Billings Dance Center has been a pillar of excellence in the Portland dance community since first opening their doors in 1932 under the name Billings School of Dance. Under the direction of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Billings, the studio set the bar for dance education and saw hundreds of thousands of students come through their doors to receive a dance education. After directing the studio for more than forty years, the studio was then passed down to the next generation of Billings. Dick and Mary Louise Billings then took their place as the directors of Billings Dance Center. Since taking over in 1972 over 500,000 classes have been taught and tens of thousands of dancers have come through the studio’s doors to receive the high quality dance education that is now expected of Billings Dance Center. The latest chapter in the studio is under the careful direction of Tony Loupe. Tony is a Portland native, a very accomplished dancer, a long time staff member of Billings Dance Center and a product of the Jefferson High School Dance program. Tony takes his role as creative director very seriously and intends to continue providing the highest possible level of dance education while not losing sight of the fact that dance is and should be fun. Tony knows that he has big shoes to fill and looks forward to taking BDC into its next 40 years.
Teaching self-esteem and self-discipline through dance and other performing arts is what the Billings family has been doing since 1932, when the school was founded by Mr. & Mrs. Richard Billings.
Our success in presenting our program to hundreds of thousands of students over the years is based on a structured, proven curriculum and professional teachers who care about your child’s growth as a dancer and as a person.
Our goal is to present an exciting, up to date program that will instill our students with a love for the performing arts. All material will be ability and age appropriate and family oriented.
Students in all classes will have fun while learning. Classes will be taught in an atmosphere where mutual respect and good manners go hand in hand.
Whether in Tap, Jazz, Ballroom, or any other class, our students are encouraged and applauded for their progress and challenged to be the best they can be!