A word from Essence Studios’ Artistic Director….
Dear families, dancers, parents, teachers, and friends,
I have made the difficult decision to step down from my position as Owner and Artistic Director of Essence Studios at the end of this Summer semester, August of 2026. However, this does not mean the studio is closing its doors. Recreational and pre-professional dance will endure in Poolesville – my home at heart, our beautifully close and special community of artists and entrepreneurs – under the leadership of Riverworks Art Center and the guidance of HGCBT come Fall of 2026. This transition has been in the works for almost a year, with HGCBT graciously agreeing to donate their assets to Riverworks – including the knowledge of our loyal board, who will convey as Dance Performance Committee members within the Riverworks Board to ensure continued support for seasonal and community dance performances – and Riverworks taking up the mantle of ownership and executive directorship of the new Dance Arts Program.
At the time I took over the studio over four years ago, I was at a crossroads and looking to rekindle my never-ending love for dance alongside my greatest joy- teaching younger generations. Ballet and dance are one of the loves of my life. Dance is part of my essence, hence the name. My hope was that we could inspire other dancers within these walls to feel safe and supported in finding that it could become part of their essence too, regardless of age, ability, or experience. Dance is unique in its ability to develop and grow the widest range of hard and soft life skills. Both halves of our incredible brains are energized and collaborating the entire time we work, practice, and perform…and I missed it so. And I missed children. I missed growing children. Therefore, while these last 4.5 years have been rather tiring, they have also been the most rewarding and fulfilling, the most euphoric. The dancers I’ve had the honor and privilege of working with, training, teaching, and celebrating these last few years have been constant sources of inspiration and joy. Your kids have given me such light that I can’t compare to any other accomplishment; to see them grow, progress, find confidence and come into their own through this art form and discover who they are as generous members of their community is… unparalleled. The pride I have felt for them surpasses anything I’ve done thusfar for myself.
I accepted the challenge of ownership and artistic direction with the intention of treating every one of my students as if they were my own child, or at least intending to love them and care for them as if they were. However, my partner and I are ready to take the next step, and I can not in good conscience continue to run the studio as I have while also trying to start a family. These kids deserve better than the degree to which I would be pulled in different directions. The energy and time needed to adequately and lovingly run Essence and guide HGCBT is a feat that would prohibit me from being the mother I wish to be. And so it is with these dreams that I leave my families and students in the capable, steadfast, tender, and supportive hands of Dave and Sandy at Riverworks. They understand Essence’s mission. They feel in their bones the need to continue supporting youth in the arts of all forms, and are prepared to take this step so that dance in Poolesville may continue to grow and thrive. Together, I have been helping them look for a new Artistic Director that will lead the dance portion of their organization moving forward and guide the HGCBT committee, all while keeping the mission and vision that all entities endeavor to uphold every day! Additionally, there will be a group of current Essence staff returning in the Fall to ensure the continuation of high quality instruction and care from adults that your dancers have come to love and trust.
This is a joint effort; a collaboration from Essence, HGCBT, and Riverworks, that will only strengthen the arts community in this beautiful town. With the merge of all three entities, we are expanding outreach, bolstering our capabilities, growing the arts, and continuing to support dance for youth. I could not have wished for more when I first made the decision to say goodbye. While I will still be involved moving forward at whatever level the new leadership feels suitable and are comfortable with, I am also stepping back with the utmost confidence that my original mission for the studio and legacy of a place for any child who wishes to dance, will endure.
With much love and gratitude,
Ms. Claire
FAQ – A Stronger Future for Dance in Our Community
1. What is happening?
Hope Garden Children’s Ballet Theatre (HGCBT) will donate its organization and assets to Riverworks Art Center (Riverworks), becoming part of Riverworks’ broader nonprofit structure.
At the same time, the combined nonprofit entity will purchase the physical assets of Essence Studios to ensure continuity of studio space, equipment, and instruction.
This step creates a unified, mission-driven arts organization with expanded capacity and long-term sustainability.
2. Why is HGCBT donating itself to Riverworks?
HGCBT’s Board determined integrating into Riverworks:
- Strengthens long-term financial sustainability
- Expands access to shared administrative infrastructure
- Enhances fundraising and grant capacity
- Aligns missions around a single community-based arts education organization
This is a proactive, strategic decision designed to preserve and grow dance and movement programming for years to come.
3. What happens to Essence Studios?
Riverworks (including the integrated HGCBT performance production and community engagement programming) will purchase the physical assets of Essence Studios, including equipment and studio fixtures.
