The Company
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” Romans 10:15
Passion, artistry, heartfelt worship, and technical excellence define Ballet Magnificat!’s Company. Ballet Magnificat! began over thirty years ago with Kathy’s vision to reach the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ through original and powerful repertoire. The Company Artists command the stages of theaters, opera houses, concert halls, performing arts centers, church auditoriums, and civic arenas with sublime beauty and unparalleled artistry. Ballet Magnificat! has become a vigorous force, telling the tale of God’s love, reaching deeply into the hearts of the audience, and inspiring genuine conviction in those who watch.
Want to help these dancers take the gospel to the world?
Kathy Thibodeaux
FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Jackson, MS
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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! Brasil, 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! Brasil 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 former head basketball coach at Valparaiso and Vanderbilt 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.
Silas Fennema
ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | COMPANY ARTIST
Holland, MI
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Silas is originally from Holland, Michigan. He began his dance training at the age of 11 at Turning Pointe School Of Dance under the direction of Rick and Lara Faucher. While training in his home town, he also attended Ballet Magnificat Summer Dance Intensives.
In 2017, he moved to Jackson, Mississippi, to join the Ballet Magnificat! Trainee Program, in which he had the opportunity to go to many different states along with Mexico, Honduras and Cuba, to share the gospel through dance. Silas was promoted to Student Apprentice with the Company in 2019, Senior Apprentice in August of 2020, and Company Artist in August of 2021. In July of 2022, Silas set his first original story ballet, Not Abandoned, on the Pre-Professional Level at Ballet Magnificat!'s annual Summer Dance Intensive. In August of 2023, Silas was promoted to the role of Assistant Artistic Director.
Silas' previous training in martial arts and gymnastics provide him with a unique combination of soaring jumps and flexibility.
Silas' favorite passage is Jude 1:24-25: "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."
Cherie Pelser
COMPANY ARTIST
Cape Town, South Africa
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Cherie Pelser was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and started ballet at age 4. She grew up dancing in church and began ballet training with Karen-Koen Jooste and Johan Jooste of West Coast Dance Academy. Under their instruction, Cherie was trained in both the Cechetti method of ballet and also the Royal Academy of Dance. In addition, she took classes in flamenco, rhythmic gymnastics, and Latin dance. She had the privilege of dancing as a graduate at age 16 with Cape Town City Ballet, performing in productions of Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, and Romeo and Juliet.
In 2017, Cherie moved to Jackson, Mississippi to be a join Ballet Magnificat!’s Trainee Program. During her time as a trainee, she performed Deliver Us in Mexico and Honduras, and the Prodigal in Zambia and Kenya. In 2020 she graduated from the Trainee Program and was promoted to Student Apprentice with the Company. In August of 2022 she was promoted to Company Artist.
Her favorite scripture verse is Psalm 46:1-2 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”
Arielle Smith
COMPANY ARTIST
Springfield, OH
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Arielle is from Springfield, Ohio. From the age of 3, she danced at Ohio Performing Arts Institute under the instruction of Scot and Amy Davidge. While dancing at OPAI, Arielle had the opportunity to perform various roles in The Nutcracker including Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara.
Arielle ministered through dance and mime with her family's ministry, In Him Expressions, from a very young age. She grew up dancing in churches, nursing homes, schools and various outreaches. Arielle had the unique opportunity to dance in Times Square with her brother and sister through Project Dance.
Arielle is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was on a demonstration team that shared the Gospel through Tae Kwon Do all over the United States.
Arielle attended multiple summer dance intensives including Ballet Met in Columbus, Ohio and Ballet Magnificat.
In the fall of 2019 Arielle moved to Jackson, Mississippi and joined Ballet Magnificat's Trainee Program. She had the opportunity to perform Ruth with the Events Company in 2020. In 2021 Arielle graduated from the Trainee Program and was promoted to Apprentice with Ballet Magnificat's Professional Company, and in August of 2022 she was promoted to Company Artist.
