February 20, 2006

A limited number of tuition scholarships are available to Mississippi students for the upcoming International Dance School, which will take place in Jackson June 17 – July 1, 2006, in conjunction with the 2006 USA International Ballet Competition. Scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $700, which will not include tickets to evening performances or room and board for the two-week curriculum.

Students interested in applying for the scholarships must attend an audition held Saturday, March 25 at the Belhaven College Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Building, located at 1500 Peachtree Street in Jackson. Auditions for students ages 12 - 14 will be held from noon – 2:30 p.m., and auditions for students ages 15 and older will be held from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. All students auditioning will receive one free ticket to a USA IBC Round I matinee performance. Four consecutive years of ballet training is recommended for students attending the audition.

The International Dance School provides an opportunity for intermediate and advanced ballet students to study with some of the world’s leading dance teachers. Students can also attend competition performances in the evenings and enjoy a wide variety of dance-related exhibits, lectures and classes. Curriculum for the program includes ballet, jazz, modern, contemporary and character work.

“The faculty that we have assembled for the 2006 International Dance School is exceptional,” said Sue Lobrano, executive director of the USA IBC. “Among them are Broadway stars, company directors, prima ballerinas and award-winning choreographers. These teachers have performed and coached dancers all over the world, and they will offer a wealth of experience to our students.”

International Dance School scholarships have been provided by Watkins Ludlam Winter & Stennis, P.A. (in honor of Warren V. Ludlam Jr. and Helen McGee Ludlam) and Bradley Arant Rose & White. The USA IBC International Dance School is sponsored by the Chisholm Foundation, the Mississippi Agricultural Museum, Jackson State University and Dance Teacher Magazine.