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.
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 comes to CMRC Dance with a plethora of dance learning and teaching experiences. Growing up on the Eastern Shore of MD, she started attending To The Pointe. Dance Studio at age 3, and then later began her teaching journey at TTP. Miss Caitlyn attending Washington College in Chestertown, MD, where she minored in Dance and participated in Dance Club and Sho’Troupe Dance Team. At WC, she choreographed for the annual Dancescape concert in 2019, 2020 and 2022 as an alumna. Professionally, Caitlyn has performed with Continuum Dance Company (Easton, MD).
Caitlyn proudly earned her Masters of Art in Dance Education from Towson University in 2025. Her thesis project focused around recreational dance programs and student-centered teaching practices. In addition to her role at CMRC, Caitlyn is the Dance Line instructor for Stevenson University’s Marching Band and is adjunct faculty at CCBC. She has done guest choreography for Anne Arundel County Schools and the Children’s Theater Production Company at the JCC of Greater Baltimore. She continues to help out with To The Pointe’s annual productions. Miss Caitlyn also volunteers on the board of Maryland Dance Education Organization, where she represents Community Organizations.
At CMRC Dance, she collaborates with our Dance Board to oversee administrative aspects such as scheduling, recital planning, fundraising, and more. She teaches most of our classes for 3 year olds to 5th grade. Feel free to reach out to Caitlyn with any questions or concerns about our wonderful program! ccreasy@carrollmanor.org
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 attended Nashville Ballet Summer Intensive 2014, Joffrey Ballet School NYC Summer Intensive 2015 and 2016, and most recently, the Ballet Counterpointe/Kevin Jenkins Summer Intensive 2024 and 2025 in San Diego, California.
Abi graduated 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 earned her Master’s degree in School Psychology from George Mason University, and she now works as a School Psychologist in Harford County Public Schools. Abi danced professionally in Ash & Elm Dance Company from 2021-2023. She now performs in Charm City Ballet’s full-length productions! Abi has taught at many studios throughout Maryland and Northern Virginia, and she is so excited for this year at CMRC to keep sharing her love and knowledge of ballet and contemporary dance. When she’s not teaching, dancing, or working, Abi enjoys crocheting, reading, and dance photography!
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 including Tap, Ballet, Jazz , and Pom, and served as a dance assistant throughout high school. Desi was also a member of her high school dance team which focused on Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Lyrical performance. Desi earned a Bachelor of Science from Washington College where she was a member of the Dance Club and Dance Team, and choreographed Hip-Hop, Pom, and Jazz styles, and performed many others, for the annual Dance Concert and Sports Halftime Performances. As a student, she also performed and choreographed for Dancescape, the annual departmental dance concert.
Chloe Mauler
Chloe is joining our team for the 2026-2027 Dance Season as our Co-Teacher on Mondays and as a substitute teacher. She has been dancing for 16 years, most recently at Dance with Me School of Dance (Bel Air, MD). She was able to participate in their competition team, where she competed in a variety of dance styles. She brings dance teaching experience in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop dance. Refunds
All refund requests should be directed to CMRCDanceInquiry@gmail.com
Refunds: No refunds will be submitted after October 1, 2026
A processing fee of $35 per class will apply to all requested refunds.
Closed Class Policy
To ensure dancers stay focused entirely on class, technique, and their instructors, all classes are CLOSED to observers. Please refrain from standing in doorways or peering in through windows, as this can distract from the lesson. Parents are kindly asked to wait in the waiting room/lobby or drop off and return for pick-up. You will have a chance to observe class during our Family Observation Week March 8 – March 11, 2027.
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 2026-2027
Dancers must be in correct attire by October 5, 2026 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.
- 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.
- No jewelry should be worn during dance class (small stud earrings are allowed)
- Hair must be pulled back out of dancers’ faces and off necks. Buns are required for High School Ballet/Pointe classes.
- NO MIDRIFFS should be showing AT ANY TIME.
- Dance shoes should only be worn inside the studio, not outside (including dance sneakers). Street shoes are not permitted on the dance floors at any time. Please be sure to tuck ballet shoe drawstrings in or pull them out 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 the 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 or slip-on tap shoes; 5th grade and younger are allowed to wear velcro or buckle tap shoes
- Jazz, Poms, Tumbling – black jazz shoes (tie or slip-on)
- Hip-Hop & “Flip-Hop” – black dance sneakers
- Contemporary – bare feet, flesh-tone half soles, or foot undies.
- Creative Movement – ballet shoes or bare feet
ATTIRE (Boys/Male-Identifying)
All classes: Solid colored t-shirt, solid black or navy blue gym shorts, athletic capris, leggings, or joggers.
ATTIRE (Girls/Female-Identifying)
3 years-3rd grade Girls/Female Dancers – Any color leotard or dance dress, pink or flesh-tone tights. Black shorts are allowed. NO skirts that are not attached to a dance dress. These are very distracting for dancers. Dance sweaters & black leggings are permitted during colder months.
3rd grade-5th grade Girls/Female Dancers – 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. Black tights and black leggings are allowed for tap/jazz, poms, and hip-hop classes.
- Ballet & Pointe: Buns in hair are expected.
- Jazz, Hip Hop, and Tap Classes: Black leggings are allowed, but leotards are still required.
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.
More to come.
Tentative rehearsal date: April 3
Tentative recital date: April 4