Shirley K. Hopkins, Founder/CEO

“To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This power, is glory on
​earth and it is yours for the taking.”
-Agnes De Mille

About Us

As a child I can remember always being in the hospital. I suffered from aliments that had a large negative impact on my confidence. I remember always being ashamed, shy, and very unsure of myself. However, it was dance that helped me to evolve into the woman I am today. Because of that I truly believe that there is power behind a dancer’s poise, movement, and grace. For it is that power that has changed my life.
 
It was the first encounter as a child, in the Jackson Stepperettes, that officially began my love affair with dancing. From then I have been a member of Power Apac Performing Arts School in Jackson, Ms for 7 years and participated in the Murrah High School Cheering Squad for 3 years. I have shared my gift at numerous churches, and organizations. I was crowned First Runner up consecutively in Talent/Pageants in the south.  I am now the leader of New Jerusalem Dance Ministry. I was chosen as the coordinator and teacher of the New Jerusalem Academy. I was also chosen as the only dancer in Jackson, Ms to be a part of the Donna Groff Agency out of Memphis, TN.
 
I truly feel that God gave me this gift to help change lives as dancing has done for me. I knew that it would be something of a challenge to build an institution where others could express themselves through dance and praise as well. 
 
God has called me to start a Christian-based non-denominational dance institution, iDance Ministries, for girls of all ages to minister to His people through the art of dance and a non profit organization, iDance Academi, reaching out to the inner city youth. I have the opportunity to change the world through the power of movement.

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