Arabesque Dance Studio, 6935 Oakland Mills Road, Suite J, Columbia. Founded in 1966, they are celebrating their 42nd year. Registration is now being taken for classes for ages 2 ½ through adults, specializing in pre-school through professional.  The Arabesque Dance Company offers gifted and aspiring dancers the chance to perform in The Nutcracker Ballet at the Howard County Community College and the end of the year production number.  Competition Dance Team also available for the more serious student.. Classes available in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Lyrical, and Hip Hop. Students are encouraged to take more than one type of dance. All class instruction insures proper progression for your child in a continuous planned program from September through June. Each class size is limited to an appropriate number to assure the proper student-teacher ratio. Classes begin early Sept.  Stop by for a visit and see their facility.  For more information call 410-381-0017 or see the website www.livetodance.com

Backstage Dance Studio, 7185 Gateway Drive, Gateway Plaza, Columbia, is celebrating 22 years of dance instruction. They have programs designed to meet the needs of both the recreational dancer and serious students looking to further their studies professionally.  Over the past years, many of their students have received dance scholarships and have gone onto professional careers. Currently they are offering classes in Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip Hop Lyrical, Modern, Musical Theater, Cecchetti and Pointe, for children, teens, and adults from beginning to advanced levels.  Rock-n-Tots is for 2-3 year olds and Tap & Tumble is for ages 3-4. Competitive teams, end of year recital. Open House is August 23, 10am – 3pm. Classes start September 2. Registration is currently being accepted. For more information call 410-312-0900 or visit them at  www.thebackstagedancestudio.com.

Ballet Royale Institute of Maryland, 9147-D Red Branch Road, Columbia, featuring an international faculty, offers a comprehensive education in both classical ballet and contemporary dance through its belief in arts immersion. Combining precision technique based on European models with personal attention and intensive training, the Institute provides students with skills for the present and tools for the future, whether they choose to become dancers or not.. Training is available to beginning through professional level dancers. All students learn not only the techniques and skills of dance, but also an appreciation of the art form in the exciting, Beginning Teen, Adults, Homeschooled Students, Youth Classes ages 2 and up and Pre-Professional Programs. Special Fall Registration dates to receive a discount are August 16, 10am – 4pm and September 13, 10am-4pm. For more information call 410-997-8443 or visit their web site www.balletroyale.com

Ballet With Cindee Velle in the Long Reach Community Assoc., since 1983,  8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia, MD 21045 offers: Preballet  ages 3, 4; Kinderballet ages 5, 6; Preparatory Ballet ages 6 , 7; Combination Classes in Ballet/Jazz and Ballet/Tap ages 5 through 7;  Classical Ballet  ages 8 through adult; Jazz  ages 6 through adult; Pointe  ages 12 and up; Tap and Hip Hop ages 7 through adult;  Lyrical/Modern;  Lyrical/Ballet;  Competition Classes and an annual production of the Nutcracker. Performance opportunities are available for all students, including adults. Satellite Programs are available at the following locations: Centennial Lane Elementary School, Worthington Elementary School and the  River Hill Community Association in Clarksville. Classes begin Sept. 8. For more information call Cindee Velle 410-465-7674 or visit www.cindeevelleballet.com

B.Funk Dance Company, 10291 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City MD. Professional and highly-trained faculty. Classes for Ages 3 to Adult, beginner to pre-professional, in Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap and Breakin. Birthday, Retirement, Girls-Night-Out Dance Parties and studio rental. For more information  call 410-313-8199.

Blizzard Dance Studio, 3900 Ten Oaks Road, Suite 9, Glenelg, offers classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and modern as well as yoga and pilates. Open House and fall registration is September 6 from 9am - 1pm. Auditions for Advanced Classes by appointment. For more information call 410-992-8105.

Carroll County Dance Center, 6933 Warfield Avenue, Sykesville. Beautiful $1,000,000 facility with four state of the art studios. Excellent reputation for 18 years, now offering Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Yoga, Ballroom, Hip-Hop and Break Dancing for ages 2 – adult, and full Pre-Professional Ballet Conservatory curriculum for the dedicated ballet student age 7 – 18. Auditions for The Nutcracker are on Sunday, August 17 and Saturday, August 23 for ages 6 - adults.  No experience required.  Please call 410-795-3255 for more information or see www.carrollcountydancecenter.com

Central Maryland Youth Ballet - Slayton House , Columbia Gym, and Nantucket Center, Columbia. Develop strength, artistry and self confidence in your child by enrolling them into a professionally directed ballet program. Instructors Kimmary Williams and Jacob Rice have over 25 years of teaching experience. They have been associated with such notable institutions as Joffrey Ballet, Twyla Tharp, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. They understand that quality dance instruction encourages physical and mental development as well as an appreciation of the fine arts. Classes for ages 3 years through adult begin September 15 at three convenient Columbia locations: Slayton House (Wilde Lake Village), Columbia Gym (Riverhill), Nantucket Center (Harper's Choice Village). "Nutcracker" audition on Saturday September 20th. All CMYB students are eligible to participate. For more information please visit: www.centralmarylandyouthballet.com or call 443-472-7772. 

Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park, offers classes in pre-ballet, ballet, tap, and boys' tap for children. Classes are also offered for teens and adults. For more information call 410-636-6587 or see their website www.cheaspeakearts.org.

