Community Classes

Intro to Dance for Ages 3.5 – 5 Years

January 6th – February 10th | 11:45am-12:30pm | Ages 3.5-5 years

This class is a great introduction to movement and improvisation for your youngest dancers, allowing them to explore the gift of dance. Registrants must be potty trained, and registration is required. You can sign up here. This class is at Casco Bay Movers Dance Studio, 517 Forest Avenue, Ste 6, Portland, ME.

Breakdancing for Ages 6-10 Years

Saturdays 11:15am – 12:15pm | January 6th – February 10th | Ages 6-10 years

Join Bboy Starstriker from the Pine State Breakerz and learn foundational breaking moves, including top rock, down rock, freezes, and more. This class is located at Casco Bay Movers Dance Studio, 517 Forest Avenue, Ste 6, Portland, ME. Pre-registration is required and you can register here.

Danceability Workshops for Ages 6-10 Years

January 6th & February 10th | 12:30pm-1:30pm | January 6th & February 10th | Ages 6-10 years

Join Michaela Knox from Spark Inclusive Arts, Elizabeth Lau, and the Portland Youth Dance Company for this improvisational-based workshop. Danceability is for every body and all abilities. It is new to Maine but has been taught worldwide for 35 years. If you love to make up your own moves, this class is for you. If you want to learn new ways to move, this class is for you. The best part is, there’s no wrong way to do it! We welcome all levels of experience and ability in this class. Pre-registration is required, and you can register here. This class is at Casco Bay Movers Dance Studio, 517 Forest Avenue, Suite 6, Portland, ME.

We are proud to partner with area Boys & Girls Clubs and Mayo Street Arts. View our class offerings below!

South Portland Boys & Girls Club

January – May 2024 | Wednesdays 3:15 pm-4 pm

Location: South Portland BGC

Contact Lee at the BGC for more info and registration.

https://www.bgcmaine.org/sopo

Portland Boys & Girls Club

January – May 2024 | Wednesdays 3:15 pm-4 pm

Contact Anthony at the BGC for more info and registration.

https://www.bgcmaine.org/portland

Riverton Boys & Girls Club

January – May 2024 | Wednesdays 3:15 pm-4 pm

Contact Anthony at the BGC for more info and registration.

https://www.bgcmaine.org/portland

Mayo Street Arts Club Hip Hop

2023/24 Dates & Times TBD

Since 2012, PYD student teachers and Community Dance Director, Elizabeth Lau, led an ongoing hip hop class called Club Hip Hop at Mayo Street Arts in Portland, Me. Club Hip Hop focuses on reaching kids and teens in the East Bayside community. During the 2021/2022 season, PYD’s teaching artists Veeva Banga and Marita Kennedy shared a residency at MSA, teaching Hip Hop and West African dance forms.

Check out this link to our 2019 performance at National Night Out.

For more info, pictures, and videos of Club Hip Hop, check out their Facebook page!

Fall 2023:

Community Hip Hop

Saturdays 11:15am – 12pm | October 14th – December 9th | Ages 6-10 years

This class is located at Casco Bay Movers Dance Studio, 517 Forest Ave. Ste 6 Portland, ME. Click the link here to register. Casco Bay Movers is the home dance studio for the Portland Youth Dance Company and many of our community classes. Portland Youth Dance Company members will be teaching the class. There is no cost to participate but donations are welcome. Please email elizabeth@portlandyouthdance.com FMI.

Community Ballet

A Portland Ballet & Portland Youth Dance Collaboration

Wednesdays, 3:15-4:00 pm | September 6th – November 15th 2023 | Ages 7-12 years | FREE

This class is offered at Portland Ballet Studio. Click the link HERE to register

Community Ballet is a free group class for children ages 7-12. Funded by the Simmon’s Foundation, Portland Ballet and Portland Youth Dance have partnered to provide free beginner-level ballet classes to children in need in the Greater Portland area. Classes incorporate technique, stretching, musicality, and choreography.