2017-2018 School Year
Classical Track Requirements & Guidelines
Classical Track Eligibility
Dancers, even current members of Classical Track, will be evaluated for and must qualify for Classical Track each year in order to be invited to participate in the following school year.
Students are evaluated, based on the following criteria:
- Natural talent and facility for classical and/or contemporary ballet: to include coordination, flexibility, strength, strong feet, mental focus, musicality, and quality of movement
- Demonstrated potential for a professional performing career in classical and/or contemporary concert dance
- Drive & Diligence. Clearly demonstrated desire to consistently dance at one’s best
- Positive conduct, Attitude, and effort in the classroom
- Excellent attendance record and punctuality
- Adherence to Dress Code. Neat appearance.
Classical Track Class Requirements
Weekly Class (School Year) Requirements***
- Ballet 1 – 1 Ballet Class per week, 1 additional class per week in a separate discipline
- Ballet 2 – 2 Ballet Classes per week, 1 additional class per week in a separate discipline
- Ballet 3 – 3 Ballet Classes per week, 1 Jazz class & 1 Modern class per week
- Ballet 4 – 4 Ballet and 4 Pointe Classes per week, 1 Jazz, 1 Modern, & 1 Contemporary class per week
- Ballet 5 – 5 Ballet and 5 Pointe Classes per week, 1 Jazz, 1 Modern, & 1 Contemporary class per week
- Ballet 6 – 5 Ballet and 5 Pointe Classes per week, 1 Jazz, 1 Modern, & 1 Contemporary class per week
*** These are minimal the weekly requirements for Classical Track only.
Student dancers are encouraged to attend additional classes per week. Recommendations for additional weekly classes can always be requested from Mrs Deborah Engerman.
Classical Track Performance Requirements
Nutcracker participation is required by all Classical Track Members in Ballet Level 3 and up. It is highly suggested for Members in Ballet Level 2 as well. Classical Track Students who also attend performance high schools are still required to participate in the MDCA/Dancemoves Nutcracker.
Classical Track Students who are invited to compete at YAGP as a member of an Ensemble piece are required to participate in at least one Ensemble Piece at YAGP in order to also participate in the Dancemoves Troupe Invitational piece, if they are non-Troupe Members who are invited to Troupe Invitational. Being invited to compete at YAGP as an Ensemble piece member is a sign of our deep belief in a dancer’s ability and talent.
All YAGP students will perform either their Classical Variation or their Contemporary piece at the Dancemoves Recital at the end of the school year. (YAGP competing is by invitation only.)
June Supplemental Class Requirements All Classical Track Students are required to attend the ballet, pointe, and other dance classes for their level in June.
Requirements for the Summer Dance Intensive at Dancemoves All Classical Track Students are required to attend the 5 week Dancemoves Summer Dance Intensive in order to maintain their places in Classical Track for the upcoming school year. Dancers must attend all weekly ballet and pointe classes for their level; weekly modern, jazz, and contemporary classes for their level. They are also required to attend the special Guest Artist Workshops for their level that are labelled for Classical Track during the 5th week of the Dancemoves Summer Dance Intensive.
Dancers must contact Mrs. Deborah Engerman at dmengerman@yahoo.com in order to get approval for any conflict or missed time from the Dancemoves Summer Intensive.
August Supplemental Class Requirements There may be supplemental classes at Dancemoves in August that would be required, unless a student has prior approval from Mrs Deborah Engerman to miss them.
Additional Performance Opportunities
Some Classical Track Students will be invited to compete and perform at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). Dancers can be invited as Soloists and/or as part of an Ensemble Group.
All Classical Track Students are invited to participate in the Dancemoves Troupe Production number at all of the competitions that Dancemoves Troupe attends with the Production Number.
Some Classical Track Students will be invited to perform with Dancemoves Troupe as part of the Troupe Invitational Dance. Classical Track Students who are not members of Dancemoves Troupe and are invited to compete at YAGP as a member of an Ensemble piece are required to participate in at least one Ensemble Piece at YAGP in order to also participate in this Dancemoves Troupe Invitational piece.
