Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Premier Dance Education for All Ages in Worcester, MA
Founded in 1952, Charlotte Klein Dance Center has been a cornerstone of dance education in Central Massachusetts for over seven decades. Under the leadership of owner/director Rachel Rubin since 2013, we offer comprehensive training from preschool to pre-professional levels in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Hip-Hop, Acro, and Leaps and Turns. Our spacious studios at 1122 Pleasant Street in Worcester serve over 700 students annually, with a legacy of nurturing more than 30,000 dancers since our inception. Our faculty includes award-winning professionals with national and international performance experience, including members of Dance Masters of America and certified instructors in Acrobatic Arts and flexibility training.We emphasize individualized attention, placing students in classes based on both skill level and passion, while fostering confidence and life skills through dance. Our competition teams have earned recognition at regional and national events, and our alumni include professional dancers, choreographers, and educators. We maintain Charlotte Klein's original vision of creating a supportive environment where dance excellence and personal growth coexist.
Services
Ballet
Tap
Jazz
Hip-Hop
Modern
Acro
Competition Teams
Summer Camps
Master Classes
Private Lessons
Details
- Year established: 1952
Highlights and features
- Our faculty includes nationally recognized choreographers and competition judges
- Over 70 years of proven success in dance education and student development
- Certified instructors in Acrobatic Arts and specialized dance techniques
- Competition teams with regional and national award-winning choreography
- Individualized class placement based on skill and passion for dance
Associations and certifications
- Dance Masters of America
- Acrobatic Arts
What people say
Nurturing staff
Confidence building
Lifelong friendships
Technical excellence
Competition success
Services
Ballet
Our ballet program develops technical precision and artistry from beginner to advanced levels. Students learn proper alignment, turnout, and classical repertoire while building strength and flexibility. Classes follow a structured curriculum that prepares dancers for both recreational enjoyment and professional aspirations, with opportunities to perform in annual recitals and master classes with guest instructors.
Competition Teams
Our award-winning competition teams offer intensive training in choreography and performance. Dancers participate in 3-4 regional competitions and 1 national event annually, with masterclasses from industry professionals. Teams are divided by age and skill level, focusing on jazz, tap, modern, and contemporary styles while emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and artistic growth through competitive performance.
Summer Camps
Our summer programs provide immersive dance experiences with specialized training in multiple styles. Camps include technique classes, choreography workshops, and performance preparation for students aged 5-18. Participants receive personalized feedback from faculty while building skills in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and acro in a fun, supportive environment that fosters both technical improvement and creative expression.
Acro
Our Acrobatic Arts certified instructors teach safe, progressive acrobatic skills integrated with dance technique. Classes focus on flexibility, strength, and balance while developing tumbling skills and partner acrobatics. Students learn to incorporate acrobatics into dance routines, with levels ranging from beginner to advanced, emphasizing proper body mechanics and injury prevention in a supportive learning environment.
Private Lessons
Personalized instruction available for dancers seeking focused attention on specific skills or repertoire. Lessons can be tailored to competition preparation, audition coaching, or technical refinement in any dance style. Our faculty works one-on-one with students to address individual goals while maintaining alignment with our studio's educational philosophy and technical standards.
People
Rachel Rubin
Owner/Director
Rachel Rubin trained at CKDC from age 3, earned a B.A. in Dance from Dean College, and has directed the studio since 2013. She teaches at Notre Dame High School and has choreographed award-winning competition pieces while maintaining Charlotte Klein's legacy of excellence.
Christine Carlson
Artistic Director
Christine Carlson, a CKDC faculty member since 1978, holds a B.F.A. from Boston Conservatory. She has performed internationally, choreographed award-winning routines, and served as president of Dance Masters of America's New England chapter while directing our dance company.
Callie Kamanitz
Director of Operations
Callie Kamanitz danced at CKDC for 10 years before becoming Director of Operations. Currently pursuing a BA in Psychology at Washington University, she combines administrative leadership with dance instruction and choreography expertise.
Lynda Cadarette
Director of Enrichment Training
Lynda Cadarette brings Broadway experience and certifications in Acrobatic Arts and Dance Masters of America. She has taught nationally, adjudicated competitions, and developed our enrichment programs since 1994 while maintaining a massage therapy practice for dancers.
Jacqueline Head
Dance Instructor
Jacqueline Head holds a B.F.A. from NYU and Masters in Education. She has performed professionally, choreographed for youth programs, and taught at CKDC for 24 years while serving as dance faculty at Burncoat Middle/High School.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for dance classes?
We offer programs for children aged 2-7 in our Children's Programs and youth/teen programs for ages 8+. Specialized classes accommodate all skill levels from beginner to pre-professional dancers.
How do I join the competition team?
Dancers must audition annually for our competition teams. The audition process includes technique assessments and choreography learning sessions. Placement considers skill level, experience, and commitment to the program.
What dance styles do you teach?
We offer comprehensive training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Acro, Leaps and Turns, and Contemporary styles. Our curriculum includes both recreational and pre-professional tracks for serious dancers.
Do you offer summer dance programs?
Yes, we provide summer camps and intensive programs for ages 5-18. These include technique classes, choreography workshops, and performance preparation with specialized instruction from our faculty and guest artists.
What makes CKDC different from other dance studios?
Our 70-year legacy combines technical excellence with personalized attention. Our faculty includes nationally recognized choreographers and certified instructors, while our nurturing environment builds confidence and lifelong skills beyond dance technique.
