Raising the Barre: How Memphis Dancers Are Making Moves This Summer

This summer, Memphis dancers are lighting up stages across the nation—and beyond. From high school performers and college dance majors to rising stars at top conservatories and professional companies, the Memphis dance community is proving once again that our city’s rhythm travels far. Through camps, intensives, and national performances, these dancers are spreading soul, skill, and Southern grace everywhere they go.

Ballet Memphis: Dancing on Global Stages

The talented artists of Ballet Memphis have been on the move. Company members Cecily Khuner, Phoebe Magna, and Gretchen Vander Bloomer spent part of their summer performing with Terpsicorps Theater of Dance in Asheville, North Carolina, while Iori Araya Chang and Kennedy Ballard graced the stage in Iori’s hometown of Osaka, Japan, for a prestigious Ballet Ensemble Gala.

Closer to home, Ballet Memphis School’s Beyond Technique Advanced (BTA) program offered a deep dive into professional dance life. Students trained side-by-side with company dancers, rehearsed both new and classical repertoire, and participated in mentoring sessions and Pilates classes. The experience culminated in a public performance showcasing new works by Brandon Ramey and Ballet Memphis alumna Karley Childress—recently named one of Joffrey Ballet’s 2025 Winning Works Choreographers.

Collage Dance Collective: National Recognition & Local Impact

At Collage Dance, excellence starts young. Their Raise the Bar Summer Intensive welcomed nearly 150 students from across the country, who trained with seven world-class guest instructors and explored Memphis culture while staying at the University of Memphis. Meanwhile, Collage’s adult dance classes saw record attendance, with expanded drop-in offerings and six-week courses in ballet, jazz, and tap.

This summer, Collage students gained acceptance to some of the most elite programs in the country—including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Houston Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Company artists themselves are also in high demand, serving as guest faculty at prestigious programs like Deeply Rooted Dance Theater in Chicago and the University of Utah Ballet Summer Intensive.

Buckman Dance Conservatory: Dance for Every Age

Buckman Dance Conservatory kept spirits and energy high with a vibrant three-week summer program. Dancers ages 6–18 explored a wide range of styles, from ballet and hip-hop to musical theater and modern dance. The program’s dynamic, all-encompassing approach offered young dancers a foundation for both creative expression and technical growth.

Orpheum Theatre Group: Broadway Dreams in Motion

Dance met drama at the Orpheum this summer with a variety of youth-focused camps, including Arts Explore, Camp Collaborate, and the signature Musical Theatre Intensive. These camps nurtured all-around performance skills—dance included—while offering students creative outlets and confidence-building experiences.

Two standout Orpheum students represented Memphis at the prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York City, where they trained for 10 days, saw MJ: The Musical, and took a workshop with Tone Talauega, one of the choreographers responsible for preserving Michael Jackson’s dance legacy on Broadway.

University of Memphis: Cultivating the Next Generation

UofM’s Dance Program stayed active all summer with students participating in both local and national intensives to expand their artistry. The department also made history by hosting its first-ever Summer Dance Camp for elementary-aged students—an inspiring initiative that brought young dancers to campus while giving university students valuable mentorship experience.

From Asheville to Osaka, and Broadway to Beale Street, Memphis dancers are making their mark. This summer has shown that Memphis isn’t just a city with soul—it’s a city that moves. And the world is taking notice.

Stay in step with Memphis’ growing dance scene all year long! Head to wearememphis.com/dance-memphis/ to stay up to date with upcoming events.