Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

Mimi Worrell- Artistic Director, Center for Dance Education and Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet- began her dance training in Columbia, South Carolina, under South Carolina dance legend Ann Brodie. She has studied under the tutelage of dance luminaries such as Leon Daniellian, Valentina Peryaslavic, Patricia Wilde and at the American Ballet Theatre. She was a principal and soloist with the Columbia City Ballet and the University of South Carolina Dance Company. She began her professional career with South Carolina Ballet Theatre/Ballet Michigan, and has toured extensively as a soloist throughout the United States and Canada.

Ms. Worrell has made significant contributions to the community as a dance educator. She has worked as a consultant and adjudicator for the dance programs in the Artistic, Gifted, and Talented programs in Richland County School Districts One and Two. One of her highlights has been presenting Career Days and Dance Lecture Demonstrations for schools in Richland and Lexington Counties, leaving a lasting impact on current and past students. Ms. Worrell was selected for the South Carolina Arts Commission’s Approved Artist and Teacher roster and has taught and provided consulting services across the state through this program. Her pioneering collaboration with the Columbia Community Concert Band set a clear course for the youth division of the Carolina Ballet, with an emphasis on comprehensive educational programming for young dancers. Dancers who have trained under her guidance are now performing with companies worldwide. Additionally, from 2014 to 2016, she served as an Adjunct Professor on the faculty at Columbia College.

Ms Worrell is the Curriculum Coordinator, Director of Faculty, and Artistic Director of the Center for Dance Education and Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet, the preeminent pre professional classical ballet program in Columbia. She serves as a Guest Artistic Faculty member for pre- and professional companies, including Eglevsky Ballet in New York. She works with The University of South Carolina Opera program, under the direction of Ellen Schlaefer. As a choreographer, teacher and movement coach for the USC opera, she brings her expertise to stage in many productions including Bernstein’s Mass, Cendrillon, The Cunning Little Vixen, The Magic Flute, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel and Riggidore. She has choreographed for Opera at USC for many years and continues to teach each summer in the USC Summer Opera Camp program.

Ms. Worrell strives for excellent instruction through various forms of continuing education, most recently completing the rigorous and prestigious American Ballet Theater’s national teacher training curriculum program. She is the Program Coordinator for Columbia Music Festival Association, the Arts resource in the Midlands for new and emerging Arts organizations to educate, discover, develop, assist, present, and promote the performing arts. She continues taking Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet Center for Education to a new level of recognition with certification for teachers training through the American Ballet Theater teachers internationally recognized and acclaimed curriculum program. She added to her accolades with the Outstanding Classical Coaches award at Universal Ballet Competition 2023 Grand Prix Finals and the SC Jewel Award in 2025.

Artist Statement

My artistic approach is to create an environment where learning and movement are enjoyable, accessible to everyone, and grounded in discipline. Clear communication of musicality, direction, shape, and form fosters positive outcomes in both class and rehearsal. Treating each individual with respect encourages growth and contributes to the success of any project, class, or opportunity I lead. By maintaining a disciplined atmosphere and effectively teaching correct technique and new material, I help students achieve their goals with tailored experiences and constructive feedback. I strive to inspire my students’ passion and creativity while ensuring every dancer, regardless of background, has the chance to explore, discover, present, produce, and promote the performing arts. Together, we build an environment where learning, discovery, and personal achievements thrive.