Young ballet dancers practicing stretches and poses in a spacious dance studio with wooden floors, large windows, and a red curtain stage at the back.

Preliminary Schedule for

Fall 2025/Spring 2026

Children and adults gathered in a spacious room with wooden floors, participating in a dance or activity, some wearing masks, with drums at the front.

Discover creativity and self-expression Develop critical thinking and technique Demonstrate talent and confidence

for ages 3 - 18 and above

ballet, modern dance choreography acting, drama, improvisation
African drumming poetry, play writing video film

FALL SEMESTER 2025 - 2026

Starts September 15.
Schedule is subject to change.


Modern dance, ballet, and choreography

Maya MW, Jasmine Eden, and other guests

Drumming Djembe, Dun Dun

M’ ten Halsey, Will Pew, Maya MW, Reggie Workman, and guests

Drama, acting, podcast, and film

Ayana Workman, Maya MW, and guests

Monday
Students in a modern dance class
Modern Dance 2: Exploration & Choreography
Ages 7-10 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
+

In this dynamic class, students learn steps and become creators. We explore Quality of movement, space, directions, and visual art, through a blend of modern dance, improvisation, choreography and foundational ballet. Young dancers will build confidence by choreographing their own pieces, developing technique and leadership skills, and learning to think critically and creatively. It's a joyful approach to dance as a form of self-expression! This fall we will introduce work in pairs and groups.

Pairs well with Drama 1 or Djembe 2.

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Dancers improvising
Modern Dance 3: Technique & Improvisation & Choreography
Ages 9-18 | 5:00 PM - 6:25 PM
+

+Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham, Rudolph Laban, and Jose Lemon, this class challenges students to explore complex movement patterns, spatial awareness, labanotation, the meaning through dance, time and timing. Dancers will delve into visual art as a source of inspiration, practice choreographing solos and group pieces, and master the power of improvisation. We foster independent thought and collaborative creation in a supportive, artistic environment.

Pairs well with Drama 3 or Djembe 3.

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Ballet dancers at the barre
Intermediate Ballet
Ages 11+ | 6:25 PM - 7:30 PM
+

Dancers will refine technique and artistry. We focus and emphasize proper body alignment, building strength at the barre, and executing intermediate combinations in the center and across the floor. From elegant and demanding adagio to exciting grand allegro, and jumps, this class is essential for any serious dancer looking to build a strong technical foundation.

Also offered on Thursdays.

Pairs well with Djembe 4, Drama 3, and Modern Dance 4.

Register Now
Tuesday
Young children dancing
Creative Movement: Story & Ballet
Ages 3-5.5 | 3:30 PM - 4:10 PM
+

Where imagination meets movement for the youngest team! Through enchanting stories and imaginary journeys, our youngest dancers discover the joy of creative expression. They’ll learn foundational movements like hops, skips, placement of the arms, and pliés. They will be exploring who they are in the space, relate to their friends, and how to move together and create delightful movement stories. It's the perfect, playful start to a lifelong love of dance, music, storytelling, and visual art.

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Pairs well with Djembe 1 or Djembe 2.

Children doing pre-ballet
Dancers stretching
Ballet & Stretch for All
Ages 9-18+ | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
+

Whether you're a dancer, actor, or musician, this class is for you. We focus on building the foundational strength, flexibility, and core alignment that is essential for any performing artist. Improve your posture, prevent injuries, and gain a deeper understanding of your body in this welcoming and highly beneficial class.

Pairs well with Modern 3, Drama 1 and 3, and Djembe 2, 3, 4.

Register Now
Advanced modern dancers
Modern Dance 4: Choreography & Performance
Ages 12-18 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
+

For the advanced dancer ready to find their artistic voice. This pre-professional class dives deep to direct, choreograph, and lead. We explore dance as a powerful form of communication and cognitive exchange, preparing students for the future of any contemporary performance.

Pairs well with Drama 3, Modern 3, Djembe 4, Intermediate Ballet.

