When the latest federal government shutdown left thousands of workers facing uncertainty, one Baltimore City dance instructor decided to offer something simple, healing, and free — the chance to move.
Cathy Waugh, a ballet teacher at The Moving Company Dance Center in Cockeysville, has launched a new community outreach project offering free weekly ballet and movement classes for federal workers, retirees, and their families. The program is open to participants of all ages and abilities and is part of her broader effort to make dance more accessible to people who might never step into a studio otherwise.
“We just shut the door to the outside world and try to feel better for an hour,” Waugh said. “You don’t have to be a dancer or have ever taken a class before. You wear whatever you want, you laugh, you move — and for that hour, it costs nothing.”
A Project Rooted in Service
Waugh developed the idea after looking for ways to use her art to support people who are feeling the ripple effects of stress and displacement. “One of the things we can do as artists is offer a skill,” she said. “For me, that skill is ballet. It’s a way to help people feel connected and strong again.”
Her first class for federal workers drew seven participants — all new to ballet — and quickly became a bright spot in their week. “The point isn’t to perfect technique,” Waugh said with a smile. “It’s to laugh, to move, and to celebrate being human.”
A Lifelong Dancer with a Servant’s Heart
Waugh’s own story reflects a lifelong balance between artistry and advocacy. Trained by Leslie Gearhart of the Washington Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, The Washington Ballet Company, and Romanian principal dancer Istvan Ament, member of WSB before deciding to pursue higher education.
“I danced professionally for a while, but I wanted to do more for the community,” she explained. “So I used dance to help me get through college and graduate school.”
After serving as Director of Dance for the Academy of Sports in Atlanta, she went on to teach everyone from children and adult beginners to individuals with disabilities. Today, she is also a graduate school professor in community mental health and human services and leads a program that helps incarcerated women reconnect with their children.
Partnering with a Studio That Gives Back
While Waugh volunteers her time, she credits The Moving Company Dance Center for embracing her vision. The Cockeysville-based studio, known for its inclusive and body-positive approach, encourages instructors to explore ways to serve the broader community.
“They’ve been so supportive,” Waugh said. “They told me, ‘Go, Cathy — go see what you can do.’ That’s what community is supposed to be.”
Beyond the free ballet classes for federal employees, Waugh is exploring partnerships with nonprofits serving women affected by intimate partner violence, adults with disabilities, and individuals transitioning from incarceration. She’s even working on starting a small class in January for women in transitional housing.
“We don’t empower people — they already have that power,” she said. “We just create a space where they can find it again.”
How to Get Involved
Federal workers and their families interested in joining the free ballet or movement classes can email Waugh directly to register. She’s also inviting nonprofits and community organizations to reach out if they’d like to host a free session for their participants. Her contact information: communityoutreach.cathy@gmail.comClasses for federal workers and their families (adults) are held weekly at The Moving Company Dance Center in Cockeysville. Other classes are held at the organizations’ site, in the studio, or on Zoom.