In August of 2005, Damascus Theater Company (DTC) opened the Shining Stars School of Performing Arts under the Direction of Cheryl O'Hara. In January 2006, the Shining Stars School of Performing Arts (SSSPA) became a fully functioning separate non-profit corporation opening the first performing arts school in Damascus, Maryland. Together with Katharine McIntyre, creator of the Contretemps Elite Ballet Corp, SSSPA produced and directed the first of a series of "narrative ballets" which both educates the public about ballets and incorporated character roles for non-dancers within the ballet.

In the past year the Competition Dance Team was created, coached, and designed by Camille Abramson; winning gold in their dance categories.

Student numbers have grown over 200% in less than two years. In reaction, SSSPA added new teachers and classes and started scouting to find a new location to accommodate the expansion.

A new facility was acquired in Monrovia, Maryland that will better serve our students. It will have two state of the art dance studios installed with floating dance floors; as well as separate classroom space for voice, theater, art and rehearsals. The new studio will open in September 2008.

SSSPA was the FIRST in our area to:

1. Design and implement the "narrative ballet" format;

2. Institute the first area ballet company – The Contretemps Elite Ballet Corps;

3. Provide creative dance and drama classes for special needs students;

4. Develop comprehensive training programs for future dance professionals;

5. Develop dance curriculum to promote diversification of skills;

6. Include in casting of ballets, non-dancers in character roles and other dance forms;

7. Promote transparency through open door policy and Parent Association.