In the northeastern-most corner of the United States, lies a magical state known as Maine, or as our cool imaginary character, Mr. Lobster Boots, likes to call it, "The Land of Lighthouses and Lively Lobsters". Maine is truly special, with its breathtaking coastlines, lush forests, and mountains that touch the sky. But the real magic, according to Mr. Lobster Boots, comes from the dancing kids of Maine. Oh, these kids are not your ordinary dancers. No, sir! They are the Pinecone Prancers, named after the state flower. In Maine, the children do not just dance; they create a whirl of wonder. Whether it's a groovy hip-hop routine on the sandy beaches or a classical ballet performance under the shade of the towering pine trees, these kids know how to bring their surroundings to life. The rhythm of their dancing feet becomes the heartbeat of Maine, echoing throughout the state. Mr. Lobster Boots, with his bright red exterior and boots that were way too big for his eight lobster legs, was their biggest fan. He would click his claws to the beat and spin faster than the local lighthouse beacon, creating a spectacle that was as funny as it was mesmerizing. "Dancing is a Lobster's soup and salad," he would say, "it warms the soul and fills the belly with joy!" So, if you're ever in Maine, look out for the Pinecone Prancers and their number one supporter, Mr. Lobster Boots. Their spirit and energy are as grand as the state they call home. And, they're as unique and funny as their beloved dancing lobster in oversized boots.
Read morebest dance programs in Portland, ME
Swift Nature Camp is the perfect place for your child to spend their summer! Our overnight camp for boys and girls ages 6-15 is located in beautiful Wisconsin. We offer a unique blend of traditional summer camp activities and environmental education to help kids increase their appreciation for nature, science, and the environment. We’ve got it all – fun, friendships, adventure trips, and nature! Spend your summer with us – you’ll never forget it!
At Casco Bay Movers, we believe that dance offers an opportunity to create a lifetime of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Through our classes, we strive to provide a unique and positive experience for all ages and levels, so that our students can gain confidence, musicality, generosity, individuality, and positive energy. We are committed to sharing the joy of dance with our students, and our experienced faculty is here to guide them and help them explore and reach their goals. Our classes offer a safe and enriching environment for all to learn and grow, and we are passionate about helping everyone develop emotional expression, creative thinking, physical fitness, and spiritual awareness.
At STAGES Youth Theater, we’re delighted to welcome you! As a parent, educator, or young person, you’ll surely benefit from our comprehensive range of theater programs created for kids of all ages. We urge you to explore our website and discover all the wonderful opportunities available. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We look forward to seeing you at STAGES soon! At STAGES Youth Theater, we’re so pleased to have you join us! Whether you’re a parent, an educator, or a young person, you’ll be delighted by our selection of educational theater programs designed for children of all ages. We invite you to browse our website and discover all the exciting opportunities on offer. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We hope to see you at STAGES soon! At STAGES Youth Theater, we’re thrilled to have you here! We have a wide array of theater programs designed for kids of all ages, and we’d love to tell you more about them. Feel free to take a look at our website and learn what we have to offer. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can’t wait to see you at STAGES soon!
At our dance studio, we strive to instill our students with confidence, dedication, focus, discipline, and teamwork. Our goal is to provide a positive and supportive environment that will foster these important life skills. We design our classes to be comfortable enough for our students to take risks, structured for consistency and focus, and dynamic to keep our dancers engaged and learning. Our teachers lead by example, teaching their own choreography, demonstrating correct technique, and staying physically involved in the class. We also allow students to find their own voice through improvisation and exploring their own movement, as well as through group exercises that help them learn from each other. Our studio is open to movers of all ages and levels, and we emphasize the importance of teamwork and mutual support. We strive to ensure our students become better dancers and better people.
At Maine Academy of Modern Music, we understand the importance of music in children's lives. We are committed to offering a wide range of music classes and opportunities for music education across the state of Maine. Our instructors provide quality tutoring in person or remotely, so our students – whether soloists or part of a band – can make the most of their musical pursuits. At the Maine Academy of Modern Music, we believe that music is a powerful way to help kids learn, grow, and express themselves. We strive to nurture our students’ creativity and collaboration, and to foster a sense of community through music. With our range of classes and experienced instructors, we provide a learning environment where music education is accessible to all.
Portland Youth Dance (PYD) was established in 1998 to offer intermediate and advanced dancers an opportunity to perform without having to compete. PYD has developed and maintained its “No Star, All-Star” philosophy, which allows dancers to explore diverse styles of dance and challenge their abilities. At PYD, we believe that each dancer brings their own unique artistic integrity which should be recognized and valued. We are proud to offer a performance environment that encourages individual creativity. PYD focuses on creating a positive atmosphere for dancers to thrive. Our “No Star, All-Star” philosophy is designed to allow dancers to explore different styles of dance and push their abilities to new heights, while also feeling appreciated and valued. We look forward to seeing our young dancers grow and develop their skills.
Founded in 1980, Portland Ballet is Maine’s professional ballet company, and is the only professional ballet company in the state. Under the artistic direction of Nell Shipman, Portland Ballet has become one of the leading ballet companies in the northeast. Not only does the company present classical and neo-classical story ballets, but also offers contemporary works, and attracts professionals from across the country and internationally. Portland Ballet strives to bring the joy of dance to the entire community and regularly participates in outreach programs, collaborating with other local arts institutions. They reach over 1,500 local students and residents of retirement communities and disability support homes each year through their community performances. As a company, they are committed to training and supporting the next generation of dancers in an environment that is safe, empowering and equitable, and condemns all acts of racism, hatred and violence.
At our school, we are committed to creating a supportive environment where students can explore, express and create while being challenged. Our goal is to help children of the Greater Portland area find a sense of strength, confidence, and self-esteem. We believe that this can be done through the student/teacher relationship that we value as much as the subject material itself. Since 2009, we have been helping children discover the power of dance and its ability to empower and connect. We strive for a safe, child-centered environment that encourages exploration and growth.
At Rhythm Works Integrative Dance, we celebrate every child’s unique self-expression. Our classes provide an inclusive atmosphere where all students can feel safe and inspired to learn new skills, build self-confidence, and grow in their ability to express themselves through dance. We offer classes for students ages 4 and older at the Brio Dance Studio in the Greater Portland Area, as well as programs in local Community Centers, Recreation Programs, and Daycares. Come join us and let your child explore their creativity through dance!