Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet

Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet, based in Madison, Mississippi and marking 30 years of operation, comprises a performing company and its school, the Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy (MMDA). The ballet curriculum runs from beginner to advanced across six levels beginning at age 7, with students placed by ability, experience and age and promoted as they master each level; the emphasis is on body alignment, classical line, musicality and ballet vocabulary, serving both recreational dancers and aspiring professionals. Pointe work begins at the director's discretion after ballet level 3. Combination ballet-and-tap classes are offered for ages three to six and ballet-and-jazz for six-year-olds. Jazz and Contemporary both require concurrent ballet, while Hip Hop is offered as a lower-commitment class. Progressing Ballet Technique provides cross-training in core stability and alignment, and a Dance Team Technique class prepares students for school dance teams. The organization is a member of Regional Dance America, runs a community outreach program and summer camps, and presents a full performance season.