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Kathy
Thibodeaux was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the oldest of four girls, to Mary Frances Waring and Henry Lee (Bo) Denton. She moved to Jackson, Mississippi, as a young child and, except for a short time in California, has lived there all of her life. She began ballet classes at the age of six with
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Kathy danced and toured with the company until 2019, now focusing on teaching, directing the professional company, and running the still-growing dance ministry, both in the U.S. and Brazil. She continues to train daily and perform on occasion, enjoying select character roles in Ballet
Magnificat’s
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In 1986, Keith and Kathy founded Ballet
Magnificat!, recognized as "America's premier Christian ballet company". Kathy had a passion and unique vision for something totally unheard of – a touring Christian ballet troupe that would dance to the glory of God. She envisioned Christian dancers coming
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Since its founding, the company has expanded and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry consisting of a full-time
Touring Company, Pre-Professional Training Program, School of the Arts, Summer Dance Intensive, Jr. Dance Intensive, and Brazil satellite company and school. Ballet Magnificat! is now
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considered the benchmark for professional
Christian dance around the world and is credited for its role in restoring dance as a form of worship in the church. The touring company has performed in over 43 countries, inspired young dancers around the world, and impacted the lives of thousands.
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together for the purpose of glorifying God in dance. In addition to bringing people into worship, Kathy wanted the group to be an outreach ministry in which dancers would share the love of Jesus with their gifts and talents. Keith became
Executive Director of the ministry in 1990.
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was issued in 1989, and a resolution commending Kathy was given by the
Alabama Senate in 1998. In 2008, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, along with Peavey Music Founder Hartley Peavey, presented Kathy with the annual Hartley D. Peavey Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
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the
Jackson Ballet School; was a competitive swimmer winning many trophies through her school years; and was a cheerleader during her jr. high and high school days at Chastain Jr. High School and Manhattan Academy. In 1976, she married
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In 1983, “Kathy
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Kathy stepped into the spotlight of the international dance world in 1982, winning a Silver Medal at the II
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television shows and later drummer for the groundbreaking
Christian rock band
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At the Jackson Ballet School (later Ballet Mississippi), Kathy studied under
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which she choreographed in honor of Ballet Magnificat!'s 20th anniversary.
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In 2006, Kathy authored a children's book based on the ballet
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who, in 1986, became co-founder and Artistic Director of
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86:USA International Ballet Competition
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