Isha Martinez, 15, of Puerto Rico is among hundreds of U.S. and international dancers in Jackson for four weeks to take part in Ballet Magnificat's 15th annual Summer Intensive Workshop.

Garrett Gooding has attended several ballet camps during his 10 years of study. But the 15-year-old Annapolis, Md., resident said the four-week camp sponsored by Jackson's Ballet Magnificat is the most meaningful of all.

"Here, I am able to worship through dance," said Gooding. "I'm a Christian and it's important to me that I worship God. That's what we were created to do."

Gooding is among 300 American and international students attending Ballet Magnificat's 15th annual Summer Intensive Workshop.

A Christian ballet company founded by former Ballet Mississippi principal dancer Kathy Thibodeaux, Ballet Magnificat teaches dancers to build a closer relationship with God through dance. Students are housed on Belhaven College campus and classes are taught at both Ballet Magnificat and Belhaven studios.

"My mom and I learned about this camp on the Internet," said Jehieli Calderon, a 13-year-old dance student from Puerto Rico. "We both decided to come and I am enjoying every minute of it."

Calderon's mother, Johannes Pugh, volunteered as a counselor. She wanted her daughter to participate, but couldn't stand the thought of having her only child travel alone.

The theme of this year's workshop, "Freedom," allows participants to explore all areas of their lives, examining spiritual and physical bondages that keep them from a closer walk with God.

LifeWay Christian Stores donated copies of Breaking Free by noted Christian teacher and speaker, Beth Moore, said Brenda Holden, Ballet Magnificat's operations manager. "We are excited to be selected . . . to provide feedback on the use of the material with our teen students."

Robin Kroff, workshop director, said that while it is important for students to develop dance skills, it's even more important for them to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.

"The whole focus of this workshop is to spread the Word of God and the love of Jesus Christ," said Kroff. "On the last day of the first and second two-week sessions, we have chapel and give students an opportunity to share their testimonies.

"It's just wonderful when you hear how just being here has made a difference in so many of their lives."

""Best bet"
     Los Angeles Times

"Best bet"
     TheStraitsTimes
     Singapore

"...sublime beauty...height of professionalism"
     Dallas Morning News

"...truly one of the most outstanding tributes to our Lord Jesus Christ that I've ever seen!"
     Dr. Ed Young
     Senior Pastor
     Second Baptist Church
     Houston, TX

"I've loved having the opportunity to work with Ballet Magnificat! They are extremely talented and gracious people who understand why they do what they do and truly offer their gifts to the Lord and to the body of Christ in ministry."
     Twila Paris
     singer/songwriter

"Every now and then a dramatic presentation comes along that pursues the Gospel with an unusual freshness and creativity that is deserving of the broadest possible exposure. Ballet Magnificat! is just that."
     Dr. David Berg, Pastor
     Calvery Chapel
     Brea, CA

"We have had nothing but positive feedback, both from the Christian community, and from the local ballet folks. Your dancing was not your only means of witness. Your whole team's loving, kind, patient attitude was a grand witness to those in our church who worked with you. One of the reasons your ministry has credibility is that you minister both off the dance floor and on."
     Keith Hill, Pastor
     Fain Presbyterian Church
     Wichita Falls, TX

"...our viewers were blessed to see the Lord glorified through this art of dancing"
     Pat Robertson
     The 700 Club

"The risks of putting dance to Christian music are legion. The choreography, for example, might become nothing more than melodramatic. Turning too far the other direction might lead to the sort of artistic abstraction that garbles the text and music in the eye of the beholder. Ballet Magnificat! walks that path with stunning success. She doubtless would say her choreography is inspired by God. So be it."
     Corpus Christi
     Caller-Times

"America's premier Christian ballet company"
     Charisma Magazine

"Ballet Magnificat!...awe inspiring...impressing audiences with its high-caliber skills."                                      The Morning News     Fayetteville,AR.

"One of the nation's oldest companies, incorporating Christian themes into dance."
     Indianapolis Star