CJDT was founded by Cecil Dancenter owner, Tina Travers, in an effort to provide dedicated youth dancers with increased performing experiences. Under the leadership of choreographer, Sarah Roney, CJDT members are challenged, motivated, and encouraged to work in rehearsal and performances with professionalism and dedication. As good working skills are developing, they are educated on both the artistic and technical aspects of a dance production. Dancers are able to gain the stage experience needed for a smooth transition to become future members of Cecil Dancenter’s senior company, Cecil Dance Theatre (CDT).

Sarah Roney graduated from Goucher College with a BA in Dance Performance and Choreography. While studying at Goucher, she performed in faculty and student dance concerts and had the privilege of performing in Paul Taylor’s Three Epitaphs, Balanchine’s Serenade, and original works by Amanda Thom Woodson, Juliet Forest, Kathy Ferguson, Vincent Mansoe, and Kevin Wynn. Her choreography of “An Unknown Prisoner” was the only student-choreographed piece to represent Goucher College at the American College Dance Festival in spring 1999. Mrs. Roney has taught at Cecil Dancenter, Harford Community College, Company Elite in Baltimore, The Exeter Rec Department in NH, and the Arts Center of Greater Wolfeboro in NH. She also taught at the Children’s Center of Wolfeboro, where she developed a creative movement curriculum for pre-school children. Most recently Mrs. Roney has taught and performed for Ballet New England and the Center for Dance Education, Portsmouth, NH. She has performed in Sleeping Beauty, The Peace Treaty, Alice in Wonderland, and An 1836 Portsmouth The Nutcracker. While at Ballet New England she was the Outreach Coordinator and directed the Outreach Company. In addition to teaching, she designed and executed Artist in Residence programs with local Elementary and Middle Schools. Mrs. Roney also conducted a series of Modern Dance lectures at the Active Retirement Association in Durham, NH.