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Thursday
Children in a drama class
Drama 1: Theatre Games & Playmaking
Ages 7-9 | 3:50 PM - 4:45 PM
+

Let's put on a theater study! Through exhilarating theater games, vocal exercises, and scene work, every student finds their voice and unleashes their creativity. Young actors/movers will collaborate and write/perform their own short scene study/play, while building incredible confidence and critical thinking skills in the process.

A perfect companion to Modern Dance 2.

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Teens in a physical theatre class
Drama 3: Physical Theatre & Shakespeare
Ages 10-18 | 4:45 PM - 6:15 PM
+

This is where drama gets dynamic. Students explore the powerful connection between movement and acting through physical theatre exercises, Laban work, improvisation, Method, and text work. This semester, we'll tackle the timeless drama of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. We will also write our own original plays and developing podcast segments. Confidence doesn't just grow here—it explodes.

Pairs well with Modern Dance 3 or 4.

Register Now
Dancers stretching
Ballet & Stretching
Ages 9-18+ | 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
+

Whether you're a dancer, actor, or musician, this class is for you. We focus on building the foundational strength, flexibility, and core alignment that is essential for any performing artist. Improve your posture, prevent injuries, and gain a deeper understanding of your body in this welcoming and highly beneficial class.

Pairs well with Modern 3, Drama 1 and 3, and Djembe 2, 3, 4.

Register Now
Intermediate Ballet
Ages 11+ | 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM
+

Dancers will refine technique and artistry. We focus and emphasize proper body alignment, building strength at the barre, and executing intermediate combinations in the center and across the floor. From elegant and demanding adagio to exciting grand allegro, and jumps, this class is essential for any serious dancer looking to build a strong technical foundation.

Also offered on Mondays.

Pairs well with Djembe 4, Drama 3, and Modern Dance 4.

Register Now
Friday - African Drumming

MOVED to: Unitarian Church, 47 Church Street, Montclair, NJ 07042

Young children with a djembe drum
Djembe 1, Rhythm, Rhymes
Ages 4.5-6 | 3:50 PM - 4:20 PM
+

Feel the beat! Our youngest drummers learn the basics of the djembe through fun, rhythmic poems and stories. We introduce foundational African rhymes like Kuku and Funga, helping students create their own rhythms and discover the joy of making music together.

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Djembe 2, Poetry & Movement
Ages 6-9 | 4:20 PM - 5:10 PM
+

Students dive deeper into the world of West African drumming, learning rhythms like Kuku, Funga, and N’Kwanga. This class combines the power of the drum with movement and poetry, allowing students to create their own beats and express themselves through a full-body musical experience.

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Group of teens playing djembe and dundun drums
Djembe 3, Creative Collaborations
Ages 9-13 | 5:10 PM - 6:10 PM
+

Drummers in this class begin to master their Djembe and DunDun skills while creating their own original musical concepts. Students learn complex African rhythms, discovering the incredible benefits of drumming for focus, emotional regulation, and teamwork. It's a powerful and fun way to build musical literacy.

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Drumming performance ensemble
Djembe 4: Performance Ensemble
Ages 11-18+ | 6:10 PM - 7:15 PM
+

Join our amazing performance ensemble led by the spectacular M’Ten Halsey! This advanced class is for dedicated students who want to master complex rhythms and perform. We focus on perseverance, leadership, and understanding music as a whole. Commitment is key as we prepare for exciting performance opportunities!

Parents are welcome to join!

Register Now
Four children playing African drums outdoors in front of a brick building.

“Untitled”

A short film written, directed, and edited by

Students from the 2023/24 Drama 3 class

and Eleanor Fitzgerald

Stylized white handwritten text on a black background reading 'Immortal'. It is the logo for the documentary.

We are creating a feature-length documentary about Madlom’s co-founder, Reggie Workman, a NEA Jazz Master, Guggenheim and Doris Duke award recipient, and a legendary bassist, who is also Madlom’s guest educator.

“It was clear how dedicated the kids were and how much work went into the whole thing. My husband was just blown away by what the kids can do.”

— Katherine Wandersee (Parent)