Our Team

Keith Thibodeaux

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Keith Thibodeaux, Executive Director of Ballet Magnificat since 1993, came to America's attention as the son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on the classic television show “I Love Lucy.” Hailed as a child prodigy, Keith began playing drums at the age of two in Lafayette, Louisiana. His skills took him to a national tour, with the lead role of “Little Ricky Ricardo” and several television performances, including The Andy Griffith Show, Route 66, The Shirley Temple Playhouse, Hazel and many others. While studying at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Keith joined and recorded with the then rock band “David and the Giants”. He left the group after several years, but, after his conversion to Christianity (along with the other band members), the group resumed work under the same name and became one of the main contemporary Christian music bands in the country. . As drummer, singer and songwriter for the band David and the Giants, Keith toured extensively for 10 years in the United States, Canada, Jamaica and England, recording 9 albums before leaving the group in 1989 to pursue other goals. He has been featured in publications including Newsweek, People, Saturday Evening Post, Modern Drummer, CCM, and Classic Drummer Magazine. He has also been a guest on Newsweek, People, Saturday Evening Post, Modern Drummer, CCM, and Classic Drummer Magazine, NBC’s The Today Show, Entertainment Tonight, CBS’s Good Morning America, and The O’Reilly Show. Keith is a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and in 2024 was given the Outstanding Alumni Award by the university of Louisiana Lafayette.

    In January 1991, he joined his wife Kathy in contributing to Ballet Magnificat, and in 1993, Keith became the Company's Executive Director. In addition to his current responsibilities at Ballet Magnificat!, Keith still finds time to play drums and record. Keith's book, “Life After Lucy,” tells the story of his life as the character “Little Ricky” on the show “I Love Lucy” and his encounter with Jesus Christ as his Savior. Life After Lucy is sold in US bookstores and in the Gift Shop on this site. Keith and Kathy have a daughter, Tara, who is a dancer and choreographer, married to Bryce Drew, a former player in the NBA and the current men's head basketball coach at Grand Canyon University.

Kathy Thibodeaux

FOUNDER | ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | CHOREOGRAPHER

  • Kathy Thibodeaux began her dance training at the age of six with the Jackson Ballet School under the direction of Albia Kavan and Rex Cooper. When the Jackson Ballet Company turned professional in 1978, Kathy was one of the first dancers to be contracted. Soon after being a contracted dancer, Kathy soared to the highest levels of the company, becoming a Principal Dancer, a position she held successfully until 1986.

    During her tenure with the Jackson Ballet (later Ballet Mississippi), she appeared as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the Pigtail Girl in Graduation Ball, Odette in Swan Lake - Act II, Taglioni in Pas de Quatre, and had leading roles in Les Sylphides and La Bayadere - Act II. She has danced principal roles in John Butler’s Othello, Todd Bolendar’s Stillpoint, Jean-Paul Comelin’s Daughter of Morning, and William Christensen’s Bravura, as well as such traditional grand pas de deux as Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, and Raymonda.

    In 1982, Kathy was awarded a silver medal for her performance at the II USA International Ballet Competition (IBC), where she premiered her solo piece, “We Shall Behold Him.” She was featured in the 90-minute ABC/PBS documentary, “To Dance for Gold," which documented her progress through the II USA IBC and her silver medal win. She has been a guest instructor at several of the USA International Ballet Competitions and has performed for their Gala in Jackson, Mississippi.

    Her desire to use her God-given talent of dance to share her faith in Jesus Christ led Kathy to resign from Ballet Mississippi and found her own company, Ballet Magnificat!, in 1986.

    Through the creation of Ballet Magnificat, Kathy has performed many ensemble, solo, and principal roles, as well as choreographed several works for the company, including Creation (1987), Regathering (1988), Light Eternal (1989), Joy (1989), Thy Kingdom Come (1989), A Christmas Festival (1991), Praise Magnificat (1992), Sanctuary (1992), sections of Savior (1996), Unveiled Hope (1997), Freedom (2002), A Christmas Dream (2006) sans the “Battle Scene”, and sections of Snow Queen (2011).

    In 2006, Kathy authored a children's book based on the ballet A Christmas Dream which she choreographed in honor of Ballet Magnificat!'s 20 anniversary.

