PRESERVING AND GROWING DANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY
 

The Board of Hope Garden Children’s Ballet Theatre (HGCBT) is pleased to share an important step in the future of our organization and the broader performing arts community we serve.

After thoughtful evaluation and ongoing collaboration, HGCBT intends to merge into Riverworks Performing Arts Center. This transition reflects a shared vision: to expand access to high-quality dance and performance opportunities while ensuring long-term sustainability for arts programming in our region.

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As part of this process, proceeds from the transaction will support the acquisition of Essence Studios, creating a unified and stable home for classes, rehearsals, and performances. This step strengthens the foundation for both current and future dancers, while enabling continued investment in productions such as A Winter’s Eve and other community-centered programming.

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This planned merger is designed to build on the strengths of both organizations—combining HGCBT’s mission-driven productions with Riverworks’ long-term vision for a regional performing arts hub. Importantly, all currently scheduled classes, rehearsals, and upcoming programming will continue as planned during this transition.

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We understand this announcement may prompt questions from our community. To support transparency and provide clarity, we invote you to:

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1)    Join us for an Open house Friday, April 24th at 5 pm at Essence Studios

2)    Read our Frequently Asked Questions below

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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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.

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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.

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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.

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4. Are classes at Essence changing?

No.

●      Scheduled spring and summer classes are unaffected. Families can expect business as usual for these registrations and schedules.

●      The goal for the fall semester is to maintain the curriculum that has been in place for the last four years. Changes in staffing will inevitably lead to some changes, but the intent is to move forward with the existing structure.

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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.

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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.

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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. Claire Jones will continue to be involved after the transition as a member of the Riverworks Board Dance Performance Committee.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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, with a formal transition on September 1, 2026.

Classes and productions continue uninterrupted during the transition.