Cecil Dancenter Newsletter

September 2026

FALL FUN IS ON THE WAY!

QUICK LINKS



ONLINE REGISTRATION

 

DANCE CLASS SCHEDULE

 

EMAIL US

STUDIO CALENDAR


FIRST DAY OF DANCE CLASSES:

Friday, September 11


SESSION ONE:

Friday, September 11 - Thursday, October 29


PARENT OBSERVATION:

Friday, October 23 - Thursday, October 29



CECIL DANCE THEATRE

Christmas is coming – get in the holiday spirit!

Tickets are on sale now to Cecil Dance Theatre’s production of The Spirit of the Season to be held on Saturday, December 19 and Sunday, December 20 at Cecil College! Great seats are available now and they make a great gift! Young audience members may dance on stage with some of our cast members in our pre-show. To purchase tickets online click here or call the college box office at 410-287-1037. 


CECIL JUNIOR DANCE TROUPE

Take flight with our junior dancers as they present the classic story of Thumbelina to audiences at Elkton High School on Saturday, April 3 and Sunday, April 4 with both shows at 1:00pm. Mark your calendars to be enchanted by our talented junior performing company cast!

 

WE WANT YOU TO "LIKE US"

Keep up-to-date with general studio information by "liking" our Facebook page... click here. 



fb_like_thumbs.jpg

2026 - 2027 DANCE YEAR INFORMATION

Our fall classes will begin on Friday, September 11. There will be five 7-week dance sessions with classes culminating in recital performances in June 2027.  The first session will be held Friday, September 11 through Thursday, October 29. 

  • Don’t forget to mark your calendar for our parent observation opportunity running Friday, Oct 23 – Thursday, Oct 29.

 

Click here for our session year calendar.


MULTIPLE WAYS TO REGISTER:

1.  On-line via our website: If you are a returning family with an existing account, just log in as usual as our system automatically keeps you on file. New families can follow the registration link on our website to create an account and register.

2.  Download a registration form from our website and return via mail (25 Flint Drive, North East, MD 21901) or in person. 

3.  Stop by our office to register in-person. Call before dropping by to make sure staff is available – 410-287-3546.

4.  Call us at 410-287-3546 and we’ll be happy to help you over the phone to create an account or enroll your dancer from an existing one.

5.  Email us with your dancer’s class selection(s) and we can register you from the admin side of the online system. 


MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN

Take advantage of our budget billing! Contact our office if you would like your yearly payments broken into 10 monthly payments. The first payment is taken at registration and then the remaining payments will be due on the 15th of each month from September - May. If you join on or after September 15 then TWO payments will be due at registration to get you on the payment schedule. In order to be on the monthly plan, you’ll need to have a credit/debit card on file with us. Our monthly payment option CANNOT be set up via our online system. You must call the office to select this payment option and we will manually override the system. Please note that there continues to be a 3% processing fee for credit card transactions (see below).

 

CREDIT CARD PROCESSING & LATE FEES

We are happy to process your Visa, Mastercard or Discover for payments but there is a 3% processing fee for all credit card transactions made online and in person. You may make a payment via check or cash to avoid this 3% fee. Payments MUST be made on time or in advance to avoid late fees. A late fee of $15 is assessed on ALL accounts two weeks or more in arrears.


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.


ONLINE LOGOWEAR STORE - ALL TREATS WITH NO TRICKS!

We are excited to offer our very own online store with lots of items in a variety of colors available! To see what we have to offer, click here for our online store.. Orders are due by Sunday, October 11! TREAT yourself this fall to a great new item that will have you looking great while showing your studio pride! Items are expected to be delivered to our studio in time for the holiday gift giving season. If you want your order to be a surprise, please let us know and we can hold it in the office for you to pickup!

 

SAVE SOME "PENNE" ON TUITION AND FUNDRAISE WITH US TODAY

CDT is partnering with Cecil Dancenter in offering a fundraiser to help support production costs for the performance of The Spirit of the Season. Sellers will earn 20% of their sales as a credit to their dance account!  Simply create an online account (link below) or pick up an order form for “Fun Pasta” from the lobby table. Your friends & family can make online or catalog purchases through your online Fun Pasta account earning you even more credit. An additional 20% of sales will go to help CDT meet production expenses. Sales run September 1 – October 9 with delivery in late October.