    In 1983, “Kathy Thibodeaux Day” was proclaimed by order of Mississippi Governor William Winter, a commendation by Mississippi Governor Ray Mabus was issued in 1989, and a resolution commending Kathy was given by the Alabama Senate in 1998. In 2008, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, along with Peavey Music Founder Hartley Peavey, presented Kathy with the annual Hartley D. Peavey Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

    In February 2017, Kathy and Keith pioneered Ballet Magnificat! Brazil, a professional trainee program and performance company headquartered in Curitiba, Brazil. Later in 2017 Kathy transitioned from full time touring with the Alpha Company to oversee more of the day-to-day operations of the companies, Trainee Program and School of the Arts in the Jackson, MS office. She and Keith travel to Brazil several times each year to direct and build the Ballet Magnificat! Brazil program.

    Kathy’s passion for the Lord is so evident and she pours herself into serving God and His people through praising Him with the dance. She feels very grateful to be living this life of service and working with her husband, Keith Thibodeaux.

    Kathy and Keith have one daughter, Tara Drew, a dancer, teacher, and choreographer, who is married to Bryce Drew, former player in the NBA and the current men's head basketball coach at Grand Canyon University. Tara trained at Ballet Magnificat!, performed with the company for several years, and has set many works on the companies including The Arrival and Stratagem. Tara and Bryce Drew have one son, Bryson.

Brenda Holden

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTORS

  • Brenda began her association with Ballet Magnificat! as a “ballet mom.” She eventually became a volunteer in the office, using her work experience in law offices and the mortgage bank industry to assist where needed. Brenda also home-schooled both her children, conducted Organization Equals Happiness time-management seminars, Good For You cooking classes and food co-op, and assisted her daughter with her Cross-Tied Ministries outreach productions and classes. From 2002 until 2018, Brenda held the position of Operations Manager for the ministry. She now serves as an Assistant to the Directors and works with the Brazil expansion. Brenda and her husband John have two grown children, Ben and Abigail, and one granddaughter, Elliana.

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Erin Bergman

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

  • Erin Beaver is originally from Kerrville, Texas. As a student, Erin received ballet instruction at the Performing Arts School of Kerrville. In 1999, Erin moved to Jackson, Mississippi, to join Ballet Magnificat!’s Trainee Program. She was promoted in 2002 to an Apprenticeship with Ballet Magnificat!'s Alpha Touring Company. In the spring of 2003, Erin moved to California to serve the Lord in a traveling drama ministry. She returned to Ballet Magnificat! in 2004 to take the position of Tour Director for Ballet Magnificat!’s Omega Company, coordinating tours for the company throughout North America, Central America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Erin came off the road in 2017 to take the position of Director of Personnel and Operations. In January, 2026 Erin took on the position of Executive Assistant. She and her husband Doug happily reside in Florida.

Sol Maisonet

BALLET MISTRESS

  • Ms. Sol Maisonet was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At age 12 she started her training in classical ballet. Ms. Maisonet received many scholarships from the Puerto Rico Institute of Culture to continue training in Cuba and in New York City. Her instructors included Madame Maggie Black, Ramón Segarra, David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Juan Anduze, and José Pares.

    For more than 25 years, Ms. Maisonet performed professionally as a Soloist and Principal Dancer with companies such as Ballet Puertorriqueño, Ballet Theatre of San Juan, Ballet Concierto, and Ballets of San Juan. In 1983, she was invited by the government of Colombia to perform as a Principal Dancer with the “Ballet Nacional of Colombia,” under Artistic Director Ramon Segarra. During her time there, she danced as the lead role in several original ballets choreographed especially for her, such as Val’s of Ravel, Stravinsky’s Firebird, Symphony in Three Movements, and Ciclos.

    She performed principal roles in many classical ballets, including The Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, Swan Lake, Rites of Spring, Tango Expectro, The Merry Widow, George Balanchine’s Rubies, Serenade, Who Cares.

    In 1990 she was invited to represent Puerto Rico in Barcelona, Spain, at the 5th Iberoamerican Festival. Performing Cuban choreographer Petra Bravo’s piece, “Que Signo Lleva el Amor,” she became a finalist. In 1992, she joined recognized choreographer Gabry Christa from Holland and Gloria Llompart from Puerto Rico to found the dance company "Danzadentro."

    In 1994 she once again represented Puerto Rico in Barcelona, this time with her own choreography, "Una Vez al Mes." Ms. Maisonet represented Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, performing in the Latin-American Dance Congress with Bravo's choreography, "Un Solo Dueto," and Gabry Christa's "Matutina.”

