About Us

The Dance Conservatory of Maryland has been training dancers in Fallston, Maryland since it was founded in 1996. Since this time, DCM has grown to be a school that embraces all dance disciplines and offers dance classes in all styles of dance with a pre-professional ballet program of the highest quality.

The Dance Conservatory of Maryland offers classes for all ages and levels of interest. DCM has an early dance and recreational program that offer the very best dance training for students ages 18 months through adult in a friendly and positive learning environment.

The Dance Conservatory of Maryland also offers an elementary and pre-professional ballet program for students who attend classes multiple times per week.

At the Dance Conservatory of Maryland, we take pride in our training philosophy that encompasses a 'whole-student' approach designed to promote the highest standards of classroom behavior, assist students’ discovery of their strengths and challenges, create a nurturing and professional atmosphere which supports leadership, mentorship and friendships.

DCM is the only YPAD (Youth Protection Advocates in Dance) Certified Studio in Harford County, Maryland. We are committed to age appropriate artistic choices and healthy teaching techniques. Educators at YPAD Certified studios are committed to being positive role models, both in person and online, and are committed to keeping youth happy, healthy, and safe in all dance environments.

Students at the Dance Conservatory of Maryland have the opportunity to participate in professional productions with Ballet Chesapeake as well as informal presentations at the studio theater and other venues throughout the community.

Dancers from our training programs have received scholarships and/or been accepted at the following schools and companies:

American Ballet Theater Summer Program
Atlanta Ballet
Ballet Austin Summer Program
Ballet Theater of Maryland (company member)
Baltimore School for the Arts
Bolshoi Ballet Academy Summer Program (scholarship to study at Bolshoi in Russia)
Boston Ballet Summer Program
Carolina Ballet Summer Program (scholarships)
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Summer Program
Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet Male Scholarship Program
Colorado Ballet Summer Program (full scholarship)
Florida State University School of Dance Summer Program
Gelsey Kirkland Academy Summer Program
Goucher College (dance scholarship)
Harid Conservatory
Houston Ballet Summer Program
Houston Ballet Male Training Program (scholarship)
Joffery Ballet Summer Program
Julliard School
Kansas City Ballet Summer Program (full scholarship)
Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, DC
Mercyhurst College (dance scholarship)
Miami City Ballet Summer Program
Nutmeg Conservatory Summer Program (scholarship)
Pacific Northwest Ballet Summer Program
Richmond Ballet Summer Program (scholarship)
The Rock School Summer Program
The Rock School Year-Round Training Program
School of American Ballet Summer Program (Scholarship)
Towson University (dance scholarship)

DCM Students were also honored with the following awards:

Regional Youth America Grand Prix competition top 12 soloists and ensembles, 3rd place soloist
Competed at Youth America Grand Prix finals in NYC
Maryland Council for Dance scholarship award recipients
Edward Stewart Memorial Scholarship Foundation male scholarship

covid-19 information

Drop off and Pick up procedures (Fall Session)

There is nothing more important to us than our students' safety! To cut down on congestion and assure classes begin and end promptly we will receive and release students as follows:

DROP OFF PROCEDURE FOR ALL DANCERS

Student should be dropped off no earlier than 10 minutes prior to the beginning of their class.

Do not allow your child to wear their dance shoes outside the studio.

We will assist young dancers with any shoe changes during class.

• All vehicles must pull up TO THE BACK DOOR.

• Plan to arrive NO MORE THAN TEN MINUTES before class time.

• Cars must stay in line for drop off

• Masks are required to enter and exit facility.

• Health screening will be conducted by staff while dancer is in vehicle. (Questions can be found at the bottom of this page.)

• If dancer passes screening, parent/guardian must turn in parent agreement (found at the bottom of this page).

• After receiving parent agreement, dancer may exit vehicle, sanitize hands, and enter facility.

*Dance with Me Registrants*

Please park in one of the spots at the back of the building and enter through the back door. Someone will meet you at the door for the health screening.

PICK UP PROCEDURES

DANCERS AGE 12 AND UNDER

Dancers ages 12 and under must wait in the lobby for their parent/guardian in the pick-up line. We do not recommend students younger than 13 years old to go outside anywhere without supervision. Please discuss this policy with your dancer and remember this is for their safety.

• ALL VEHICLES MUST HAVE SIGN WITH DANCER’S FULL NAME.