YAGP participation is not required in order to maintain Classical Track Status.
Classical Track & Summer Ballet Intensives
MCDA/Dancemoves conducts an excellent 5-week Summer Intensive each summer. Classical Track dancers are required to attend this Intensive, unless they are in attendance of an approved Summer Intensive out of town or have some other conflict that has been approved by Mrs Deborah Engerman.
Dancers participating in Classical Track are permitted and even encouraged to attend APPROVED Summer Intensives in order to enhance their studies over the summer. Any program must be approved by Mrs Deborah Engerman before the Classical Track dancer auditions for and/or applies for the Summer Intensive.
If Classical Track Dancers are also members of the Dancemoves Troupe, they are required to follow the rules and guidelines set by participation in Dancemoves Troupe and also need approval from Mrs Susan Joines before an audition and/or application.
Regional Competitions & Troupe Competition Dances
Participants will attend some of the Dancemoves Troupe Regional competitions with their YAGP pieces, once Mrs Deborah has established that they are ready. It is imperative to perform any YAGP pieces on stage at least once prior to the YAGP Semi-Finals.
Classical Track members have the option to compete one (non-YAGP) Solo Dance at Regional and National competitions that Dancemoves Troupe attends. This Solo is separate from and in addition to YAGP participation. This dance must fall within the following styles of dance: Classical, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, or Musical Theatre.
Classical Track Students are all invited to participate in the Troupe Production number at Regional and National competitions. Classical Track Students who are not Troupe Members may be invited to participate in the Troupe Invitational Dance by The Troupe Director; however, in order to do so, a Classical Track student who has been invited to YAGP Ensemble must participate in at least one YAGP Ensemble piece. In other words: Non-Troupe Members may not opt out of a YAGP Ensemble Invitation and still also join Troupe Invitational. Meeting the provisions of Classical Track is the priority.
Classical Track & Performance High Schools
There are a number of performance high schools in the area which Classical Track Students may attend. Rules and expectations vary, as far as whether or not a Dancemoves student can participate in Classical Track while attending a performance high school. This is because there is so much variance in the programs of the different performance high schools. Below is a list of local performance High Schools and the Dancemoves/Maryland Classical Dance Academy policy in reference to Classical Track and those schools. Policy decisions are based on time commitment, class time, and level of instruction at individual high schools. Other schools will be evaluated based on their programs as well, when necessary.
Please note that Classical Track Students will still be expected to have exemplary attendance at Dancemoves/MCDA. Any conflicts must be addressed with and approved by Mrs Deborah via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”>dmengerman@yahoo.com. Any dancer in levels III, IV, V, or VI who misses more than four days of class (or the equivalent) may be required to attend make up classes in order to maintain Classical Track Standing. Any abundance of scheduling and/or commitment conflicts arising from attendance at a performance High School is likely to change the Dancemoves/MCDA policy towards that High School for the following school year.
Baltimore School for the Arts: BSA Freshman are permitted by both MCDA/Dancemoves and BSA to participate in The MCDA/Dancemoves Classical Track. As BSA Sophomores they will also likely be permitted to do the same. BSA students in Classical Track are required to attend ballet/pointe class at Dancemoves on Mondays, Thursdays, and a 3rd day of their choosing. They are also required to attend 2 non-ballet classes at Dancemoves per week. Nutcracker participation is required as well.
Carver Center for Arts and Technology: A student may attend Carver and also be a member of Classical Track. Dancers must still attend ALL of the ballet and pointe classes for their level at MCDA/Dancemoves. Dancers must also attend one jazz class per week at Dancemoves. Additional non-ballet classes at Dancemoves are permitted and encouraged. Nutcracker Participation is required.
Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts: A student may attend Patapsco and also be a member of Classical Track. Dancer must still attend ALL of the ballet and pointe classes for their level at MCDA/Dancemoves. Dancer must also attend one modern and one jazz class per week at Dancemoves. Additional non-ballet classes at Dancemoves are permitted and encouraged. Nutcracker Participation is required.