October DOTK

Kathy Thibodeaux, Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Magnificat!, studied under American Ballet Theater's Albia Kavan and Rex Cooper at the Jackson Ballet School. She became one of the first contracted dancers at the Jackson Ballet Company (later Ballet Mississippi) in 1978, dancing as a principal until 1986. She stepped into the spotlight of the international dance world in 1982, winning a silver medal with a dance to Sandi Patty's "We Shall Behold Him".

After becoming a Christian in 1979, Kathy's desire was to serve and honor her Lord Jesus with the gifts he had given her. Kathy founded Ballet Magnificat! in 1986, the world’s premier Christian ballet company.

Headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi the company features an ensemble of professional dancers and teachers from around the world who share Kathy’s vision to pursue excellence in the arts and reclaim them for the church. The Ballet Magnficat! School of the Arts fosters the technical and spiritual training of dancers and musicians of all ages through specialized class instruction and summer workshops.

The Mission Statement for Ballet Magnificat! begins with this statement:

To present the gospel of Jesus Christ to the widest possible audience through the medium of dance, dance/drama and personal witness.

Now a formerly wary church population is slowly becoming more interested in dance. More and more dance ministries are starting throughout the country. "Dance is from God and was meant to worship and glorify him," she says. "He's restoring it."

Kathy Thibodeaux is joyously following her Father’s call on her life and we are excited to present her to you as October’s Daughter of the King.