Maine Dance Schools for Kids

By Lisa Bazinet, Managing Editor, Real Maine Mom

These are dance schools for kids and toddlers in Greater Portland, Maine, sorted by area, with ages, styles and class details for each. Studios that families voted into the top three of the Kids’ Pick Awards are marked.

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.

Dance Schools by Area

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
  • 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 (Kids’ Pick Award winner: 2026)
  • 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 (Kids’ Pick Award winner: 2025)
  • 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 (Kids’ Pick Award winner: 2025, 2026)
  • 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 (Kids’ Pick Award winner: 2024, 2025, 2026)
  • 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 (Kids’ Pick Award winner: 2024)
  • 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
  • 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. 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
  • 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 (Kids’ Pick Award winner: 2024, 2025)
  • 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.

Dance classes for kids near Portland, Maine: FAQ

What age can kids start dance classes in Greater Portland?

Many local studios start classes for toddlers, some as soon as children are walking. Each studio’s listing shows the ages it serves.

How do I choose a dance studio for my child?

Think about the styles your child is interested in, whether you want a recreational or competitive program, the class schedule and the location. Visiting the studio or trying a class is the best way to see if it fits.

Do studios offer toddler classes?

Yes, several do. Check the Ages listed under each studio to find classes for the youngest dancers.

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

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