Arielle's favorite Bible verse is 1 John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us".
Blaire Fennema
COMPANY ARTIST
Pearl, MS
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Blaire was born in Monroe, Louisiana, but moved to Pearl, Mississippi when she was just a year old. She started dancing at age two at Beverly’s School of Dance and Baton. Blaire took ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap classes until the age of six.
Blaire saw Ballet Magnificat! perform often at her church from a young age, and after watching them dance she knew that the Lord was calling her to give her life to Him, and follow the calling He had placed on her life to dance for His glory. Blaire decided to pursue a professional career in dance, and transferred over to the Ballet Magnificat! School of the Arts at age seven. She trained there for eight years, performing in both MiniMag and Magnificat Youth Ballet. In 2014, at age twelve, Blaire attended an International Ballet Competition class, where she received a scholarship for their 2018 Summer Intensive.
At age fourteen Blaire participated in the Youth America Grand Prix, training under Jessica Brock, Sol Maisonet, and Tara Thibodeaux (Drew) to prepare. After competing in both Atlanta, Georgia, and Dallas, Texas, she was awarded top 12 in the contemporary division and top 24 in the classical division. Blaire was given the opportunity to perform many leading roles throughout her time in the School of the Arts, and attended Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive from ages 10-15. In 2016, she was given the opportunity to portray a main character in the Pre-Professional Level’s performance of The Scarlet Cord. To this day, it has been her favorite role to portray.
At the age of fifteen, Blaire joined Ballet Magnificat’s Trainee Program. During her time as a Trainee, Blaire toured with the Events Company nationally and internationally to Zambia and Kenya, performing The Prodigal’s Journey and Ruth. Her most memorable experience was performing at a school for disabled kids in a village in Zambia, and having the opportunity to worship with them and show them the love of Christ.
At the age of 19 Blaire was promoted to Apprentice with the Professional Company. She is one of the two people in the current Company who trained in the Ballet Magnificat! School of the Arts. In August of 2022 she was promoted to Company Artist.
Some of Blaire's favorite bible verses are Ephesians 3:20-21, Galatians 2:20, and Romans 6:5-7.
Josie Hawkins
COMPANY ARTIST
Colorado Springs, CO
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Josie Hawkins was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She began her dance training at the age of six with Colorado Ballet Society, under the direction of Patricia Hoffman. There, Josie was taught by multiple former Ballet Magnificat! Company Artists, who introduced her to the Company and instilled a love of worship through ballet in her spirit.
Josie the Colorado Ballet Society's pre-professional companies at age twelve; including Colorado Youth Ballet, Connecxus Dance Collective, and Praise Dance Ensemble. These companies would provide many performing opportunities in beautiful theaters and local tours to schools, churches, and nursing homes.
Josie has danced numerous principal roles; such as all lead parts in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, a soloist in the Swan Lake, Pas De Trois, Effie in La Sylphide, and many other soloist roles in contemporary as well as worship pieces.
Josie has received multiple high-ranking awards and scholarships at the Esther Geffrey Scholarship and Denver Ballet Guild competitions in Colorado for consecutive years. She also received recognition for her work in the National Honors Society of Dance Arts in High School.
In 2018 and 2019, Josie came to Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive, where she was honored to be a part of the Pre-Professional Level, where she danced lead roles in both Face to Face and Hiding Place.
In the fall of 2020, Josie was accepted into the Ballet Magnificat! Events Company and toured nationally and internationally for the following three seasons. In June of 2023, Josie was promoted to Apprentice with the Professional Company, and in 2024 was promoted to Company Artist.
Josie gives all the glory to God with everything she does and lives in the Joy that the Lord provides.
