Like mother, like daughter: Celebrating the legacy of the Marching Southerners Ballerinas with stories that span generations
11/13/2025
By Brett Buckner
Family is a word often used to describe the Marching Southerners of Jacksonville State University. Within that family exists a sisterhood — a unique bond forged among young women experiencing a pivotal time in their lives together.
“I think the Marching Ballerinas have always been a sisterhood,” said Noelle Stovall, who has served as Marching Ballerina coordinator for 14 seasons. “It is a team you can return to year after year and feel like you belong – like you did something special with your fellow Marching Ballerinas. I think that is even more visible when you share that with a family member – it is something that crosses generations.”
This season, there are three Ballerinas – Coral Church, Ava Nicholson, and Anna Kate Schuler - whose mothers were also Ballerinas. In Ava’s case, her aunt was also a Ballerina. It was the stories they heard growing up of the rich traditions, the honor, the excitement, the hard work, and the enduring friendships that inspired these young women to follow in their mother’s footsteps.
Still, nothing could truly prepare them — or anyone — for the moment they first take the field with 400 instruments roaring behind them and thousands cheering in front.
“It’s the best feeling in the world,” Stovall said. “Knowing you are doing something you love at a high level among other women who love dancing and love you. We are creating moments that change lives – because each of the current women on the line has a memory of the performance they saw that made them say, ‘I want to do THAT!’’’
Which is why so many choose to pursue their dreams of being a Marching Ballerina, as do their daughters.
“It makes complete sense to me as a mother to want your daughter to experience something that life-changing,” Stovall said, “and to come back year after year for another moment in front of the Marching Southerners.”
The Marching Ballerinas were created in 1956 by Dr. John T. Findley to perform alongside the Southerners. As only the fourth dance line of its kind in the country, Dr. Findley envisioned an auxiliary unit that would add precision and visual flair to the band’s performance.
That remains the Ballerinas’ role to this day. However, under the leadership of Dr. Kenneth Bodiford, the dance line has become a more integral part of the band’s show design by incorporating modern dance, costumes and joining the colorguard to paint a broader visual portrait. It’s a vision that Stovall continues to bring to life.
“My goal is to create choreography that is musical and precise,” Stovall said. “I want the audience to be able to watch the Marching Ballerinas and see what they are hearing.”