It’s no secret that we have a great selection of dance schools in the Greater Portland, Maine area. As a parent, how do you know which one to choose? There are many different variables to consider when selecting a program. Proximity, specialties and experience/certifications are considerations that often play a role in the decision.

If you are looking for a dance program, hopefully this list will help you to narrow down the program that will be the best fit for your family. Every business on this list has some great offerings for kids through up to age 12 (and many extend offerings for all ages). Some offer full dance seasons (generally September – May) while other also offer shorter session options. We have organized our results by region, starting with the Portland area and branching our way out from there.

This page is made possible by the support of the following sponsors:

Dirigo Conservatory of Movement, Biddeford

DCM’s “Young Dancer Program“, suitable for ages 2-7, has offerings suitable for any child’s needs & interests. I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of offerings for this age range. They have the traditional dance offerings you’d expect, but also tumbling, creative movement, and an Adaptive Program designed specifically for special needs children!

Kids ages 8 and up have access to an “All-Styles Program” as well as the schools pre-professional training, “Conservatory Program”. All instructors are certified & professionally trained, and if you think that’s impressive, peep the background of the Director, Morgan Brown Sanborn at the “About Us” section on the DCM website, linked below. Mention Real Maine Mom and get your first week of classes FREE!

Maine Dance Center, Raymond

Maine Dance Center is a premier dance studio in the heart of Maine, offering top-notch training for dancers of all ages and skill levels. With a wide range of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, and acro, the studio is known for its commitment to fostering a love of dance while building confidence, discipline, and creativity in its students. The experienced instructors at Maine Dance Center are passionate about helping each dancer reach their full potential, with a strong emphasis on technique and artistic expression. 

Maine Dance Center is more than just a place to learn dance—it’s a vibrant community with exciting opportunities for young dancers to perform and excel. The studio has a special partnership with Maine Dance Company, offering students unique access to professional-level experiences and performances. This collaboration allows students to gain exposure to the world of professional dance, inspiring them to pursue their passion at a higher level. Whether your child is just beginning their dance journey or seeking advanced training, Maine Dance Center is the perfect place for them to grow and shine. First class FREE!

Scarborough Dance Center, Scarborough

Scarborough Dance Center (SDC) is celebrating 40 years in business, with 20 years under the ownership and direction of Melissa Willey. SDC specializes in dance classes for kids 18 months and up. With experienced, kind, loving and knowledgeable teachers, kids have fun while learning. The space is made up of 3 dance rooms featurings Marly sprung floors, 3 dressing rooms, a spacious lobby with a homework corner. My personal favorite feature: one way mirrors so parents can view classes without causing distraction!

Parents love the well-organized program that is offered by this school and the end of year recital. There is also a great balance of recreational classes offered and classes to get to higher levels, making it a great fit for any kind of dancer.

Comprehensive Dance School List

Information on this page is provided for convenience purposes only using publicly-available information. Find the most accurate and up-to-date information including class offerings, schedules, availability and registration deadlines on each business’ website. If you see any information on this page that is inaccurate or requires updating, please let us know via DM at @realmainemomguide. Thank you!

Portland

• Casco Bay Movers, Portland:
  • Ages: 2 – adult
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes, ages 2-4.
  • Studio & Viewing:
  • Recital/Performance? Spring Concert & family invited in to class 2x per year.
  • Durations Available: 7 week & semester options available.
  • Styles Offered: Pre-Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Break, Pre-Modern, Hippity Hop, Acro

• Dance Moves Maine, Portland:
  • Ages: 2+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes?
  • Studio & Viewing:
  • Recital/Performance?
  • Durations Available: 6 week intro sessions for ages 2+ and season long options for ages 3+.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pop Hop, Lyrical/Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tumbling/Acro

• Portland School of Ballet, Portland- Since 1980
  • Ages: 2+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes for ages 2-3.
  • Studio & Viewing: Studio doors have windows allowing parents to peek inside.
  • Recital/Performance? Year End Showcase
  • Durations Available: 11-week Trimesters
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Creative Movement