"For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy". Psalm 92:4
Kathryn Paulos
COMPANY ARTIST
Roswell, NM
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Kathryn Paulos is from Roswell, New Mexico. At the age of three, Kathryn began instruction in Ballet and Tap under Minnie Wright. Throughout the following years, her classes extended to include Contemporary, Jazz, Graham and Cunningham Modern Technique, and Irish Step Dancing. Kathryn performed many classical works including Coppelia, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, Cinderella, and The Firebird. From 2015 to 2020, she studied primarily under the tutelage of Kate Reigler of Texas Ballet Theater, Yespari Miller of the National Ballet of Cuba, and Colleen Klein of Ballet Magnificat!
Kathryn was classically trained in both the Cecchetti Method and the Royal Academy of Dance Syllabi. In Cecchetti, she completed all exams through Professional Advanced Grade VII, receiving her certificate under Diploma Fellow Tracy Davenport. With the instruction of Kate Reigler, she also examined through the RAD Advanced Foundation vocational certificates. Kathryn received commendations on all of her exams, and today, she is a certified Teacher Member of the Cecchetti Council of America.
In 2014, Kathryn attended her first Ballet Magnificat! Summer Intensive and returned for many subsequent summers. Through various workshops and programs she received training from Tony Nominee-Lara Teeter, Steve Rooks, Arkadiy Orohovsky, Acia Gray, and Anthony J Russo. As a student, Kathryn was privileged to perform with Forum Sinfonia of Krakow, Poland, Rodney Gustafson’s State Street Ballet, and National Ballet of Cuba’s Jonhal Fernandez.
Kathryn has a passion for teaching and choreographing. Since 2016, she has been frequently requested as a guest teacher for workshops in New Mexico, Texas, and Missouri.
In 2020, Kathryn moved to Jackson, MS, to join Ballet Magnificat!’s Events Company. She was blessed to tour for three years, nationally and internationally to Zambia and Uganda, before being promoted to Apprentice with the Professional Company in 2023, and Company Artist in 2024.
Kathryn’s favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38-39:
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".
Aubree Recker
COMPANY ARTIST
Cincinnati, OH
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Aubree was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and began dancing at the Cincinnati Ballet Academy at the age of 9. She trained under Dawn Kelly, Sabir Yapparov, Catherine Batcheller, and Sarah Hairston. She had many opportunities to perform as a student in company productions such as Victoria Morgan's The Nutcracker, Septime Webre's Alice in Wonderland, and Kirk Peterson’s Coppelia.
She attended summer intensives at the Rock School for Dance Education, Houston Ballet, Ballet West, and Cincinnati Ballet. Aubree competed in the group category with the Cincinnati Ballet Academy at the Youth America Grand Prix finals in New York City in 2017, and placed top 12 in the senior women's category at the Youth America Grand Prix semi-finals in 2018.
From 2017 to 2019, Aubree danced with the Trainee Program at Cincinnati Ballet under the leadership of Sarah Hairston, where she did outreach performances at schools and nursing homes, in addition to performances with the company. In 2019, she was promoted to the Second Company at Cincinnati Ballet, where she got to work directly alongside the company under the leadership of Victoria Morgan, Ogulcan Borova, Dale Shields, and Suzette Boyer Webb. Some of her favorite ballets she performed were George Balanchine’s Serenade, Kirk Peterson’s Swan Lake, Septime Webre's Wizard of Oz, and Devon Carney’s The Sleeping Beauty.
From 2019 to 2021, she taught at the Christian Dance Alliance school in Cincinnati, Ohio. During the years she taught, the Lord instilled a love of teaching and choreographing in her. In the summer of 2020, the Lord gave Aubree the desire to surrender dance into His control, and a heart to share the Gospel among the nations.
While searching the internet for Christian ballet companies, she came across Ballet Magnificat’s website. After reading their mission statement about bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations and using dance as their ministry, Aubree had a desire to be a part of the ministry.
Aubree attended the Fall Dance Intensive at Ballet Magnificat in 2020 and was accepted into the Trainee program in August of 2021. The following year the she was promoted to the Events Company and had the opportunity to perform in Zambia and Uganda, as well as across the United States sharing the Gospel through dance. She was promoted to Apprentice with the Professional Company in 2023 and Company Artist in 2024. She is thankful and excited for more opportunities to minister through the gift of dance.
