Midland Festival Ballet just returned from attending  "Regional Dance America / Southwest Dance Festival hosted by San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet in San Antonio.  Twenty two dancers, in addition to parents and chaperons attended the Festival.

Classes were held in the ballrooms in the El Tropiocana Hotel-Holiday Inn and at the Municipal Theatre.  The adjudicator for this year's festival was Michael Uthoff.  The faculty included John Manus, Warren Conover, Elaine Bauer, Cameron Basden, Bradley Shelver, Susan Trevino, Nicole Sell, and others teaching classes in ballet, modern, jazz, musical theatre, Pilates, and stretch.

MFB presented "Heavy Sleepers" on Emgering Choreographers evening.  The contemporary ballet was choreographed by Lauren Curry who is an instructor for MFB and Lighting Director for MFB's productions. Dancers in "Sleepers" include Emily Abalos, Louisa Chapman, Ruthanne Kerr, Lauren Laughlin, Pearl Piece, Tyler Rhoads, and Jennifer Runnfeldt.  "Lux Aeterna" was presented on Gala night by the MFB dancers.  John-Paul Comelin choreographed the ballet.  Susan Clark, Artistic Director, staged the ballet.  Louisa Chapman and Pearl Pierce were soloists partnered by guest artists, Joseph Goodman and Michael Levine.  Annie Gilmore, Ruthanne Kerr, Tyler Rhoads, and Jennifer Runnfeldt also danced in the ballet.

Lauren Curry received the Monticello College Foundation Scholarship Awarded to Craft of Choreography Conference where she will choreograph for the Workshop using dancers attending the Workshop. Louisa Chapman received a full scholarship to Mercyhurst College and a full scholarship to Portland Festival Ballet directed by John Magnus   in Portland, Oregon.  Pearl Pierce received a partial scholarship to the Craft of Choreography Workshop. Midland Festival Ballet was recognized as a Honor Company for it's second year receiving Gala Performance status.

MFB's"Spring Gala" Season will present the above two ballets, the wedding scene from "Coppelia", Act III, as well as, new works in the Wagner and Brown Auditorium in Allison Fine Arts Building at Midland College.  The performances will be held on Saturday, May 1st at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 2nd at 2:30pm.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the MFB office at 686-0071 or Pay Pal on our web site at ,  Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for children, students, and seniors.