The community has quite the treasure when it comes to the Yazoo City School of Dance.
For the past decade, director and instructor Krista Bower has led students into the vibrant and fulfilling world of dance. Within the Triangle Cultural Center, the school offers a variety of courses and valuable awards for its students.
Students travel from all over Yazoo County including Benton, Bentonia, Satartia and Vaughan to attend the successful school’s instruction.
“I am honored to provide an encouraging environment where they can grow in confidence, grace, and personal expression,” Bower said. “I have always felt so embraced and supported by the wonderful families who are a part of the dance school.”
As Bower welcomes the eleventh season of the Yazoo City School of Dance, she announce a few changes in store for the school. She recently accepted the position of chair and associate professor of Belhaven University’s dance department.
With her new role at Belhaven, Krista will bring two new instructors onboard at the Yazoo City School of Dance this year. Rebecca Spencer and Elizabeth Sweatt bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the local program.
A native of Kentucky, Spencer’s foundational training is from the Louisville Ballet School. The school provided her training in ballet, pointe, modern, and jazz as well as the opportunity to be a teacher’s assistant, choreograph, travel to Regional Dance America Festivals, and perform alongside the professional company, the Louisville Ballet.
At Belhaven University, Rebecca focused on both ballet and modern and performed in works ranging from classical and contemporary ballet to traditional modern and contemporary pieces. She graduated as an honors fellow, magna cum laude, with a B.F.A. in Dance in 2012.
Spencer was one of Bower’s students during her time at Belhaven.
“I have always been impressed by her joyful personality and hard work ethic,” Bower said. “She is full of poise and grace and will be a wonderful role model for the young dancers in Yazoo City.”
Spencer danced professionally with Petra Ballet Company in Springfield, Mo. and has since been a company member, collaborator, and choreographer with Intersect Dance Collective in Jackson.
Spencer has taught dance at First Presbyterian Day School in Jackson and currently teaches at The Redeemer’s School and Lindsey Claire Dance Company.
Spencer said she is excited for her first year of teaching at the Yazoo City School of Dance and looks forward to engaging the community through the arts.
“When I met with Rebecca to discuss the vision of the Yazoo City School of Dance, she shared her experience of growing up in a small town in Kentucky and commuting to the only dance studio in the area,” Bower said. “She really understands the value of providing a quality dance education to children growing up in a small town.”
Elizabeth Sweatt began her training in Shizuoka, Japan when she was seven years old. She earned dance and academic scholarships to attend Belhaven University. While there she performed in numerous new ballets and modern works set by choreographers from around the country.
Sweatt and Bower met while at Belhaven as well.
“She is a beautiful dancer and an encouraging, articulate instructor,” Bower said.
Sweatt also danced with Ballet San Antonio and with TALK dance company for a number of years. She has taught and choreographed extensively around the country as well as in many parts of Asia.
“Elizabeth understands the balance of creating a challenging yet nurturing environment for dance students,” Bower said. “In addition to teaching in Yazoo City, Elizabeth will teach in the Belhaven University Dance Department this fall.”
Bower is confident the approaching new season at the Yazoo City School of Dance will continue to grow on its solid foundation. She is proud of the history and impact the school has had within the community.
“Two of my dance students were able to participate in the USA International Ballet Competition Dance School in 2014,” Bower said. “Another former student from the Yazoo City School of Dance is entering the Belhaven University Dance Department this fall as a dance major.”
Bower is certainly proud of these students' accomplishments. But it’s all about developing the passion of dance among all her students.
“I recognize that the most important role of an instructor is to be a positive mentor in students' lives,” Bower said. “I hope to foster an environment where all students develop an appreciation of dance that will hopefully last a lifetime.”
Registration Day is on Saturday, Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. until noon at the Triangle Cultural Center.
“God gave us the gift of movement and an innate desire to express ourselves creatively,” Bower said. “No previous experience is necessary. I invite you to come experience the joy of dance. Dance is a wonderful, valuable activity for all people.”