South Portland/Scarborough

• Encore Dance Company, Scarborough- Celebrating 28 years in 2024–
  • Ages: 2.5 +
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes
  • Studio & Viewing: 2 studio rooms, large waiting area with a viewing window for parents.
  • Recital/Performance? May recital.
  • Durations Available: 9 month season.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary & Acro

• Scarborough Dance Center, Scarborough, Celebrating 40 years in 2024 (20 with current owners)!
  • Ages: 18 mos +
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes
  • Studio & Viewing: 3 dance rooms, 3 Dressing Rooms, 1 way glass viewing for parents and Marley sprung floors
  • Recital/Performance? Yes, end of season.
  • Durations Available: Season
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Contemporary, Acro/Tumbling

• Small Steps School of Dance, Scarborough- Celebrating 25 years in 2024!
  • Ages: 2-12
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? No, but parents are close-by.
  • Studio & Viewing: Open concept with waiting/viewing area open to dance space. Located on the 2nd floor, accessible via stairs.
  • Recital/Performance? Spring Recital (Optional)
  • Durations Available: Season-long & summer sessions.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Creative Movement, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical

• Spotlight Dance & Performing Arts Center, South Portland
  • Ages: 2.5+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? No
  • Studio & Viewing: To avoid distraction, parents may not view but are invited in to see progress twice per year.
  • Recital/Performance? Annual Dance Recital in May (optional)
  • Durations Available: Season-long & summer sessions.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical

• The Salt Flat Dance Collaborative, Scarborough: – New in 2024-
  • Ages: “Walking” and up
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes, for Walking to 4 yrs.
  • Studio & Viewing: Waiting area for parents outside of dance area, studio cameras for viewing from TV in waiting area expected to be installed.
  • Recital/Performance? Annual Recital in May (optional)
  • Durations Available: Season-long and 4-6 week sessions.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Jazz, Leaps & Turns, Contemporary, Lyrical, Acro, Hip Hop, Breaking, Tap, Boogie Babies

Westbrook/Gorham

• Drouin Dance Center, Westbrook – 2024 Kids Pick Awards Runner-up!
  • Ages: Walking +
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes
  • Studio & Viewing: Closed-circuit cameras in each classroom- watch from waiting area on large screens.
  • Recital/Performance? Required for season long students
  • Durations Available: 6 week sessions and Season-long.
  • Styles Offered: Music, Movement & Play, Creative Movement, Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acro, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Irish Step Dance, Musical Theater, Modern, Contemporary

• Atlantic Dance Arts, Gorham
  • Ages: 6 Mos +
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes
  • Studio & Viewing: Multiple classrooms with state-of-the-art dance floors & viewing windows
  • Recital/Performance? Spring Recital (optional)
  • Durations Available: Season-long, 6-week & drop-in options
  • Styles Offered: Ballet/pointe, Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical/Contemporary, Musical Theater, Acro, Creative Movement

• Dance Studio of Maine, Gorham
  • Ages: Walking and up
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes for walking – 3
  • Studio & Viewing: Big and bright dance space and sprung dance flooring.
  • Recital/Performance? Recreational Recital in May and in-studio performances for session -based dance classes (who may also participate in recital)
  • Durations Available: 9 month recreational season, session based classes for age 1-6.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tumbling/acro, pointe, and musical theater.

Falmouth/Yarmouth/Cumberland

• Maine State Ballet, Falmouth
  • Ages: 3 +
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? No
  • Studio Viewing: There are windows to view all classrooms.
  • Recital/Performance? Spring recital (Age 4+ classes)
  • Durations Available: Session based for 3 year olds, year-round for age 4+ classes
  • Styles Offered: classical ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theater. 

