Walk into a typical suburban dance studio on a Tuesday afternoon and you’ll usually hear a specific soundtrack. It's a chaotic mix of pop remixes, the frantic tapping of patent leather shoes, and the muffled chatter of parents in the lobby. But there's a spot in Narberth that feels different. It’s quiet. Intense. The air smells like resin and hard work. This is the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, and honestly, it’s not for everyone.
If you’re looking for a place where your kid can wear a neon tutu and do a jazz-hands routine to a Disney song, you’re in the wrong building. Seriously. This place is an institution. For over 50 years, the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet has occupied a very specific niche in the Philadelphia dance scene. It’s the "Vaganova place." While other schools try to do a little bit of everything—hip hop, lyrical, acro—the Academy sticks to its guns. They teach classical ballet with a level of technical rigor that feels almost like a throwback to a different era.
The Vaganova Method isn't just a buzzword here
You’ve probably heard people throw around the term "Vaganova" in the dance world. Most of the time, it’s just marketing. At the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, it’s basically the law. Founded in 1974 by John White and Margarita de Saá, the school was built on the pedigree of the Cuban National Ballet. White and de Saá weren't just fans of the style; they were masters of it.
What does that actually mean for a student? It means your arms (port de bras) aren’t just "placed." They are choreographed down to the millimeter. The Vaganova method is famous for its logical progression. You don’t just hurl yourself into a triple pirouette. You spend years—literally years—building the back strength and the specific epaulement (that's the carriage of the head and shoulders) required to make that turn look effortless.
It’s slow. Some might say it’s tedious. But it works.
The school is now under the direction of Melinda DeVada and Bryan S. Robinson, who have kept that tradition alive. It’s a bit of a family affair, which gives the place a weirdly cozy yet intimidating vibe. You feel the history in the floorboards. It’s the kind of environment where the teachers know your name, but they also know exactly which muscle you’re forgetting to engage in your grand plié.
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Why the "Small School" approach beats the giants
Philadelphia is a big dance town. You’ve got the massive, high-profile programs associated with major companies that pull in hundreds of kids. Those places are great, but it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. You become "Girl in Pink Tights Number 42."
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet stays intentionally small. This is a deliberate choice. When you look at the alumni list, it’s actually kind of wild. You’ll find former students in the ranks of American Ballet Theatre, Pennsylvania Ballet (now Philadelphia Ballet), and major European companies. They aren't churning out thousands of dancers; they are hand-crafting a few dozen really excellent ones.
Here’s a thing people get wrong: they think a small school means less opportunity. It’s actually the opposite. In a smaller setting, the correction you get in center work is tailored to your specific skeletal alignment. If you have a shallow hip socket or a tight Achilles, the faculty at PAB actually notices. They don't just tell you to "turn out more." They show you how to work within your anatomy to maximize your potential without blowing out your knees by age 19.
The adult program is a hidden gem
Let's talk about the adults for a second. Most "pre-professional" schools treat their adult students like an afterthought. They give them the basement studio with the leaky pipe and a teacher who’d rather be anywhere else.
PAB is famously different here. They apply the same Vaganova principles to the adult hobbyist as they do to the ten-year-old dreamer. It’s kind of refreshing. Whether you danced as a kid and want to find your technique again, or you’re starting at 30 because you finally have the money for classes, they don't condescend. You’re going to learn the same precise positions. You’re going to sweat. You’re probably going to be a little sore in muscles you didn't know existed. But you’ll actually learn ballet, not just a "ballet-inspired" workout.
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What it’s really like inside the studio
It isn't all strictly business, though. There’s a community. Because the school is in Narberth, it has that Main Line feel—established, a bit posh, but deeply rooted. The "Society of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet" is the non-profit arm that keeps things running, funding the performances and the Nutcracker.
Speaking of the Nutcracker, don't expect a massive, over-the-top production with pyrotechnics. Their performances are usually intimate. They focus on the clarity of the dancing. It’s about the purity of the lines. For a lot of families, this is a relief. It’s not about the glitz; it’s about the art.
The technical breakdown:
- Focus: Pure Vaganova technique.
- Class Levels: Everything from "Creative Movement" for the tiny ones to a full Pre-Professional division.
- Faculty: Heavily influenced by the founders' lineage and professional company experience.
- Location: 210 Haverford Ave, Narberth, PA.
Is it intense? Yes. Will a teacher tell you your foot is lazy? Probably. But if you actually want to understand the mechanics of dance, this is where you go.
Common misconceptions about the Academy
People often think PAB is "too old school." In a world of "So You Think You Can Dance," the idea of spending forty-five minutes at the barre doing slow tendus feels prehistoric to some. But there's a reason the best dancers in the world still do it.
Another myth is that they only care about students who want to go pro. While their track record for placement is high, the discipline carries over. Honestly, the kid who spends eight years at PAB and then goes to med school is usually the most disciplined person in their residency. They know how to take a correction. They know how to show up when they're tired. They know that "good enough" isn't a thing.
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Making the move to join
If you're thinking about checking out the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, don't just show up with your shoes and expect to jump in. They usually want to see where a student fits best.
- Schedule an evaluation. This isn't an audition to "get in" (unless you're aiming for the highest levels), but a way to ensure you're in a class that challenges you without crushing your spirit.
- Observe a class. They are usually pretty open about letting parents or prospective students see how the sausage is made. Watch the way the teachers interact with the students. It’s firm, but it’s respectful.
- Invest in the right gear. They have a dress code. It’s not a suggestion. Buy the specific leotard color for your level. It’s part of the discipline.
- Check the performance calendar. If you aren't sure about the style, go see a show. You’ll see the "Vaganova back" in action—that specific, regal way the dancers carry themselves.
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet isn't just a school; it’s a specific philosophy of movement. It’s for the person who finds beauty in the details. It’s for the parent who wants their child to learn that mastery takes time. In a world that wants everything "instant," PAB is a slow burn that leads to a spectacular flame.
If you’re ready to get serious, head over to their studio on Haverford Ave. Talk to the staff. Look at the photos of alumni on the walls. You'll realize pretty quickly that you aren't just joining a gym—you're becoming part of a lineage that stretches back to the great ballet houses of Europe and Havana. It’s a lot of pressure, sure, but it’s the kind of pressure that turns coal into diamonds.
Visit the studio during their open house periods or call to arrange a placement class. For adult dancers, check the evening schedule—the 6:30 PM slots are usually the sweet spot for the working crowd. Consistency is the only way to see results here, so clear your Tuesday and Thursday nights. Your technique will thank you in six months.