How the Primary and Pre-Professional Levels Work at Philadelphia Dance Theatre

The Primary and Pre-Professional division syllabus at PDT is spread over 12 years from Levels 1-6. The levels are designed to have students working together. The first year of a level is the collaborative year. The second year of a level, denoted by 'X', students are more advanced and take more of a leadership role. For example, Level 1 is the collaborative learning year and Level 1x the leadership year, and so it continues up through Level 6.

The first year students in the class require consistent reminders of the many details that every dancer must work on to improve. This is beneficial to the X level students as well, who should be working to master these details. Just like academics, no dancer will improve at the exact same rate, and no two dancers' abilities should ever be compared. Dancers who gain an appreciation for the achievements and the accomplishments of their peers, will naturally be challenged by their achievements. Advanced level dancers learn to be patient, tolerant, and serve as role models in the classroom setting. Moreover, they learn the necessary focus to reinforce previously learned skills and concepts, which aids in mastery of technique. The collaborative dancers learn etiquette, and are inspired by watching and learning from the more advanced dancers in the class.    

Again, each dancer is an individual and there are times a dancer may remain in one level a bit longer than one year or a close peer. Dancers should not expect to automatically move up each September. However, that same dancer may progress through another level at a faster rate. We ask that parents and their dancer trust PDT to make the best judgment for their progress. Philadelphia Dance Theatre has over a twenty year history of producing competent, confident and beautiful dancers who will leave prepared for any challenge in the dance world and beyond. Our program develops a strong work ethic, teamwork skills, and a rare ability to face challenges with both grace and humility.