School of Philadelphia Ballet students benefit from a wide range of performance opportunities throughout the season, including regular appearances in Philadelphia Ballet company productions, national and international competitions, community engagement events, and SPB’s annual Spring Showcases.
One of the most distinctive opportunities at School of Philadelphia Ballet is the chance for students to perform alongside the world-class artists of Philadelphia Ballet in the company’s major productions. Past performances have included iconic works such as George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, Swan Lake, La Sylphide, Carmen, Le Corsaire, Boléro, and many more. These experiences allow students to share the stage in professional productions performed at the Academy of Music and other premier venues, gaining invaluable exposure to the rigor, artistry, and scale of professional ballet.
Each season, dancers ages 7 and up are invited to audition for George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, an unforgettable tradition that brings hundreds of young dancers together with the company’s professional artists and orchestra. In addition, advanced students may be selected for other productions throughout the season, broadening their stage experience and repertoire.
Participation in Company Productions is offered at no additional cost, underscoring the School’s commitment to providing meaningful, professional-level performance opportunities that enrich each student’s training.
As part of Philadelphia Ballet’s Community Engagement & Public Programs, School of Philadelphia Ballet students and Philadelphia Ballet II dancers perform a wide range of repertoire at schools, community centers, and partner organizations across the Greater Philadelphia Area. These performances help bring the art of ballet to new audiences, many of whom may be experiencing live dance for the very first time.
Community Engagement events may include excerpts from classical ballets, original works, or interactive lecture-demonstrations that invite audience participation. Through these outreach performances, students not only share their artistry but also serve as ambassadors for the transformative power of ballet. They learn to adapt their dancing for different spaces and audiences, developing versatility and communication skills that are essential to their growth as performers.
School of Philadelphia Ballet proudly supports selected students in elite ballet competitions. Each year, students compete at Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), where the school has received numerous accolades, including Outstanding School (2023 and 2025) and the Outstanding Teacher (2024).
SPB is also a designated Partner School with the American Dance Competition – International Ballet Competition (ADC-IBC), and participates in the prestigious Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition.
Each year, School of Philadelphia Ballet presents its annual Spring Showcase, a celebratory performance featuring students from across all divisions of the school. This showcase highlights the technical progress, artistry, and dedication of our dancers, while giving families and friends the chance to see their growth on stage.
Students in Levels 1-Philadelphia Ballet II perform a variety of classical and contemporary repertoire. In 2025, School of Philadelphia Ballet’s Spring Showcase featured Act II from Paquita, Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante and Tarantella, Tomasson’s powerful Concerto Grosso, and the U.S. premiere of Kinsun Chan’s SCHRäääG, the featured Partner School Choreographic Project at the 2024 Prix de Lausanne.
The Children’s Program Spring Showcase features our youngest dancers in a special showcase designed just for them. The Children’s Program Spring Showcase emphasizes confidence-building and stage experience, while highlighting the creativity, musicality, and foundational technique learned throughout the year. This performance introduces our youngest dancers to the stage in an encouraging and age-appropriate environment, giving families a chance to celebrate their progress and joy for dance.
