Boys Class
CALLING ALL BOYS WHO LOVE TO MOVE!
READY TO TRY A BOYS-ONLY DANCE CLASS?
Looking for a positive, powerful outlet for your son’s energy, creativity, and confidence?
Introducing EMC’s Boys’ Dance Classes—designed specifically for young male dancers who want to move, explore, and discover what they’re capable of.
These classes introduce the fundamentals of ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and acro in an environment built just for boys: supportive, engaging, and full of momentum.
Whether your child is brand-new to dance or simply curious to give it a try, this is the perfect place to start.
TWO Inspiring Class Options
1. BOYS’ TECHNIQUE (AGES 8+)
Mondays • 5:00–6:00 PM • Starting the week of Jan 5
Led by the extraordinary Christian Richards, this class offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from a male teacher with a distinguished professional career and decades of experience nurturing young artists. Mr. Richards has danced with companies including Nevada Ballet Theatre and Ohio Ballet, and has helped shape nationally recognized programs from Texas to Baltimore.
WHY A MALE-LED CLASS MATTERS
Representation matters—especially for young boys exploring dance.
Having a strong, artistic male role model in the room helps dancers see what’s possible. Mr. Richards brings not only deep expertise, but also mentorship, passion, and a teaching style that resonates with boys, helping them feel empowered, challenged, and inspired.
This class strengthens technique, builds confidence, and fosters resilience, while creating a sense of community and camaraderie—a place where boys can grow together and support each other.
2. MOVEMENT FOR BOYS (AGES 5–7)
Saturdays • 9:30–10:30 AM • Starting the week of Jan 5
High-energy. Action-packed. Designed just for boys.
Taught by EMC’s Tap Director and proud “boy-mom,” Elisabeth Simmons, this class channels big energy into music, movement, and skill-building.
Boys will explore AcroGymnastics, jazz, tap, and plenty of fun, fast-paced activities to keep them engaged and excited from start to finish.
We know boys this age learn best when they’re moving, experimenting, and competing in healthy ways—so we’ve built a class that meets them exactly where they are. With energetic transitions, friendly challenges, and lots of creativity and silliness, dancers gain coordination, strength, focus, and confidence.
READY TO GIVE IT A TRY?
Email [email protected] to learn more.
Book your FREE TRIAL CLASS.
Let’s help boys discover the joy of movement and build something inspiring together.
About Christian Richards
Mr. Richards began his ballet training in 1991 at the University of Oklahoma under the tutelage of Mary-Margaret Holt, Dennis Poole, and Stephen Jenkins, where, in 1993, he was awarded the Yvonne Chouteau Award for Outstanding Ballet Dancer.
Mr. Richards went on to dance professionally with Ballet Oklahoma, Nevada Ballet Theater as a soloist, and Ohio Ballet. He also guested for multiple companies, including Ballet Arkansas, Norman Ballet, Cleveland-San Jose Ballet, and Ft. Worth-Dallas Ballet.
Upon retiring, Mr. Richards attended Southern Methodist University, obtaining a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree in Choreographic Theory and Practice.
Following graduation in 2001, he taught all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth area before being named Chair of the Community College of Baltimore County dance department in 2005. Under his guidance, the program received national accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Dance, the first community college to ever do so. It was named by Dancer Magazine in 2008 as one of the nation’s top 3 community college dance programs.
Upon leaving CCBC in 2010, Mr. Richards taught at Interlochen Academy of the Arts in Michigan for a year and a half as Guest Artist in Residence before moving to Seattle and teaching all over the Puget Sound.
In 2012 he became the founding Artistic Director of INCEPTION Dance Theater, the first company-in-residence at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Mr. Richards served as the Acting Executive Director for Virginia Ballet Company and School, School Coordinator for Seber Method Academy in DC, and faculty at the Academy of Russian Ballet in Herndon, Virginia.
He currently teaches ballet and coaches at The Moving Company in Timonium and E-Street Dance Academy in Edgewood. Mr. Richards resides in northern Baltimore City with his wonderful wife, Mary Jo, and three kitties.
About Elisabeth Simmons
Elisabeth is a “home grown” EMC Dancer. She began her journey with EMC in the Technique Program in 2003 and graduated in 2010. Throughout these early EMC years, Elisabeth took on assisting roles, which led to her leading and instructing her own classes by 2006.
Elisabeth continued teaching with EMC through her undergraduate college years, eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Millersville University in 2014.
After graduation, Elisabeth began her teaching career in public education and earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership. With her return to the Shrewsbury/New Freedom area, Elisabeth is returning to EMC ready to share her love of dance (with a focus on tap) with the EMC family.
Corinne graduated with honors at The Baptist College of Florida with a Bachelor of Music Education in the Spring of 2022. As a child, she studied music, dance, art, and gymnastics at EMC and is very excited to return to the music academy as an instructor!
Maddie is a senior at Susquehannock High School and started her performing arts journey just last year. Before then, her focus was basketball starting at the age of 5 and playing through her freshman year. After discovering her passion for theater, she began taking vocal lessons at EMC in March of 2021. Maddie was also a member of show choir and theater dance. She has been in both musical productions of Annie Jr. and Aladdin Jr. at EMC. At school, Maddie participated in both band and choir and is looking forward to joining her school’s theater program.
Hayden grew up around music, becoming a very versatile performer. His study began at age 6, taking drum lessons with his father James McGarvey. Currently a freshman at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Hayden studies classical percussion with Don Liuzzi of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Robert van Sice, and Eric Millstein. With these teachers, he studies timpani, snare drum, marimba, xylophone, hand drums and multi-percussion. Other disciplines he is learning at Curtis include piano, music theory, music history, ear training, singing and chamber music. While attending Susquehannock High School, Hayden became a very successful percussionist for PMEA honors groups. On top of numerous district and regional festivals, he performed two years in the PMEA state orchestra, as well as one year in the National All-Eastern Wind Ensemble. During High School he performed with the jazz band, pep band, marching band, orchestra, and wind ensemble. Hayden also attended the renowned Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in 2019 where he played as principal percussionist in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to classical percussion, Hayden is well versed in drum set playing, previously studying with his father and Tench Tillman. He currently studies drum set with John Riley of the Manhattan School of Music, and has played in various settings such as jazz combos, jazz big bands, rock bands, duos and recording sessions. Hayden can be heard on Brendan Wiencek’s debut album Endless Bonds, as well as his latest single, Second Base. Hayden is very excited to pass on his knowledge and passion for music to his students at EMC.
Emily Runkle
Carly Faye After dancing professionally and teaching in NYC for 10 years, Carly Faye has returned to her hometown of Baltimore, MD. She has been training dancers in Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Modern, Lyrical, Street Jazz, Tap and Ballet for over 15 years. She firmly believes dance is for every BODY, and wants to instill a love of movement in all of her students. She believes in process over product, and hopes all of her students learn to love hard work. Carly Faye has also served as an Adjudicator and Master Teacher with Starquest International, Spotlight Dance Cup, and Impact Dance Adjudicators. Carly Faye, with her sister Hannah Mae, currently co-hosts, “Count Me In: A Dance and Education Podcast” where they discuss dance, education, and so much more. They have in depth conversations with working artists, educators, writers, producers, from all over the world about their experience in dance and education. She finds this platform to be the perfect opportunity to continue to educate herself and others on the dance world, teaching strategies, and the importance of arts education. The podcast has proven to make her a better educator and human.
