Dance Conservatory

Newly expanded to SIX full days of instruction for Summer 2024!

Your Best Summer Starts Here:

Learn more below about our Overnight training program focused entirely on dance technique and performance for rising 6th thru 12th graders and rising college freshmen held at the Dance Cube @ University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMBC).

**This program has been newly expanded in 2024 to SIX full days of instruction!

MENU

Scroll to the left/right.

Overnight Map
OVERVIEW DATES PERFORMANCES SAMPLE SCHEDULE HEALTH & WELLNESS CLASSES LOCATION RESIDENTIAL LIFE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES STAFF & FACULTY REGISTRATION ORIENTATION TUITION TUITION ASSISTANCE REGISTER FAQs

YAA’s Dance Conservatory is an award-winning OVERNIGHT training program which includes daily versatile class offerings (Jazz Technique, Ballet, Tap, Strength & Conditioning, Theater Dance + more), seminars, and workshops (Auditioning, Injury Prevention, + more), all culminating in a final showcase. 

This program is an ideal supplemental training opportunity for prospective Junior Academy, Junior Conservatory, Senior Academy, and Senior Conservatory students. 

Open to rising 6th-12th graders and rising college freshmen.

Overview

Highlights

  • Each morning and afternoon will be spent in classes studying different styles of dance from master teachers.

  • Evenings will be devoted to learning choreography for the Final Showcase, as well as specialized workshops.

  • The culminating event will be a Final Showcase for friends and family, featuring:

    • Professional quality venue

    • Faculty-led choreography

    • Live audience of family and friends

    • Video of production will be captured and made available to friends and family.

2024 Dates

Program Dates:

Saturday, June 22 thru Thursday, June 27, 2024

  • All inclusive program, including:

    • Room and Board

    • Classes and Final Showcase

Deadlines:

Registration for the Dance Conservatory is due no later than Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT.

Classes

Dance Conservatory students will spend their mornings and afternoons in classes studying:

  • Jazz Technique (daily)

  • Ballet (daily)

  • Tap

  • Musical Theatre Dance

  • Strength & Conditioning

  • Modern / Contemporary

  • Commercial Jazz / Jazz Funk

  • …and more!

Plus workshops in:

  • Auditioning / Mock Auditions

  • Q&A: Inside the Industry, Dance/Musical Theatre as a Career

  • Injury & Prevention Seminar

Class sizes will remain small (14-16 students per class) to ensure personalized attention between teacher and students.

Final Showcase

The culminating event will be a Final Showcase at the UMBC Dance Cube.

Sample Schedule

Health & Wellness

The health, safety, and well-being of each student is our utmost priority.

YAA has a team of registered nurses on-site/on-call during our programs. We prioritize partnering with families to ensure that students are set up for success during their time in the program.

Families will be required to complete all health and prescription forms by the deadlines provided at registration.

Location

The Performing Arts & Humanities Building (PAHB) is a LEED Gold certified performing arts education center that opened in 2014 as the largest building on the UMBC campus, providing state-of-the-art facilities for the UMBC Departments of Theatre, Music, and Dance.

The PAHB houses multiple dance studios, a 250 seat Proscenium Theatre, 125 seat Black Box Theatre, two large rehearsal studios, design studios, costume shop, scene shop, dressing rooms, conference rooms, and classrooms.

The UMBC campus is conveniently located right of I-95, within 30 minutes from most of the DC/Baltimore metro areas. The campus is only a 10-minute drive from Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) airport and the BWI Amtrak and MARC train station, allowing easy access for those coming in from out of town.

Click here to take a walking tour of the UMBC Campus. Individual 360 tours of our dance spaces appear below.

Our Venues

  • Dance Cube

    World-class Dance Studio at 3,500 sq. ft featuring:

    • Two floor-to-ceiling glass walls with a view of downtown Baltimore in the distance

    • Basket-weave, sprung marley floor

    • Retractable risers that allow the space to be converted into a performance venue seating approximately 100 people.

    • Fully equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and AV system

  • Dance Technology Studio

    World-class Multimedia Dance Studio at 2,400 sq. ft. featuring:

    • Basket-weave sprung marley floor

    • Flexible theatrical lighting

    • AV system with surround sound

    • Large cyclorama and a green screen for video shoots

    • Used for dance classes, rehearsals, and projects involving internet streaming, multimedia, and other innovative technologies

  • Theatre Rehearsal Studio

    2,800 sq. ft. rehearsal studio featuring:

    • Basket-weave, sprung marley floor

    • Fully equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and AV system

Residential Life

  • Housing

    Conservatory students enjoy double dorm rooms in the Residence Halls at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

    Chesapeake Hall amenities include:

    • Air-conditioned double room with shared bathroom

    • Large common lounge on each residential floor

    • Wireless internet connections

    • 24-hour service desk

    • Laundry facility in each residence hall

    • Direct access to the True Grit’s Dining Hall

    Located a short walk from the Performing Arts & Humanities Building.

