Maryland Youth Ballet in Silver Spring, MD: Premier Ballet Training for All Ages

Maryland Youth Ballet Introduce

For over 50 years, the Maryland Youth Ballet (MYB) has been a cornerstone of the arts community in Silver Spring and the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. As a premier school of classical ballet, MYB is committed to providing the highest caliber of training and performance opportunities to young dancers, preparing them for a career in the performing arts. However, its mission is far broader, encompassing a deep dedication to providing top-tier classes for dancers of all ages and levels in the community. The studio is a welcoming and inclusive space, known for its commitment to creating a safe environment where everyone can feel comfortable learning to dance, regardless of their background or body type. The positive and nurturing atmosphere, combined with professional instruction, makes MYB a truly special place to begin or continue your dance journey. The studio’s reputation for excellence is not just limited to its youth programs; it also boasts one of the largest and most well-regarded adult dance programs in the region.

The Maryland Youth Ballet is conveniently located at 926 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910, placing it in a bustling, central area that is easy to access for residents across Maryland and the D.C. region. The location in Downtown Silver Spring offers students and their families proximity to various dining, shopping, and entertainment options. MYB is dedicated to accessibility, offering a wheelchair-accessible car park, a wheelchair-accessible entrance, and a wheelchair-accessible toilet, ensuring that everyone can comfortably visit the facility. The studio’s commitment to being an LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe space further reinforces its inclusive philosophy, making it a welcoming place for a diverse community of dancers. The central location is well-served by public transportation and is easily reachable by car, with various parking options available nearby, making it a practical choice for regular lessons and visits.

Maryland Youth Ballet offers a comprehensive range of services for both youth and adult dancers, with a strong focus on classical ballet, but also including complementary classes.

Services Offered:

Youth Programs: MYB provides a structured curriculum for children and teens, starting from Early Dance (ages 2-5) and progressing through its Academy levels for more serious students. The training is designed to build a strong foundation in classical ballet and prepare students for potential professional careers.
Adult Dance Program: One of the largest of its kind, the adult program offers a variety of classes for all levels. From "Intro to Ballet I" for absolute beginners to "Intermediate Ballet" for experienced dancers, there is a class for everyone's needs and goals.
Live Piano Accompaniment: A unique feature of many of MYB's ballet classes is the presence of a live pianist, which enhances the learning experience by providing a dynamic and musical atmosphere.
Specialized Classes: In addition to ballet, the adult program offers classes like "Stretch" and "Floor Barre®," which are designed to improve flexibility, alignment, and overall body awareness, benefiting dancers and non-dancers alike.
Online and On-site Classes: To provide maximum flexibility, MYB offers both on-site, in-studio classes and online virtual classes, allowing students to learn from anywhere.
Performance Opportunities: For youth students, the school provides opportunities to perform in productions like the annual "Nutcracker," offering invaluable stage experience.
Studio Rentals: MYB makes its state-of-the-art studio spaces available for rental to external parties, providing a valuable resource to the wider dance and arts community.

The Maryland Youth Ballet’s reputation is built on a number of features and highlights that make it a premier institution for dance education.

Features and Highlights:

Professional Faculty: The faculty and musicians are among the finest in the country, many of whom have had successful professional careers themselves. This ensures that students receive top-tier, knowledgeable instruction.
High-Quality Adult Program: The adult program is particularly praised for its variety of levels, which is a rare find in the dance world. It offers a structured and progressive path for adult dancers to grow.
Inclusive and Welcoming Environment: The studio's commitment to being an LGBTQ+ friendly, transgender safe space, and a place that is accepting of all body types, makes it a truly inclusive and encouraging place for all to learn and express themselves.
Live Music: The use of live piano accompaniment in most ballet classes is a significant highlight, providing a richer, more authentic learning experience for students.
Accessibility: With wheelchair-accessible amenities and a variety of online classes, MYB is dedicated to making dance accessible to as many people as possible.
"Good for Kids": The youth program is highly regarded for its ability to train young dancers, fostering discipline, a strong work ethic, and a lifelong love for the art form.
Payment Convenience: The acceptance of both credit and debit cards makes payment for classes simple and convenient.

To enroll in a class or for more information about the Maryland Youth Ballet, you can contact the studio directly.

