North Beach, Maryland
North Beach School of Dance
Let Us Help You Find The Dancer Within.
Dance classes in ballet, contemporary, musical theater, tap and jazz, right here on the Chesapeake Bay.
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Classes
Six ways to dance
Classical Ballet
The traditional foundation of dance, focused on posture, line, and graceful, controlled movement.
Pre-Ballet
A gentle introduction to ballet for the youngest dancers, built around music, movement, and fun.
Contemporary
An expressive style that blends technique with freedom of movement and personal interpretation.
Musical Theater
Dance inspired by the stage and Broadway, where movement helps tell a story.
Tap
A rhythmic style where the dancer's shoes become the instrument.
Jazz
Energetic and upbeat, with sharp moves, turns, and leaps set to lively music.
Our foundation
The Vaganova Method
The studio teaches ballet through the Vaganova Method, Agrippina Vaganova’s system from St. Petersburg, regarded as the world standard for ballet instruction.
Every movement involves the whole body, developing a strong lower back, expressive arms and lasting endurance. Its graded syllabus gives each dancer time to master the basic forms before moving on to more demanding steps.
The result is dancing that is precise and clean, with strength and elegance in equal measure.
Productions
On Stage
Let Us Help You Find The Dancer Within.
Our story
Rooted in classical ballet
Our vision is a complete program of physical, emotional and artistic support. We offer training for professional careers and recreational enjoyment alike.
Abigail Francisco founded the school in 1986 as the Abigail Francisco School of Classical Ballet. She led it for 37 years and stepped down as Artistic Director in June 2023.
In 2022 it became North Beach School of Dance, carrying its classical foundation forward while offering a wider range of styles.
Today Rebecca "Becky" Arden, a former student of the school, serves as Executive Director.
In the studio
What to Wear
For all classes, wear plain leotards without decorations and no jewelry except post earrings. Arrive in uniform with hair done and street clothes over your dancewear. Dance shoes are never worn outside.
- Ballet
- Black leotard and pink tights, the school colors. Pre-Ballet I may wear a muted color. Hair in a bun with a hair net, no “donuts.”
- Vaganova levels
- Black camisole leotard, pink tights and canvas shoes with ribbons. Hair in a bun with a hair net, no “donuts.”
- Jazz
- Black leotard and jazz shoes.
- Tap
- Black leotard, pink tights and tap shoes appropriate to the level.
- Musical Theater
- Black leotard. Boys wear a black T-shirt and jazz pants.
- Contemporary
- Black leotard. The teacher determines which shoes to wear.
- Adults
- Loose, all-black workout clothes.
Tuition
Tuition & Fees
Tuition runs September to May and scales with hours danced per week. It is paid in four installments, due September 1, November 1, January 1 and March 1. The second child’s tuition receives a 10% discount.
Registration
- Per person
- $30
- Per family
- $50
Private lessons
- 30 minutes
- $40
- 60 minutes
- $70
- 90 minutes
- $95
Semi-private lessons
Per student
- 60 minutes
- $55
- 90 minutes
- $85
Drop-in
Former students
- 1 hour
- $15
- 1.5 hours
- $20
Spring production
- Per participant
- $290
- Costume, each
- $95
Summer camps
- Registration
- $25
- 1-hour camps
- $110
- 1.5-hour camps
- $145
- 2-hour camps
- $199
Additional fees
- Late payment, after a 5-day grace period
- $25
- Returned checks
- $30
- Card payments by phone or online
- $4
- Address
- 4110 3rd St, North Beach, MD 20714
- Phone
- 301-855-0282
- Current website
- northbeachschoolofdance.com