    Ms. Sol Maisonet has taught classical ballet since 1977. She developed and enhanced the Dance Department Ballet Curriculum for the School of the Arts in Carolina, Puerto Rico and choreographed for several children’s musicals including “Lilipun” and “Aladdin.”

    She has been the Guest Master Teacher for Summer Intensives at San Augustine Conservatory of Dance in FL, Rejoice Dance Academy in MS, Ballet Aviv in LA, and Ballet 5:8 in IL. She has served as the Ballet Magnificat Trainee Program Director and the Ballet Magnificat II Artistic Director. From 2001-2011 she served at Ballet Magnificat! as the School of the Arts Principal and developed the Upper School Ballet syllabus which is still in use today. From 2011-2016, she served as adjunct Dance Faculty for Belhaven University and was the Dance Ministry Ensemble Artistic Director. In addition, she served as Rehearsal Director for the fall and spring Belhaven dance concerts. She has trained many successful professional dancers during her career.

    Currently, Ms. Maisonet is the Ballet Mistress for Ballet Magnificat! Company and School of the Arts, and is a Rehearsal Director and Master Teacher for the Trainee Company.

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Rachel Nel

SENIOR ADMINISTRATOR | SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE ADMINISTRATOR

  • Rachel Nel came to Ballet Magnificat! from Lindsborg, Kansas. She began her dance training in 1997 with Tamara Dahlsten and continued with others such as Eve Kindall and Dunri Palmer. In 2008, she joined the Trainee Program and worked as an Office Assistant at Ballet Magnificat! School of the Arts. During her time with the Trainee Program, Rachel had the privilege to perform in several works, including: Freedom, Lord of All, Grateful People, Wise Fool, I Believe, Your Great Name, A Christmas Dream and more. She graduated from the Trainee Program in 2011 and became the School of the Arts Administrator at Ballet Magnificat! and worked extensively with the Summer Dance Intensive. In 2014, Rachel became the Alpha Tour Director. In the summer of 2021 Rachel transitioned from her role as Tour Director and became Senior Administrator. She also serves as the Summer Dance Intensive Administrator. Rachel and her husband Reece now live happily near family in Kansas.

Melanie Seeger Plassmann

DIRECTOR IN BRAZIL

  • Melanie Joy Seeger was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she began her dance training at the age of 4. She began her professional dance training at 14 with the National School of the Arts and completed her Royal Academy of Dancing Advanced 2 with Sandra Castens. In 2001, Melanie was invited to dance with the South African Ballet Theatre; and in 2003 she moved to Cape Town to study at the University of Cape Town. While at UCT, she completed the RAD Teachers Certificate and was awarded with the RAD Solo Seal Award, the RAD’s highest performance award. At the end of 2004, Melanie joined Cape Town City Ballet.

    While at Cape Town City Ballet, Melanie performed in many of the classical and contemporary ballets, including La Sylphides, Carmen, Camille, The Merry Widow, Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle, 2 of the fairies in Sleeping Beauty, The Winter Fairy in Cinderella, Ballerina Doll in The Nutcracker, Waltz Solo in Les Sylphides and Swanhilda in Coppélia. Melanie performed in many national tours as well as an international tour to Dublin, Ireland.

    In 2008, Melanie moved to Jackson, Mississippi, USA, to study and dance with the Ballet Magnificat Trainee Program, Level 2. Upon returning to South Africa, she re-joined Cape Town City Ballet. During her time at both UCT and CTCB, she was involved with teaching the CTCB Boys Development program.

    In 2011, Melanie left Cape Town City Ballet to pursue full-time teaching. Melanie ran her own studio for 4 years, while also being part of the full-time course teaching faculty at Cape Academy of Performing Arts. In 2015, Melanie returned to UCT and graduated with a Diploma in Dance Education. She also taught classical ballet at UCT School of Dance, was vice-principle of the Cape Junior Ballet School, and served as assistant ballet mistress for the Cape Junior Ballet Company. Melanie aims to provide top quality teaching in an informative and enjoyable setting.

    In February 2017, God led Ballet Magnificat! to the beautiful city of Curitiba, Brazil, to open its first and only satellite. Ballet Magnificat! Brazil has now grown to include a small professional company as well as a School of the Arts. Melanie has helped develop the program from the outset and serves as the Brazil Program Director.

