I am pleased to announce the formation of Natchez Dance Theater, a non-profit organization founded in January 2011.

Our mission is to provoke interest in classical ballet and dance as a theater art, provide quality training, offer dancers an opportunity to perform regularly, and provide the Miss-Lou with programs of the highest artistic quality.

Our first annual summer intensive will be June 26 – July 2 at Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center, 64 Homochitto St. We will be joined by young professionals from the Florida Dance Theater in Lakeland, Fla., who will be teaching our students ballet, pointe, modern and jazz. We will also have a regular professional on the guest list from Shreveport, La. We have invited students from all over to attend, and if you are age 10 and up and have had at least one year of training, you are welcome as well.

On July 2, there will be a performance for friends and family of our students and anyone who would like to attend.

As the first dance company in the area, Natchez Dance Theater is determined to improve public knowledge of dance. The company will award scholarships to students who possess the desire and talent for dance, but do not have the financial ability to attend classes. We will provide outreach performances with demonstrations and lectures to area schools to increase knowledge of dance as an art form. And, each year we will host a professional workshop to enrich the education of local and area dancers.

Dance, ballet, modern, jazz, hip-hop, tap, contemporary and more, there are many styles of this brilliant art form. Natchez is known for its creative side. Art is alive here. We have First Fridays and Second Saturdays, an arts festival, the Festival of Music, the Blues Festival, a Little Theater and many other venues to support local and area artists and performers. And, now we have Natchez Dance Theater.

Dance is a magnificent and powerful form of art. It deserves its place among the fine arts we so graciously support. Please help us in our goal to bring dance to life in Natchez. Enroll now or simply make a donation. You may give a young dancer the means to follow their dreams.

For information please e-mail us at natchezdancetheater@yahoo.com or call 601-870-8920. Or visit www.natchezballet.com for registration information.

Mignon Reid is the artistic director of Natchez Dance Theater.