Ballet Magnificat! coming to Marble Falls to help dance ministry
The Omega touring group of Ballet Magnificat! performs Sept. 14 at Marble Falls High School auditorium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls. 'i dance for HIM' ministry and Lake Shores Church are hosting the performance. On Sept. 13, the ballet is holding a workshop at Harmony School of Creative Arts, 1503 Mormon Mill Road in Marble Falls. For more information on the ballet, call (830) 220-0091. For more information on the workshop, call (830) 693-1791. Courtesy photo
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — If anything, Travonda Woods understands the importance of stepping out on faith.
As a child, she studied dance but eventually went on to pursue a degree and a career in civil engineering. But she always held dance, particularly liturgical dance, in a special place. When the opportunity came to follow her dancing heart, Woods went with it and created “i dance for HIM” ministry, which tries to show people they can worship and serve God through their artistic talents.
What better way than to bring an internationally renowned ballet company to Marble Falls to demonstrate that mission. Ballet Magnificat! comes to the Marble Falls High School auditorium, 2101 Mustang Drive, on Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. The Omega touring company from the ballet is presenting “Hiding Places.”
Tickets are available at at www.balletmagnificat.com or at Calvary’s Road Christian Book Store, 510 U.S. 281. Tickets are $18 through Sept. 13 and $22 on Sept. 14.
“I’m so excited,” Woods said. “I can’t believe they’re actually coming here. But they are.”
Ballet Magnificat! is a Christian ballet company founded in 1986. The name Magnificat is Latin for “to magnify Him.” The company, located in Jackson, Miss., is a Christian-based ballet that performs internationally.
So getting them to come to Marble Falls as a fundraiser for “i dance for HIM” ministry seemed a bit of a stretch, Woods admitted.
The key, she said, was simply acting on faith.
“I just called them,” Woods said with a laugh. “That’s all. And they said, ‘Yes.’ Can you believe it? It’s God’s work.”
Woods’ life reflects how God works through people for a much larger purpose. Though she studied dance for many years, Woods held herself back when it came to completely serving God through her art. But God kept tugging at her, she said.
Finally, after a series of events and personal connections, Woods completely turned over her art and herself to God and his plan.
“A lot of the things and adversities I’ve been through I danced through,” she said. “It was clear dance was something God wanted me to share.”
Through Lake Shores Church in Marble Falls, Woods created “i dance for HIM” ministry to encourage others to use their artistic strengths to serve God. She chronicled her journey in a book, “i dance for HIM,” which is available at Calvary’s Road Christian Book Store or online at Amazon.com.
“I want to use this passion I have for dance to inspire others,” Woods said. “I want them to dance and not be afraid. I want people to look at their gifts and passions, whether it’s dance, painting, writing or whatever, and use them as God wants them to. We are so much more than we think we are.”
The ministry started a liturgical dance group that will open for Ballet Magnifcat! on Sept. 14. Liturgical dance is a form used in worship and praise.
“So we have this local group of dancers who are going to open for this international ballet,” Woods said. “How incredible is that?”
The Sept. 14 performance isn’t the only impact Ballet Magnificat! will have on the community. The Omega touring company is holding a dance workshop 4:30-8 p.m. Sept. 13 at Harmony School of Creative Arts, 1503 Mormon Mill Road.
“This is such a unique opportunity,” said Barbara Bend, Harmony’s executive director. “It would be as if Ballet Austin came over and held a workshop. It’s pretty big for an international touring group to be willing to work with students. But, as a Christian group it’s part of what they do and who they are.”
The workshop is open to dancers ages 8 and older with at least one year of dance training. There will be two workshops: one for beginning/intermediate and another for advanced dancers.
The workshop is $60 per student. To register, call Harmony at (830) 693-1791.
Woods said she hopes the community takes advantage of these opportunities.
“It’s a chance for people to come and experience a level of dance they probably would never get to see in Marble Falls,” she said. “I just want people to come and learn there is hope, and, whatever they set out to do, they can accomplish.”
daniel@thepicayune.com