The School of Pennsylvania 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, The School of Pennsylvania Ballet provides a complete education for our students, starting with 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 Pennsylvania Ballet, along with some of the industry’s finest dance educators.
Under the direction of James K. Payne, our students receive extensive instruction in each of the following disciplines: classical ballet technique, pointe work, men’s classes, and variations. Further complimenting their studies, students are also provided courses in contemporary/modern dance, stretch and strengthen, and Pilates, and, with the exception of our children’s programs, a live pianist accompanies all classes. In addition, students of the school assume a close affiliation with Pennsylvania 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. Although COVID-19 has altered the performance schedule for the 2020-2021 season, SPB is committed to once again offering these opportunities when it is deemed safe to do so.
Equally, The School of Pennsylvania Ballet also attracts students from across the nation and abroad to participate in its annual five-week summer intensive and weeklong Company Experience, Choreographic Workshop, and Coaching with the Company Dancers. Students are admitted through auditions held in cities around the country January through March of each year.
CONTACT
The School of Pennsylvania Ballet
323 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107
Joanne Smith, School Manager
215.587.6942 | jsmith@paballet.org
