Ampersand Academy monogram emblem in cream on deep burgundy Ampersand Academy of Dance & Performing Arts

Gardiner, Maine

Class Offerings and Schedules

Dance and theatre classes for young performers, organized by age and grade level.

Overhead flat-lay of dance and theatre practice essentials on a warm wooden floor, with soft lamplight and a calm, focused mood

Ampersand Academy offers Hip Hop and Theatre classes across several age and grade groupings. Each class builds a solid technical foundation while encouraging students to develop self-confidence and respect for the disciplines of the performing arts.

  • Studio: 293 Water St., Gardiner, ME 04345
  • Phone: 207-415-5151
  • Fall & winter studio hours (September–May): Tues–Thurs 3–8:00pm, Saturday 9am–2pm

Our Classes

Hip Hop I

Ages 7–9

An upbeat study of the fundamental movements that accompany the contemporary music and media of today, with attention to core strength and basic groundwork.

Hip Hop III

Grades 6–8

Emphasizes refined technique and stage performance, preparing students to perform with confidence in front of an audience.

Theatre II

Grades 5–8

Covers the fundamentals of theatrical performance, including stage movement, character work, and ensemble playing.

Class Levels at a Glance

Dance and theatre class offerings by age and grade level
Class Level Focus
Hip Hop Grades 3–6 Foundational hip hop movement and rhythm work.
Hip Hop I Ages 7–9 Fundamental movements and core strength.
Hip Hop III Grades 6–8 Technique and stage performance.
Theatre Grades 5–8 Fundamentals of theatrical performance.

Seasonal Sessions

Seasonal terms have included a summer program and a spring session that ran from January 19th to May 17th, with a spring show dress rehearsal on Wednesday, May 13th at Brunswick High School in 2015. The complete class list for each term has been published with the session materials.

Summer registration has been offered with a printed brochure and registration form, along with costume information for the spring show. Contact the studio for the class times and materials for the current term.

Ampersand Academy of Dance and Performing Arts is a place where young performers build a genuine technical foundation in dance and theatre. The studio's mission centers on solid training and an enduring love of the performing arts, so students practice fundamentals with purpose while learning to move and perform with confidence. Class groupings are organized by age and grade level, which helps each dancer and actor find instruction suited to their current stage of development rather than placing everyone in a single generic group.

The class schedule at the Gardiner studio covers a range of disciplines, including Hip Hop and Theatre offerings for different age and grade groupings. Each session combines structured technique work with encouraging students to develop self-confidence and respect for the disciplines of the performing arts. Because the groupings are thoughtfully divided, younger performers can focus on foundational coordination and confidence while older students refine more demanding performance skills in an appropriately challenging environment.

A warm, textured wood-grain backdrop in deep amber and brown tones gives the academy's site a grounded, workshop-like feel, while a clean white content card floats centrally over it to hold the essential information. Deep brick red accents carry the headings and links, and a muted dark gray top navigation bar keeps the site easy to move through. The overall effect is one of a welcoming, orderly studio lobby, with generous spacing and strong color contrast rather than heavy lines separating each area of the page.

Typography at the academy pairs a classic serif display face for headings and titles with a smaller sans-serif style for navigation and body copy. The serif lettering lends a traditional, theatrical character that suits a school devoted to the performing arts, while the clean sans-serif text keeps schedules, class details, and general information simple and readable at a glance. Headings and links in brick red stand out clearly against the white card, helping families quickly locate the sections that matter most.

Visitors can learn more about the academan's approach by exploring information about the studio, meeting the staff, and reviewing the class offerings and schedules. The studio is open during the fall and winter season, with weekday and Saturday hours that accommodate families balancing school, work, and rehearsal schedules. Whether a family is considering a first Hip Hop class or looking for ongoing Theatre training, the academy's structure is designed to welcome developing performers and nurture their growing passion for the arts.