Dancer with Nashville Ballet learns to balance principal roles, Belmont coursework
At just 22 years old, James Lankford has already danced some of Nashville Ballet’s most iconic roles, performed on a major London stage and risen through the company ranks with remarkable speed. But between his demanding rehearsals and nightly performances of “The Nutcracker,” there’s another part of Lankford’s life the public rarely sees: he’s also pursuing a college degree through Belmont University’s Adult Degree Program. 
Belmont’s long-standing partnership with Nashville Ballet — one of only a few of its kind in the country — allows professional dancers like Lankford to advance their artistic careers and pursue higher education simultaneously. For Lankford, the path has been transformative.
A Rapid Rise Through the Ranks
Lankford’s dance journey began at age 14, when he was accepted into Nashville Ballet’s prestigious Young Men’s Scholarship Program. His talent and discipline earned him a series of merit-based scholarships and propelled him into the Professional Training Division, a highly competitive pipeline for future Company dancers.
He sharpened his technique through summer programs at American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, Bolshoi Ballet and Joffrey Ballet before joining Nashville Ballet 2 in 2020. Promoted to apprentice at 18, he soon moved into the main Company and began dancing leading roles.
Now, he performs some of “The Nutcracker’s” most physically demanding parts, including the Snow Pas and Sugar Plum Cavalier.
“It’s the ballet you always come back to,” he said. “For me, ‘Nutcracker’ is where I check in with myself. I can see my growth each year — where I’ve grown and where I still want to improve.”
The Magic Behind the Magic
Lankford lights up when talking about the production’s spectacle — especially the scenes that require both technique and theatricality.
“I love the Party Scene because of the acting,” he said. “And Snow Scene is just magical — the effects make it feel like something out of a dream.”
But the magic isn’t only visual. Dancers are also responsible for performing actual sleight-of-hand illusions in the role of Drosselmeyer.
“You feel so clumsy at first,” Lankford laughed. “We train so differently as dancers — magic tricks are another world. Audiences might not realize we’re actually doing the illusions, not hiring a magician. But we’ve spent weeks learning them.”
He’s equally moved by the youth cast, which features more than 100 children.
“It’s amazing to see them grow,” he said. “Some of them have been Clara or party children in past years, and now they’re teenagers still dancing with us. That’s special.”
A Life-Changing Scholarship
Although Lankford had considered pursuing higher education, it wasn’t until Artistic Director Nick Mullikin shared unexpected news that he made the leap. Mullikin told him he had been selected for the Patricia Bullard Endowed Scholarship, a highly selective fund awarded to one principal-level dancer at a time –– created to support performers not only in their artistic prime, but in the futures they will build beyond the stage.
The scholarship’s namesake, Patricia Taylor Bullard, is a deeply rooted figure in Nashville’s arts community. A lifelong advocate for dancers, Bullard trained and performed with Bristol Ballet under Constance Hardinge, served on the national board of the National Association for Ballet, founded The Ballet Center (later donated to Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music) and was one of the founding board members of Nashville Ballet. Her vision and leadership has been closely connected to the company’s growth since its earliest days.
Bullard’s connection to Belmont also runs deep. A former president of the Friends of the School of Music board, she championed the creation of a dance minor and championed closer ties between Belmont and Nashville Ballet — a partnership that has since provided dancers with pathways to pursue education alongside their careers.
The scholarship itself, Bullard has shared, is a gift of love from her husband, George, created to honor her life’s devotion to dance and education. In a letter to future recipients, she reflected that while she “never danced in reality the way I danced in my dreams,” the scholarship allows her to imagine and support the dreams of the artists who will follow.
Her message to dancers like James is simple and profound:
“Focus on all you want to be and you will be exactly that. Live every day as your best day.”
For Lankford, being selected for this scholarship is both humbling and defining.
“When Nick told me, I was like, yes — absolutely,” he said. “I was very blessed to be selected. I couldn’t imagine going to college without it. It’s life-changing, and I’m so grateful.”
Finding Balance Through Belmont’s Adult Degree Program
Belmont’s Adult Degree Program has supported Nashville Ballet dancers since 2008–09, offering online and evening courses that accommodate daytime rehearsals. Belmont advisor Kim Powell meets with dancers at Nashville Ballet to build flexible, personalized academic plans.
“Belmont truly supports us,” Lankford said. “Faculty are so understanding.” 
He recalled having to miss a writing course last year to perform in London.
“My professor was incredibly kind,” he said. “They really treat us like adults with demanding careers and work with us and we don’t take advantage of that.”
During "Nutcracker" season, balancing schoolwork is its own art form.
“We’ve been rehearsing for over a month,” he said in late November. “I study during little breaks throughout the day, and weekends are my big homework time. It teaches you time management.”
Growing Beyond the Stage
Lankford began his studies in architecture but plans to transition to a business degree — a decision driven by his long-term ambitions.
“I can only stay young and fit for so long,” he said with a smile. “Someday I’d love to move into a leadership position. The big dream is to be an artistic director.”
A business degree, he said, provides the organizational and leadership training essential for running a ballet company.
“At Belmont, I’m learning things I never get to touch as a performer,” he said. “It helps keep me balanced and reminds me I can always grow.”
A Future Built on Dedication and Education
As Lankford steps into another season of “The Nutcracker” — surrounded by shimmering snow, dancers watching from the wings and audiences who have made the ballet part of their holiday tradition — he carries gratitude for where he is and excitement for where he’s going.
“It’s amazing to be part of something so magical,” he said. “And I’m so thankful for the chance to grow through Belmont while doing what I love.”
Photos by Karyn Kipley Photography and Heather Thorne Photography.
Learn more about the Adult Degree Program