Kinetics Dance Theatre, 3280 Pine Orchard Lane, Ellicott City MD 21042. Classes are offered for all ages and all disciplines of dance including Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Modern, and Creative Dance, Dance Basics and Dance Fundamentals and classes for children with special needs. Also offered are Social Ballroom, Latin Jam, Pilates and Yoga.  We have a student company for ages 11-18, a senior company for ages 14-18 and a professional dance company. Birthday Parties are available as well as Girl Scout activities to earn badges. Open House Registration for fall is August 23, 10am – 2pm, September 4, 6-9pm, and September 7, 1-3 pm. For more information call 410-480-1686 or visit our website at www.kineticsdance.org.

Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase St, Annapolis, is offering a variety of dance classes for children this fall. Ballet is offered through the Academy Ballet School and the Ballet Theatre of Maryland. For more information call 410-263-5544, 410-269-1087 or 301-261-1553 or see their website at www.mdhallarts.org.

Misako Ballet Studio is located in Harper's Choice Village Center, 5485 Harper's Farm Road, Columbia. This professional studio focuses on classical ballet training which builds strength, flexibility, grace, and artistry. All classes are taught in studios with spring-action floors, designed for professional ballet dancers. They teach ages 3 to Adult. Classes include: Ballet, Modern, Pointe, Creative Movement, Rhythm & Steps and Pilates.  All ages have performance opportunities throughout the year. Open Registration Days are August 18, 11:30 -2:30 pm and August 27, 5:30-8:30pm.  For more information, call 410-884-9690 or e-mail at misakoballetenroll2@gmail.com or visit www.misakoballet.com

Peabody Dance with the Peabody Preparatory of the Johns Hopkins University. Downtown Baltimore, 21 East Mount Vernon Place Baltimore, MD 21202  and Towson Campus, 949 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, MD 21204 at the edge of the Goucher College campus. The Peabody Dance 32-week Fall/Spring season offers three main curricula: the Pre-Professional Program; the Young Children's Program; and the Open Program. In all cases, the heart of Peabody Dance's philosophy is the expectation that all students, whether they are professional aspirants, or pre-schoolers and mature adults exploring the joys of dancing, will have the opportunity to reach their own desired level of achievement. In return, an internationally respected faculty and artistic staff are dedicated to meeting the needs of their students on an individual basis and to offering them exemplary training, inspiration and encouragement. The Fall Term runs September 3  -January 10 . The Spring Term runs January 20 – May 23 with Registration beginning November 30. For more information call 410-659-8100 x 1125 or see their website www.peabody.jhu.edu/dance.

Phoenix Rising Dance Company, 9570-A Berger Road in south Columbia Maryland, offers exceptional instruction in classical ballet, modern, pointe, pas de deux, repertoire, tap, jazz and lyrical Ages 3 to adult. Phoenix Rising Believes in a great dance education that can be taught  in a warm , loving, and encouraging atmosphere. Phoenix Rising Dance faculty has trained students who have won international ballet competitions and who have entered notable ballet companies and university dance programs.  Classes are available for beginner, intermediate, advanced, professional and open teen and adult. Classes are offered during the Afternoon, evening and weekend.  Special programs and intensives are frequently offered.  Performance opportunities are available. Nutcracker auditions are August 9 and 23. Call 410-290-6611 or visit www.phoenixrisingdance.com for more information.

Stars Studio, 10095 Washington Blvd, #132, Laurel MD 20723. A brand new dance studio of 4700 plus square feet with 3 separate studios, bistro-style waiting room and boys and girls dressing rooms. Classes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical, Modern, Hip-hop  and Zumba. Special adult and boys-only classes. Competitive and performing company. Grand Opening is August 9, 12 – 4pm with registration from August 11-15, 4-8pm. For more information call 301-604-STAR (7827).

Studio Dans ("Confidence in Motion") is a state of the art dance studio located in Marriottsville, Howard County. There are two fully equipped dance studios with Harlequin professionally sprung floors. Focus is placed on teaching proper dance techniques in order to build self awareness, confidence in movement, correct body alignment and discipline in a safe and nurturing environment. Children, teen and adult classes in: Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Broadway Dance, Hip Hop, Adaptive Dance, Pilates, Sports Dans, Pre-School Ballet/Tap, 3’s Creative Dance, Toddlers in Motion, Zumba, Latin and Ballroom (youth & adult). Wedding dance specials, summer programs, special family evenings and private lessons are offered. A spring dance recital and community outreach programs provide performing opportunities. Registrations are now being accepted. Directors: Dana Keane and Samantha Hunt. For more information, contact: 410-442-0226 or www.studiodans.com

Studio of Ballet Arts is located at 17810 Meeting House Road, Suite 350, Sandy Spring in Sandy Spring. SBA has been dedicated to creating the love of dance for all ages in a caring atmosphere. Their professional staff encourages the development of self confidence, poise, and a sense of purpose in each student. Classes include Mommy & Me, Pre-Ballet, Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Tap and Yoga. Also available are classes in Ballroom and Swing Dance. Ballerina and Hip Hop Parties are available. They are currently accepting registration for Fall classes. For more information, call 301-260-2626 or go to their web site at www.studioofballetarts.com. There you can view the class schedule and register on-line.