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Some guys can’t dance to save their lives. And others simply won’t. But every now and then a spark of inspiration hits and you just can’t shake it off.

Cody Jackson dreams of ditching the small town life and becoming a professional dancer. And he is going to get there one twist and turn at a time.

A pre-nursing major, Jackson dances whenever he has time. It has finally paid off with his acceptance into MasterWorks Festival this summer in Indiana where he will join their ballet program.

He doesn’t remember a time he didn’t dance. However, he waited until the end of high school to join a studio for proper training.

“I had taken the big leap and started dancing at Mandi Hollis Dance Company in Rayville. That is where my love and passion for dance began,” Jackson said.

And as a freshman he found yet another outlet to dance even more. ULM Dance Repertory Ensemble and dance courses are where Jackson met ULM’s dance faculty.

Robin Stephens, Tina Mullone and Gretchen Jones make up the department and were excited to work with Jackson. Stephens said Jackson arrived with energy and passion for dance but lacked proper training.

Jackson spent many hours at the barre practicing technique and gaining muscle needed for a dancer. His practice paid off when it came time to audition for MasterWorks.

He said the process was intense because of the many talented dancers around him, but he was up for the challenge.

The director of dance for MasterWorks taught an adagio, which Jackson describes as a ballet variation dancers do when at the barre.

“My journey begins mid June,” Jackson said.

Until he leaves for Indiana he has some performances to get under his belt.

He is one of the dancers in “Guys and Dolls,” the spring musical presented by VAPA. He will also perform in Spring Fusion.

Stephens said Jackson is one of the strongest and most devoted dancers, which is what earned him many feature roles.

“Over the years I have seen him grow as a dance technician, embracing the numerous styles of dance we teach and practice in our department,” Stephens said.

Mckenna Giovingo, who plays Adelaide alongside Jackson in “Guys and Dolls,” said he is one of the most determined people she knows.

“He commits himself 100 percent to everything he does,” Giovingo said.

Giovingo and all the other dance students proudly support their friend’s great achievement.

“On top of everything, he is a great friend and one of the goofiest people you will ever meet,” Giovingo said.

Jackson and many other ULM students make up a large dance program at the university. With such passion for dance, they have their own dream to one day bring a dance major to ULM.

“Jackson, along with other departmental dancers, inspires the dance faculty to continue to pursue the dream of a dance major at our university,” Stephens said.

Only three colleges in Louisiana offer a dance major: Tulane, Centenary and ULL.

The addition of a dance major to ULM could bring more students to the university because it would be the only public institution in North Louisiana to offer such a degree.

But no artist is complete without his muse. Stephens gives Jackson advice that picks him up when he’s down.

“Dance is a fine art that you can spend a lifetime perfecting. Don’t give up and work hard,” Stephens said.

No matter the number of hours in the studio or sweat and blood involved, he feels a sense of accomplishment when he performs on stage.

“I do it because dance is who I am,” Jackson said.

“MasterWorks is just the beginning of my dream,” Jackson said.

Like many before him, the road to his dream is hard. However, his passion for the art of dance and determination will get him there.

All of these dance accomplishments will hopefully help Jackson realize his true dream of being a dance teacher.