For some of them, the last time they danced professionally was a couple of decades and several pounds ago. For others, it was more recent - maybe a class or two a year at one of the many dance studios around the area.

But whatever their expertise, about 30 people traded their memories of tutus and tap shoes yesterday for sweat pants and bare feet as professional choreographers led them in a series of age-defying stretches, bends and jumps. Their feet pounded the floor to the combined rap-and-violin melodies of the group Nuttin But Stringz, then fluttered in the air to commands of "point" and "flex" as the music softened. Then, without a break, it was back to the bends and jumps.

"I can't do that!" 51-year-old Frances Rice exclaimed as Tiffany Butler, the energetic young choreographer, showed the class a complicated set-up that involved a pli? and arms behind the back in a butterfly position.

Yesterday's three-hour event marked the first rehearsal of Dance Baltimore's community dance workshop, which offers five weeks of free lessons for any interested adults, no matter how experienced. The group practices for five weeks, then performs together in a final concert incorporating modern dance, hip-hop and ballet moves. This year's is scheduled for April 19 at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The workshops are free to the public.

In addition to the annual community workshop, Dance Baltimore will also perform shows at the Theatre Project and the Creative Alliance this spring with professional and student dancers.

Like many at yesterday's event, Rice is a former dancer, a member of "all the dance clubs" in junior high. But in her adult life as a disability examiner for the Social Security Administration, she doesn't have many opportunities to dance in a troupe, let alone receive professional instruction.

"It's inspiring. I'm enjoying it. Plus, I'm getting a workout," she said. "I need to lose some weight."

Whatever brought them to channel their inner Baryshnikov, Cheryl Goodman was glad to see them. The founder of Dance Baltimore, which holds the classes at the Eubie Blake Cultural Arts Center on Howard Street, believes that everybody can dance, and that most people actually do - if only in the privacy of their bedrooms.

"The array of people who come is so broad, in their ages, their backgrounds, their experiences," she said. "And it's good, because no one is looking at you, no one is judging you."

Though the classes are free, Dance Baltimore pays its choreographers, and it sells tickets to its shows to raise money for the organization. Goodman, who calls herself a "perpetual dance student," is a grant writer, so she has been able to find financing for the organization. Part of their mission is to increase the paying dance audiences in the Baltimore area, which has excellent troupes and choreographers but occasionally lackluster attendance.

"Baltimore has a great dance community," said one of the choreographers, Amanda Fair. "We're trying to widen our audience, but as far as the dancers, they're definitely out there."

The lone man in the group moved like a gazelle, gracefully extending his short and muscular legs through the air. Jonathan Ha, a 40-year-old physicist, has been part of Dance Baltimore for more than a year and has performed in two of its shows. Though he said he feels like he's part of the group, being different does have its advantages - as the only guy, he's more likely to have a lead part in a show.

"I dance to enjoy the experience of physical existence," Ha said. "When you dance, you feel you are alive because you're up in the air and your body is in total extension."

Ha said he has been to clubs, and he has taken ballet, but calls it a "privilege" to be taught by choreographers such as Butler and Fair.

"It's just amazing the tips you get here about how to lengthen your body," he said.

For college student Candice Carrington, dance dropped out of her life two years ago because there wasn't time for it. Her major in hospitality at Howard Community College ate into the hours she used to set aside for ballet, jazz, modern and hip-hop classes.

When she heard about the Dance Baltimore class, Carrington knew she had to sign up. She's already taking ballroom dancing, and working out four times a week. And at 21, her body seemed to know just how to respond to Butler's instruction and the music.

"I feel good," she said. "I'm back in the saddle again. I haven't forgotten any of it."

rona.kobell@baltsun.com