Recreational Program
The Recreational Program at the Dance Conservatory of Maryland includes classes for all ages and dance disciplines. Students participating in the recreational program may choose the number of classes they commit to per week and what type of dance they would like to study. Dance classes are a great way to learn something new, improve overall physical condition and enjoy the pure fun of movement. Please see the following class descriptions to find the dance classes that will best meet your needs.
| Parent/Tot Creative Movement PreBallet/Tap Ballet Jazz Tap |
Modern/ Lyrical Hip Hop Performance Classes Workshops Birthday Parties Scholarships |
Parent/Tot 
Dance classes for children ages 2 and 3 explore basic rhythmic activities and locomotor skills using props and unique apparatuses. Designed for a parent and child to attend together (siblings not enrolled in the class cannot be accommodated). Children at this level do not perform on stage. A visitor’s day presentation is planned for the last class of each session for family and friends to observe class.
Creative Movement
Children ages 3 and 4 are taken on a fun-filled educational journey into the world of dance, stimulating their imagination and introducing them to musicality, locomotor skills and group movement activities using bright visuals and a variety of music. Child participates without parent. Children at this level do not perform on stage but are acclimated to the performance process by presenting class work on visitor’s day on the last class of each session.
PreBallet/Tap
A preparatory dance class designed for the young dancer ages 4 through 6. Students are introduced to classroom etiquette, basic floor and freestanding exercises, musicality, imagination, mastery of gross locomotor skills and patterning in choreography. This class is conducted in a friendly atmosphere of fun discipline and learning. PreBallet is taken in combination with Tap to further expose young children to the many varieties and joys of dance. Children at this level are invited to perform in Harford Ballet Company’s Spring Production.
Ballet
Classical Ballet training is offered to students ages 6 through adult. Ballet class technique centers predominantly around the Russian Vagonova system. The course offers barre work, center floor work, flexibility and endurance exercises, choreographic challenges, musicality and terminology. Students at this level are invited to perform in Harford Ballet Company’s Spring Production. The recreational program includes Ballet I through Ballet IIx as well as Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced levels for teens and adults. Students at the Ballet III level and above are invited to participate in the DCM Academic Program.
Jazz
Jazz dance improvises on basic, defined ballet movements. This popular contemporary dance form is taught from a traditional approach. Instruction to basic jazz positions, exercises, foundation steps, turns, jumps and isolations are taught while working with rhythm using popular and cultural music. Working with particular styles such as musical theatre/Broadway, hip hop/street and lyrical are introduced after the basic technique is established. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in Harford Ballet Company’s Spring Production.
Tap
Tap dance offers students the opportunity to focus on rhythm, sound and silence using a variety of musical selections and is introduced at an early age in the DCM PreBallet syllabus. Basic instruction involves learning steps, hops, brushes and gradually proceeds to slaps, shuffles, cramp rolls, pullbacks, wings, etc. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in Harford Ballet Company’s Spring Production.
Modern/ Lyrical
Modern and Lyrical dance focuses on use of space, time and energy. This form has a basis in ballet technique, but allows for more freedom of movement and improvisation. Students are encouraged to focus on their own interpretation of the music. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in Harford Ballet Company’s Spring Production.
Hip Hop
A high energy, high impact dance class exploring current styles of movement seen on TV and in music videos. This form of dance is inspired by urban hip hop music and has been developed from African dance. All movement and music selections are age appropriate for young dancers and offer a fun and relaxed environment to enjoy this popular dance form. Students taking class in this dance form are invited to perform in Harford Ballet Company’s Spring Production.
Performance Classes
Performance classes give students the opportunity to prepare a piece of choreography for classes participating in the Harford Ballet Company's Spring Production. Performance classes are held in the Winter and Spring sessions only and students wishing to perform will have an additional 30 minutes each week in addition to technique classes to learn and refine their dance for the performance. This ensures a high quality production with well rehearsed choreography and it also offers students a higher level of training. A better learning environment is offered by giving students more time to focus on learning and perfecting new skills and vocabulary during technique classes. Performance classes are offered for Ballet I, Jazz II, Tap II and above. PreBallet, Jazz Musical Theater, Jazz I/ Ix and Tap I will continue to rehearse their performance dance during technique class time so as to not lose the focus of younger students. Students must register for both the Winter and Spring sessions and return a signed concert commitment form in order to participate in the performance.
Workshops
These are offered in shorter sessions or single days periodically throughout the year, some sponsored by the Harford Ballet Company. Workshop topics may include modern, adagio (partnering), composition and social and cultural dance forms.
Birthday Parties
An enchanting experience for children 4 through 8 years, birthday parties consist of costumes, stage make-up and a performance centered around a theme. Available on Sundays or weekday mornings. Contact the school office for scheduling at 410-877-3281.
Birthday Party Application (393 KB)
Scholarships
Available for boys ages six and older and must meet all other eligibility standards. Available for girls at advanced levels of study under the work scholarship program. Contact the school office for details.