Spring 2020 Classes

Mandy Possel is a professional dancer with more than 25 years of experience in performance, choreography, staging, costuming and teaching. Highlights from her past include earning a B.F.A in Dance from top rated Ohio University in 2007, graduating the Luna Dance Institute in California in 2018 and performing with Lafayette Ballet in Indiana and New Ballet Ensemble in Memphis, Tennessee. Ms. Possel’s most notable roles include Martha Graham’s Appalachian Spring staged by Blakeley McGuire, Elizabeth Corbett’s Almost and Breathe, Francesca Harper’s Fearless Mine and Smelling the Rose, Allan Obuzor’s Elee Madi Eese and McArthur Hambrick’s Arabian.

In 2018 Ms. Possel joined Roudnev Youth Ballet where she taught and choreographed for the school and performed as Sugar Plum Fairy in the holiday favorite Nutcracker. She has also judged dance competitions, including the Mid-South Fair’s Senior Youth Talent Competition. In 2019, Ms. Possel joined Tennessee Ballet Theatre as a guest artist to perform as Myrtha in their production of Giselle.

Ms. Possel has had the opportunity to study under many great teachers, as well as share the stage with numerous brilliant performers. She has worked with artists in a variety of mediums and methods and is excited to share her love of dance with the Mid-South as Director of the new Buckman Dance Conservatory at St. Mary’s School.

Instilling a love of dance is Ms. Possel’s top priority. She believes that dance should be fun and accessible to all who would like to speak through movement.

Melodie began her formal training at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet (CPYB) in Carlisle, Pennsylvania under the directorship of Marcia Dale Weary and Melinda Jones Howe.  There she performed in the Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, Paquita and more.  After traveling to Houston, Texas and while at the Houston Ballet, she met Soili Arvola and Leo Ahonen, Finish born and Kirov trained bronze medalists from Varna Bulgaria ballet competition.  She joined both and traveled for the next ten years performing in and out of the country in lead roles in the Nutcracker, Coppelia, Don Quixote and Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. Melodie had the privilege of taking class with Mikhail Baryshnikov while at CPYB and Rudolf Nureyev (roommate with Leo at the Kirov) while dancing with Soili and Leo.  She moved to Memphis for her husband’s job and danced with Ballet Memphis for 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Houston in Economics and Finance, with a minor in Psychology.  Melodie was invited into Omicron Delta Epsilon, the Economics Honor Society and graduated in 1996 Summa cum Laude.  She has two daughters, pets and a tremendous love for teaching ballet to rising dancers!

Steven Prince Tate began his dance training at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, where he performed works by River North Dance Company’s Mari Jo Irbe, Bill T. Jones dancer and choreographer Stefanie Batten Bland (CSBB), Cloud Gate Dance Theater and CSU dance professor Chung Fu Chang, Venus Fly Trap B-Girl member Teena “Teena Marie” Custer, Dance Magazine’s “25 Choreographers to Watch” (2006) Ursula Payne and many others. In 2007, Steven received scholarships from the American Dance Festival and apprenticed for Shelter Dance Repertory. He attended the Alvin Ailey school (2011) and Complextions Contemporary Ballet Intensive (2016), performing commissioned works by Rudy Perez, the William Forsythe project, Butoh company Dairahkudakan, Laura Dean, Mark Haim, Hair: the Musical performer Judine Summerville, Kim Neal Nofsinger and Dwight Rhoden. 

In 2010, Steven became a company member for New Ballet Ensemble and School. He has performed in works by Frankfurt Ballet dancers Francesca Harper, Elizabeth Corbett, Pittsburgh Ballet Principle Alan Obuzor, Soloist Kaori Ogasawara, Opera Memphis’ Aida and Roudnev Youth Ballet Nutcracker. Steven has choreographed for New Ballet Ensemble, Hot Foot Honeys, NPC Battle on the Bluff: Fitness Competition, Roudnev Youth Ballet and Bridging Souls Productions. He has taught classes and workshops for the University of Memphis, Project Motion, e.Studios, Sub Royalty Hip-Hop Studio, Young Actors Guild, Kipp Collegiate School, Cotton Tail Christian Academy, Bridging Souls Productions, adjudicated for the NAACP-ACT SO (2015) and developed his own Master Class Workshop “The Move” involving various dance artist in the Memphis area. 

Come see the Buckman’s new dance school live on stage!  For ticket, click here or call (901) 537-1483.

Etoiles:  A Celebration of Dance Featuring a Whimsical Works of Dr. Suess
Friday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 16 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20 for adults and $15 for students

The Buckman Dance Conservatory brings to the stage a fanciful new ballet celebrating the whimsical works of Dr. Suess! The advanced dancers and faculty will also present excerpts of new contemporary works. 

Nutcracker: Land of Sweets
Friday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25 for adults and $20 for students

The timeless tale of Clara and her cherished Nutcracker comes to life on the Buckman stage every Christmas. The dancers of the Buckman Dance Conservatory offer a fresh interpretation of this endearing holiday classic. The whole family will delight to Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker presented by Buckman’s resident dance company.