Mission and History
Maine State Ballet’s mission is to bring joy to the Maine community through inspiring dance education and performance. Founded around 1920, our dance school offers training in classical ballet, jazz, tap, and musical theater. Advanced ballet students receive specialized instruction in the Balanchine Technique® and Balanchine Style®, a rare opportunity in Maine. Many of our alumni have continued their dance careers at prestigious institutions, including the School of American Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Miami City Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Radio City Music Hall, Broadway, and film.
Established in 1986, the Maine State Ballet Company has grown into one of Maine’s leading professional dance companies. With a diverse repertoire of ballets, we present an annual season of 30+ performances, welcoming over 15,000 patrons to our Lopez Theater and our highly anticipated Nutcracker production at Portland’s Merrill Auditorium.
In 2006, the school and ballet company merged, officially becoming Maine State Ballet, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to making dance a welcoming and enriching experience for everyone. We celebrate diversity and foster an inclusive culture for our artists, students, staff, volunteers, and audiences.
At the heart of our mission is the belief that dance should be accessible to all. We strive to remove financial barriers by offering scholarship opportunities for aspiring dancers and ensuring that every performance includes affordable ticket options, allowing more people to experience the magic of dance.
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