Ailey School’s Melanie Person to lead dance residency at The MAX

Published 11:41 am Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Ailey School co-director Melanie Person is pictured with students from the Professional Division. Photo by Eduardo Patino

In advance of Ailey II’s performance at the MSU Riley Center in downtown Meridian on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience announced Wednesday a three-day residency featuring Melanie Person, co-director of the world-renowned Ailey School in New York City.

Spanning Feb. 26-28, the residency serves as a homecoming for Person, whose prestigious career in ballet began at the age of 6 in Jackson. The residency will begin with a visit to Laurel Middle School on Thursday, Feb. 26. Person will lead a master class for ballet students, offering them the rare opportunity to train under one of the industry’s most respected instructors. In a show of regional collaboration, the Mississippi School of the Arts dance department will travel from Brookhaven to participate in the class while representatives from the International Ballet Competition in Jackson will travel to observe.

“Having Melanie Person in our studio is a dream come true,” said Laurel Middle School Dance Teacher Gabby Bass. “Her visit validates our students’ hard work and shows them that the highest levels of the dance world are within their reach.”

Audarshia Lee-Flagg, principal of Laurel Middle School, and Dr. Victor Hubbard, assistant superintendent, noted that the residency underscores the district’s commitment to providing both world-class artistic and academic experiences to its students and teachers.

Following the Laurel visit, the residency will transition to Meridian for two days of intensive training and public events at The MAX:

Friday, Feb. 27: Ballet Master Classes (10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) — Advanced dancers interested in a professional track will receive high-level technical insights and artistic guidance to help them reach their next level of performance. Registration is required.

Saturday, Feb. 28: A Conversation with Melanie Person (10 a.m.) — The public is invited to hear Person share her journey from a young dancer in Jackson to the head of one of the world’s premier dance schools. Registration is encouraged for this free event.

Saturday, Feb. 28: Ailey Auditions (1 p.m.) — Intermediate-level and advanced dance students, college dance majors and early-career professionals will get the chance to audition for The Ailey School’s prestigious 2026 Summer Intensive in New York City. Registration is required.

“The MAX exists to celebrate Mississippi’s arts and cultural legacy while nurturing future creatives,” said Heather R. LaCoste, education director of The MAX. “We are proud to provide a path that leads from a local classroom or dance studio directly to one of the most prestigious classrooms in the world.”

Registration for MAX events is available at msarts.org/events.