The Philadelphia Dance Academy | 2025 Family Favorite Dance Studio
PDA offers professional dance training in a positive environment, focusing on technique, wellness, and artistic growth for all ages
The Philadelphia Dance Academy | 2025 Family Favorite Dance Studio
Description
Professional training in a positive environment. The goal at The Philadelphia Dance Academy is to provide exceptional dance training in a professional and positive environment. They view each student as an individual and aim to ensure he or she reaches maximum potential. Students are placed in appropriate dance training programs and taught by a professional, experienced faculty.
The Philadelphia Dance Academy's programs prioritize refined technique, dancer wellness, and artistic development. We offer: Early Childhood Dance, Primary and Pre-Professional Ballet Programs, a Boys Scholarship Program, Theater Dance, Contemporary Dance, Adult/Teen Recreational Classes, and Pilates.
As Seen in the Main Line Parent Best for Families Guide
2025 Family Favorite Honoree: Dance Studio | 2024 Family Favorite Honoree: Dance Studio | 2023 Family Favorite Honoree: Dance Studio | 2022 Family Favorite Honoree: Dance Classes | 2021 Family Favorite Honoree: Dance Classes | 2020 Family Favorite Honoree: Dance Studio
Has your child attended The Philadelphia Dance Academy? Share an endorsement below to show your support.
Lainey Q.
They make dance fun, it’s well organized and welcoming for new and older dancers alike!
Katie C.
Philadelphia Dance Academy has studios in both Old City Philadelphia and in Ardmore. We recently moved and it has been a such a blessing to have both of our children continue their ballet training in Ardmore. In addition to moving their bodies, getting stronger and more flexible, they are learning about hard work, discipline and forming amazing friendships. Miss Lori has created an environment that is so positive, and every teacher is kind, patient and experienced.
Lauren
The PDA studio is incredible. They are rooted in technique yet free of stigma. It’s encouraging, confidence boosting and challenging. So proud to be a PDA family.
Main Line Parent Community Parent
My daughter has been dancing there for years and loves it. Her dance skills have improved greatly over the years, she has gained confidence and a love for all things dance.
Kelly S.
My daughter has been dancing at The Philadelphia Dance Academy for the past 10 years and it has truly made such a positive impact in her life. The staff at PDA provide steadfast pre-professional dance training that focuses on development of both proper technique AND creative artistry. My daughter considers the studio her second home and her instructors are her mentors and role models. PDA has created an environment that truly allows its dancers to learn, grow and create.
Kelly S.
Ann Pearlman
Philadelphia Dance Academy has had such a profound effect upon my granddaughter’s development. She is learning that ballet is much more than a physical transformation! And for their great efforts, I
am, forever, grateful!
Patricia Benitez-Cafiero
Very organize. Great instructors. MY daughter has improve a lot
Beth F.
Our daughter has danced with Philadelphia Dance Academy since she was a toddler; she is now in 9th grade. Miss Lori and the other instructors don’t just teach the students the technical and artistic skills needed to develop as dancers, they also focus on developing life skills like self-discipline, organization, and focus. Seeing the students perform in the Nutcracker in December, and the annual showcase in June, we get to see the improvement and growth. It’s impressive!
Andrea Pack
We are so proud and happy to belong to the PDA family! Our daughter has grown in her self-confidence and ballet skill since joining PDA. They are loving, supportive and have great organization and communication! Truly an amazing ballet school with wonderful teachers and staff who are building our daughter into a talented dancer and lovely young woman.
Leora Eisenstadt
PDA is a wonderful school. The kids learn the technicalities of dance but also a love for it. They learn the importance of community and gain confidence in themselves. All of the teachers are supportive and excellent. My daughter has been there for years and wouldn’t think of going anywhere else!
Main Line Parent Community Parent
Philadelphia Dance Academy has been the perfect introduction to the world of dance for our daughter. The classes are fun, the teachers are so caring and professional, and the atmosphere supports a healthy, balanced experience. We appreciate how diligent the studio has been during the pandemic, it has provided a fun and safe place to learn and grow our daughter’s love of dance.
Kathleen H.
Philadelphia Dance Academy is a wonderful place for dance instruction in Ardmore. Wonderful and receptive teachers, professional atmosphere, safe dance instruction conditions and a mindful environment to learn dance. PDA did not let Covid stop dance. The nutcracker this year was performed and broadcast using a professional video team. They have done a wonderful job keeping the children dancing and engaged. PDA has saved our year . It provided a safe place for our daughter to exercise, be creative, see friends and to feel normal.
Laura G.
They started virtual classes within 1-2 weeks post March lockdown and with the utmost professionalism. Teachers went door-to-door delivering showcase costumes with lovely notes for each student in Spring. And in the summer, they were ready to open with excellent safeguards in place. Then Fall came, and all classes were back in studio as well as a reimagined Nutcracker. Lori had always run the studio with the highest professional standards, kindness, and grace, but I never expected them to care this much. PDA had kept my teen afloat during this pandemic.
Robert T.
Philadelphia Dance Academy has helped my daughter learn and grow tremendously. Their love of teaching shines through her skills. Their dance recitals are top notch and I’m so thankful that we’ve had the opportunity to be part of this amazing dance studio.
Cat L.
PDA’s program is both professional and nurturing. The teachers and guest teachers work together to create an environment which fosters learning and love of dance — no matter the discipline. Highly recommend PDA for any aspiring dancer.
Fran S.
I have 3 daughters who all attend ballet at The Philadelphia Dance Academy. All are different learners with different personalities, and each has been given the confidence and skills to step out on a stage with several hundred people watching with a smile on their face. This studio encourages all children interested in Ballet, Theater and Contemporary dance to develop skills to the best of their ability without judgment. Couldn’t be happier!