Full Dance Program

Welcome to Dance at River Tree Arts!

Our dance faculty Dolly Nguyen and Abby Nolette are very excited to have you joining us! This year we are also excited to welcome a new faculty member, Courtney Lawler.

By registering for a dance class, you are agreeing to follow all River Tree Arts policies and procedures. All River Tree Arts Dance students must be a member of River Tree Arts. Family memberships are $75 per year. 

See below for information on schedules, policies and procedures. Registrations are final. 

SESSION DATES: September 14, 2026 – May 15, 2027

Monday (28 weeks) =  no lessons 10/12, 11/23, 12/21, 01/18, 02/15, 04/19

Tuesday (30 weeks) = no lessons 11/24, 12/29, 2/16, 4/20

Wednesday (29 weeks) = no lessons 11/11, 11/25, 12/23, 12/30, 2/17, 4/21

Thursday (30 weeks) = no lessons 11/26, 12/24, 12/31, 2/18, 4/22

DRESS REHEARSAL & RECITAL INFO

* Save the dates *

• Dress Rehearsal: Wednesday – May 12, 2027 (5-9pm)
• Recital: Saturday – May 15, 2027 (4-9pm)
• Venue: Kennebunk High School 

Dance Registration Opens:

Registration for all regular (non-competitive) classes opens at 7:00 a.m. on the following dates:

• August 10: Current RTA dance students who participated during the 2025–2026 season.
• August 12: Registration opens to all new students.

We encourage families to register online at www.rivertreearts.org for immediate processing and the best opportunity to secure their preferred class.

Registrations completed through the front desk using checks or other payment methods can only be processed during office hours and may result in a delay in securing your spot, as enrollment is confirmed once registration has been processed.

Competitive Dance Families: Separate communications will be sent soon with information regarding class placements, schedules, and additional details about the competitive dance program.

PROGRAM DATES:

Our most popular classes in the dance program run from mid-September through mid-May. We follow the RSU21 academic calendar and classes will not be held on no school days, snow days, and school vacation weeks. We close out our season with a recital in May. We have found that wrapping up our program in May allows our students to participate in other spring activities. We also offer several shorter session classes for more specialized styles of dance throughout the year. These classes typically do not perform at the end of year recital

SPRING RECITAL:
Our end of year recital is usually held in mid-May. All dancers in year long classes will participate. We utilize local venues for the recital when possible. We do not charge an admission fee for the end of year recital. Friends and family are welcome to attend FREE of charge.

TUITION PAYMENTS:
Full tuition payments are made at the time of registration. Discounted rates apply when tuition is paid in full.

There are NO hidden fees in our tuition. Dancers pay ONE fee for the full year which includes: class tuition, costume fee and recital fee. Installment options are always available upon request. Financial assistance is available to students in need, provided there are scholarship funds.

COSTUMES:
All group class tuition includes a full costume for each dancer. There are NO additional fees associated with costumes during the dance session. Short session dance classes (non recital classes) do not have a costume requirement.

MEET OUR FACULTY:
Our faculty are professionals. They are seasoned dance instructors and well respected community members who conduct themselves with integrity both in and outside of the dance studio. They are committed to continued education by attending dance conventions, workshops, and other opportunities for growth and to expand on their dance and teaching experience. They work hand in hand with our staff and board of directors to ensure a positive and well rounded experience for our students.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Please review for full session information & other important details: River Tree Arts – Dance 2026/2027 Parent Guide.

To join, renew or for more information on memberships, visit us online: RTA Membership Info.

For more information about Private Lessons, please review updated information here: Private Dance Lesson Info (2026/2027).

2026/2027 DANCE SCHEDULE

TYPES OF DANCE

DRESS CODE

BALLET

• Traditional attire is encouraged (leotard & tights). Dancers may also wear leggings and a fitted top.
• Ballet shoes are required (pink is the preferred color).

