08/29/2026
Are you ready for a great year of dance?
We can’t wait to see you in class!
Philadelphia Dance Theatre offers high-quality, richly creative, pre-professional dance instruction
Philadelphia Dance Theatre is the region's premier classical ballet school and performing company. Under the direction of Joy Delaney Capponi the school provides exceptional dance training for beginner through pre-professional students. Alumni have gone on to study with internationally recognized schools. PDT'S performing company presents an acclaimed Nutcracker each December and a new works each spring.
08/29/2026
Are you ready for a great year of dance?
We can’t wait to see you in class!
08/17/2026
OPEN HOUSE + FREE OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE 🩰☀️
Friday, August 21 at Philadelphia Dance Theatre
Interested in dancing at PDT? Come see what we’re all about! Meet our faculty, tour our studios, try a free sample class, and stay for a free outdoor performance on our summer stage.
OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE
• 4:30–6:00 PM | Open House — meet our faculty, tour the studios & explore our programs
• 4:30–5:00 PM | Pre-Ballet Sample Class — Ages 3–5, no experience required
• 5:00–5:45 PM | Beginner Ballet Sample Class — Ages 7–10, no experience required
• 6:00 PM | Free Outdoor Summer Performance
Our faculty will be available throughout the Open House to help find the best class and level for your dancer and answer questions about registration for our fall season.
Then at 6:00, join us on the lawn as our advanced dancers celebrate the culmination of their four-week Summer Intensive with a special outdoor performance! ✨
Admission is FREE! Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the performance from the lawn.
🔗 Interested in trying a sample class? Reserve your spot through the link in our bio!
08/15/2026
Be open to learning. Dance has one language with many different dialects.
BALLET STUDENTS: If you have any aspirations to dance professionally–even in a ballet company or as a teacher, you must take classes outside of ballet classes. Non-ballet classes like jazz and modern teach you new ways to move and think about your body, build versatility & coordination, and help you develop a sense of personal style. In today’s world, even ballet companies incorporate contemporary movement styles into their repertoire. Don’t kid yourself into thinking they are anything less than a foundational part of your training as a ballet student!
This photo is of my beautiful student, Ashley Fitzgerald Kelly. She studied with me (and other wonderful teachers) at a ballet school, took her jazz classes, etc., and has had a brilliant performing career, including Broadway!
Photo: DAG Photography
Dancer: Ashley Fitzgerald Kelly