Essence Studios at Riverworks classes are open to all students who wish to train at the studios located in the Poolesville Village Center in Poolesville, Maryland. Essence does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, national origin or sexual orientation. Applications are accepted with or without dance training, but ballet students not currently enrolled are required to take a preliminary placement class, upon which the correct level will be assessed. Class placement is based upon an assessment of the student’s fine and gross motor skills, the curriculum, the specific American Ballet Theatre level requirements, a student’s natural talent, and their peer levels of social development and age.
There are four steps to registration:
1. Find the class and click on the Register button to the left of the class
2. Complete all required fields
3. Read and Agree to the Required Studio Policies embedded in the online registration form
4. Make Payment
Payment must be made before the start of the student’s camp or class. Payment is non-transferable and non-refundable. If paying by credit card, please pay through the online registration page. To pay in person for Fall ’26 registration, please bring cash or checks only, as credit cards are not currently accepted. Please make the check out to Essence Studios and include the student and class name in the memo. Checks can also be mailed to: Essence Studios at Riverworks, 19710-E Fisher Ave, Poolesville, MD 20837.
If payment is not made during the initial registration, you may go back in through the parent portal using the email and password created during registration to access your balance and billing information.
PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to cover the costs of credit card processing fees, we will charge 2.89% + 0.30 per transaction to every transaction paid with a Visa, Mastercard, or Discover credit card. The amount will not exceed the regulated amount of 3% per transaction. This does not apply to debit cards or other forms of payment.
Please see our Tuition Page for our Refund Policy.