About
The Portland Ballet Youth Programs include year-round ballet technique training, summer ballet intensives, and classes such as Young Dancer Summer, Hip Hop Class, Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Dance for Joy. The program also offers Open Ballet as a daily drop-in ballet class, as well as Community Class and other options like Adult Beginning Ballet Series and Open Classes that are available both in-studio and on Zoom.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: 2026 Summer Programs run July 6–August 1, with additional options including weekly Hip Hop Class, Dance for Joy on weekend mornings, daily Open Ballet, and rolling eight-week Adult Beginning Ballet Series
Founded in 2001, The Portland Ballet Youth Programs offers a Curriculum Program of year-round ballet technique training for ages 6–18 and a Career Track for the 2026–27 season. The Dance for Joy program introduces young children to dance through creativity, music, and movement, with two levels: Creative Movement for ages 3–4 with parent observation and Pre-Ballet for ages 5–6, and a free trial class is offered for Dance for Joy. Both Dance for Joy classes are described as nurturing imagination, coordination, and confidence while laying the foundation for future ballet training in a warm, age-appropriate environment. The 2025–26 Hip Hop Class is an upbeat, high-energy class led by Nick Le-Jurica for students ages 8–14 of all experience levels, and his style blends rhythm, power, and creativity as a way to build strength, coordination, and confidence while having fun. Community Class is created for all ages, abilities, and bodies, and the first portion of this class is done seated in a chair, with dancers able to remain seated or stand for the second portion. Open Ballet is offered as a drop-in ballet class seven days a week at 10:00 am, and Open Classes run daily from 10:00–11:30 am. The Adult Beginning Ballet Series runs in rolling eight-week sessions on Sundays at 11:45 am and 1:00 pm, and Dance for Joy meets Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. Artistic Director Nancy Davis and Executive Director Jim Lane trained at the School of American Ballet and had professional careers in companies throughout the U.S., and TPB alumni have gone on to dance with multiple professional ballet companies in the U.S. and abroad.
Last updated April 14, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: 2026 Summer Programs run July 6–August 1, with additional options including weekly Hip Hop Class, Dance for Joy on weekend mornings, daily Open Ballet, and rolling eight-week Adult Beginning Ballet Series
Founded in 2001, The Portland Ballet Youth Programs offers a Curriculum Program of year-round ballet technique training for ages 6–18 and a Career Track for the 2026–27 season. The Dance for Joy program introduces young children to dance through creativity, music, and movement, with two levels: Creative Movement for ages 3–4 with parent observation and Pre-Ballet for ages 5–6, and a free trial class is offered for Dance for Joy. Both Dance for Joy classes are described as nurturing imagination, coordination, and confidence while laying the foundation for future ballet training in a warm, age-appropriate environment. The 2025–26 Hip Hop Class is an upbeat, high-energy class led by Nick Le-Jurica for students ages 8–14 of all experience levels, and his style blends rhythm, power, and creativity as a way to build strength, coordination, and confidence while having fun. Community Class is created for all ages, abilities, and bodies, and the first portion of this class is done seated in a chair, with dancers able to remain seated or stand for the second portion. Open Ballet is offered as a drop-in ballet class seven days a week at 10:00 am, and Open Classes run daily from 10:00–11:30 am. The Adult Beginning Ballet Series runs in rolling eight-week sessions on Sundays at 11:45 am and 1:00 pm, and Dance for Joy meets Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. Artistic Director Nancy Davis and Executive Director Jim Lane trained at the School of American Ballet and had professional careers in companies throughout the U.S., and TPB alumni have gone on to dance with multiple professional ballet companies in the U.S. and abroad.
Last updated April 14, 2026.
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