Welcome to CMRC Dance! The Dance program offers ballet, tap, jazz, and other styles of dance to children ages 3-18. Our experienced instructors are employees of Baltimore County Parks and Rec who work in conjunction with the Dance Board to create, develop, and grow the program. The Dance season runs from September until March ending with a themed recital showcasing the dancers hard work and growth over the season!
All Dance program-related decisions are made by the Dance Board which is governed by its By Laws. A list of Dance Board members consists of 100% volunteers. The overall Dance program operates under the umbrella of the Carroll Manor Rec Council’s status as a 501(c)(3) organization and is not for profit.
Our mission is to provide high-quality, student-centered dance instruction to the Carroll Manor Recreation community in a fun, friendly, and supportive learning environment. We offer engaging and rigorous dance classes in a variety of styles taught by experienced instructors who foster creativity, playfulness, and confidence. As a community recreational program, we strive to build meaningful connections among dancers and instructors while encouraging social bonds, artistic expression, and a strong sense of belonging.
Important Dates
Families who observe any religious or cultural holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Diwali, Lunar New Year, etc.) are excused from classes for those observations. We do ask that you inform the Dance Director about those absences in advance.
CMRC Dance OPEN (BCPS schools are closed)
CMRC Dance OPEN (BCPS schools are closed)
CMRC Dance CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break
CMRC Dance CLOSED for Winter Break (classes resume 1/5)
Optional Virtual Recital Prep Meeting (more info to come)
CMRC Dance CLOSED for President’s Day
CMRC Dance OPEN (BCPS schools are closed)
Dance Portraits at JES (times tbd)
Family Observation Week (more info to come)
Last day of Classes
Dress Rehearsal Day (location and times tbd)
Recital Day! (location and times tbd)
– Please note: dress rehearsal day is REQUIRED for participation in Recital.
– Picture Day is not scheduled yet at this time, so stay tuned!
Caitlyn Creasy
Caitlyn has been dancing since childhood and teaching in private studios and community programs since graduating from Washington College in 2020, where she minored in Dance and performed with Sho’Troupe and Dance Club. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Dance Education at Towson University (expected Fall 2025).
Professionally, Caitlyn is a member of Continuum Dance Company (Easton, MD) and has choreographed for Washington College’s Dancescape concerts in 2020 and 2022. She is also the Dance Instructor for Stevenson University’s Marching Band Dance Team. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing with her dog, watching baseball and reality TV, and reading.
Abi Eberman
Abi is from Glen Arm, Maryland and began dancing at CMRC at age 6! After almost 10 years at CMRC, she left to focus on her ballet training at Mid-Atlantic Youth Ballet. She has trained in ballet, contemporary, jazz, modern, tap, and lyrical. She graduated in December 2020 from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with minors in Human Development and Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation. While at UMD, Abi danced with the university’s student-run organization, Ballet Company M and served as the Ballet Mistress, Artistic Director, and Executive Director over the years.
During her time with Ballet Company M, she discovered her love for teaching and choreographing. Abi graduated from George Mason University in May 2023 with her Master’s degree in School Psychology. She also performs in Charm City Ballet’s full-length productions! When she’s not teaching, dancing, or working, Abi loves to crochet in her free time.
Abi is so excited to be back at CMRC as a ballet teacher this year and work with all of the amazing dancers!
Jeanette Proakis
Jeanette’s dance career began at the age of two when she started taking tap and ballet through Baltimore County Recreation. At the age of three she joined CMRC and worked her way through the program learning tap, ballet, jazz, pointe and performance group. She volunteered to help with the younger classes until she was offered a position as a dance assistant.
Jeanette spent many summers and winters assisting with Dance Camp. During her senior year of high school, she was an active member of Dulaney’s Dance Company. Jeanette graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelor’s in communications and a minor in creative arts. While at Salisbury, she was a performing member of the Salisbury University Poms Dance Team. She had the opportunity to perform half-time routines at many of the major sports games, the yearly showcase, and during many other events on campus. Jeanette was able to learn additional styles of dance including hip-hop, pom, lyrical, and kick line. In addition to having the opportunity to choreograph many dances throughout her time on the team, she was able to perform a half-time routine during a NFL game at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Commanders.
Currently, Jeanette is working in higher education at Johns Hopkins University and is excited to be back with CMRC!
Despina Thomas
Despina began dancing at the age of three in Glen Burnie Recreation Association’s dance program in Glen Burnie, MD. Throughout her time at GBRA, she learned a variety of styles and served as a dance assistant throughout high school, while also dancing on her high school’s dance team. Desi is a graduate of Washington College where she was a member of the dance club, dance team, and dance department. She also served as a choreographer for game halftime performances and the annual dance shows.
After graduating college, Desi went on to pursue a graduate degree and earned her Master of Public Health in May of 2023. She currently works in the behavioral health field and continues her dance education at the studio where she grew up dancing. When she’s not dancing, Desi can be usually be found coaching lacrosse, watching sports, or reading a book. Desi is excited to be a part of CMRC and work with all of the awesome dancers!
