The Philadelphia Dance Academy (PDA) is located in the Old City arts community, directly behind Arden Theatre. Our dance programs prioritize refined technique, dancer wellness, and artistic development. At our main location we offer: Early Childhood Dance, Primary and Pre-Professional Ballet Programs, a Boys Ballet Scholarship Program, Theater Dance, Contemporary Dance, Adult/Teen Recreational Classes, and Pilates.
All students in Pre-Ballet 1 and up, Theater Dance 1 and up, and Contemporary Dance 1 and up are eligible to participate in our Spring Showcase, which occurs in June each year. Students learn their Showcase dance during normal class time and rehearse together at our main Old City location during the mandatory Dress Rehearsal which is typically a week or two before the performance. All students in Ballet 1/1X and higher and age 6 by the audition date are eligible to audition for our annual production of the Nutcracker. Nutcracker rehearsals take place at our main location on the weekends.
Address: The Creative Arts Building, 219 Cuthbert Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
2025-2026 Schedule
Academic year (Sept - Jun) enrollment opens May 15.
Enrollment is for the academic year: Sept 8, 2025–May 31, 2026. Midseason enrollment is available when space allows.
Early Childhood Program
Introduce your child to the joy of ballet in a nurturing and structured environment with our Early Childhood Program. Using music, imagination, and movement, children learn foundational ballet vocabulary, coordination, and confidence. This class provides the perfect first step into dance, preparing little ones for more structured ballet training in the future.
Note: Dance-Together and Creative Movement classes do not participate in the Spring Showcase.
Tuition and Enrollment:
Tuition is non-refundable. While we cannot guarantee schedule changes due to nap times, moves, or conflicts, we will do our best to accommodate students in other available classes.
Dance Together - Toddler/Caregiver | 2 - 4 years old
Dance Together-Toddler & Caregiver Creative Movement offers an opportunity for toddlers and their caregivers to experience the joy of dancing together. Caregivers actively participate in this class. Be prepared to move!
Creative Movement | 2.5 - 4 years old (at least 3 if joining after December)
Designed to introduce children to the structure of a dance class, Creative Movement encourages freedom of expression while building a fun and supportive learning environment. This class helps young dancers develop confidence as they participate independently while exploring music, movement, and imagination.
Pre-Ballet 1 & 2 | 4 - 6 years old
Our Pre-Ballet class bridges the transition between Creative Movement and formal ballet training. Children ages 4 to 6 have fun and build confidence as they learn simple exercises and combinations that strengthen coordination, introduce turnout, and establish essential ballet vocabulary. While imagination and creativity remain central to the experience, classes begin to take on a more traditional ballet structure, preparing dancers for beginner ballet in a supportive, engaging, and age-appropriate environment.
Primary Program
The Primary Program begins with Ballet 1, a beginner class for ages 6-9 years old. This fundamental class focuses on body alignment, proper external rotation from the hip, articulation of the feet, and elementary ballet vocabulary. Students progress through Ballet 1/1X, 2/2X, and 3/3X at the discretion of the faculty.
Students age 8 and older and enrolled in Ballet 3/3X and up have the opportunity to audition for The Philadelphia Youth Ballet.
Ballet 1/1X | 6 - 9 years old
Ballet 1/1X introduces young dancers to formal ballet training in a structured, nurturing environment. Students focus on developing proper technique with increased attention to detail, alignment, and strength-building. This level establishes essential foundations in classical ballet while supporting growing confidence, discipline, and a love of dance.
Ballet 2/2X | 8 - 12 years old
Ballet 2/2X builds on the fundamentals of Ballet 1/1X and welcomes dancers with varied experience. This class strengthens technique through a focus on alignment, turnout, coordination, and musicality. Students reinforce foundational ballet positions, develop balance and control, and expand their movement vocabulary with introductory turns, jumps, and traveling steps. With an emphasis on confidence, artistry, and proper technique, Ballet 2/2X prepares dancers for more formal technical training.
Ballet 3/3X | 9 - 13 years old
Ballet 3/3X builds on foundational skills to further develop technical precision, musicality, and coordination in young dancers. The class emphasizes proper posture, alignment, turnout, and core engagement, supporting more refined and challenging movement patterns while preparing students for advanced ballet training. This class section meets twice a week, and both days are required.
Pre-Professional Program
The Philadelphia Dance Academy’s Pre-Professional Ballet Program offers dedicated young dancers a pathway to advanced training and performance excellence. Starting at Ballet 4/4X, students develop technical precision, strength, coordination, and artistry through increasingly challenging content. Emphasis is placed on technique and alignment to support dancer health.
Advanced students gain experience in pointe work, classical variations, and complex sequencing, preparing them for university dance programs and professional trainee opportunities. Pre-Professional students may audition for The Philadelphia Youth Ballet, our performance ensemble, where they showcase their skills in professional-caliber productions.
Placement auditions ensure each dancer is in the class that best supports their growth, while flexible age guidelines accommodate individual readiness. The program nurtures discipline, artistry, and confidence, cultivating the next generation of accomplished ballet dancers.
Ballet 4/4X | 10 - 16 years old
This class meets twice a week. Pointe work is included in both classes. Instructor approval is required to buy pointe shoes. Those not yet en pointe will take the class in ballet slippers (pre-pointe).
Ballet 5/5X | minimum 12 years old
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday classes required (8 hour minimum). All classes include pointe work.
Ballet 6/6X | minimum 13 years old
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday classes required (8 hour minimum). All classes include pointe work.
Ballet 7 | minimum 15 years old
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, & Sunday classes required (8 hour minimum). All classes include pointe work.
Contemporary
The Contemporary Dance Program is an opportunity for students to become more versatile dancers by exploring parallel alignment, spinal articulation, weight-shifting, and groundedness through floor work. Dancers explore strength and subtlety, movement dynamics and space, the expansiveness of their kinesphere, and movement invention through improvisation. This program helps dancers to continue to refine the balance between technique and artistry.
Theater Dance
The Theater Dance Program pulls from many techniques, genres, and styles. The class focuses on balancing technical ballet training and stylized theater choreography. Students will learn a vast repertoire of classical, as well as contemporary, Broadway, and Movie Musical choreography. In addition, they will learn to recognize and appreciate the diverse styles and techniques of such legendary choreographers as Agnes De Mille, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, and Michael Kidd. Theater Dance curriculum includes a fall and spring tap session. Tap shoes are recommended but not required.
It is strongly recommended, but not required for all levels, that Theater Dance students also take ballet to help with control, strength, and refinement of their technique.
Adult / Teen
Adult/Teen Ballet classes are open to all levels and offer a welcoming, structured environment for dancers ages 13 and up.
Prior ballet experience is required for the Adult/Teen Intermediate classes.
Enrollment follows the school year (September–May), and dancers may join mid-session. Because each class progresses throughout the semester, we do not offer drop-ins. These technique-focused classes are ideal for students looking to strengthen their ballet foundation, learn a new skill for recreation, or supplement training in another art or sport such as acting, musical theatre, figure skating, or gymnastics.
Pilates
Group Pilates Mat classes are designed for adults of any experience level. Classes are structured and build during the course of the semester, so for that reason we do not offer “drop-in” classes.
Private Pilates sessions are also available. Customized sessions use the Reformer, Cadillac (Trapeze Table), Combo Chair, and small apparatus to train intrinsic musculature to increase flexibility and strength. The Pilates method was designed to create a more balanced, efficient body.
Private Pilates sessions are available by appointment. Contact us for availability.