New Albany School of Ballet and Dance Arts, Inc

Now operating as Meridian Ballet in Meridian, Mississippi, this school was founded as the New Albany School of Ballet by Justine Ward Hook, who has taught classical ballet for almost 30 years and spent 18 years as owner of the New Albany school and 11 years directing the New Albany Ballet Company before relocating to Meridian in 2022. The organization comprises two entities: the Meridian School of Ballet and the Meridian Ballet Company. The school teaches classical ballet from beginner through advanced level to girls and boys aged 3 through adult. Former students have gone on to Joffrey summer intensives in New York, Miami and Chicago, the Mississippi School for the Arts in Jackson, and professional work with Nashville Ballet. The company stages full-length pre-professional ballets, with roles awarded by audition and guest artists drawn from companies including Alabama Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Indianapolis Ballet, Columbia Ballet and Dutch National Ballet. Productions have included The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz and Aladdin.