Ballet Magnificat! Dance Department is a ministry that puts the Lord Jesus Christ first in our artistic and dance training. Our students have the opportunity to use their gifts and talents to glorify the Lord while receiving training of excellence. Our teachers have been called by the Lord to train and develop students to the best of their potential in their individual gifts.

After sharing graciously donated space for an office and practice studio at Belhaven College, Ballet Magnificat! School of the Arts, opened in 1989, in their own studio. Ballet Magnificat! Studios currently reside in a conveniently located, 12,000 square foot, air-conditioned facility housing four dance studios with sprung marley floors and administrative offices. More than 400 students are currently in dance and music classes, including Trainees from many states and nations.

We offer ballet classes for students ages 3 through adult. Jazz is offered to students 8 and over, but are in addition to required ballet class(es). Praise & Worship Classes are available for Youth (ages 12-17) and Adult (ages 18+.)  Each class begins prayer.

Our school year runs September through May.

Lower School (ages 3 - 7):  Tiny Tots, Cherub, Creative Movement, Intro to Ballet and Pre-Ballet Classes.

Upper School (ages 8+):  Ballet I - V, Jazz, Praise & Worship, and Adults.

Students in our Lower and Upper Schools have the opportunity to audition to perform in Ballet Magnificat!'s annual "A Christmas Dream" production with the professional tour companies. In addition to this performance experience, students in our top levels may perform in the spring with the professional tour companies.

Year-End Performances:  Each school year is ended with performances by both the Upper School and the Lower School.

During one week in the first semester, we hold Lower School Parent Observation Week where parents can sit in on their child’s class and observe the students as they train.  Upper School Parent Observation Week is held during the second semester.

Students in Ballet Levels I – V are invited to participate in The Upper School Experience. A few days are set aside for this once a year when the professional tour company is home for students to observe a Company class. At the conclusion of the class, Company members make themselves available for a question-and-answer time. This is an educational opportunity for the serious ballet student to view the Company and be inspired by what they do in a technique class. The students will see the relationship between what they do and what the Company does.

Student Evaluations:  Upper School students are evaluated prior to the end of classes each school year. Students are evaluated first by their regular class teachers and then by our Mrs. Sol Nazario, Ballet Mistress/School Principal and other faculty.  Each student receives a written evaluation of their year's progress.  The evaluations also tell the students what level they will be placed in for the following year.

Returning Student Registration Begins: April 21

New Student Registration Begins: May 1