This ensures:
- No disruption to classes
- Continuity of instruction
- Preservation of studio space in town
The dance programming currently running under Essence Studios will operate under nonprofit governance moving forward. However, this should have little or no impact on the structure and operation of the dance studio and classes.
4. Are classes at Essence changing?
No.
- Scheduled Spring and Summer classes and camps are unaffected. Families should expect business as usual for all current registrations and schedules up through August 14th, 2026.
- Goal for Fall semester: maintain the curriculum that has been in place for the last four years. Changes in staffing will inevitably lead to some differences, but intent is to move forward with existing structure.
5. Will A Winter’s Eve still take place in 2026?
Yes.
HGCBT’s signature winter production, A Winter’s Eve, will be staged this coming winter as planned at the Kreeger Auditorium in the JCC Bender of Greater Washington in Rockville, MD.
Artistic excellence and performance opportunities remain central to our mission.
6. Is tuition increasing?
There are no tuition changes associated with this transition for spring or summer programming.
Future tuition decisions will be made carefully, transparently, and with accessibility in mind.
7. Will artistic leadership change?
The current artistic leadership will continue as is for the Spring and Summer 2026 seasons. Artistic leadership is expected to transition in the Fall of 2026. Riverworks is actively working with current artistic leadership to secure experienced, trusted, and knowledgeable leadership that will continue existing programming with as little change as possible for the 2026-2027 season to provide consistency and continuity for the teachers, students, families, and community.
8. Is HGCBT losing its identity?
No.
HGCBT’s productions, traditions, and artistic standards will continue within the Riverworks structure. To that end, members of the current HGCBT Board of Directors will become the Dance Performance Committee under the Riverworks Board of Directors and at least one member of the HGCBT Board will become a voting member of the Riverworks Board.
This is mission integration — not mission elimination.
9. Why purchase Essence Studios?
Owning the studio assets:
- Ensures stability of space
- Protects programming continuity
- Strengthens long-term cost management
- Preserves a local dance home for families
10. What does this mean for donors and sponsors?
All existing donor commitments and sponsorships will be honored.
This transition:
- Increases organizational stability
- Enhances impact reporting
- Expands community reach
Corporate and individual sponsors benefit from alignment with a larger, unified arts organization.
11. What does this mean for the Town and community?
The result is:
- A stronger nonprofit arts presence
- Preserved dance programming in town
- Preserved performance opportunities
- Increased collaboration across arts disciplines
- Continued cultural vitality
12. What is the timeline?
The integration and asset purchase will occur in the coming months.
Classes and productions continue uninterrupted during the transition.
Meet the NEW Incoming Dance Arts Director, Breanna Viscardo:
Ms. Bree Viscardo brings over 20 years of experience as a dance educator, choreographer, and professional dancer. She is dedicated to inspiring dancers of all ages to achieve technical excellence while fostering creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for the art of dance.
Originally from Tallahassee, Florida, Breanna began her dance training at The Southern Academy of Ballet Arts under Natalia Botha and Charles Hagan. She performed with Pas de Vie Ballet and The Tallahassee Ballet, where she danced soloist and principal roles in productions including The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Coppélia, and Cinderella. During her time with the company, she toured internationally, performing in Dublin with the Irish National Youth Ballet and at Sligo’s Hawk Well Theatre in Ireland.
Breanna earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance from Florida State University. Upon graduating she moved to New York City to pursue a professional dance career. She danced with ACFDANCE Company, Ariel Rivka Dance, and York Dance Works, performing at many of New York City’s premier venues, including Alvin Ailey Studios, The Duke Theater, Joyce SoHo, The Flea Theater, University Settlement, Merce Cunningham Studio, the White Wave Dance Festival, and the DUMBO Dance Festival. In addition to performing, she choreographed original contemporary works, taught master classes, led educational outreach programs, and directed rehearsals and auditions.Since relocating to the Washington, DC area in 2010, Breanna has become a respected educator and artistic leader. She has taught Ballet, Pointe, Jazz, Contemporary, and Modern to students from preschool through pre-professional levels. Over the past fifteen years, she has served as Ballet Mistress of Ravel Dance Company, where she has choreographed original works, produced full-length ballet productions and large annual company performances. She has also served on the faculty of Metropolitan Ballet Theatre & Academy since 2021. Her teaching philosophy blends strong classical technique with artistic expression, encouraging every student to develop not only as a dancer, but as a confident and expressive artist.
As Artistic Director of Essence Studios at Riverworks, Breanna is excited to build upon the studio’s strong foundation while creating new opportunities for dancers and families. Her vision is to create a welcoming and inspiring community where dancers are challenged to reach their highest potential, discover their unique artistic voice, and develop a lifelong love of dance.