible studies in the evenings. Teachers often find that treasured friendships are formed in their groups as they are able to discuss and learn with others.
Creative Worship sessions take the dancer from the classical setting and allow them to use dance and creative talents as a worship tool. Teachers and students are encouraged to use their dancing as an expression of adoration to the Almighty Creator.
Ballet Magnificat! is an inter-denominational ministry. Our members attend a variety of churches including Presbyterian, Southern Baptist, and non-denominational charismatic. It has always been our policy not to encourage one denomination over another, but rather to respect one another's choice of worship and to celebrate our common faith in Christ.
