Our faculty members have the ability to uniquely blend their professionalism and enthusiasm. Having this capability, instructors at DCM will guarantee students receive training that has been designed with special regard to their age, experience and level of commitment. With over 50 years of combined teaching experience, the staff at DCM has cultivated a successful ballet curriculum-primarily rooted in the Russian Vaganova Method. Understanding that all dance disciplines are interrelated, DCM uses ballet training as the primary means in achieving a strong foundation, thus enabling the mastery of other dance forms. Our schedule of courses has been developed to maintain traditional methods while also embracing progressive techniques in order to fulfill the needs of each student. DCM is committed to exploring new ideas in dance and education, so we may expand our program as needed and be of further assistance to our students, parents, and community.

Pamela Villeneuve
Pamela Villeneuve is the founder and director of the Dance Conservatory. Ms. Villeneuve has extensive training and coaching in classical ballet from professionals such as New York City ballerina, Suzanne Farrell, Camille Izard of the American Ballet Theatre, and Murial Stewart of Anna Pavlova’s Company. In addition to receiving scholarships from the Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Towson State University and others, she holds a BFA degree in dance performance and choreography from TSU. Her 24-year teaching experience has engulfed many dance forms-from all levels of ballet to jazz, tap and modern dance-bringing versatility and breadth to her teaching style. As the former director of the Harford Dance Center at B.A.A.C. from its inception to 1994, she was able to bring successful full-length classical and contemporary performances to Harford County in addition to establishing a full-scale dance program. Ms. Villeneuve has taught at schools throughout Maryland such as Ballet Academy of Baltimore, Caryl Maxwell Classical Ballet, School of the Long Beach Village Center, and Dancemoves.

Linda O’Brien
Linda O’Brien enthusiastically joined the faculty of DCM in the fall of 1998. She has received her instructor’s certification in Jazz, Ballet/Pointe, and Tap from Dance Masters of America and has been teaching in the Baltimore area for over 16 years. She has studies extensively throughout Maryland and in New York under many renowned teachers, including jazz great, Frank Hatchett. Many of her students perform locally and have won competitions throughout the Mid-Atlantic area. Her older students have been awarded dance scholarships at both local and out-of-state colleges. Linda teaches various levels of jazz, tap and ballet at DCM, and our resident company performs her award winning choreography. She serves as assistant director of the Harford Ballet Company.

Diane Brown
Diane Brown studied at the Ellen Price Eckhardt School of Ballet and in 1978 was appointed a classroom teaching apprentice. She began her formal teaching in 1983 with Ellen P. Eckhardt and here in Harford County at the Jarrettsville Recreation Council. Her training has expanded to include modern dance through the Baltimore County Gifted and Talented Program, and jazz at the Wally Saunders Dance Company. She was dance scholarship recipient at Towson State University, and performed with the Towson State University Dance Company during their 12th season. After knee surgery Diane was inspired to change her major to Health Science and she has since gone on to be a health and wellness counselor. Ms. Brown is the mommy of two girls. She brings her love of dance and her passion for teaching children to DCM.

LouAnne Savarese
LouAnne Savarese trained in ballet, tap, and jazz with the Janette Brown Studio of Dance and through the Dance Masters of America. She was a primary children’s instructor at the Janette Brown Studio of Dance in Baltimore for many years before joining the faculty at DCM. Her specialty is ballet, tap, and creative movement for young children; however, she has experience with all ages. Ms. Savarese has enjoyed a three-year teaching tour as an aerobic instructor, and has graced the playing fields of the Baltimore Colts as an NFL Cheerleader for record crowds of 50,000 plus! As the mommy of Zak and Gianna, Ms. Savarese brings much experience and understanding to DCM.

Caryl Maxwell

Caryl Maxwell came to Baltimore from New York City, where she preformed with the Metropolitan New York City, and Philadelphia Lyric Operas, the Radio City Music Hall Ballet, Larry Richardson and Dancers (modern), and was soloist with several concert companies. She studied at the school of American Ballet Theater and the Joffrey Ballet. Ms. Maxwell holds a bachelor of arts degree from Mercer University and certificates in Cecchetti technique earned while a scholarship student at the National Ballet of Canada, in Toronto. Charles Dickson instructed her in the Soviet Vaganova Syllabus. She also attends seminars such as Toronto’s or the 1991 Vaganova Festival with Asaf Messerer. Ms. Maxwell has taught at Towson State University, the Maryland Ballet, the Marietta Civic Ballet in Georgia, and did student teaching at National Ballet of Canada and Mercer University. She has choreographed works for the Peabody Chamber Ballet, the Towson State Student Concert, and the Towson State Faculty Concert, and for the company she directs, the Ellicott City Ballet Guild. She has served on boards, committees, workshops, and seminars of the Maryland Council for Dance, Howard Arts United, Columbia Association, and various liturgical dance organizations. She will be teaching intermediate and advanced ballet part time.

Ashley Kathryn Henschen

Ashley Kathryn Henschen began her dance training at Towson University’ Children’s Dance Division. At this school she studied many forms of dance and it allowed her top perform in the Moscow Ballet’s Nutcracker as well as take the R.A.D exams. She was a member of TUCDD’s Junior Troupe and Senior Troupe. With these pre- professional companies, she was able to perform throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia as well as at Walt Disney World in Florida. After high school gradation, she spent the summer with the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. She went on to earn her B.F.A in Dance Performance from Towson University, graduating Cum Laude in May 2006. While a scholarship student at Towson, she performed every year with the Dance Company. In this company she was able to understudy and perform lead and soloist roles in The Nutcracker, Raymonda, and Juan Carlos’ Nine Love Songs and a Bucket of Tears as well as several other contemporary works. After graduation she received a trainee position with the Baltimore Ballet and also performs professionally with the Howard County Ballet. She was also invited to travel to Richmond and take classes with the apprentices of the Richmond Ballet. Kathryn was a semi- finalist as a 2002 Maryland Distinguished Scholar of the Arts. She has been accepted into summer programs for Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Ballet Austin, Richmond Ballet and with a scholarship to Nashville Ballet.

Associate Faculty

Christine Villeneuve-Jones is an artistic advisor for the Harford Ballet Company and frequents the Dance Conservatory of Maryland as a master class teacher. Miss Villeneuve has danced professionally with the reputable Pennsylvania Ballet and the Milwaukee Ballet under the direction of Richard Weiss and Richard Tanner. Her primary training was with the Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet and Ballet Academy of Baltimore. Miss Villeneuve was awarded the Princess Grace Scholarship during her apprenticeship with the Pennsylvania Ballet for her commitment to the art form, as well as her accomplished technique and artistry. Currently she is on the faculty of the Pennsylvania Performing Arts Academy teaching all levels of ballet. She is also a teacher and company consultant for the Dance Theatre of Pennsylvania directed by Marilyn Budzynski. As a certified Physical Therapist, Miss Villeneuve brings a wealth of additional knowledge to her teaching. Miss Villeneuve currently performs as a free-lance artist in Pennsylvania and Maryland.