Her favorite verse is Romans 12:1-2: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect".
Isabel Harris
COMPANY ARTIST
Manitou Springs, CO
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Isabel Harris grew up in Manitou Springs, Colorado and took her first dance class at the age of 4. At age 12, Isabel began training with Colorado Ballet Society, under the direction of Patricia Hoffman. Several of her CBS teachers were former Ballet Magnificat! company members. She has been a member of both Colorado Youth Ballet and Conexus Dance Collective, performing a large repertoire including; Coppelia (Prayer Variation, Bridesmaid), Stella Natalis (Only Heavenly Music), Pas de Quatre (Lucile Grahn), Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker (Dew drop fairy, Arabian coffee, Waltz of the Flowers, Winter Corps), Swan Lake (Swan corps, Princess), Midsummer Night's Dream, and Cinderella. In the fall of 2020, Isabel trained with the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School for a virtual semester, studying under Cynthia Harvey, Elizabeth Farrell, Robert La Fosse, Marianne dello Joio, and Mikhail Ilyin. Due to COVID restrictions, she withdrew from JKO and completed her training with Colorado Ballet Society.
She has attended Summer Intensives with Colorado Ballet Society, Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive, The Harid Conservatory (Virtual Intensive), Ballet West, and The Royal Ballet School. Isabel has received multiple awards and scholarships from the Denver Ballet Guild and Esther Geoffrey Scholarship competitions. In the later years of her training, the Lord began to develop in Isabel a deep love for the nations. More specifically, a love and desire for sharing the gospel and serving others. This continued to grow as she had opportunities to travel to Puerto Rico, Alaska, Cuba, Costa Rica, and the Czech Republic with a number of different missions organizations.
For a while, Isabel didn’t see how her love of dance and her heart for the nations could both be a part of her life and thought she would have to choose between them. However after prayerful consideration Isabel felt that, as Ballet Magnificat! beautifully uses the art of dance to share the hope of Christ with many, it was a ministry that she wanted to be a part of.
In the fall of 2022, Isabel joined Ballet Magnificat!’s Trainee Program. In 2023 she had the opportunity to tour The Scarlet Cord with the Events Company, traveling nationally as well as internationally to Japan. Isabel was promoted to Apprentice with the Professional Company in 2024 and Company Artist in 2025. She is grateful and excited for more opportunities to share the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through dance.
Her favorite bible verse is Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light".
Isabelle Jimenez
COMPANY ARTIST
Blairstown, NJ
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Isabelle Jimenez is from Blairstown, New Jersey. She and her father took their very first ballet class together when she was just two years old. Following that class, she was enrolled as a student with The Ballet Barre, and later joined the New Jersey School of Dance Academy in her high school years. As a child, Isabelle would dance during her church's worship service and had a passion for dancing around the world.
Isabelle was first introduced to Ballet Magnificat! through their Summer Dance Intensive. She attended every SDI from 2018 through 2021 and moved to Jackson, MS to become a Trainee in the fall of 2021.
In 2021 Isabelle joined the Ballet Magnificat! Events Company, and traveled nationally and internationally to Zambia, Uganda, and Japan. During her time in the Events Company Isabelle had the opportunity to perform Prodigal's Journey and The Scarlet Cord. These experiences pushed Isabelle to look beyond herself and trust her Creator, who has given her the gift of dancing to be used for His glory. Isabelle graduated from the Trainee Program in May 2024 and was promoted to Apprentice with the Company. In 2025 she was promoted to Company Artist. She is grateful the Lord is using her childhood passion for dancing for a greater purpose, to spread the light of the Gospel to a lost and hopeless world.
One of Isabelle's favorite verses is Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels, nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord".
