July Newsletter

Thank you for making our 41st Annual Spring Concerts a day to remember!


We are incredibly proud of our students, teaching artists, and staff. Thank you for your tremendous efforts in making this year's performance one of the most dynamic and exciting. And thank you to our team of volunteers, who made a smooth and enjoyable day possible for all. Parents and supporters, your energy and enthusiasm were palpable! Photos by @rosehutchins_photography


Click here to purchase the video.


Please join us in congratulating our 2025 graduates!


Arianna Bainter-Clark, Griffin Giroux, Molly Katz,

Annalisa McPherson, Maddy Peppard, Ruby Sokol,

Tori Stevens, Declan Sutton, Charlie Sydnor

Now Enrolling for the 2025/2026 Season!


General enrollment is now open for all fall semester, 7-week sessions, and full-year classes. Register early to reserve your preferred classes. Click the link below to view the schedule, tuition, and registration information.


Children & Teen Schedule (2-18 years)


Casco Bay Movers Dance Studio has led diverse dance education in Maine for over 41 years. We proudly provide the highest quality training to all movers, from ages 2 through adulthood, in a supportive and non-competitive environment. We firmly believe that dance is for everybody!


Returning students can find their recommended classes on the home page of their parent portal. If you are new to the studio or need assistance with class placement and registration, please don't hesitate to call or email us. We are looking forward to connecting with you!


Summer Office Hours: 

Monday through Thursday, 3-6 pm, Saturdays, 9-11 am,

and by appointment.

207.871.1013 | info@cascobaymovers.com



Save 10% on 2025/2026 full-season tuition

when paying in full by September 3, 2025

Portland Youth Dance News

Portland Youth Dance Scholarships for Fall Classes at Casco Bay Movers


Portland Youth Dance offers several scholarships annually to qualified applicants, allowing them to take a dance class once a week throughout the school year at Casco Bay Movers Dance Studio, culminating in an end-of-year performance. Applications can be submitted from the community at large. Each scholarship is based on financial need, individual qualities, and professional recommendation and is determined by Portland Youth Dance's Board of Directors. Scholarships are awarded in August & December of each year.


Click here to apply for a PYD Scholarship for the 2025/2026 season. The application deadline for class scholarships is Tuesday, July 15, 2025.


Prefer paper? You can download the application here. Completed applications can be emailed to info@portlandyouthdance.com, dropped off, or mailed to Casco Bay Movers Dance Studio.


For a copy in another language, assistance filling out the application, or any questions, please email Community Programs Director Elizabeth Lau at elizabeth@portlandyouthdance.com 

Summer Drop-in Classes for Teens & Adults

Summer drop-in

classes for teens and adults are in full swing! There is no need to pre-register; simply come in when you're ready to dance!


Click here to purchase our Super Saver Summer Class Pass is available throughout the summer: $130 for 9 classes.


Students may purchase multiple passes; however, they are only valid for the summer session.

Allie James in Residency

July 15 - July 29

We are thrilled to welcome Allie back to the studio in July! Join her for joyful, vigorous, and uplifting classes on the following dates:


Tuesday, July 15 | 6:45-8:15 pm

Saturday, July 19 | 11 - 12:30 pm

Tuesday, July 22 | 6:45-8:15 pm

Tuesday, July 29 | 6:45-8:15 pm


Alexandra James is a Southern Maine-born maker, mover and mother. As an independent Dance artist, she’s engaged with improvisation and interdisciplinary investigation, the interrogation of pedagogy and craft, seeking liberation through the integrity of embodied knowledge and the sharing of practice.

She served as Bates Dance Festival’s Director of Training Programs for eight years, and has been a professor of Dance at Bates & Colby Colleges. Her teaching & mentorship practice carries her nationally, with additional facilitation of Dance/Arts Pedagogy workshops. Recent performance collaborations include the work of Kendra Portier+BANDportier, Deborah Goffe’s Scapegoat Garden and Betsy Miller’s american / woman series.

Alexandra is Fellow with the 2023-2024 cohort of National Leaders of Color, and was a member of the 2023-2024 National Dance Presenters Forum. She has served on panels for the National Endowment of the Arts, New England Foundation of the Arts, Maine Arts Commission, Boston Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Arts, and most recently was a juror for the Utah Artist Fellowship. She earned her BFA from the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago in 2009. Photo by Sean Alonso Harris

Faculty News


Vanessa Beyland is the Assistant Director and Movement Coordinator for Opera Maine's production of Sweeney Todd, premiering in late July. Vanessa also choreographed The Children's Musuem/Theater of Maine's production of Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed - The Rock Experience!


Rose Hutchins' Ballet Bloom will host summer training classes in various forms at CBM on Saturday afternoons this summer. Classes are geared to intermediate to advanced dancers ages 10 and up. View schedule and register here.


Elizabeth Lau is continuing her studies this summer with a Hip Hop History and Heritage course offered by NDEO. She will also begin the process of becoming a certified Danceablity instructor thanks to support from Portland Youth Dance and a generous grant from UNUM.


Scott McPheeters was appointed Visiting Assistant Professor in Dance at Bates College for the 2025/2026 academic year. You can also find him at Subcircle, a performance company and artist residency in Biddeford.


Kate Marchessault will be honored alongside Christal Brown and Terrance Karn at Bates Dance Festival's BDFéte, a celebration of 43 years of the Bates Dance Festival on Thursday, July 31st. The party will be followed by the Bates Dance Festival premiere of The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company. We hope you can join us!

Work/Study Positions are available for summer and the

2025/26 season. Trade for FREE classes and rehearsal space!

Click here to find out more and apply today!


Important Dates:

  • July 4 - No classes held
  • Aug 23 - Last day of summer session
  • Aug 25 - Sept 2 - Late summer break - No classes held
  • Sept 3 - Fall classes begin
  • Sept 6 - Portland Youth Dance Auditions, 1-3 pm at CBM
  • Oct 13 - Indigenous Peoples' Day - All classes held
  • Nov 10/11 - Veterans Day Observed - All classes held
  • Nov 26-29 - Thanksgiving Break - No classes held
  • Dec 20 - CBM's Annual Holiday Shows
  • June 13 - CBM Spring Concerts

Check out our website for the latest news!

www.cascobaymovers.com


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