1985 - CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF DANCE! - 2025

Cecil Dancenter Newsletter

November 2025

GET A JUMP START ON THE HOLIDAY TREATS...

The holidays are coming ... this is a perfect time to get in shape so that you can sneak that midnight candy from your child's Halloween stash or enjoy that extra helping of mashed potatoes without all the guilt! Join our Pilates classes to begin your journey to a better you. 

• PILATES: Mondays 10:30am - 11:30am & Fridays 2:00pm - 3:00pm.

Want to dramatically transform the way your body looks, feels, and performs without bouncing, jarring, or stressing the body? Pilates is a safe, sensible exercise program that focuses on strengthening deep core postural muscles, creating a sleek, lean body.  No matter what your age or condition, Pilates will put you through the paces to get results and have you feeling your best!

Note: Fitness classes have a different rate structure, click here for our fitness page.

• ADULT DANCE CLASSES

If you can't make any of the fitness classes, you can still get your sweat on and have some fun in one of our adult classes! Whether you are new or have danced in the past, we have a class for you.

Tuesdays

• Intermediate Jazz 7:15pm - 8:00pm Studio C
• Intermediate Tap 8:00pm - 8:45pm Studio C
• Beginner Hip Hop 8:45pm - 9:30pm Studio C
• Intermediate Hip Hop 8:45pm - 9:30pm Studio C

Wednesdays

• Pre-Intermediate Tap 2:00pm- 2:45pm Studio B

Thursdays

• Ballet 2 8:00pm - 9:00pm Studio B
• Beginner Ballet 8:15pm - 9:15pm Studio A (begins Dec 4)
• Line Dancing: 4 classes (10/30-11/20) 8:15pm - 9:00pm Studio A

Fridays

• Beginner Jazz 8:30pm - 9:15pm Studio B

Note: Dance classes have a different rate structure from fitness, click here for our tuition.

2026 RECITAL COSTUME INFORMATION

Your child will be receiving costume information in class in the next couple of weeks. It is vital to order costumes as early as possible to ensure that not only will they be received in time for recitals but also to allow enough time for size exchanges if needed.

• Studio Recitals: Creative Dance and Dance Basics recital opportunities will be held at our studios May 30 – June 3. Students will have a recital day and time assigned to them so please watch for this information to be distributed in class and via email. Costumes for these classes will have three options to choose from: purchase ($96), rent ($56), or rent to buy ($76) which includes the recital fee, a trophy and free admission to the show for all audience members. 
• Elkton High School Recitals (Dance Fundamentals & up): Please mark your calendars now for June 6 and June 7.
• Costume Prices: Each class in the recital will be wearing a different costume. For example, students taking jazz and tap would need to purchase two separate costumes.
• DISCOUNT PRICE is $96 per costume (paid by 12/19/25 - SAVE $15 per costume!)
• REGULAR PRICE is $111 per costume (final deadline is 1/10/26)
• Children's Combination Medley classes will perform in two dances, but only need to purchase one costume.
• Ballet technique classes will not perform in the recital
• Payment: Your child’s costume will NOT be ordered until your costume payment is received and your tuition is up to date. There are three options to pay for your costume/s
• make a payment online via your online account (where you log in to register and pay tuition) beginning Monday, November 17 as we will be entering charges to accounts in the database that day.
• stop by the office during business hours to pay by cash, check or credit card. Please call before making a special trip to the studio.
• detach and return the form (distributed by your child’s teacher or on the lobby table) along with a payment (cash/check/credit card) to one of our lobby drop boxes.
• Sizing your costumes: Our staff will be sizing costumes in class and we will begin this process the week of November 17. Please make sure your student attends class between then and December 19 in order to be included in the initial round of costume orders. This is imperative to guarantee that your child’s costume will arrive in time for the recital as it can take up to 16 weeks for them to be delivered.
• Size Exchanges: Once costumes arrive, we will email the class letting them know that they will need to try them on in class that week; and, should a costume not fit at that time, we will order a new size at no extra charge. Students who are absent the day of costume try-ons, will have ONE week to stop in to the studio or exchange fees will apply.
• Receiving your costume: Costumes are shipped to our studio approximately 8-16 weeks after placing your order. 

VICTORIA WALPOLE MCWILLIAMS

Miss Victoria will be performing in The Nutcracker with Ballet Theatre of Maryland at Maryland Hall in Annapolis. For details & tickets visit https://www.balletmaryland.org/nutcracker

ABBY GOODMAN

Miss Abby will be performing in Oliver with Milburn Stone Theatre at Cecil College December 5-7 and December 12-14. For info & tickets call the box office at 410-287-1037 or click here for their website to buy online.

