07/16/2025
Jennifer Beasley, the Artistic Director of Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet, and the Owner/Director of Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy, is our final 2025 Women in Business.
Jennifer is a passionate leader in the arts community, serving as Artistic Director of the Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet (MMB), a non-profit organization, and Owner/Director of the Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy (MMDA), a thriving for-profit studio offering dance lessons for students ages 3 and up, with locations in Madison and Flowood, Mississippi. The work spans both the creative and administrative sides of the dance world, and much of what she does happens behind the scenes.
With a career spanning over three decades, Jennifer is known for her creative vision, commitment to excellence, and deep investment in the personal and artistic growth of her students. At MMB, she leads all artistic operations—from casting, choreographing, and staging major productions such as The Nutcracker and full-length spring ballets, to coordinating costumes, sets, and outreach programming. She collaborates closely with MMB's executive team to align artistic goals with community engagement and long-term sustainability. Jennifer also serves as Vice President on the Board of Regional Dance America/Southeast, where she curates professional choreographic opportunities for emerging dancers.
At MMDA, Jennifer teaches ballet, tap, and jazz to students ages 3 to 18 while directing the school’s curriculum, faculty hiring, and performance programming. She oversees the annual recital and manages the studio’s business operations with a strong sense of purpose and community connection. Her leadership has helped build MMDA into one of the region’s premier training grounds for young dancers.
“In both roles, I manage a wide range of day-to-day details—whether it’s creating rehearsal schedules, answering parent questions, mentoring dancers, or reviewing costume orders. While much of my work is behind the scenes, I find great joy in seeing it all come together onstage and in the studio. It’s incredibly rewarding to help shape not just strong dancers, but confident, hardworking, and well-rounded individuals,” she said.
Read the rest of Jennifer's story in the July edition of Hometown Madison!
Mississippi Metropolitan Dance Academy
Mississippi Metropolitan Ballet