  • Dining

    Conservatory students will be provided three meals a day in True Grit’s Dining Hall, adjacent to the dorms.

    CLICK HERE to see a sample menu from True Grit’s Dining Hall.

Extracurricular Activities

When not in class or rehearsing for the production, Conservatory students will have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular recreational activities which may include:

  • Movie Night

    Grab the popcorn!

Staff & Faculty

  • Madeline Rodrigue

    Director of Dance

  • Maya Addie

    Teaching Artist

  • Ramita Ravi

    Teaching Artist

  • Bobby M. Davis

    Teaching Artist

  • Terry Eberhardt

    Director of SPAI

  • Paul Heinemann

    Assistant Director of SPAI, Junior Music Director

  • Karen Blake

    Camp Life Director

  • Kathryn Bailey

    Camp Administrator & Assistant Vocal Director

  • Jackie Bautista

    Production Manager

  • Wayne Allen

    Lead Counselor

  • Rolando Sanz

    Producing Artistic Director

Registration

All students are automatically accepted into the Conservatory program upon registration.

Students should register by May 1, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT to guarantee a spot in the program.

VIDEO AUDITIONS (for Placement):

All students are accepted into the program upon completion of registration. A video audition will be required after registration for class placement purposes only. Students who do not submit placement videos will be considered novices and placed accordingly.

  • Submit a video of you dancing in any style of your choice.

    • This can be a self-choreographed solo, an excerpt from a piece you’ve performed, or choreography from a recent class you’ve taken.

    • If you would like to feature more than one style, please combine footage into one video.

    • Videos must be 30 seconds at minimum and no longer than 90 seconds

Orientation

TBA Date: June 2024

MANDATORY Virtual Orientation for all participating students and families

  • Zoom link forthcoming to registered families.

Tuition

Early-Bird Discount: ($100 discount)

  • $1,895 (automatically applied at registration through January 31, 2024)

    • includes Room and Board

Regular Tuition:

  • $1,995 per two-week fully in-person session

    • includes Room and Board

Payment:

  • A deposit of $500 is due upon registration.

  • 2nd payment of half of the remaining balance is due by April 1, 2024 (non-refundable).

  • Final balance due on June 1, 2024 (non-refundable).

  • Alternative payment plans can be arranged by contacting info@yaa.org.

Tuition Includes:

  • Participation in the Dance Conservatory's Final Showcase

  • All classes, rehearsals, workshops, and social activities

  • Extended recreational activities,

  • A six-day summer overnight intensive experience that you won't soon forget!

Cancellation Policy: Should you need to withdraw from the program for any reason, please inform us in writing. If you have any funds due to you based on the above policy, we will return them immediately to the credit card on file in your account.

  • Students with a doctor-confirmed injury or illness, which requires leaving camp early, may receive a credit for days missed. Otherwise, there are no refunds for days or weeks that students cannot attend their program/s.

  • Substitutions – having another individual attend in the registered student's place – are not allowed. 

  • If, due to health and safety concerns, certain classes are required to shift from in-person to virtual, there will be no tuition refunds or adjustments. 

Tuition Assistance

Those who wish to be considered for a scholarship or financial aid need to submit an application to us no later than April 1, 2024. Best consideration for financial aid occurs by February 1, 2024.

  1. Please contact Lisa Larragoite at lisa@yaa.org for more information.

  2. Tuition Assistance is limited.

FAQs

  • Between daily classes and choreography rehearsals, You will be dancing 8-10 hours a day. This is an INTENSIVE after all!

    But fear not...we always keep your health and wellness as a main priority, and our faculty will scaffold the instruction in a way that will ensure your success, regardless of your experience.

    All students will leave the program with a newfound physical and mental stamina.

  • We have laid out best practices for a successful video audition on this page. We recommend you visit it before completing your Placement Audition.

  • As always, we will have a blueprint for success. Classes and choreography rehearsals will take place at the same intensive pace that students are used to from SPAI. We will always set every student up for success!

  • The Dance Cube at UMBC has a capacity of 100+ in the audience, so we will be able to accommodate your friends and family for the final showcase.

    The showcase will take place on the final day of the program in the Dance Cube at UMBC. Tickets will be made available through the UMBC Box Office to participants in the days leading up to the showcase.

Register Now