Memphis Dance Theatre, a company affiliated with a school founded by native Memphian Julie Hunt Knowles, has moved to a new studio in East Memphis and will offer a season of performances starting this winter.

A company of about 20 dancers, Memphis Dance Theatre mainly consists of teenage students but also includes adults. Formerly based on Winchester, Memphis Dance Theatre moved in July to 684 W. Brookhaven Circle.

Knowles said Memphis Dance Theatre is mainly a student troupe, "although we have paid professionals in the company and guest artists and choreographers working with the dancers."

The company was founded, she said, to "give the dancers exposure to styles of choreography besides just ballet, and opportunities to work with guest choreographers on classical ballet, jazz and modern pieces. It gives the students a little bit broader base."

Memphis Dance Theatre plans winter and spring concerts.

The season begins with a "Nutcracker Gala," featuring selections from the second act of The Nutcracker at 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at TheatreWorks, 2085 Monroe. The performance will be followed by a reception and a display of sketches of costumes and scenery planned for a full Nutcracker production during the 1997 - 98 season.

"A Sweetheart Gala" is set for 2:30 and 7:30pm Feb. 14, 1997 at the Harrell Performing Arts Theatre in Collierville. It will feature a rendition of The Skaters, Winter Bonfire choreographed by Knowles and the snow scene from Nutcracker.

Jazz Dance Theatre South, an Atlanta company directed by Marcus Alford, will be featured in a program call Classic Rock. The company will perform original works, and Knowles will choreograph to rock tunes of the '60s, '70s, and '80s. The program will be performed at 2:30 and 7pm May 10 at Harrell Peforming Arts Theatre.

Knowles, a 28-year old University of Memphis graduate in communications, founded Memphis Dance Theatre school in 1992. She studied with Judy and Michael Tevlin while they directed the old Memphis Ballet, then went on to Gus Giordano's Jazz Dance Chicago. She has performed with Classical Ballet Memphis, and other companies in Memphis, Alabama, and Indiana.

- Whitney Smith, The Commercial Appeal