Hannah Phail
COMPANY ARTIST
South Lyon, MI
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Hannah Phail was born and raised in South Lyon, Michigan, and has had a passion for dance and theater from a young age. She began her dance training at the age of 12 at Northville Ballet Theatre with Mrs. Kathy Cooke. Hannah was trained in the Cechetti method of ballet, completing all exams through Professional Advanced Grade VII. She performed in classical ballets including Coppelia, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker with roles as Clara and the Snow Queen, and also performed a principal role in Les Sylphides. She also enjoyed training in contemporary Christian worship and lyrical dance.
In 2019, Hannah attended her first two-week Summer Dance Intensive at Ballet Magnificat!, and in 2020 she attended the Fall Dance Intensive. During the Summer Dance Intensive of 2021, Hannah was placed in the Pre-Professional Level and danced in The Scarlet Cord. The following year she was accepted into the Ballet Magnificat! Trainee program as a Trainee II. In 2023, Hannah was promoted to the Events Company and was blessed to perform across the United States as well as in the beautiful country of Japan. In 2024, Hannah was promoted to Apprentice in the Company and Company Artist in 2025. She is excited to continue sharing Christ through her love of dance.
One of Hannah’s favorite verses is Psalms 84:10, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
Isaac Brackett
COMPANY ARTIST
Rome, GA
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Isaac grew up in Rome, Georgia where he made his debut into “showbiz” at just four years old with the local community theatre. From age six to eighteen Isaac spent time training locally with Baird Ballet, The Dance Centre, and Rome Civic Ballet. He was privileged enough to join the teaching staff of both the Dance Centre and Baird Ballet prior to graduating high school. Isaac’s training includes ballet, jazz, contemporary, musical-theatre, tap, hip-hop, lyrical, and even a little ballroom. He has also taught and choreographed in all the aforementioned styles for various skill levels and ages.
In addition to his dancing, Isaac performed in musical theatre and dramatic productions throughout his adolescent and teen years. By the time he graduated from high school, he had worked with community theatres, high school programs, a university program, and even a few professional companies. Some of his favorite professional acting credits include Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon), The Fantasticks (Matt), and Godspell (John the Baptist/Judas Iscariot). At age fourteen he also began working as a choreographer. Some of his favorite choreography credits include productions of Two Gentleman of Verona, Godspell, and Ain’t Misbehavin’, where he had the chance to work with world renowned opera star Indra Thomas.
Isaac’s goal at the time was to one day perform on Broadway. He made it to New York to sing on the stage of Carnegie Hall with the professional level Spivey Hall Tour Choir, and he also crossed the Atlantic to perform in Ireland and Italy with them. However, in Isaac’s senior year, when COVID shut down the world, the Lord revealed that He had better plans than Broadway for his life.
Isaac applied and was accepted to the Trainee Program at Ballet Magnificat! He moved to Jackson, Mississippi in 2021, where the Lord awakened in him a deeper and greater love for ballet. More importantly, the Lord awakened in him a deeper and greater love for Himself. Out of all the opportunities Isaac had been granted, it became apparent that the most valuable of all was to worship at the feet of the King of Kings. Isaac was promoted to the Events Company in 2022 where the Lord showed Isaac the incomparable joy found in living and performing for his Creator. After spending the next two years on the road proclaiming the good news through 11 U.S. states, Uganda, Zambia, & Japan, Isaac was offered a position as a Company Apprentice in 2024 and Company Artist in 2025. Isaac is grateful for the opportunity to bring even greater glory to God in this next season and hopefully many to come!
One of Isaac's favorite scriptures is Romans 5: 7-8: “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us".
Janie Pendleton-Brackett
APPRENTICE
Fort Worth, TX
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Janie is originally from Fort Worth, Texas, and has loved dancing for as long as she can remember. Her journey began at age two, when a ballet teacher spotted her dancing in the aisle of an airplane and encouraged her mom to enroll her in ballet. That advice led to years of training at Margo Dean School of Ballet, where Janie studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, and Spanish/Flamenco dance under instructors including Margo and Webster Dean, Liuba Paterson, Perla Montoya, Elise Lavallee, and Margarita Bruce.
