EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM (2 - 6 years old)
The Early Childhood Program includes Dance Together-Toddler & Caregiver Creative Movement, 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 and imagination keeps students engaged while they learn basic ballet vo
cabulary. Dance Together-Toddler & Caregiver Creative Movement offers an opportunity for toddlers and their caregivers to experience the joy of dancing together. Be prepared to move! Dance-Together and Creative Movement classes do not participate in the Spring Showcase, but all Pre-Ballet classes do. Students go into class independently in Creative Movement & Pre-Ballet classes. Tuition is non-refundable. This includes changes in nap times, moving, time conflicts, etc. We will try to accommodate schedule changes if there is space available in another class. In Pre-Ballet students use imagery and props as part of the class, but more ballet vocabulary is integrated into the curriculum than in Creative Movement. We begin to integrate more structured exercises so that students can transition smoothly into the beginner ballet class (Ballet 1) at age 6. 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. PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM
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). Pointe work is introduced at the discretion of the faculty in a bi-weekly 30-minute Pointe class at approximately age 10 or 11. This class requires pointe shoes, although much of the focus is on strengthening and articulating (rolling) through the pointe shoes, not en pointe (standing on the toes). Pointe work is done at the barre in this level. In upper level pointe classes, students gain strength and perform pointe work in center, as well as at the barre. In Ballet 5, students begin to study classical variations in a weekly Variations class. Note: A placement audition is required for students who are not starting in beginner ballet to ensure appropriate placement. Ages listed for each level are merely guidelines. THEATER DANCE PROGRAM
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 tap technique. There will be a fall and spring tap segment as part of the class. Tap shoes are highly 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. Theater 1/1X (ages 6-8): Concurrent ballet enrollment recommended but not required, prior dance experience not required
Theater 2/2X (ages 7-12): Concurrent ballet enrollment recommended but not required, prior dance experience not required
Theater 3/3X (ages 9-13): Concurrent ballet enrollment strongly recommended but not required, prior theater dance experience required
Theater 4/4X (ages 11+): Must also be enrolled in ballet, prior theater dance experience required
Theater 5/5X (ages 13+): Must also be enrolled in Ballet 5 or higher, previous ballet and theater dance experience required
Theater 6/6X (ages 13+): Must also be enrolled in Ballet 6, previous ballet and theater dance experience required
Dress Code
Hair must be neatly secured away from the face. Girls will wear a black leotard, tank, or Philadelphia Dance Academy tank/tee with black or tan tights or black leggings and TAN slip-on jazz shoes. Black slip-on jazz shoes, black jazz pants, and a solid color tee or Philadelphia Dance Academy tank/tee for boys and non-binary dancers. CONTEMPORARY PROGRAM
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. Contemporary 1/1X (ages 7-11): Concurrent ballet enrollment is recommended but not required. Prior dance experience is not required. Contemporary 2/2X (ages 10-14): Concurrent ballet enrollment is recommended but not required. Prior dance experience not required
Contemporary 3/3X (ages 11-15): Concurrent ballet enrollment is required. Prior contemporary experience is required. Contemporary 4/4X (ages 13+): Concurrent ballet enrollment is required. . Prior ballet and contemporary experience are required. Both contemporary classes per week are required. Contemporary 5/5X (ages 13+): Must also be enrolled in Ballet 6. Prior ballet and contemporary experience is required. Teen Contemporary (ages 13+): Concurrent ballet enrollment is recommended but not required. Dress Code
Hair must be neatly secured away from the face. Girls will wear a leotard, tank, or Philadelphia Dance Academy tank/tee with pink, black, or tan tights or black leggings. Black pants/leggings and a solid color tee or Philadelphia Dance Academy tank/tee for boys and non binary dancers. All dancers will be bare foot for class. ADULT/TEEN PROGRAM
Adult/Teen classes are open to all levels. Enrollment is for the school year (September-June), but you may join mid-session. Classes are structured and build during the course of the semester, so for that reason we do not offer “drop-in” classes. These technique classes are designed for students who wish to further their training, learn a new skill for recreational purposes, or supplement training in another art or sport, i.e. acting or ice skating. Dress Code
We ask that you wear yoga pants or tights and leotard or snug-fitting attire so that the instructor can see your form. Hair should be pulled back off the face. A ballet bun or similar style is required for Teen Intermediate Ballet. Ballet shoes are required for ballet classes. Note: These classes are recreational and not part of the Pre-Professional program. Ballet classes do not participate in the Nutcracker or Spring Showcase. PILATES
Group Pilates Mat classes are designed for adults of any experience level. 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. Contact us for appointment availability. Cost for Private Sessions:
$80 / 55 minute session
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 age 6 and older enrolled in our co-ed Primary or Pre-Professional Divisions (Ballet 1 and higher) can take ballet class (not Theater or Contemporary Dance class) on scholarship. This scholarship does not apply to any of our summer programs. PDA has offered this scholarship since 2005. To date, more than 100 male students have enrolled in all levels, from Creative Movement to Pre-Professional. Students who are ages 8 and older and enrolled in two or more ballet technique classes also have the opportunity to audition for The Philadelphia Youth Ballet, PDA’s youth company. Performance fees apply. The program is a school year-long commitment. Students are allowed two absences per semester, and excessive absence will lead to dismissal from the program. This scholarship only applies to the tuition for boys enrolled in our primary or pre-professional ballet classes, not our Theater Dance or Contemporary Dance programs. Annual Registration Fee: The $25 Annual Registration Fee is charged automatically per family upon enrollment into a class. This applies to those participating in the boys ballet scholarship program. Performance Fees: If your child performs in The Nutcracker or the Annual Spring Showcase, the participation fees still apply. If your child is accepted into the Philadelphia Youth Ballet, the participation fee still applies. Dress Code
A plain white t-shirt; solid black tights, shorts, or pants; and black or white ballet shoes. SUMMER
Intro to Pointe Workshop
Half Day Camp
Full Day Intensive
Intermediate Intensive
Intermediate/Advanced Intensive
Maintenance Classes
Creative Movement (Ages 2.5-4)
Pre-Ballet (Ages 4-6)
Ballet 1/1X (Ages 6-8)
Ballet 2/2X (Ages 7-12)
Adult/Teen Beginner/Intermediate Ballet
