The Trainee Program
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
- 1 Timothy 4:8
About The Program
Ballet Magnificat! is honored to be home to one of the first Christian Trainee Programs in the world. Since its inception, the program has welcomed students from around the globe and has graduated more than 500 dancers from 15 nations: the United States, New Zealand, Australia, China, Malaysia, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, France, Canada, South Africa, and Israel.
The Trainee Program has proven effective in preparing young artists for professional careers with the Company of Ballet Magnificat. In addition, Trainee Program graduates have gone on to be successful in other dance companies, arts and ministry organizations, and schools across the world.
The mission of the Trainee Program is to establish Jesus Christ as the foundation in the life of every Trainee. Ballet Magnificat’s desire is to equip the trainees technically and artistically to bring God glory both on and off the stage. The Trainee Program not only equips dancers with our unique technique style and choreography, but also with discipleship courses and devotional times. The Program is designed so that trainees emerge as not just stronger dancers, but stronger Christians.
Tuition & Registration Fees
Tuition
Female Dancers: $3,600/year: payable in full or in 9 monthly installments of $400
Male Dancers: $1,800/year: payable in full or in 9 monthly installments of $200
Annual Fees
New Student Registration Fee: $25
Costume Fee: $50
Bible Study Fee: $25
Workout Equipment Fee: $25
We desire for finances to be approached with wisdom, responsibility, and prayer, and several opportunities are available to help trainees meet the cost of the program, including scholarships and approved fundraising. Learn more about tuition, program fees, scholarships, fundraising opportunities, and other anticipated expenses here.
Level Placement & Training
The Ballet Magnificat! Trainee Program is comprised of three levels, with placement determined through the audition process based on each dancer’s technical ability, artistry, maturity, and overall readiness.
Dancers typically participate in the Trainee Program for two to three years, progressing through the levels as they continue to grow technically, artistically, spiritually, and professionally. Each level has its own original repertoire, providing trainees with meaningful opportunities to perform and minister throughout the city of Jackson, across the state of Mississippi, throughout the United States, and internationally.
All levels of the Trainee Program are taught by Ballet Magnificat! faculty and Trainee Program staff. Training follows a Vaganova-based syllabus that has been adapted to reflect Ballet Magnificat!’s distinctive style, artistic approach, and ministry focus.
Each training day begins with corporate worship and prayer, where trainees join together to seek the Lord and prepare their hearts for the day. This is followed by a daily technique class, lunch break, and afternoon classes and rehearsals. Afternoon training may include Contemporary, Conditioning, Pointe, Variations, Discipleship/Bible Study, and Trainee Company rehearsals. Together, these classes are designed to develop strong, versatile dancers while also encouraging spiritual growth, discipline, teamwork, and professionalism.
Performance is an important part of the Trainee Program, but it is only one aspect of each dancer’s development. Through daily training, discipleship, ministry, community, rehearsals, and performance opportunities, the program seeks to shape the whole person, developing dancers of excellence while cultivating hearts that desire to serve Christ boldly through their lives and their artistry.
The Trainee Program operates from September through May and generally follows the Hinds/Madison Public Schools calendar. Trainees are also encouraged, though not required, to participate in Ballet Magnificat!’s annual Summer Dance Intensive as an additional opportunity for training and growth.
Performance Opportunities
Performance and ministry opportunities are an important part of the Ballet Magnificat! Trainee Program. Throughout the year, trainees have opportunities to perform in a variety of settings, including schools, churches, theaters, festivals, nursing homes, community events, and other ministry venues throughout the Jackson metro area and beyond.
These experiences allow trainees to gain valuable stage experience while learning to use dance as a means of communication, encouragement, and ministry. Trainees also develop practical backstage and touring skills through responsibilities such as load-in and load-out, venue setup, stage preparation, costumes, rehearsals, and the many details involved in taking a production on the road.
As trainees progress through the program, their performance and touring opportunities expand. Trainee 3 dancers make up the Ballet Magnificat! Events Company, giving them the opportunity to gain hands-on touring experience while performing and ministering in churches, schools, and communities in a variety of settings. Trainee 2 and Trainee 3 dancers may also have opportunities to participate in international ministry tours, providing valuable experience in cross-cultural ministry, travel, teamwork, adaptability, and using dance to share the Gospel around the world.
Trainees also participate in select Ballet Magnificat! productions, including the annual Christmas Production alongside the Professional Company. Through local outreach, touring, international ministry, and larger-scale productions, dancers grow in artistry, professionalism, teamwork, and confidence while learning that every performance, regardless of the size of the stage, is an opportunity to serve others and share the hope of Christ through dance.
Community Collaboration
Trainees often have opportunities to participate in creative collaborations both within Ballet Magnificat! and throughout the surrounding community. These projects allow dancers to explore movement, worship, storytelling, and ministry in ways that extend beyond traditional classroom and stage settings.
Collaboration opportunities may include film and video projects, worship events, community initiatives, special performances, and partnerships with other ministries or creative organizations. These experiences give trainees the opportunity to work in different environments, adapt their artistry to new formats, and discover additional ways dance can be used to communicate truth and encourage others.
This video project, titled Hold On, features our Trainee Two level and is one example of how trainees are able to use movement and worship together in a unique creative setting.