Refunds
All refund requests should be directed to CMRCDanceInquiry@gmail.com
No refunds will be submitted after October 1, 2025
A processing fee of $35 per class will apply to all requested refunds.
Drop Off/Pick Up Policy
Doors will open 5-10 minutes before the start of class. All dancers in 5th grade or below must be escorted to and from the studio. Students will not be dismissed without a parent/guardian present. Dancers in 6th-12th grades must have a dismissal waiver submitted by a parent/guardian to leave without an adult present. If someone besides the student’s parents or primary guardians are picking them up, please notify the Dance Director before class via email.
Attendance Policy
Each class a student misses puts them one more class behind their peers. A dancer cannot improve if they are not in class to practice and receive feedback. If a student has been absent and/or arrived late to 3 classes, the Dance Director will be notified, and a conversation will be had between the Director and the Parent(s). More than 3 absences could result in the dancer’s removal from the class’s recital dance. If you are going to be late or absent from class, you must inform the Dance Director via email. The Director will then notify the teacher for the class. If your dancer is injured or cannot dance for some reason, they should still plan to attend class. OBSERVATION is more effective than being ABSENT.
Closures/Inclement Weather
CMRC Dance follows the same protocol as BCPS for weather or emergency related closings. Please keep in mind that we are considered the Hereford Zone. We will do our best to communicate weather related closings. Please visit www.bcps.org for the latest updates on closures. In the event of a last minute (nonweather or school related) closing we will send out an email. We do NOT make phone calls. We will communicate these closings via email.
CMRC Dance Dress Code 2025-2026
We strive to provide inclusive and appropriate options for all dancers based on their personal identities and needs. Non-binary and genderqueer dancers can choose which dress code to follow for their age group. Please contact Caitlyn with any dress code concerns or questions.
- Dancers must be in correct attire by October 15th in order to continue to participate in class activities. Like any sporting activity, the dress code serves as a safety precaution and makes it easier for teachers to give feedback.
- No jewelry should be worn during dance class (small stud earrings are allowed)
- Hair must be pulled back out of dancers’ faces.
- Dance shoes should only be worn inside the studio, not outside. Street shoes are not permitted on the dance floors at any time. Please be sure to tuck ballet shoe drawstrings in so that we do not have to worry about them coming untied.
- For female-identifying dancers, underwear can be left off. It is unnecessary under leotards and tights and often makes dancers uncomfortable/embarrassed as it rides down below the leg line of leotards. Dancers will not be allowed to wear underwear at recital so now is a great time to start preparing them.
- Supportive athletic sports bras (medium to strong control depending on size) are encouraged for pre-teen and teen female dancers.
- Compression shorts or dance belts are required for pre-teen and teen male dancers.
SHOES
Ballet:
Pink or flesh-tone split-sole ballet shoes
(boys wear black)
Tap:
Black jazz tap shoes – 5th grade and younger are allowed to wear velcro or buckle tap shoes
Jazz & Poms:
Black jazz shoes
Hip Hop & Poms:
Black dance sneakers
Contemporary:
Flesh-tone canvas half-sole shoes
Creative Movement:
Bare feet or ballet shoes
ATTIRE (Boys/Male-Identifying)
All classes: Solid colored t-shirt shirt, solid black or navy blue gym shorts, athletic capris, leggings, or joggers.
ATTIRE (Girls/Female-Identifying)
3 years – 5th Graders
All Classes: Any color leotard or dance dress, pink or flesh-tone tights. Dance skirts and black shorts are allowed. Dance sweaters & black leggings are permitted during colder months.
Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Poms Classes: Black tights and black leggings are allowed.
Middle & High Schoolers
All classes: Any color leotard, pink or flesh-tone tights. Dance skirts and black shorts are allowed. Dance sweaters & black leggings are permitted during colder months.
Ballet & Contemporary: Black leotards are REQUIRED.
Jazz, Hip Hop, and Tap Classes: Black tights and black leggings are allowed.
We encourage you to buy your dance supplies for our personalized Nimbly site. It is organized by class, and everything listed is DRESS CODE APPROVED.
Jacksonville Elementary School (JES) – 3400 Hillendale Heights Rd, Phoenix, MD 21131
From the right-hand side of the parking lot, follow the sidewalk around the rear of the building, past air conditioner units, activity room door, and turn left. Please use the dance studio door to enter the building. Inside this entrance is a small room where you may wait for your child during class. If your dancer is signed up for a class immediately after school, we will reach out to you with additional forms for their dismissal. In the event of a last minute cancellation we will notify parents via email (that was inputted during registration). Jacksonville Elementary School will dismiss students per parent’s instructions on the form mentioned above. No food or beverages (other than water) is allowed in the dance studio, the waiting room is OK.
Jacksonville Rec Center @ Sweet Air Park – 3605 Sweet Air Rd, Phoenix, MD 21131
The room where dance classes will take place is on the right when you walk in the Rec Center entrance. There is a short hallway to the room where your teacher will greet you. There is a small lobby of the Rec Center where guardians can wait during class. Dancers can bring all of their belongings with them into the studio, but no food or beverages (other than water) are allowed.