Saco/Biddeford

• The Academy of Dance, Biddeford
  • Ages: 2 +
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? No
  • Studio & Viewing: Unknown
  • Recital/Performance? A nutcracker show in December and a recital in June.
  • Durations Available:
  • Styles Offered: Creative movement, ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, acro, hip hop, modern, stretch turn and leap,

• Collective Motion Arts Center, Saco- 2024 Kids Pick Awards Top-3 Pick!
  • Ages: 2+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes
  • Studio & Viewing: 2 observation weeks for family & friends.
  • Recital/Performance? Bah-Humbug (annual holiday performance) and Student Choreography Showcase
  • Durations Available: Season-long and 6-week sessions.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theater, Pointe & Tap

• Dance House Productions, Biddeford
  • Ages: 2+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes, for ages 2-3.
  • Studio & Viewing: Lobby features viewing windows for parents.
  • Recital/Performance? Spring Recital for all participating in the 9 month program.
  • Durations Available: Fall class (9 month contract), Drop-in fees are allowed if not able to commit to 9 months.
  • Styles Offered: Classical ballet, tap, hip-hop, break dance, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acro

• Dance With ME, Biddeford: – NEW in 2024–
  • Ages: 1+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes, ages 1-3
  • Studio & Viewing: New space with state-of-the-art flooring.
  • Recital/Performance? Holiday show in December and Recital in June
  • Durations Available: Season-long.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, acrobatics, contemporary, musical theatre.

• Dirigo Conservatory of Movement, Biddeford: – NEW in 2024– This school also offers an Adaptive Program for special needs.
  • Ages: 2+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes, ages 2-4.
  • Studio & Viewing: New and fresh space.
  • Recital/Performance? 1- 1.5 hr long storyline-based, year-end performance for classes 3+.(optional) Costumes are rented for a small fee.
  • Durations Available: 6-week and year-long options
  • Styles Offered: Pre-Ballet, Ballet, Pointe, Adaptive Dance (special needs), Creative movement, Modern, Contemporary, Baton/Twirling, Acro, Tumbling, Hip hop

• Dynasty Dance Centre, Biddeford – Since 2015
  • Ages: 2+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Unknown
  • Studio & Viewing: Unknown
  • Recital/Performance? Spring concert.
  • Durations Available: Season-long and occasional sessions.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Baton, Clogging

• Steppin Out Dance Center, Saco- Celebrating 34 years in 2024
  • Ages: 1+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes, for ages1-2
  • Studio & Viewing: Unknown
  • Recital/Performance? Christmas show & Spring Recital (optional)
  • Durations Available: Season-long.
  • Styles Offered: Acrobatics, Ballet, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Jazz, Breakdancing, Clogging, Tap, Musical Theatre, Creative Movement

Sebago Lakes Region

• Maine Dance Center, Raymond
  • Ages: 1+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes. Starting at age 18 months the class transitions to student only. This class is non-recital.
  • Studio & Viewing: A comfortable waiting area for parents. Door-windows to peek into the classroom. A virtual facility tour is available on their website homepage.
  • Recital/Performance? Yes, a theater-style performance for all age 3+ classes.
  • Durations Available: Season-long with open enrollment through January 31st.
  • Styles Offered: Classical Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Tumbling, Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Acrobatics.

• Studio for the Living Arts Dance Complex, Gray: Our 2024 Kids’ Pick Awards winner! Celebrating Season #33 in 2024
  • Ages: 2+
  • Caregiver & Child Classes? Yes, 6 week sessions for ages 2-5.
  • Studio & Viewing: Virtual studio tour available on website. Spacious lounge waiting area with free wifi. 3 state-of-the-art studios.
  • Recital/Performance? Nutcracker holiday performance and June Recital.
  • Durations Available: 6 week mini sessions and season-long.
  • Styles Offered: Ballet, Tumbling, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Acro, Pre-Pointe, Contemporary, Leaps Turns & Flexibility, Music Theater and more.

Thank you so much for viewing our new Greater Portand Area Dance Schools for Kids list! If you liked this content, you may also like:

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