Caroline Purcell Meinert, artistic director, Ballet Arts

Caroline Purcell Meinert has been selected as the new artistic director for Ballet Arts and will continue the tradition created by Pat Brown 47 years ago.

Meinert is a Jackson, Tennessee native and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance performance from the University of Missouri- Kansas City Conservatory in 2017. Her degree has an emphasis on ballet, modern and choreographic design. She also has a 200-hour Yoga Alliance teacher certificate.

“We are thrilled to bring in someone with teaching, choreography and directing skills to Ballet Arts,” said Ballet Arts President Robyn Hicks. “Caroline has been a great addition to our team this summer and our dancers are excited about her new ideas.”

Meinert was both a dancer in the Pat Brown School of Dance and Ballet Arts Inc. of Jackson. Throughout her dancing career she received training from the Joffrey Ballet, Memphis Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Orlando Ballet, Kirov Academy and the Radio City Rockettes. She danced professionally with several small companies and performed with the prestigious Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

“I have always had a passion for dancing ever since I was three years old sitting in the doorway of my older sister’s ballet class trying to mimic every dance post and posture,” said Meinert.

“Ballet Arts gave me the chance to explore that passion. I grew up counting down the days to when I would be old enough to audition for the company. I would dream about being Clara in The Nutcracker and dancing on the civic center stage with Ballet Arts. Ballet Arts was my whole life, it was my family. Ballet Arts made me the person and dancer that I am today. I know first-hand what this company can do for young boys and girls. Being a part of Ballet Arts, you get so much more than ballet training. Our kids learn life skills that they will take with them as they leave us. It wasn't until I went to college that I discovered I had a second passion, and that was teaching dance. It truly took me by surprise that I loved teaching so much. I get the privilege to watch as kids experience the joy of dance for the first time, accomplish their first pirouette or leap, create a sense of confidence and pride for themselves, and create a love for this unbelievable art form that is dance. Through college and professional dancing, I never forgot about the place that started it all for me- Ballet Arts. I am so humbled and grateful that I get to bring all my experiences back to Ballet Arts to help build and strengthen the company for future years to come.”

Meinert would like to see more community involvement with the company.