Downtown Dance Conservatory

08/26/2026

Come dance with DDC! 🩰✨💕We are STILL ENROLLING for our 2026-2027 school year! Limited spots available!

Classes are available starting at age 3 and all the way to pre-professional level. We offer scholarships based on financial need. Everyone deserves access to the arts!

Registration is $30 for each student. Registration is free for current members of the Hardin Center for Cultural Arts.

Registration is available by email at [email protected].

“The Conservatory is dedicated to preserving the art of dance through technique, expression, and innovation, taking pride in its non-competitive atmosphere to increase the sense of dance as a cooperative and connected form of art.”

Located in historic Downtown Gadsden inside the Mary G. Hardin Center, the facility houses four well-equipped studios with an eclectic atmosphere for dancers to learn and develop their skills. With an enrollment of more than 500 dedicated students training on a weekly basis, the Conservatory’s influence also spans throughout the surrounding community with programs such as Downtown Dance Artists’ Ensemble, “Dancing with a Heart of Giving” annual charity effort, dance history projects, and other various outreach programs and exhibitions. Artistic Director, Linze McRae, holds the Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies of the Royal Academy of Dance, graduating in London, England. The Downtown Dance Conservatory is in association with the internationally recognized Royal Academy of Dance (as only one of two in the state of AL), The Alabama Dance Council, and is a full member of the National Guild of Community Schools for the Arts through the Gadsden Community School for the Arts.

08/24/2026

DDC Summer Series 2026 photo dump! We had such a wonderful Summer from children’s camps to workshops with our upper school dancers - so much was learned and much fun was had! 😍✨

08/24/2026

STARTS TOMORROW!
ADULTS 📣DANCE BEGINNERS ✨
Ever wanted to take a dance class but didn’t know where to start? 🩰✨

Here’s your chance! Downtown Dance Conservatory is bringing back our 6-week Adult Ballet & Tap Combo Class: fun, beginner-friendly, and open to EVERYONE in the community!

📅 Tuesdays 6:30–7:30 PM starting on August 25th. $90 total for all 6 weeks!
Email [email protected] to register today!

Adaptable for ANY age and ANY level! No experience required! Come bring a friend, enjoy free movement, and learn something new! Tap shoes available for purchase.



Adult dance | adult ballet | beginner friendly | ballet for everyone | dance for adults |

08/24/2026

08/20/2026

CALLING ALL 2ND THROUGH 4TH GRADERS:
It’s never too late to start a new activity! Dance classes are wonderful for ALL ages and a great way to find community and friends! We have open spots for 2nd through 4th graders in ballet, tap, and contemporary! Email us at [email protected] for info and registration!

class

08/20/2026

We have had a wonderful first week back so far! Just a couple reminders:

Please label tap shoes and ballet shoes with your child's name as well as their water bottle if they bring one! If students have to change shoes, please send them with a dance bag! We have some DDC tote bags for a great option! This way they can keep everything together when switching classes or changing shoes!

Please don't change into tap shoes downstairs! We will help students change into tap shoes once they get upstairs! The tile is slick and not made for tap shoes! Don't forget ALPHAS are now eligible for Tap II! Primary Tap is extremely FULL. We have opened an additional tap class for 3/4 year olds on Thursdays from 3:30-4. If you would like to switch from Wednesday Tap to Thursday Tap (3/4 year olds, email us at [email protected]!

Make sure to update your contact information and payment information on our new app! If you need assistance doing so, please email us at [email protected] or visit the front desk during open hours.

Dancewear items should always be ready for pickup within 2 weeks of order date, if not earlier! You can always email or message us in the app with any questions regarding dancewear! We have many shipments coming in if you are still missing an item!

Thank you so much!

DDC Staff

08/20/2026

Back to ballet at DDC! 🩵💕💜

Keep tagging us in all of your photos from this week! 😍