
About Center For Movement Arts

CMA is located in inner southeast Portland, adjacent to historic Ladd's Addition. The physical space of CMA encompasses two dance studios totaling over 2,000 square feet. Our facility includes three dressing areas, four restrooms (ADA compliant), a comfortable waiting area for parents, and a play area for siblings of students.
CMA was created with the philosophy that constructive learning is a product of positive self-esteem. This basic concept guides our interaction with our students and their families. Discipline and respect for others are crucial to a positive learning environment and is expected from students, teachers and guests.
All classes are taught in an encouraging atmosphere that enables students of all ages to achieve, grow, and always to have fun.
Students at CMA dance for the love of dance and we work hard to make that love a life-long one. However, some students with above average passion and skill are often curious about performing as a career. For these students we have developed an intensive pre-professional track where additional classes and private lessons augment their regular class schedule.
Students in our pre-professional track have gone on to several prestigious programs including: San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet Academy, North Carolina School of the Arts, Boston Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Juilliard, Harid Academy, Whitman Summer Dance Lab, Interlochen School of Performing Arts, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Alonso King's Lines Ballet and Joffrey Ballet (NYC). For more information about this program, please speak to the Directors.
Tim Ryan, Director

Students of Mr. Ryan have been accepted to some of the most respected dance programs in America including Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Julliard, Chicago Ballet, North Carolina School of the Arts, The Harid Conservatory , Lines Ballet of San Francisco, the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, the University of Utah, Goucher College, Belhaven College, the University of Oregon, Interlochen Arts Academy, Joffrey II, and the Boston Ballet.
Sherie Blankenship Ryan, Director

Ms. Ryan performed with the Mary Miller Modern Dance Company and Skandia Leikerringen, a Scandinavian folk ensemble. She is a veteran musical theater performer and choreographer whose credits include: Oklahoma, Camelot, The Sound of Music, Annie, The King and I, South Pacific, The Fantastiks, Kiss Me, Kate and Brigadoon. She has also co-written, directed and choreographed a variety of original musical productions for children.