ABBY PINKERTON

Don't miss our own Miss Abby Pinkerton in the Jim Bunting Dance Company hosted by Koresh Artist Showcase on November 22 and 23. Please visit their website for ticket information at https://www.koreshdance.org/.

Miss Abby is also performing in the holiday classic The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 6 with Repertory Dance Theatre in Allentown, PA. Don’t miss this seasonal treat...purchase tickets at http://www.repertorydance.org/. 

PAIGE MICHAEL

In memory of our dancer Paige Michael, whose final show with us was the 2023 presentation of The Nutcracker, please consider donating towards the Paige Michael Foundation (click here for their Facebook page for more information). Paige will always be remembered for living happily, selflessly, and with a song in her heart! She loved dance, but even more, she loved being with her friends and building community at our studio.

ACCOUNT REMINDERS

• Auto pay account option: Keep forgetting to call in or log on for your tuition payments? Sign up for our auto-pay program and we'll take care of running your balance for you! All we need is your credit card on file and we'll send the payment through either per session when due or we can set up a monthly payment to draw on the first business day of each month. Contact us today to find out how to cross this chore off your list and put it on ours!
• Late payment fee: In order to ensure that families stay current in their payment of tuition fees, all accounts that are two weeks or more behind will incur a $15 late charge to their account per 7-week session. To mark your calendar for session start dates, click here for our session dates.
• Credit Card Fee: To avoid the 3% fee charged by the credit card company, you may drop off payment via cash or check prior to the auto run date for cards on file.

LOBBY DROP BOXES

Each lobby has a locked deposit box for you to drop off payments and/or paperwork when the office is closed. Please feel free to use this secure method to keep your account current and to return registration information.

LOST AND FOUND

We have a lost and found bin at each studio location for items that get left behind; however, this bin is emptied several times a year with unclaimed items donated to Goodwill or discarded. So don’t delay… look today for lost items!

DRESS CODE

Please click here for information regarding our dress code for each of our dance styles. It is important that you dress appropriately so that the instructor can make sure your technique and form are correct. For classes requiring dance shoes we recommend purchasing those shoes at The Dance Station. Slippers found at Walmart or discount stores are not recommended as it's hard for the instructor to see if the foot is properly pointed.

NOTES ON ATTIRE: Although it is becoming more common to see professionals in the dance industry wearing crop tops, halters and sports bras, our studio requires dancers come to class dressed modestly with their torsos covered. We strive to promote a level of confidence that focuses on dance and not body image; therefore, students will be asked to change if they come to class exposing their torso. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact the office. Thank you for helping us to provide a family friendly atmosphere at Cecil Dancenter.

BALLET SLIPPER TIP

Please tuck your dancers ballet slipper laces underneath the top of the shoe. The lace may be cut shorter so it's more comfortable for your child (just make sure to double knot the lace). This provides a more aesthetic look for the mature dancer and for our younger dancers it helps the child/teacher to spend time on instruction rather than tying shoe laces.

PRIVATE LESSONS 

Private lessons are a great way for students to get personalized attention and individualized corrections. We have staff members available to give private dance lessons at a rate of $25-$82/hour. If you are interested in private lessons, please contact our office.

WALKING TRAILS

If you are looking to fill the time while your child is in dance class, we have walking trails behind the studio property that go behind both of the neighboring businesses and leads to the Elk Creek. Parents, or the entire family, can take time to enjoy nature and the trails. Make sure to check for deer ticks after walking the property.  

The Dance Station: Visit The Dance Station located next to studio C for all your dance wear needs. The November special is 10% off tights. They will also be having a Black Friday Sale open 10-4. Check their website or Facebook for this special sale discount! Fall hours Monday thru Friday 11am till 7pm, Saturday 9am till 4pm, Sunday Closed. www.thedancestationllc.com; 443-674-8075

Haven Community Church: Haven Community Church is honored to partner with non-profit A21 (A21.org) in the global mission to end human trafficking. Haven is serving as a regional host for their 2025 Global Freedom Summit, which will focus on one of the most urgent crises of our time: online child exploitation. Did you know that nearly 50 million people are enslaved in the world today and in the last 16 years, reported child sexual abuse images have increased 200X, reaching a staggering 87 million?! Together, we can take a stand! Join in this powerful event explaining this crisis — featuring survivor stories, expert insights, and practical tools to recognize and respond to exploitation and trafficking in our own communities.

• 2025 Global Freedom Summit
• Thursday, November 6, 2025
• 6:30pm - 7:30pm
• Haven Community Church

Register now to attend: https://havencc.info/4n0DiWM?r=qr”

Toys For Tots: We will be partnering with Toys For Tots to collect new and/or gently used toys. If you have any donations to offer, please look for the decorated box in the main studio lobby under the bulletin board by Studio A. Thank you for helping to make a difference this holiday season.