About Our Dance Companies
Taneytown Dance Center offers an opportunity for dancers seeking experience and training in pre-professional performing dance companies.
Our companies do not compete in dance circuits but instead perform at various venues and events throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania and beyond, with a focus on giving back to the community through dance.
Our 2022-2023 Company Members
Performing Company Levels
The Performing Companies of Taneytown Dance Center range from elementary-aged dancers through college level. They are dedicated to the pursuit of more intensive instruction in dance, as well as developing their character to use their talents to serve the community at large.
In addition to their weekly company rehearsals, members of each level are required to enroll in a ballet technique class appropriate for their skill. All company members are encouraged to also expand their abilities in other genres by taking additional classes as their schedules permit.*
Principal Dancers
DIRECTRICE – Mrs. Kimberly McCord-Golliday
The Principal Dancers of Taneytown Dance Center are appointed by invitation by the Directrice.
Our Principal dancers have a rigorous role in all of our performances throughout the year, as well as the Spring Recital. Principal dancers often receive invitations to perform in community fundraising events and notable master classes.
The invitation to become a Principal dancer offers an opportunity for dancers to continue training and performing, even after they have graduated from traditional dance instruction levels, and accommodates the demanding college and work schedules these dancers face.
Principal members are commonly 17+; however, company placement is determined based on ability rather than age, so ages will vary.
Senior Company
COMPANY DIRECTOR – Miss Cara Hunter
Our Senior Company dancers work along with their director and guest choreographers, learning more complex choreography and multiple performance pieces in short amounts of time. Building upon their earlier foundations in dance, they dive deeper into various genres of dance and the history behind where they started by visiting the choreography process of artists from Lester Horton (Alvin Ailey) to Bob Fosse (All That Jazz, Cabaret), and others.
*In addition to company rehearsal and an advanced ballet technique class, members of Senior Company are required to enroll in a minimum of one additional class in any genre to remain eligible for Company.
Senior Company members are commonly ages 15-18; however, company placement is determined based on ability rather than age, so ages will vary.
Junior Company
COMPANY DIRECTOR – Miss Cara Hunter
Junior Company dancers are more aware of their body placement and have a greater understanding and use of technique. The expectation to learn and perform clean choreography in a short amount of time becomes higher in Junior Company as their director strives to prepare dancers for a successful audition to the next level and the demands of more performance opportunities.
*In addition to company rehearsal and an advanced ballet technique class, members of Junior Company are required to enroll in a minimum of one additional class in any genre to remain eligible for Company.
Junior Company members are commonly upper middle school-aged through high school students; however, company placement is determined based on ability rather than age, so ages will vary.
Apprentice Company
COMPANY DIRECTOR – Mrs. Kimberly McCord-Golliday
Apprentice Company members are commonly ages 10-13; however, company placement is determined based on ability rather than age, so ages may vary.
Prep Company
COMPANY DIRECTOR – Miss Jayce Schwartzbeck
Prep Company members join by invitation only.
Invitations are based on the recommendation of previous teachers as well as exhibiting the dedication to pursue more intense instruction, and maturity to receive correction in form and expression.
Prep Company performs throughout the year at community events as well as performing in all shows of our Spring Recital.
Members of the Prep Company are commonly elementary-aged dancers.
Are you ready to become a Dance Company member?
Dancers interested in auditioning are encouraged to talk to their current teacher(s) and/or the Company Director regarding requirements and recommendations:
2020-2022 Company Directors:
Principal Dancers and Apprentice Company, Miss Kim: dance@taneytowndancecenter.com
Junior and Senior Companies, Miss Cara: cara@taneytowndancecenter.com
Prep Company, Miss Jayce: jayce@taneytowndancecenter.com