Contact Information:

Address: 926 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
Phone: (301) 608-2232

What is truly worth choosing about Maryland Youth Ballet is its unique combination of professional-level training and a deeply inclusive, community-oriented approach. While there may be occasional issues with rental management, as noted in one review, these seem to be separate from the core, high-quality instruction that defines the studio's main purpose. The most compelling reason to choose MYB is the caliber of its programs, particularly for adults. Finding a dance studio that offers tiered levels of adult ballet classes, from "Intro I" to "Intermediate," is a rare gem. This structured approach allows adult dancers to truly progress and challenge themselves, rather than being confined to a single, broad "adult ballet" class. The studio’s commitment to creating a welcoming atmosphere for all body types, as praised by a long-time student, is incredibly valuable in the often-judgmental world of dance. The presence of live piano music in classes elevates the experience, connecting students to the art form in a way that recorded music cannot. For families, the "good for kids" designation and the professional-level training for young dancers provide a clear path for artistic and personal growth. Choosing MYB means investing in an institution with a long-standing history of excellence, a stellar faculty, and a community that values every individual's journey. It's a place where you can not only learn ballet but also feel celebrated and supported every step of the way.

Maryland Youth Ballet Details

Service options
Online classes
On-site services

Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Maryland Youth Ballet Photos

Maryland Youth Ballet Location

Maryland Youth Ballet

Maryland Montgomery County Silver Spring Downtown Silver Spring Ellsworth Drive

926 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA

Maryland Youth Ballet Reviews

An average rating of ★4.5 from 68 user reviews.

classestrainingadult

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I've been taking classes at Maryland Youth Ballet (MYB) for over 9 years. While I cannot comment on the kids' classes, I can say that they have a wonderful adult program! It can be hard to find dance studios that have adult classes and the ones that do will often have a single-level "Adult Ballet." The best part about MYB is that they have different levels of classes so you can find something that fits your needs and goals. They have Intro I classes for adults who have never done ballet before all the way up to Intermediate level classes for the most experienced dancers. They used to have an Advanced level but those classes are not offered right now. Most ballet classes at MYB are accompanied by live piano music!The adult program at MYB is inclusive of dancers of all body types. Having dealt with body image issues in the past, I never once felt shamed for not having the typical 'ballet body.' MYB is not strict about dress for adults either -- you can wear yoga pants, t shirts, shorts, etc. You don't need to wear a leotard and tights or even have ballet slippers. Some adult students prefer to dance in socks.My only word of caution for adults new to the studio is that Susan's Beginner II classes are VERY challenging for Beginner II. Those classes are more on par with the Intermediate level. That could be great if you are an Intermediate-level dancer but not if you are looking for a more traditional Beginner II experience. If you would like a true Beginner II class, then I recommend Julie's Beginner II or Susan's Beginner I (which is challenging for Beginner I but appropriate if you are looking for Beginner II).
May 19 · Christina Cole
I had a very disappointing experience with this rental management, specially Keri. I reached out for over three weeks, but the communication was inconsistent—what they said in emails often contradicted their phone calls. Even though they had available spaces, they seemed unwilling to rent to me. The overall customer service was poor, and I felt there was a lack of professionalism and potential discrimination. I would rate this experience poorly and cannot recommend them.
January 23 · Sam Mariye
We just started here and were very impressed at the beginning of our experience. There is an audition for girls who have danced prior to registering. It consisted of an anatomical 'check' which was done in front of a parent to check that they had ankles, hips, and feet that would be proper for ballet. This consists of asking the child to perform certain body movements. You cannot register until they make sure their program is safe for your child. They also accurately placed my girls in the correct class for their ability and age. Account set up was confusing for me but the ladies at the front desk were extremely helpful and polite! Something rare in customer service these days. I am especially happy to see a diverse group of children in the classes! Before I registered here, another parent left MYB feeling like the other parents were snobby and that there was little parent involvement. She mentioned that only nannies showed up to the end-of-year showcases. Nothing could be further from that, as I have seen very dedicated parents working very hard to make MYB a successful place. Finally, the parents are approachable and like their children, represent different parts of our community.
October 05 · Virginia Canchola-Deason
Had a fantastic time taking introductory adult classes here. It's a chill, encouraging environment and paced according to your experience level. Shoutout to the Monday night Intro 2 crew for struggling through piqué turns with me, and the best teacher Lisae for such a positive experience!
September 01 · Kate Yeo
So much talent in one place! If you are looking for exceptional ballet training, this is the place to go! The staff is amazing! They meet each dancer where they are and help them grow. They also are an amazing community. All of the teachers and alumni are always willing to help the current dancers. They are a wealth of advice and information!
September 18 · Nicole Konstantopoulos