Project Dance Jackson

Project Dance Jackson is a three-day event happening October 2-4, 2026, in Mississippi's capital city. The event includes an Open Air Dance Performance, Master Dance Classes, a Networking Expo, Inspirational Meetings, optional auditions for area professional dance companies and universities, networking, and complimentary goody bags. To date, Project Dance has hosted events in over 30 major cities around the world including London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Sydney, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, and many more! In 2026, Project Dance will appear in Houston, New York City, Costa Rica, Panama City Beach, Paris, Jackson and more.

Jackson, MS is home of the Belhaven University Dance Department who will be hosting this event. As we come together for this new city for Project Dance, we also have the opportunity to explore the university and dance in state-of the-art facilities on a beautiful campus. This event is geared toward dancers ages 14+ as they consider continued dance education and career opportunities. Event Producer KRISTA BOWER will be leading us into a rich and fulfilling weekend of dance!

To see the heart of Project Dance view our PROMO VIDEO.

While the weekend is designed to give participants the opportunity to perform and take master dance classes from professionals across the country, Project Dance also strives to inspire dancers as artists and individuals. Some of the activities over the weekend focus on the intersection of faith and art. While these inspirational events are optional, we enjoy celebrating those deeply held beliefs that art is a gift to be enjoyed and pursued.

Project Dance is not a convention or competition but rather a life-changing experience for dancers who desire to PERFORM WITH INTEGRITY TO INSPIRE. Our goal is to equip and encourage dancers as they seek their calling in the world of dance as well as offer them a true inside look at life as a professional dancer. We would love to have you there as a part of the event!

This three day event gathers professional, pre-professional and aspiring dancers for training, performances and networking. The weekend is centered around an all day open air dance concert that is free to the public featuring local and international dance artistry in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop and tap. Dancers gather with a common vision: to bring hope and healing through the universal language of dance.

Classes and Industry Expo:

Belhaven University

Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center

1500 Peachtree Street Jackson, MS 39202

Outdoor Performance Venue:

LeFleur's Bluff Complex at "The Den" Museum Drive at Riverside Park Circle
Jackson, Mississippi 39216

A finalized schedule will be emailed to participants closer to the event.

Friday, Oct. 2

Check-in and Networking Expo: 3:00-5:00pm

Tour of Belhaven: 4:00-5:00pm

Group Dance Review: 3:30pm and 5:00pm

Dinner Break: 5:30-7:00pm

Project Dance Live: 7:00-9:00pm

Saturday, Oct. 3

Call Time:10:30am

Open Air Concert: 11:00am-4:00pm

Leaders' Dinner: 6:30-8:00pm

Sunday, Oct. 4

Inspirational Meeting: 8:30-9:15am

Master Classes: 9:30am-3:30pm

Travel:

JAN: Jackson- Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport

Amtrak Train Station Jackson, MS

Greyhound: 1-800-231-2222

Driving:

Take a virtual tour or view the Belhaven University campus map here.

Location Transportation:

Participants will need to acquire their own transportation to all events via car, shuttle, or rideshare.

Parking:

Parking is free on campus and outside the performance venue. Parking is available at Belhaven University in the parking lot behind the Bitsy Irby Visual Art and Dance Center, the parking lot at the Center for the Arts, or on Riverside Drive or Peachtree Street.

Housing:

1248 Eastover Drive

Jackson, MS 39211

T: 601-362-8003

2815 North State Street

Jackson, MS 39216

110 Bass Pro Drive

Pearl, Mississippi

601-939-5238

1523 Peachtree Street

Jackson, MS 39202

T: 601-953-4991

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Other & options in the Belhaven Neighborhood

You will receive updated information and details for the event via email as it approaches. You may also visit our website to receive updated information leading up to the event. Every event offers a Facebook page where you can learn more about the upcoming event and see who may be teaching and attending.

Open Air Dance Concert

Our open air stage will be at “The Den” at Lefleur’s Bluff Complex in Jackson

near the Mississippi Children’s Museum. The performances will take place

from 11:00am-4:00pm. A form will go out to all directors and individual

performers to collect information about your submissions. Please plan to

prepare between 1-4 pieces to share. Group dances will be given priority

over solos. This concert is intended to encourage and inspire audiences.

