VININGS - Kennesaw State University senior Myles Johnson, a longtime athlete, didn't think much about dance until he took a choreography class.

In 2007, Johnson became a semi-finalist on Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" TV show. At KSU, his passion for dance grew under the mentorship of professor Ivan Pulinkala, a contemporary choreographer. As a result, Johnson's first major work titled, "rEVOLUTION," will be performed during the Atlanta Ballet's performance of "Four Seasons," which opened Thursday.

The Atlanta Ballet's U.S. premiere of James Kudelka's "Four Seasons" at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre continues through Sunday for five performances.

Johnson created "rEVOLUTION" in 2008. Atlanta Ballet Artistic Director John McFall saw it during a performance at KSU Dance Company's annual concert. Impressed, McFall invited the 23-year-old to present it on the Atlanta Ballet's program bill.

Last May, a new partnership was announced between the Atlanta Ballet and KSU. Under the partnership, company members have an opportunity to pursue Bachelor of Art degrees in dance and receive advance credit at KSU. In return, KSU dance students receive discounts at Atlanta Ballet events, as well as professional performance experience and internship opportunities.

Johnson plans to graduate this year with a degree in dance. He has already received top honors at the 2009 American College Dance Festival in Mufreesboro, Tenn., and won Best Overall Choreography in the Panoply Arts Festival's choreographic competition in Huntsville, Ala.

Johnson said he was inspired to create "rEVOLUTION" during a period in his life in which he was finding his "true identity."

"It was a symbiotic relationship in the creation of the piece, and the piece also creating my identity. So as I was discovering the piece - was also discovering more things about myself," he said. "It is a coming-to-self tale of finding oneself and going through the journey of life, self-exploration and finding your true identity."

Five dancers from KSU are performing the piece, including Greer Yarborough, 22.

"It's very personal for all of us," Yarborough said. "It drew from a lot of our personal experiences. We all collaborated a lot."

The theme of Johnson's work fit in perfectly with the Atlanta Ballet's premiere of "Four Seasons," which follows the character known only as "everyman" through the cycles of life, as represented by the different seasons. Spring represents youth, followed by the passion of summer, the calmness of autumn, and winter, which represents death.

Kudelka is regarded as one of Canada's most celebrated classical choreographers. "Four Seasons" debuted in 1997 during his tenure as artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada.

The piece is set to Antonio Vivaldi's four violin concertos, "Four Seasons," and is being performed live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.

Also featured on the program's bill is the return of choreographer Lila York's "Celts."

In addition, there will be a special performance by McFall and Robert Barnett, the Atlanta Ballet's 84-year-old artistic director emeritus. They will perform with former company dancer Anne Burton Avery.

It is Barnett's first stage performance since 1974. As company artistic director from 1962 to 1994, he was celebrated for bringing George Balanchine's version of the "Nutcracker" to Atlanta, the first to perform it outside of the New York City Ballet.

"I have mixed emotions about returning to the theater at my age," Barnett said. "But delighted to be with Anne Burton after so many years, as she is still a joy to watch and be with on the stage. And of course I also look forward to my reunion with Atlanta Ballet. There are so many fond memories and special people here."

Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," runs through Sunday. For tickets, which start at $20, call 800-982-2787 or visit the Cobb Energy Centre box office. To purchase tickets online, visit www.atlantaballet.com or www.ticketmaster.com.