Podcast Episodes

Episode 41: Krista Bower

by Rachel Caldwell

It was a joy to catch up with Krista Bower! Krista is the Chair of the Belhaven University Dance Department in Jackson, Mississippi. Krista has such a beautiful spirit and heart for others. Our conversation is equal parts Krista’s personal journey as a dancer and sharing more about the dance program at Belhaven.

Krista earned an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University and a BFA in Dance from Belhaven University. She has served on staff for the USA International Ballet Competition and owns and directs the Yazoo City School of Dance. As a professional dancer, Krista performed with Living Water Dance Company and later co-founded Front Porch Dance, a Mississippi-based contemporary dance company.  Krista is also a founding instructor of the Dance for Parkinson’s program in Jackson, MS.

I enjoyed hearing Krista’s perspective on leading through the pandemic and insights from her role as a teacher and mentor. We talk about the transition when Krista came in as the Chair of the Belhaven University Dance Department. 

Belhaven University is close to my heart as a former student. I love that we had this opportunity to chat about the key elements of the dance program at Belhaven and what makes it so unique. If you’ve been curious about the program’s bachelors or masters degree opportunities, this is a great way to learn more! For my fellow alumni, I hope you enjoy hearing about the continued development of the department.

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About Krista:

Krista Bower is Chair of the Belhaven University Dance Department in Jackson, MS. She earned an MFA in Choreography from Jacksonville University and a BFA in Dance from Belhaven University. Bower was a recipient of the Jacksonville University Dean’s Award for Excellence in 2011 and 2012.  Bower has presented her research at the Congress on Research in Dance, Society of Dance History Scholars, and National Dance Education Organization conferences.

Bower performed with Living Water Dance Company in Jackson, Mississippi from 2005 – 2006. In 2008, she co-founded Front Porch Dance, a Mississippi-based contemporary dance company. She enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate and perform with dancers, musicians, and visual artists throughout the state. Bower owns and directs the Yazoo City School of Dance, which trains students of all ages and has employed Belhaven University dance graduates as instructors. In 2006 and 2010, Bower served on the staff of the  USA International Ballet Competition, and she was the Dance School Administrator for the 2014 USA IBC Dance School and Teacher Training Program. Krista is also a founding instructor of the Dance for Parkinson’s program in Jackson, MS.

In 2016 and 2011, Bower received Performing Arts Fellowships from the Mississippi Arts Commission, merit-based awards given to “professionals producing works of high artistic quality.” In 2013, the Mississippi Business Journal named Bower one of “Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women.”

Links from the Show:

Connect with Krista and the Belhaven University Dance Department:

Belhaven University Dance Department

kbower@belhaven.edu

On Instagram

Check out more Resources:

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