Portland Youth Dance Company & Crew: PYD promotes creative excellence by providing diverse educational, volunteer, and performance opportunities for youth in the greater Portland area. Auditions are held each spring for dancers ages 10-18 years. Participation in PYD requires regular attendance of all weekly rehearsals and weekly technique classes from the start of the season in September through its completion in mid-June. Accepted dancers have the opportunity to learn choreography from a wide variety of professionals from Maine and away, perform in several professionally staged performances, festivals, and sporting events, attend several masterclasses and professional performances, and participate in PYD’s community teaching program. PYD has all-inclusive tuition, which covers rehearsals, guest choreographers, costumes, masterclasses, a ticket to a professional dance performance, educational opportunities such as travel, etc. Participation in PYD’s fundraising efforts is mandatory for dancers. Need-based scholarships are available. Click here for more information.
Community Outreach Programs: PYD has developed meaningful partnerships with several organizations throughout Greater Portland, such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Mayo Street Arts, Learning Works, The DEA Education Fund, and Spark Inclusive Arts, among others, to bring dance to over a thousand students who might not otherwise have access.
Click here for more information on available programs.
Scholarship Programs: Funded entirely by donations, the program provides need-based scholarships to youth for one dance class weekly from September through June.