Programs
Early Childhood
The Early Childhood Program includes Dance Together, Creative Movement, and Pre-Ballet classes. This program is designed to cultivate the joy for ballet in our youngest dancers while introducing them to the format of a dance class. The use of music, props, and imagination keeps students engaged while they learn basic ballet vocabulary.
Primary
The Primary Program begins with Ballet 1, a beginner class for ages 6 through 9 years old. This fundamental class focuses on body alignment, proper external rotation from the hip, articulation of the feet, and elementary barre and center exercises. Students progress through these levels at the discretion of the faculty.
Pre-Professional
The Pre-Professional Program begins with Ballet 4/4X. As students progress through these levels, their coordination and control is developed through more demanding and complex exercises. As they advance, an emphasis is placed on developing personal artistry through port de bras and epaulement (head and arm movements).
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.
Contemporary Dance
The Contemporary Dance Program is an opportunity for students to become more versatile dancers by exploring parallel versus turned out 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.
Adult/Teen
Adult/Teen classes are open to all levels. Enrollment is by semester, but you may join mid-session. Classes are structured and build during the course of the semester, so for that reason we do not do offer “drop-in” classes.
Pilates
Group Pilates sessions 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 lessons are also available.
Boys Program
At The Philadelphia Dance Academy, we believe that ballet is for boys too. To encourage boys to foster a love of dance, all boys enrolled in our Primary and Pre-Professional Divisions (Ballet 1 and higher) can take class on scholarship.
Summer Program
Keep your kids physically active and creatively engaged with Summer Half Dance Programs or Full Day and Intermediate/Advanced Dance Intensives. Week-long programs for ages 4-18 encourage dancers to refine ballet technique while exploring new genres. Weekly summer classes are offered for young dancers, teens, and adults.