Spring is here and with the season change so will Midland Festival Ballet. The organization is faced with challenges of many types, including opportunities for growth. The Board of Directors approved my attendance at the Regional Dance America/Southwest in Sugar Land with my own private tour guide – Past President and Fundraising Vice President Lael Cordes-Pitts. My skills do not include the knowledge of Classical Ballet and Lael assisted in my education. During those four days I was in awe of MFB’s Company and Apprentice Members who attended the Festival.

I concluded that our MFB Company and Apprentices are on par with larger companies throughout the Southwest. The opportunities and education that Susan Clark, Artistic Director, and Judy Coleman, Founding Director of Midland Festival Ballet, provide are outstanding!

The status of our Company being raised to “Gala” is to be applauded by all involved with MFB! The parents/volunteers who accompanied our MFB Company members and Apprentices are to be commended equally! The crew included Leslie Smith, Trip Coordinator, Anna Adair, Debbie Chapman, LuAnn

Gilmore, Vicki Kerr, Judy Lerwick, and Shelly Hickman-Wright.

Regional Dance America/Southwest has shown us where Midland Festival Ballet has been, celebrated our organization’s development and provided insight on ways to achieve for the future. By Fall 2009, planning of instructors, facilities, performances and volunteers for the upcoming season will allow continued growth and directions.

To the Pointe,
Jan St.Hilaire, Executive Director