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Formal ballet school takes shape in Wilson County





Ballet — A form of dance that was formed in the 15th century — the foundation of all dance.

Diana McCormack has lived her dream of becoming a ballerina. Now she turns her talents and passion to teaching dance. Sharing her gift with her students through The Wilson County School of Ballet and Performing Arts is McCormack’s dream living on.

“Our school is where we take dreams and turn them into a reality,” McCormack said. The Wilson County School of Ballet and Performing Arts provides a professional, structured, and formal environment to educate young minds through dance, striving to mature students through fine art, to build confidence, and promote a healthy lifestyle for a lifetime.

McCormack, whose love for dance formed at the tender age of two, started formal classes when she was eight, and has studied under some of the best educators from around the country. She has also performed in a variety of settings and around the world. She began teaching at 20 and is now in her 13th season as a teacher. It is also her second year as the owner of Erin Jones School of Dance, recently renamed as The Wilson County School of Ballet and Performing Arts.

McCormack believes that students who join her school will begin the journey of a lifetime. This is thanks to her vision for the school to be an umbrella for the performing arts — drama, music, and dance. Her goal is to encapsulate the essential development of a fine art, develop outstanding performers and dancers, and exhibit their talents in a production school setting.

“My goal of the school is to evolve and grow the school’s students’ technique, skill, and confidence, and to create an organized company of dancers who can offer public performances, such as ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet, for Wilson County and the surrounding areas as soon as practical — hopefully in a few years,” McCormack said.

The Wilson County School of Ballet and Performing Arts offers formal levels of instruction, with ballet as a prerequisite to tap and hip-hop classes. Levels include beginner dance 1, beginner dance 2, ballet level 1-3, tap level 1-3, jazz intermediate and advanced, and hip-hop intermediate and advanced. Students are placed in a class most appropriate to their developmental level, based on physical and technical ability and emotional maturity.

Fall semester open enrollment continues through Monday, Aug. 31, with classes to be held in the Church of Christ of Floresville’s Annex building, located at 1206 Third St. in Floresville. Church of Christ Pastors Lloyd Mansfield and Thomas Bonham, advocates for the fine arts to strengthen a healthy lifestyle, welcome the school.

A final open house is set for Saturday, Aug. 22, from noon to 4 p.m. at the school. Parents who ordered videos from the recital last year can pick them up at the open house — a few extra videos are available on a first-come basis. Class placement week and the first week of classes begin Monday, Aug. 24.

To learn more, visit facebook.com/thewilsonballet or email wilsonballet@mindspring.com.


Diana McCormack, known to her students as “Ms. Diana,” is beginning her 13th season as a dance teacher.

Diana McCormack, known to her students as “Ms. Diana,” is beginning her 13th season as a dance teacher.