TAP/JAZZ

• Traditional attire is encouraged (leotard & tights). Dancers may also wear leggings and a fitted top.
• Grades 2-5: Black tap shoes, light colored ballet or jazz shoes
• Grades 6+: Black tap shoes, tan jazz shoes

IRISH STEP

• Comfortable, easy to move in clothing (no jeans).
• Soft shoes (ghillies)
• Grade 6+ need tap shoes or hard shoes, as well as ghillies.

HIP HOP

• Comfortable, easy to move in clothing (no jeans).
• Any type of sneakers is acceptable.

MODERN/CONTEMPORARY

• Comfortable, easy to move in clothing (leggings preferred).
• Dancers may want to purchase dance paws, dance socks, or half soles for class. Please see Miss Dolly if you have questions.
• Where can I buy dance shoes?
  • For little ones you may be able to find shoes and attire at Target.
  • For all other classes and online options we suggest visiting Amazon, Discount Dance, and/or Dancewear Solutions.
• Please arrive ready to dance. Restrooms should not be used as changing areas when possible.
• For all classes, hair should be pulled back (away from the dancer’s face).
• IMPORTANT: Shoes worn in the dance studio should be for dance class only – this includes sneakers for hip hop. Please do not wear your regular, daily use shoes to your dance class! Only footwear that is never used outside / for general use are permitted in the studio. Only clean dance shoes / barefoot is permitted. This policy is strictly enforced.

COSTUMES

• One full costume fee is included in the tuition for each group class and each private lesson. 
• Each dancer in a full year group class will receive ONE costume per class for the end of session performance.

POLICIES AND GUIDELINES

• What to Bring: Please bring only the necessary items to class: a water bottle, and appropriate footwear. All other items should be left at home or in the car when possible.
• Consent Form & Dancer Agreement: All dancers must have a consent form filled out and handed in to the instructor or the front desk before classes begin. Online Consent and Agreement forms can be found by clicking the blue links.
• Drop off/Pick up: Students should arrive at the time of their class. No early drop off/late pick ups can be accommodated in the lobby area. Students in any classes for grades 5 and under will not be dismissed from class without a parent/caregiver present to check them out of the classroom. Please pick up your children directly from the classroom and check-in with the instructor so that they know the child is being dismissed. Parents are asked to wait in the parking lot until 5 minutes prior to the end of class – we do not want to crowd the lobby waiting area.
• Snacks: Snacks are not permitted during class. River Tree Arts is a NUT-FREE facility. Water bottles are encouraged.
• Footwear: Shoes worn in the dance studio should be for dance class only – this includes sneakers for hip hop. Please do not wear your regular, daily use shoes to your dance class! Only footwear that is never used outside / for general use are permitted in the studio. Only clean dance shoes / barefoot is permitted. This policy is strictly enforced.

TUITION

• 2026/2027 pricing.
• Full tuition payment is due at the time of registration. 
• Installment plans are available upon request, please email kym@rivertreearts.org for assistance. Registrations with installment payments can only be processed once a completed card authorization form is on file, signed and returned to RTA. No exceptions. 
• Registrations cannot be held unless payment is received. 
• Check/other payments : registrations and securing a space can only be processed once we have received payment. We encourage online registrations at www.rivertreearts.org for immediate processing and to avoid any delays in securing your spot. 
• Each dancer pays a class Tuition Fee + One Costume/Recital Fee. 
• Registrations are final. Due to limited spots, we cannot issue refunds if students decide to not continue after registering or at any time during the session. Considerations will only be made if that class has a waiting list, and we are able to fill the spot.
• No refunds, credits or reimbursements will be issued if classes need to switch to virtual instruction for any reason.

PRIVATE LESSONS 2026/2027

• Space is limited and is only based on teacher availability. 
• Email dance@rivertreearts.org with your request and to be added onto a waiting list to be placed. We cannot guarantee that all students will get placed although we will do our best to try to accommodate everyone. 
• Private lessons will start from October 5, 2026.
• * NEW * All Private Dancers have a costume + recital fee added to tuition.
• All private dancers need to be an RTA member.
• For more information about Private Lessons, please review updated information here: Private Dance Lesson Info (2026/2027).