Choreography, lyrics, and costuming for the Open Air Dance Concert should

be family friendly.

Master Dance Classes

Our Sunday dance classes will be held at Belhaven University. A few weeks

prior to our event you will receive a Google form to sign up for your desired

classes. We will be offering 15-20 classes to choose from in various levels

and genres.

Individual/Soloist Registrants:

Dancers may register as an individual/soloist participant. You may submit a

solo for the outdoor concert performance and learn the world tour group

dance that is performed throughout the event. Solos are allowed at the

discretion of our stage managers and not all solos are selected for the

performance.

Group Registrants:

11th Registrant Free:

For every 10 registered dancers, 1 free registration can be accessed by

selecting the ticket called 11th/22nd free.

ist participant. You may submit a

solo for the outdoor concert performance and learn the world tour group

dance that is performed throughout the event. Solos are allowed at the

discretion of our stage managers and not all solos are selected for the

performance.

Group Directors:

(Please note: all company directors, teachers, studio owners, or group

organizers will be referred to as “directors” going forward).

Directors who plan to participate (attend Friday’s events, observe Sunday

classes and/or perform on Saturday) should consider themselves a

registered participant and should pay the full registration fee. Directors who

are traveling with a group but not participating (only ensuring that their

dancers arrive at all events) will be exempt from the registration fee. This

exemption will only be offered to 1 director per group. Other teachers and

directors within the group should register for the entire event. Each attending

dancer is required to register online.

What does the registration include?

Registration includes attendance for all weekend events including the Check-in, Project Dance Expo, Project Dance Live Show, Outdoor Dance Concert Performance, Inspirational Gatherings (optional), World Tour Group Dance Instruction, and Master Classes and the Official Event T-shirt. Upon registration, you will receive an email notification. Specific details for each event will be sent to participants via email. Registration does NOT include hotels, travel, or food.

How do I submit my dance piece(s) for review?

After registration, all directors and soloists will be sent an email with instructions to submit your pieces. Dancers that are part of a group/studio/company will not need to submit anything.

What is your cancellation policy?

If a participant is unable to attend Project Dance after registering, for any reason, ½ of the registration fee will be returned to that participant following the date of the said event.

Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit; however, the general focus of our event is for the dancer seeking to pursue a dance career. We recognize that some groups and companies have varied ages. We ask that young dancers be chaperoned appropriately.

Can chaperones/family members come to all the events?

As a registered participant, you will be notified of the policy in place for the city you are attending. When space allows, we do open the doors to those who have traveled with a dancer. If a family member or chaperone wants to ensure that they are able to attend all events, they are welcome to register for the entire event as we cannot guarantee space for them other than viewing the free outdoor dance concert.

Is there a pro-rated fee if I can only attend part of the event?

There are no pro-rated fees available for Project Dance events. Participants unable to attend portions of the event are required to fully register.

What are the deadlines to register?

All registration deadlines will be announced on our website's individual city pages: www.projectdance.com. We offer an early bird rate and a standard rate.

What payment methods are available?

Secure online payments are accepted. Keep in mind that the only method of payment accepted for participants living outside the US will be credit card payments. (No international checks/money orders)

If you choose to pay by check, choose that as your payment option when you register online.

Please make checks payable to "Project Dance." Include the event's city and the registrant's name in the memo line (i.e. WPB - Sarah Smith). If you are paying for multiple registrants, please include the event's city and number of registrations in the memo line (i.e. Jackson - 5 dancers). Please include separately the full names and emails of all registered dancers with the check.

Send checks to:

Project Dance Foundation, 276-H Watauga Village Dr Ste 139, Boone, NC 28607

Please send a note with your check to indicate which city you are registering for.

Who can I contact with additional questions?

Please email a2Jvd2VyIHwgYmVsaGF2ZW4gISBlZHU=.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No, you do not need to bring a printed ticket. We will check you in by name.

Also check out other Entertainment events in Jackson, Workshops in Jackson, Music events in Jackson.