    Teaching is one of Melanie’s passions and gifts and says that “leading the team in Brazil continues to be one of my greatest joys and privileges”. In January 2020 Melanie married Roberto Cristiano Plassmann Filho and together they have one son, Benjamin.

Allie Milkey

TRAINEE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR | EVENTS COMPANY TOUR DIRECTOR

  • Allie Milkey was born and raised in Concord, NC, and attended college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She joined Ballet Magnificat! in 2023, drawn by the opportunity to combine professional dance with gospel-centered ministry. After completing the Trainee Program and touring with the Events Company in 2025, she joined staff as Events Company Tour Director and Office Assistant. In March, 2026, she stepped into her current role of Trainee Administrator and Events Company Tour Director.

    Allie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Dance and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, graduating summa cum laude with University Honors and a Professional Training Certificate with Charlotte Ballet. During her time there, she explored the connection between faith and the arts through choreography, research in sacred dance, and Christian leadership on campus, even publishing research in peer reviewed papers.

    Allie has seven years of teaching experience and has worked with dancers of all ages across multiple styles. She especially loves teaching ballet and enjoys helping students build strong technical foundations while cultivating a deeper appreciation for the beauty and discipline of dance.

    Whether on stage or behind the scenes, Allie loves using her gifts to help make Jesus known through the beauty and power of dance.

    "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." – Colossians 3:23

Jeremy Brown

COMPANY TOUR DIRECTOR

  • Jeremy Brown was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, where his early years were filled with sports—basketball, baseball, soccer, football, and track. Though he didn’t pursue ballet, he stepped into the performing arts world at age 10 through a musical, A Tale of the Kingdom, with Christ in the Arts (CITA), in Lubbock, TX. His whole family soon became involved, and Jeremy continued acting in CITA’s productions and partnering with dancers through high school.

    In 2020 Jeremy received a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications with a minor in Mass Media Communications from Lubbock Christian University.

    After graduating, Jeremy returned to CITA as a performer, and eventually joined the staff as Social Media Coordinator and PR Director. In 2022 he took the role of Assistant Partnering Instructor and then in 2024, Lead Partnering Instructor. During this time Jeremy was also involved with mission opportunities including working with 10M Foundation in the Czech Republic.

    Jeremy’s introduction to Ballet Magnificat was through watching a performance of Deliver Us! in 2010, and, after a series of God-ordained events, Jeremy moved to Jackson, MS in June of 2025 to step into the role of Tour Director.

    “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” – Isaiah 30:21

Barbara Pendleton

PHOTOGRAPHER | GRAPHIC DESIGNER

  • Originally from Wisconsin, Barbara moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 1985, and then on to Jackson, Mississippi in 2022. Through the years she has worked in various corporate environments, as well as many ministry organizations. Her experience includes administrative work, graphic design, ghost-writing and editing books, teaching the Word and mentoring through Life Teams, Bible studies, and jail ministry.

    Barbara's passion for photography began at the tender age of 10 at her sister’s wedding. Throughout the next 40+ years as a professional photographer, she has enjoyed capturing the essence of weddings and graduations, corporate, ministry, and family events, and her absolute favorite: dance and live theater. Barbara and her husband have two beautiful grown children, one of whom is part of the Ballet Magnificat! Company.

    One of Barbara’s favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 16:8-9: "I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope".

Cassandra Davis

SCHOOL OF THE ARTS ADMINISTRATOR

  • Cassandra was born and raised near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has been dancing since the age of eight. The majority of her training took place at Delaware Valley Dance Academy, under the teaching of Lisa Wasserman. During this time, she had the privilege of performing as a soloist in The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, and Paquita.

    Cassandra attended five Summer Dance Intensives and three Fall Dance Intensives with Ballet Magnificat! She was selected to participate in the Pre-Professional level for four summers, and had the honor of performing the ballets Ruth, Scarlet Cord, Not Abandoned, and Unveiled Hope.

    In March 2023, Cassandra received her bachelor’s degree in Christian Leadership and Management from Liberty University. In August 2023, she moved to Mississippi to dance at Ballet Magnificat! She was part of Trainee II for two years.

    Cassandra has been teaching dance since 2016. She loves teaching and encouraging her students to dance excellently and joyfully for the glory of God!

    In June 2025, Cassandra stepped into the position of School of the Arts Administrator. She is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the ministry of Ballet Magnificat’s School of the Arts. Pouring into the lives of students and witnessing their growth are some of her favorite things!