Dance Directory

By ALICIA SCHAMBURG

Stephens College
Founded by:   Harriet Ann Gray, 1950s
Enrolled:   30 dance majors, ages 18-21
Recitals:  Fall Festival of the Arts, Senior Dance Concert, Spring Dance Concert, New Works concert, Summer Dance Intensive performance in June, with additional performances for benefits and Alumni weekends
Web site:   stephens.edu/academics/programs/dance/

Missouri Contemporary Ballet
The Missouri Contemporary Ballet provides an opportunity for students who want to pursue a professional career in dance. Karen Mareck Grundy founded MCB, a professional, not-for-profit ballet company, in 2006. At this time MCB has six company dancers.
The company is the resident dance company at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts. It will also perform elsewhere in Missouri and the nation, according to its Web site.
Founded by:   Karen Mareck Grundy, July 2006
Dancers:  six
Upcoming performances:  
March 1 at 2 & 7:30 p.m. — “Rock” at Presser Performing Arts Center, Mexico, Mo.
April 18 and 19 - “Dancing with the Pros” at Truman University, Kirksville
May 2008 - Opening performance at the Missouri Center for the Arts
May 8 - “Dancing with Missouri Stars” at the Hearnes Center
May 11-12 - Performance at Presser Performing Arts Center, Mexico, Mo.
May 24 - Spring to Dance Festival 2008 with Dance St. Louis at Touhill Performing Arts Center, St. Louis
Web site:   missouricontemporaryballet.com

Columbia Dance Academy
Founded by:   Jeanne Szkolka, 1996
Enrolled:   160 students, ages 3-50+
Recitals:  Annual Student Performance at Jesse Auditorium on June 21

Perlman Halcyone Ewalt School of Ballet
Founded by:  Mariette Ewalt and Samuel Perlman in 1953
Recitals:  Spring recital at Rhynsburger Theater, May 17-18,, perform in Fall Festival of the Arts and additional performances that arise

Columbia Performing Arts Centere:
Founded by:  Nancy Walton Laurie, 1998
Enrolled:  615+, ages 3-college
Recitals:  Ages 3-8 Christmas recital, Spring recitals (ages 3-8/8+)

Twilight Dance Studio
Founded by:  

Jo Fountain, 2005
Enrolled:  Approximately 100 enrolled, ages 11-87
Recitals:  Students perform in a showcase at the Twilight Dance Studio twice a year, have participated in Dancing with the Stars benefit for the Missouri Contemporary Ballet
Web site:  twilightdancestudiocolumbia.com/

Dancearts of Columbia
Founded by:   Jodie Holmes, 1979
Enrolled:  300+, ages 3-60+
Recitals:  Annual Spring recital at Jesse Auditorium
Web site:  danceartsofcolumbia.com/

Wedding and Ballroom Dance(formerly Cosmopolitan Dancing)
Founded by:  David J. Thompson, May 2006
Enrolled:  Approximately 15-20
Web site:  weddingandballroomdance.com

Moon Belly Dance Studio
Founded by:  Kandice Grossman, 2003
Enrolled:  65, ages 14-65+
Recitals:  Winter and spring recitals
Web site:  moonbelly.org/

Academy of Fine Arts
Founded by:  Sherry Overton Wendling, 1987
Web site:  academycastle.com/academy