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The John Carroll Ballet Academy
Under the direction of Laura Ward-Moran, Director of the John Carroll College Preparatory Dance Program, The Ballet Academy was founded to meet the need in our community for a structured, anatomically safe learning environment for students to obtain, grow and expand upon a proper ballet foundation as well as receive superior training in other dance genres.
Our Mission
The Ballet Academy was established to provide quality dance education to youth ages 3-18 by offering a curriculum of classes geared toward correcting and perfecting technique all while maintaining the proper balance of classes, performing and cross-training to prevent burn-out, overuse and mental fatigue. Our program is structured to support proper dancer development within a realistic schedule that will keep dancers dancing longer and stronger.
Whether you are committed to growing with us as your primary dance education facility or taking classes to supplement your training, you are guaranteed to find balance that will help you reach your goals without compromising your youth and well-being. We are a facility that strongly believes in quality over quantity when it comes to training life-long dancers.
Through the Ballet Academy, we offer the highest level of instruction for every child; our youngest dancers receive the same level of expertise in their instruction as our eldest. Integrity is always maintained by students and staff and class time is devoted to training and perfecting dancers in the intricacies of technique, not in preparing recital dances. Students wanting further performing opportunities can participate in our Preparatory Academy Company, THRIVE!
Dance opportunities
Explore what dance opportunities are currently available at John Carroll and don't miss any upcoming performances!
Petite Patriots
Designed for children ages 3-5, this workshop introduces them to the world of dance. Through nursery rhymes, fairytales and songs, classes enhance language and listening skills while developing motor skills, rhythm and coordination. Led by primary dance educator Mrs. Kellie Weygant, each class focuses on different developmental skills, fostering teamwork, friendship and fun in a magical and nurturing environment.
THRIVE!, the Preparatory Academy Company
Through collaboration with our John Carroll College Preparatory Dance Program, we offer two performance opportunities a year. We pride ourselves by being able to offer a first-rate performing experience in our state-of-the-art Auditorium.
In the winter, our school performs The Nutcracker Ballet, followed by an additional story ballet in the spring. Through this collaboration, John Carroll students in the Dance Seminar Course as part of their coursework, are actively engaged in assisting in this process of putting on a production with the youth in our Ballet Academy. This experience offers great mentorship opportunities for our older students and enjoyable process for our community youth.
It is evident to see through these performances all of the progress and individual growth each dancer has made in our program. Education is at the forefront of everything we do.
Calendar
Classes will begin September 9 and end April 25.
Class will not be held on October 14, October 31, November 27–December 1, December 9–January 6, January 20, February 17, March 7, April 14–21
Required Attire
Ballet classes have a specific uniform leotard that must be purchased via our school store. Please visit the school store in the main building on campus to order yours. Female dancers will also need pink tights and pink leather or canvas split sole ballet slippers. Male dancers must have proper male dance attire.
Modern, Contemporary, Jazz and Lyrical classes allow dancers to wear any solid leotard or tank top with leggings and/or tights.
Meet the Director
Mrs. Laura Ward-Moran is the founder and director of The John Carroll School College Preparatory Dance Program and Ballet Academy. With a career spanning 26 years, she has worked as a performer, educator, business owner, consultant, curriculum writer, Pilates instructor and program implementer. Laura has taught ballet, modern dance, composition and Pilates across the East Coast in both public and private schools and colleges. She also owned and operated her own dance and Pilates studio for 15 years.
Currently, as the Director of Dance at The John Carroll School, Laura guides a select group of talented students and faculty through a comprehensive curriculum in dance technique and related studies. Her aim is to prepare students for their dance careers after high school, ensuring they have a deep understanding of the art form. Many of her students have excelled in dance, pursuing professional and collegiate careers and becoming influential figures in the industry. Laura has served on faculty at various festivals and workshops along the East Coast, where she was a guest lecturer and teacher. She also contributed as a writer for two dance media platforms. Her commitment to dance education extends beyond the classroom; she has extensive experience in writing curriculum and implementing dance programs in both public and private schools.
In addition to her K-12 Maryland dance education certification, Laura continuously seeks to enhance her education. She obtained certifications in the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning (as a certified Authentic Pilates instructor and certified Level V+ Romana’s Pilates Instructor), Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), and The Language of Dance (Motif), developed by Dr. Ann Hutchinson Guest. Laura holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Loyola University of Maryland and obtained Administrator I Certification through MSDE. She is a member of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) and the Maryland Dance Council, and she serves as the sponsor for the John Carroll National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) Chapter. Previously, she was on the Maryland Dance Education Association (MDEA) Board, representing private, independent and parochial schools for grades K-12. From June 2018 to January 2021, she was a proud member of the Harford County Cultural Arts Advisory Board.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Laura was awarded the Maryland Dance Education Association 2022 Dance Educator of the Year for K-12 Education. As the owner of Unparalleled Pursuits, LLC, she also hosts the annual Mid-Atlantic Dance Educator Summit each summer in Maryland.
