Kinetics Dance Theatre, School of Contemporary Dance (KDT) in Ellicott City, Maryland, is a non-profit organization devoted to the development of contemporary dance as a vital art form within the community through performance, education, and outreach. They offer dance classes for all ages and abilities, making dance as accessible to their community as possible. They offer a nurturing environment where all are welcome and strive to offer sound technique alongside artistry.
Kinetics Dance has a wide range of dance classes to choose from, including Ballet, Creative Dance, Modern Dance, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Tap, Repertory, Musical Theatre, Special Needs Classes, Choreography, Dance Improvisation & Partnering and Boys Dance Classes (Movement, Rhythm & Moves, and Hip Hop). They offer versions of most of these classes that are tailored for the very youngest dancers. Additionally, they offer Adult Dance Classes (Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Tap and Bollywood). Whether the adult student is a beginner, studied years ago, or is taking classes currently, there are classes available for them. They also have Fitness classes – Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, Pilates-Mat Class, Yogalates, Dance Fitness, and Barre Burn.
In the opinion of Becca Sigmund, School Manager, Kinetics Dance is most unique in the fact that they are based in modern dance and their classes are structured more in line with how college dance classes are structured. All of their faculty members are degreed instructors and they teach their students about the foundation of each dance style. For example, they teach their students about the various forms of technique such as Limón and Graham or Vaganova technique versus Balanchine style. They also teach body awareness and most of their instructors even integrate anatomy into the classroom!
Becca has had many moments that have made her incredibly proud. One of her favorite moments as a teacher is when she sees her students grow and develop a passion for dance. For Becca, it is especially rewarding to have them go off to college and to continue dancing in their lives. Whether they are pursing dance, enjoying classes, or attending shows, it feels amazing to Becca to see dance play an important role in their daily lives.
The biggest mistakes that Becca has seen dancers make is improper alignment. Proper alignment enables a stacking of the bones and helps keep the muscles balanced. If the alignment is off, dancers will struggle through balances and turns, not to mention the high risk of injury that comes with improper alignment.
Becca’s primary goal this year is to continue with the progress they made last year. Their 
studio experienced a 30 percent growth last year and the quality of training has really stepped up. They are continuing to improve upon their curriculum so that their dancers are receiving the best possible dance education.
When Becca first started dancing, Leslie Nolte, director of Nolte Academy of Dance, was the one who inspired her to want to someday run her own studio. Leslie had incredible energy, enthusiasm, and passion for what she did and Becca has always looked up to her. Leslie had a way of igniting passion within her students and provided incredible opportunities for them that Becca will remember for a lifetime.
Kinetics Dance Theatre’s Performing Companies reach out to the community through performances and workshops, both in house and in the community at schools, senior centers, dance concerts, festivals and civic events. The Professional Company is comprised of Kinetics Dance Theatre staff and instructors as well as former Kinetics dancers and students from the surrounding area. Kinetics Dance Theatre’s Student and Senior Companies are comprised of talented and dedicated young dancers intermediate through advanced ability that are looking for opportunities to perform in the communities.
Kinetics Dance Company is a professional contemporary dance team that performs in Howard County, the greater mid-Atlantic region and the Baltimore/DC area. The company strives to connect with audiences through its major concert work which features exceptional and varied performances. They present a Family Concert Series every year that is geared specifically towards young people in order to introduce them to dance through story-telling. Kinetics Dance Company led by Artistic Director Lauren Snyder is home to fourteen professional dancers. .
In addition to the professional company, Kinetics Dance has four student companies (Kinetic Kids, Junior Company, Senior Company, and Apprentice Company) which are comprised of dancers in the 4th through 12th grades. Participation in the company requires a commitment to class and rehearsal beyond normal class requirements . Membership is for dancers who wish to hone their performance and technique skills. They have the opportunity to work with different choreographers in diverse dance genres, attend the annual Howard County Community Dance Festival which consists of a weekend of master classes and performances, take part in an informal student choreography showcase, perform at various venues in the community and in Company productions, and also to have their work featured in the Kinetics End-of-the-Year showcase.
If you would like more information about Kinetics Dance Theatre, visit their website at kineticsdance.org, call them at (410) 480-1686 or email them at school@kineticsdance.org. You can also “Like” them on Facebook.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Becca Sigmund of Kinetics Dance Theatre, School of Contemporary Dance.
