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Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center

4.9 ★★★★★ 22 Google reviews · Ballet school in Somerville, Massachusetts

Adult classes Kids & teens Pointe Pre-professional

Plan your first class

  • Ages classes for ages 3–25 — check the schedule for the right level for your dancer
  • Adult classes classes for grown-ups, including absolute beginners — it's never too late to start at the barre
  • Pointe pointe and pre-pointe work for dancers who are ready — the pre-pointe strengthening comes first
  • Pre-professional a serious, conservatory-style track for committed students aiming high
  • Recitals end-of-year performances and shows — ask about costume and performance fees when you enroll
  • Summer intensive holiday and summer intensive programs — these fill early, so ask about dates and auditions
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone (617) 616-5124
  • Website & schedule deborahmasonperformingartscenter.com — enroll and see the live class schedule

Hours

Monday 2–8 PM
Tuesday 2–9 PM
Wednesday 2–9 PM
Thursday 2–9 PM
Friday 2–9 PM
Saturday 9 AM–6 PM
Sunday 9:30 AM–8 PM

Studio hours shift for holidays, recitals, and term schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The programs they offer

Ballet programs on the schedule at Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center, confirmed in families' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌸 Kids Ballet 3 mentions

“Deborah Mason School of Dance is not just a dance school it's a place where your kids will build lifelong friendships and begin to learn about themselves through movement.”

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☀️ Summer Intensives

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💃 Adult Ballet

“As an adult I still have those friends that I did when I first started at DMSD and will always have the love of dance and passion that Debbie instills on all of her students.”

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What families & students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 22 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

💛 nurturing, non-competitive 3 mentions

“Every week I can’t wait to see the teachers who have taught me so much and have given me a kind and loving experience at Debora Mason”

🎭 beautiful recitals & performances 2 mentions

“Some of her students have performed on Broadway, toured nationally, while others have reached the pinnacle of the dance world.”

🗓️ well-run & communicative 3 mentions

“Since of age of two, my daughter has been exposed to a great group of professional dance instructors.”

From the reviews

This is not just a place for dance classes. You will find a true sense of community and family here. The Mason-Dudley family is committed to building not a facility to provide not only world-class dance instruction, but also to strengthen the fabric of its surrounding community through a commitment to giving back.

★★★★★ — Sara, Nov 2015

DMSD is less like a school and more like a HUB for dance. Deborah offers many opportunities to her students and faculty. She provides top of the line dance training via her highly trained/experienced/accomplished faculty, her network connections throughout the country, her business structure and performing…

★★★★★ — Jenny, Oct 2014

It is not too many places that a parent feels thoroughly confident they are getting all they can hope for their child. Deborah Mason School of Dance has exceeded my expectations in several ways. Since of age of two, my daughter has been exposed to a great group of professional dance instructors.

★★★★★ — Abner, Sep 2014

I take adult tap classes here with Rose and Julia. The space is amazing, with a beautiful new spring floor. It’s been really hard to find good adult tap and Deborah Mason has the best selection I could find. Great tap at all levels. I highly recommend.

★★★★★ — Zoe, Jan 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 22 reviews →

Adult ballet at Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center

Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center runs classes for grown-ups — confirmed on their own site. If you've never taken ballet, or you're coming back to it after years away, this is for you — and a good studio genuinely welcomes a nervous first-timer. A few things worth asking before you go. First, which class to start in — look for one labeled "absolute beginner" or "adult beginner" rather than an open or "all levels" class, so you learn the fundamentals at the right pace. Second, drop-in or term — many adult programs let you pay per class to try it, then move to a term or monthly package once you're hooked. Third, what to wear — comfortable clothes you can move in, plus socks or bare feet, are plenty for a first class; you won't need a leotard or ballet shoes to walk in the door. It's never too late for first position.

See their adult schedule

Your first ballet class at Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center

Nervous about walking into your first class? Almost everyone is — and a good studio expects beginners, whether your dancer is five or you're returning at fifty. Here's what to know. What to wear: comfortable clothes you can move in, with socks or bare feet; a leotard and tights are nice if you have them, but not required, and pointe shoes are years down the road — never day one. What to expect: class usually starts at the barre with slow, simple movements to warm up, then moves to the center — follow along, copy the teacher, and don't worry about getting it "right" the first time. Arrive early: come 10–15 minutes ahead to change, find a spot, and let the teacher know it's a first class so they can keep an eye out. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Ballet is for every age and every body. If you're returning from an injury or have a health concern, mention it to the teacher before class so they can offer modifications.

Where to find Deborah Mason Performing Arts Center

624 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA02143

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.