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.
Caitlyn Creasy
Caitlyn grew up on the Eastern Shore of MD where she danced at To The Pointe. Dance Studio until attending college at Washington College. While attending WC, Caitlyn taught at TTP and participated in the schools Dance Club and Dance Team.
She is a member of Continuum Dance Company (Easton, MD) where she has performed and taught for several years. After graduating from college in 2020, Caitlyn worked in the non-profit sector and continued teaching dance. Now, she is thrilled to take on the role of Dance Director for CMRC and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Dance Education at Towson University. Caitlyn is in the studio most days, so don’t hesitate to stop by and say hi!
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, 2024
A processing fee of $35 per class will apply to all requested refunds.
Drop Off/Pick Up Policy
Doors will open 5 minutes before the start of class.
All dancers must be escorted to and from the studio. Students will not be dismissed without a parent/guardian 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, please inform the Dance Director via email. The Director will then notify the teacher for the class.
Closures/Inclement Weather
The Dance studio 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 2024-2025
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 age-appropriate dress code to follow. Please
contact Caitlyn with any dress code concerns or questions.
3 years – 5th Graders (female identifying)
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.
Jazz, Hip Hop, and Poms Classes:
Black tights and black leggings are allowed.
Middle & High Schoolers (female identifying)
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.
High School Ballet/Contemporary:
Black leotards are REQUIRED.
Jazz, Hip Hop, and Tap Classes: Black tights and black leggings are allowed.
Boys & Male Identifying Dancers
All classes: Solid white shirt, solid black or navy blue gym shorts, athletic capris, leggings, or joggers. Same
shoes as girls/female dancers except BALLET SHOES ARE BLACK. Compression shorts or dance belts are
required for pre-teen and teen male dancers.
Shoes
Ballet: pink or fleshtone canvas split sole ballet shoes (boys wear black)
Tap: black jazz tap shoes (elementary and younger are allowed to wear velcro or buckle tap shoes)
Hip Hop, Poms & Hippity Hop: black dance sneakers
Jazz: black jazz shoes
Contemporary: flesh-tone canvas halfsole shoes
Other Reminders
- 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.