This is a very unique DVD which formalizes a method of teaching that was created by Mary Alpha Johnson. She taught dance in Meridian, Mississippi for 67 years and developed a unique method for teaching preballet. Her studio was taken over by her daughter, Tonie Bense, who has created this DVD to preserve the legacy of this wonderful teacher and make her method available to the world. The method involves some elaborate floor mats and wall posters that help the young student understand the various elements of dance. Even though this class uses these materials it is full of many very helpful ideas that can be incorporated into any preballet class. The mats and posters are not necessary to do this preballet class.Some of  the music on this DVD is from the CDs ‘First Class by Lynn Stanford’ #9122 and Mermaids and Butterflies by Steven Mitchell’ #9328 both produced by Bodarc Productions and available on this site. You can find out more about the mats and posters on face book under magicalkingdomofdance.com.  Tonie Bense says about her mother: "She was  still going to classes, at the age of 89, though had stopped teaching by then. She never lost her excitement and passion for dance throughout her life. She lived to be 91."