Morton Street Dance Center

Morton Street Dance Center offers comprehensive dance training for students ages 2 through adult across a range of disciplines. The studio teaches ballet, pointe, pre-pointe, modern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, African dance, acrobatics, contemporary, and musical theatre. For the youngest students (ages 2–5), the program begins with creative movement and pre-dance, introducing foundational concepts through ballet, modern, and contemporary. Older dancers progress through technical training with instruction in classical technique, floor work, and movement dynamics.

The studio operates two distinct pathways: the Professional Program (September through May) provides consistent, progressive training culminating in an annual concert, while the Enrichment Program offers flexible 6–8 week courses year-round for dancers exploring dance or training at varying experience levels. Students with exceptional dedication may be invited to join the Repertory Ensemble Program or Conservatory, which provide advanced performance experience, collaborative ensemble work, and additional production opportunities throughout the year, including performances at venues within Baltimore and throughout Maryland.

The faculty brings extensive expertise. Donna L. Jacobs has led the studio for over 30 years and its resident company, Full Circle Dance Company, for more than two decades. She is a School of American Ballet National Visiting Fellow and Certified Teacher of Progressive Ballet Technique. Additional faculty include Jill Vasbinder Morrison (BA Barnard College, MFA SUNY Purchase), who teaches dance studies at UMBC and has taught ballet, modern, composition, ballroom, Latin and swing since 1995; Diedre Nyota Dawkins, a 2003 NYC Bessie Award winner for outstanding dance performance and 2016 recipient of the President Obama Lifetime Achievement Award; and Algernon Campbell, who trained at Ballethnic Academy of Dance and completed the Alvin Ailey Certificate Program, having performed with companies including Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Other instructors include Nyah Banks (BFA contemporary dance, University of North Carolina School of the Arts), Moniq Bevans (BFA Dance Theatre, American Musical and Dramatic Academy), Emily Wampler (studying at Towson University for BFA Dance Performance and Choreography), and Camille Weanquoi (graduate of Harlem School of the Arts and University of North Carolina at Greensboro).

Private lessons are available in most disciplines and are customized for individual goals—whether improving technique, building confidence, learning choreography, or preparing for auditions at institutions like the Baltimore School for the Arts, George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology, college and university programs, professional company auditions, or summer intensives. Adult classes include Beginner Jazz Fitness, Modern (Beginner & Intermediate), Ballet (Beginner & Intermediate), Full Circle Dance Company Open Class (advanced), Silver Swans Ballet (ages 50+), and Yoga. The studio is located at 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Suite 108 and is open Monday–Thursday 11am–5pm, Friday 11am–5:30pm, and Saturday 9:30am–2:30pm.

New students can book a complimentary class pass or tour. Classes are age-appropriate and developmental, with instruction designed to establish strong fundamentals and confidence. The Professional Program runs September through May with structured training and performance preparation, while Enrichment courses offer flexible 6–8 week formats. Students are expected to follow the studio dress code, including required leotard colours by level, sun-tan convertible tights, and appropriate footwear for each discipline.

The studio is led by founder Donna L. Jacobs (34+ years at MSDC), a School of American Ballet National Visiting Fellow and Certified Teacher of Progressive Ballet Technique. Faculty includes Jill Vasbinder Morrison (BA Barnard, MFA SUNY Purchase, teaching dance studies at UMBC), Diedre Nyota Dawkins (2003 NYC Bessie Award winner, President Obama Lifetime Achievement Award recipient), Algernon Campbell (Alvin Ailey Certificate Program graduate, experienced with companies including Dallas Black Dance Theatre), Nyah Banks (BFA UNC School of the Arts), Moniq Bevans (BFA Dance Theatre AMDA), Emily Wampler (Towson University BFA Dance Performance candidate), and Camille Weanquoi (Harlem School of the Arts scholarship recipient, UNC Greensboro graduate).

Yes. The studio welcomes dancers at all stages of their journey; beginners receive thoughtful instruction designed to establish strong fundamentals, confidence, and a positive relationship with dance.