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The Philadelphia Dance Academy

5 ★★★★★ 37 Google reviews · Ballet school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ballet school Kids & teens Pre-professional

Plan your first class

  • 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 (215) 922-2422
  • Website & schedule philadelphiadanceacademy.com — enroll and see the live class schedule

Hours

Monday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Thursday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Friday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday Closed

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 The Philadelphia Dance Academy, confirmed in families' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌸 Kids Ballet 21 mentions

“PDA offers exceptional instruction to both support and challenge the dancers in the studio as well as through performance opportunities like the Philadelphia Youth Ballet.”

All studios with kids ballet →

☀️ Summer Intensives

“My daughter traveled from California to take their summer intensive.”

All studios with summer intensives →

💛 Adaptive Ballet

“The teachers are always positive and they are truly an inclusive dance environment which supports dancers of all body types and abilities.”

All studios with adaptive ballet →

How they train

The training methods and syllabi The Philadelphia Dance Academy teaches, drawn from their own info and students' reviews — the quickest way to tell how a studio approaches classical technique.

🎼 ABT® National Training Curriculum

“It is also a testament to their implementation of ABT curriculum as she fit right in here in CA.”

Other studios teaching abt® national training curriculum →

Methods are mined from the studio's own info and reviews — they tell you the approach, not a formal certification or exam board. If a specific syllabus matters to you, confirm it with the studio before enrolling.

What families & students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 37 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

💛 nurturing, non-competitive 16 mentions

“The teachers are always positive and they are truly an inclusive dance environment which supports dancers of all body types and abilities.”

🎭 beautiful recitals & performances 7 mentions

“PDA offers exceptional instruction to both support and challenge the dancers in the studio as well as through performance opportunities like the Philadelphia Youth Ballet.”

🗓️ well-run & communicative 11 mentions

“I have three children who do a myriad of activities and this one is the most organized and best run activity any of my kids do.”

💪 builds confidence & discipline 6 mentions

“The teachers and guest teachers work together to create an environment which fosters learning and love of dance -- no matter the discipline.”

From the reviews

The Philadelphia Dance Academy has been our second home for 15 years. We have been blessed to be a part of a dance studio that is a family environment. PDA has cultivated my daughter into the beautiful dancer that she now is.

★★★★★ — Danielle, May 2025

This is our first year at PDA and I could not be more impressed. My daughter took ballet for many years at another school, but needed to switch to a more disciplined program. In just 6 months we have seen a big improvement in her core strength, turnout, flexibility and balance.

★★★★★ — Rachel, Dec 2025

My daughter traveled from California to take their summer intensive. I looked very hard for a school that I felt would be a good match for her and we could find some sights to enjoy during our travels. This school turned out to be a fantastic decision.

★★★★★ — Amy, Aug 2019

PDA sets a very high standard in dance education for all ages. A love of dance is instilled in the young students of the Early Childhood Program. As students level up, they are challenged and gain confidence. Ms. Lori and her staff exude a positive, professional energy that runs through the PDA community.

★★★★★ — Jennifer, Dec 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 37 reviews →

Your first ballet class at The Philadelphia Dance Academy

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 The Philadelphia Dance Academy

219 Cuthbert St 3rd Fl, Philadelphia, PA19106

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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.