School of Philadelphia Ballet offers the highest caliber dance education of any program in the Greater Philadelphia area, providing our students with exceptional technical training and unparalleled performance opportunities. Founded by Barbara Weisberger, a protégé of the great George Balanchine, the school carries on his honored tradition of (and devotion to) developing young artists and preparing them to become successful professionals in today’s competitive ballet landscape.

Situated in one of Philadelphia’s most up-and-coming neighborhoods, School of Philadelphia Ballet provides a complete education for our students, starting with Creative Movement classes for our youngest students and effectively progressing to the level of training needed to sustain a career as a working ballet professional. Each student is individually evaluated and placed according to their ability level by a dedicated faculty comprised of current and former members of Philadelphia Ballet, along with some of the industry’s finest dance educators.

 

Our students receive extensive instruction in each of the following disciplines: classical ballet technique, pointe work, men’s classes, pas de deux, and variations, with many technique classes accompanied by a live pianist. Further complimenting their studies, students are also provided courses in contemporary/modern dance, stretch and strengthen, and Flamenco. In addition, students of the school assume a close affiliation with Philadelphia Ballet, providing them an invaluable opportunity to perform in professional productions alongside some of today’s foremost ballet artists. Each year, an average of 100 students are selected exclusively from the school to perform in the company’s holiday classic, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. In addition to this and other performance opportunities with the company, the school also presents an annual spring performance.

Equally, School of Philadelphia Ballet also attracts students from across the nation and abroad to participate in its annual five-week summer intensive and weeklong Company Experience and Choreographic Workshop. Students are admitted through auditions held in cities around the country January through March of each year.

You may also like:

Meet the Ballet

Philadelphia Ballet comprises a team of dedicated professionals—each one devoted to bringing you the most thrilling and inspired works ballet has to offer.

The School

School of Philadelphia Ballet offers the highest caliber dance education of any program in the Greater Philadelphia area, providing our students with exceptional technical training and unparalleled performance opportunities.