Maryland Youth Ballet
Maryland Youth Ballet, 926 Ellsworth Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910
About
Maryland Youth Ballet offers ballet classes and ballet training that include ballet performances, Stretch, Floor Barre®, and ballet classes for teens and adults. The program also offers a Teen TRIAL Class Extension Beginner Ballet, Virtual Stretch, and a FREE Trial Class for Boys. Studio space rentals are available, and MYB’s Boutique has moved online with in-studio contactless pick-up.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Teen TRIAL Class Extension Beginner Ballet meets on Mondays, January 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 7:30–9:00 pm; the FREE Trial Class for Boys meets on Saturdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31; drop-in classes are offered 7 days a week year-round.
• Price: complimentary or pay-as-you-can Virtual Stretch
Maryland Youth Ballet began in founder Hortensia Fonseca’s basement in the 1960s and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1971. In 1976, Michelle Lees was brought on as Associate Artistic Director, and since 2007, Maryland Youth Ballet has been located in Downtown Silver Spring. Maryland Youth Ballet has been successfully preparing young dancers since 1971 and annually trains 1,000 children and 600 adults.
The leadership team has included Founder Hortensia Fonseca; Deidre Byrne as Artistic Director & Principal; Michelle Lees as former Associate Artistic Director, Artistic Director and Principal; Olivier Munoz as a former leader of Maryland Youth Ballet; and the MYB Board of Directors. Deidre Byrne is a certified teacher in the ABT® National Training Curriculum, Primary–Level 5, and earned her BS in Business Marketing at the University of Maryland University College. Olivier Munoz is a 1981 Laureate of the Prix de Lausanne and an acclaimed principal dancer with many international companies.
Maryland Youth Ballet’s mission is to provide the region with the highest caliber classical ballet training to prepare young dancers for successful careers in the performing arts, the highest quality of classes for both recreational and professional adults, affordable professional-quality ballet performances, opportunities for financially disadvantaged minority children to be exposed to ballet, training scholarships for those with dance potential, and opportunities for young children with physical disabilities to experience the joy of dance movement. The program offers Adult Program classes in Ballet, Stretch, Floor Barre®, and more for adult students from first-timers through professionals (ages 13 to 90+). Maryland Youth Ballet consistently produces dancers that move on to professional careers in dance companies across the country, are accepted to performing arts conservatories, or attend highly ranked academic institutions.
Maryland Youth Ballet presents award-winning ballet performances and performance opportunities at Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. The organization supports the inclusion of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) culture and artistry in the organization and throughout the dance community. Maryland Youth Ballet holds as core values racial equality, equity, and justice, stands in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and especially in support of Black students and employees. Maryland Youth Ballet is an equal opportunity employer.
Last updated January 23, 2026.
• Ages: 2–18 years old
• Schedule: Teen TRIAL Class Extension Beginner Ballet meets on Mondays, January 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 7:30–9:00 pm; the FREE Trial Class for Boys meets on Saturdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31; drop-in classes are offered 7 days a week year-round.
• Price: complimentary or pay-as-you-can Virtual Stretch
Maryland Youth Ballet began in founder Hortensia Fonseca’s basement in the 1960s and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1971. In 1976, Michelle Lees was brought on as Associate Artistic Director, and since 2007, Maryland Youth Ballet has been located in Downtown Silver Spring. Maryland Youth Ballet has been successfully preparing young dancers since 1971 and annually trains 1,000 children and 600 adults.
The leadership team has included Founder Hortensia Fonseca; Deidre Byrne as Artistic Director & Principal; Michelle Lees as former Associate Artistic Director, Artistic Director and Principal; Olivier Munoz as a former leader of Maryland Youth Ballet; and the MYB Board of Directors. Deidre Byrne is a certified teacher in the ABT® National Training Curriculum, Primary–Level 5, and earned her BS in Business Marketing at the University of Maryland University College. Olivier Munoz is a 1981 Laureate of the Prix de Lausanne and an acclaimed principal dancer with many international companies.
Maryland Youth Ballet’s mission is to provide the region with the highest caliber classical ballet training to prepare young dancers for successful careers in the performing arts, the highest quality of classes for both recreational and professional adults, affordable professional-quality ballet performances, opportunities for financially disadvantaged minority children to be exposed to ballet, training scholarships for those with dance potential, and opportunities for young children with physical disabilities to experience the joy of dance movement. The program offers Adult Program classes in Ballet, Stretch, Floor Barre®, and more for adult students from first-timers through professionals (ages 13 to 90+). Maryland Youth Ballet consistently produces dancers that move on to professional careers in dance companies across the country, are accepted to performing arts conservatories, or attend highly ranked academic institutions.
Maryland Youth Ballet presents award-winning ballet performances and performance opportunities at Wolf Trap’s Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods. The organization supports the inclusion of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) culture and artistry in the organization and throughout the dance community. Maryland Youth Ballet holds as core values racial equality, equity, and justice, stands in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and especially in support of Black students and employees. Maryland Youth Ballet is an equal opportunity employer.
Last updated January 23, 2026.
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