Perry Bennett Photography

Good news for my MADI - Mid-Atlantic Dance Initiative family! The 2nd batch of photos (NEARLY 1,000!) from Friday Adjudications are now uploading as of midnight and should be done in a few hours!

https://perrybphoto.smugmug.com/MADI-Mid-Atlantic-Dance-Initiative/2026-MADI-Mid-Atlantic-Dance-Initiative-Adjudications-Friday/2026-MADI-Adjudications-Friday-Gallery-2

The is all lit up for America's 250th celebrations next week.

Late night update for my MADI - Mid-Atlantic Dance Initiative friends! The first gallery (OVER 1,000 PHOTOS!) from Friday's Adjudications are being uploaded NOW!

Its currently 1:30am, and I am guessing it will take about 2 hours or so.

https://perrybphoto.smugmug.com/MADI-Mid-Atlantic-Dance-Initiative/2026-MADI-Mid-Atlantic-Dance-Initiative-Adjudications-Friday

Dancer Ava Persinger's (from Central Kentucky Ballet Conservatory) graceful performance of her "Odile" variation from Swan Lake, followed very shortly thereafter with her intensity and ferocity during her contemporary piece, "Madness," earned her my top prize, "The Perry Bennett Photography Best Stage Presence" award at the 2026 MADI - Mid-Atlantic Dance Initiative, which entitles her to a FREE studio photo session.

These two photos show why she was the clear winner in my mind during this year's conference at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. I look forward to seeing what we can create at my studio sometime soon!

Dancer Lilly Rhodes with Central Kentucky Ballet Conservatory performs the Kitri Variation from Act III of Don Quixote during Friday Adjudications at the 2026 MADI - Mid-Atlantic Dance Initiative.

A strong storm passes over the Monday evening, with an impressive shelf/mothership cloud. June 22, 2026.

UPDATE for my MADI - Mid-Atlantic Dance Initiative friends!

OVER 1100 PHOTOS from Saturday classes/auditions are being uploaded now! This will complete my coverage from Saturday classes/auditions, but hold on to your horses, as the next things I will be uploading are photos from Friday Adjudications... which will go into their own folder and have multiple galleries due to the amount of photos taken that day.

https://perrybphoto.smugmug.com/MADI-Mid-Atlantic-Dance-Initiative/2026-MADI-Saturday-Classes-Gallery-2

Dancers at MADI - Mid-Atlantic Dance Initiative pose for an after-class photo with the instructor, Broadway choreographer James McKinney, in the atrium of the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center.

Happy West Virginia Day, everyone! Don't forget to leave pepperoni rolls and Mountain Dew out for the Mothman tonight before you go to bed!

A few of my favorite photos from this evening's Senior Session at the with one of my faves, the *incredible* Kaity Ross, who graduated this year from Parkersburg Catholic High School; and is one of my dancers with PACE-Performing Arts Connection & Education and Charleston Ballet, Inc.. She has SUCH a bright future ahead of her, and I look forward to seeing her succeed in her next endeavors both onstage and off!