From 2018 to 2025, Janie danced with Ballet Concerto, performing lead roles such as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, and featured parts in Carmen, Raymonda, Les Sylphides, and various original works.
Janie was first introduced to Ballet Magnificat at age four when she saw Ruth performed in her hometown. Deeply impacted by the ministry and excellence of the Company, she began attending Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive annually from 2015–2022, spending five of those years in the Pre-Professional Level and performing in several full-length works by Jiri Sebastian Voborsky and Silas Fennema. It was during these intensives that the Lord stirred her heart and deepened her walk with Him.
Following her graduation from Margo Dean School of Ballet in 2022, Janie moved to Jackson, MS to train with Ballet Magnificat. She joined the Events Company in 2023, touring both nationally and internationally for two years, and performing in The Scarlet Cord, Deliver Us, Light Has Come, and Even in the Why in seven U.S. states and across Japan, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Germany. In 2025, she graduated from the Trainee Program and was promoted to Apprentice in the Company.
Janie is grateful for every opportunity to use her gifts to share the love of Christ through dance. Her favorite verses are Titus 3:3–8, a powerful reminder of the mercy and renewal we receive through Jesus Christ.
Elianah Vanderschoot
APPRENTICE
Nashville, TN
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Born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Elianah Vanderschoot began her dance training at the age of three. She trained at the School of Nashville Ballet from 2007 to 2021, studying under instructors such as Nicole Koenig, Anaïs Chalendard, Mollie Sansone Sjoblom, Shabaz Ujima, Kate Kastelnik, and Tracey Julias. During her time there, she performed in company productions of Nashville’s Nutcracker and school productions of Giselle, Coppélia, and Paquita. Outside of the studio, Elianah also performed with Adonai Arts International, a ministry founded by her mother, where she had the opportunity to teach ballet and minister through the arts from a young age.
After attending summer intensives in both Nashville and New York City, Elianah came to her first Ballet Magnificat Summer Dance Intensive in 2017. Over the next five summers, she returned to Jackson, Mississippi, growing not only in technical excellence but in her walk with Christ. As a member of the Pre-Professional level for two of those years, she performed in Ruth and Scarlet Cord, and during that season the Lord stirred her heart with the truth that dance is a gift meant to glorify Him and draw others to His presence.
In 2021, Elianah joined Ballet Magnificat’s Trainee Program and was promoted to the Events Company in 2023. Over the next two years, she toured nationally and internationally, dancing in Scarlet Cord and Deliver Us across the U.S., Japan, the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Germany. During these tours, God expanded her heart for the nations—especially for those where Christians are persecuted or silenced for their faith.
In 2025, Elianah was promoted to Apprentice in the Professional Company. She is passionate about using dance as a vessel for the gospel and prays that each performance ushers in the tangible presence of the Holy Spirit and reveals the power of God's saving grace.
One of her favorite passages of Scripture is from John 15:
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me… By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples… These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
—John 15:4, 8, 11
Conrad Means
APPRENTICE
Dunnellon, FL
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Conrad Means, a native of Dunnellon, Florida, began his dance training at the age of ten. He participated in numerous dance workshops and was a senior member of Honey’s School of Dance Elite Competition Team. In 2021, Conrad attended Ballet Magnificat’s Summer Dance Intensive, where the Lord stirred his heart to pursue dance as a way to glorify Him. That December, he auditioned for and was accepted into the Ballet Magnificat Trainee Program.
As a Trainee, Conrad had the opportunity to share the gospel through several Ballet Magnificat productions, including Deliver Us! and Light Has Come, performing throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida, as well as internationally in the Czech Republic, Croatia, and Germany.
In 2025, Conrad graduated from the Trainee Program and was promoted to Apprentice with Ballet Magnificat’s Professional Company.
In addition to his accomplishments in dance, Conrad holds a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, has served on the Ong’s Tae Kwon Do exhibition team, and earned his instructor certification.
His favorite verse is Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”