SPECIAL STUDIO & EVENT INFO

SPECIALTY CLASSES

Did you know we offer the following classes … adult classes, toddler classes, and teen classes? Click here for our class schedule or contact us for more information.


PARENT OBSERVATION

From Friday, October 23 - Thursday, October 29, parents are welcome to see what their child has been learning. 


STAFF UPDATES

We are happy to have many instructors returning for another amazing year and we are excited to have them share their knowledge and passion for the arts with your dancer. Click here for our complete instructor webpage which includes a bio on each of our instructors but below see what is new and upcoming this year!

  • Miss Kara Leffew

Miss Kara started with us as a student many years ago and has been assisting classes since 2022. She has also been a guest in CDT productions for several years, most recently as part of the King's Entourage in this past spring's presentation of Cinderella. Miss Kara joins our staff this year in teaching our toddlers and is excited to offer them their first experience with dance!

  • Miss Abby Pinkerton

Miss Abby will perform with MADE Dance Collective in their company showcase, "MADE Sense", on Saturday, September 26 at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. For more information click here for their Facebook page at or at madedancecollective.com.

  • Miss Victoria Walpole-McWilliams

Miss Victoria will be performing in the Ballet Theatre of Maryland's premiere of La Sylphide! Performances will be held on Friday, October 16 at 7:30PM, Saturday, October 17 at 7:00PM, and Sunday, October 18 at 2:00PM at the Maryland Hall in Annapolis. Click here for tickets.


IN MEMORIAM... WEAR PINK FOR PAIGE

Paige Elaine Michael, age 15, of Oxford, Pennsylvania, passed away in August 2024, after a courageous five month battle with leukemia. She was a dancer with our studio, a member of both of our performing companies, and a special light on our stage. On September 11, in honor of what would have been her 18th birthday, we ask that you wear pink in her memory. You are welcome to share pictures on the Paige Michael Foundation Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1555459489408574/. We look forward to seeing all the pink on Paige’s birthday!


GENERAL INFO & REMINDERS

RECITAL DATES 2027

  • Studio Recitals: Creative Dance and Dance Basics classes will have their recitals at our studio Saturday, June 5 – Wednesday, June 9.
  • Elkton High School Recitals (Dance Fundamentals classes & up): Please mark your calendars now for the weekend of June 12 and June 13 for these recitals.  Classes will also have a stage and dress rehearsal the week leading up to the recitals (June 7 - 11), so plan accordingly for attendance at these rehearsals.


STUDIO NOTES

  • “Ballet Tech” means the class will focus on technique for the entire year and will not perform in the recital.
  • 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.
  • 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!


2026 RECITAL

  • If you did not receive your trophy at the recital, you may stop by the office to pick one up. If your child participated in the final session but was not able to be in the recital, he/she is still eligible to receive a trophy.
  • Elkton High School recital DVD's are still available! To order one, call the office or complete an order form from the lobby.
  • If you ordered a recital DVD, they are available for pick up in the lobby of the main studio.
  • If you had recital pictures taken in our studio by Amorin Photography, an email was sent out with ordering information.

To order photos from the EHS dress rehearsals, visit: http://amorinphotography.com and click on the dance gallery.

 

WE WANT YOU TO "LIKE US"

Keep up-to-date with general studio information by "liking" our Facebook page... click here. 


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 several of our staff members available to give private dance lessons. If you are interested, 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.  

NEIGHBOR & COMMUNITY NEWS

The Dance Station

Visit The Dance Station located next to studio C for all your dance wear needs. The September special is 10% off shoes.  Don't miss their Labor Day special of 10% off Labor Day Sale 10% off everything except Glam’r Gear and Gift Certificates. Labor Day hours are 9am-3pm and extended September hours are Sunday 10am-3pm, Monday thru Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 9am-4pm. Normal hours of operation (beginning October 1): Monday thru Friday 11:00am-7:00pm; Saturday 9:00am-4:00pm. www.thedancestationllc.com; 443-674-8075

 
Cecil Dancenter | www.cecildancenter.com
Established 1985 | info@cecildancenter.com
 
Facebook