The second season of Dance Moms, an American dance reality television created by Collins Avenue Productions, began airing on January 10, 2012 on Lifetime's television network. The season concluded on September 25, 2012. A total of 28 official episodes and 2 special episodes (Abby's Most OMG Moments, Abby's Dance-A-Thon) aired this season. Overview The second season continues after the release of Chloe's music video. The dancers of the Abby Lee Dance Company, and their mothers return for another season of dance competitions. In this season, new dance moms and dancers are introduced into both the Abby Lee Dance Company and Candy Apples Dance Center. Cast The second season featured thirteen star billing cast members with various other dancers and moms appearing throughout the season. Dancers Maddie Ziegler Mackenzie Ziegler Chloe Lukasiak Nia Frazier Paige Hyland Brooke Hyland Kendall Vertes Moms Melissa Gisoni Christi Lukasiak Holly Hatcher-Frazier Kelly Hyland Jill Vertes Guest dancers Payton Ackerman Nicaya Wiley Nick Dobbs Auriel Welty Katherine Narasimhan Nina Linhart Vivi-Anne Stein (Candy Apples Team) Justice McCort (Candy Apples Team) Taylor O'Lear (Candy Apples Team) Erika Schrade (Candy Apples Team) Sarah Parish (Candy Apples Team) Kerisa McCullough (Candy Apples Team) Guest moms Cathy Nesbitt-Stein (Candy Apples team) Leslie Ackerman Kaya Wiley Cast duration Notes Key: = featured in this episode Key: = not featured in this episode Key: = joins the Abby Lee Dance Company Key: = leaves the Abby Lee Dance Company Key: = returns to the Abby Lee Dance Company Key: = leaves the Candy Apples Episodes References General references 2012 American television seasons