• Cars must stay IN LINE with passenger door closest to our building.

• All vehicles must pull up to the front entrance of the building.

• Parent/guardians must remain in vehicle.

If a parent or guardian is more than 5 minutes late picking up, their dancer will be seated in the lobby. If an emergency occurs hindering timely pick up, please notify the office. Students should remain in the waiting area until parent/guardian arrives and not at the front desk area or outside the studio.

If parent/guardian is late more than 3 times when picking up their dancer, they will be charged $10 per occurrence for each time they are more than 15 minutes late again. The studio is not responsible for caring for children who are not picked up on time.

DANCERS AGE 13 AND UP

Parents/guardians are asked to pick up dancers one of two ways:

1. Dancers age 13 and up may be picked up in the designated pick up area in front of the building. Please refer to the map provided. We ask that parents drive in front of the building and pull up to the designated pick up area.

• Cars must stay IN LINE with passenger door closest to our building.

• ALL VEHICLES MUST HAVE SIGN WITH DANCER’S FULL NAME.

• All vehicles must pull up to the front entrance of the building.

• Parent/guardians must remain in vehicle.

2. Dancers age 13 and up may walk out to parent/guardian vehicle if they have permission from you to do so. Dancers will exit the DCM doors once they see their parent/guardian through the front windows.

DCM accepts no responsibility or liability for students leaving the building. Dancers who leave the building unsupervised do so at their own risk. DCM notes that some dancers may wish to leave the studio and go to surrounding establishments such as Subway or Menchie's. Again, DCM accepts no responsibility or liability for students leaving the building. Dancers who leave the building unsupervised do so at their own risk.

Safety Guidelines and Information:

Masks and class activities:

· Masks are required for parents and dancers to enter and exit facility.

· We encourage students to wear a disposable paper mask or other face covering that is easy to breathe in throughout the duration of the class for the protection of themselves and others. We know that when everyone wears a mask, everyone is more protected. We appreciate you having this conversation with your dancer.

· We understand that some medical conditions may limit the ability to wear a face covering. If there is a specific reason that your dancer should not wear a face covering, please let us know ahead of time.

· Instructors will plan classes to accommodate a slow build up to more aerobic activity over time, and will check in with how students are feeling.

· Class activities will be structured to maintain the maximum distance possible between dancers.

· Floors and barres will be taped off with a space for each dancer to help maintain physical distancing

· Masks will be optional for activities held outside where students can be six feet or more apart.

New Policies and Procedures:

· Smaller class sizes per restricted occupancy

· Class times have been adjusted to ensure time for the dancers to get in and out of the studio without a crowd, to provide time to wipe down the equipment between each class and for teachers to thoroughly wash their hands.

· Staff will have required safety and hygiene training

· Temperature checks and health evaluations of the staff prior to work

· Temperature checks of all those entering building

· Drop off and pick up outside with no parents entering the building or waiting in the lobby.

· Anyone with symptoms of runny nose, excessive sneezing, coughing, or elevated temperature will not be allowed in our facility

· Anyone in contact with someone who has/had Covid-19 should not come to the studio. Stay home and self quarantine.

· If a dancer misses class due to illness, we will ask that dancers schedule a makeup class, or if that is not possible, attend a virtual class.

Cleaning and Facility Changes:

· Additional intensified disinfecting of the facility throughout each day in addition to daily commercial cleaning

· Mandatory hand sanitation for staff and students prior to participation and afterwards

· Sneeze guard at front desk and checkout areas

· Bathroom monitors sanitizing frequently

· Touch-less paper towel dispenser and soap dispensers

· Water fountain closed, dancers must bring their own water bottles

· Dressing rooms will be closed

WHAT IF MY DANCER NEEDS TO MISS CLASS DUE TO ILLNESS OR EXPOSURE TO COVID-19?

If your dancer is not able to attend classes because they do not pass the health screening questions required to enter the building, DCM will provide a makeup class time or you can attend virtual classes.

WILL PRIVATE LESSONS CONTINUE?

Yes! Private lessons are a great option to maintain social distancing. Please contact the DCM office with your availability to schedule private coaching.

WHAT IF DCM NEEDS TO CLOSE AGAIN DUE TO COVID-19?

If DCM does have to close again for any reason, we will be moving the schedule to virtual classes at 60% tuition rate and credit the remainder of tuition to your accounts.