Professional Dance Academy

The Professional Dance Academy (PDA) in Stuttgart is a state-recognised vocational school for dancers with a focus on dance pedagogy and choreography. Established in 2006, it has spent over 20 years training dancers, artists, choreographers and artistic directors for careers in theater, commercial performance and the entertainment industry.

The academy offers an intensive full-time training program lasting 22 months. Class instruction focuses on technique across five disciplines: ballet, jazz dance, hip hop, contemporary and zeitgenössisch (contemporary). This core training is supplemented by the extensive course program of the New York City Dance School, one of Germany's largest modern dance schools, giving students access to a broader spectrum of styles. The teaching staff consists of around 20 highly qualified international instructors with extensive stage and teaching experience, with regular workshops led by international guest teachers.

The curriculum emphasizes practical application and career readiness. Students engage in choreographed processes under intensive mentorship, perform publicly, and take theoretical courses that develop creativity, problem-solving, teamwork and artistic independence. A dedicated mentorship program places students in real courses with actual clients. The academy also offers tanzmedizinisches Training (dance medicine training) covering prevention, body treatment and healthcare—unique support for dancer wellbeing.

Beyond the studio, students attend performances by international shows, travel to Paris as part of their studies, and take part in the tanztage.com tour across Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Munich. They also perform at the Theaterhaus Stuttgart. The academy cooperates with major theaters and cultural venues, connecting students with working choreographers and the professional dance world.

After graduation with a diploma, alumni pursue careers as performers in commercial stage productions (industry shows, concert tours, musicals, opera), company ensemble members, teachers in dance schools and workshops, choreographers and directors for entertainment, television, tourism and theater, or founders of their own studios. Several graduates have gone on to lead their own dance schools or work as freelance choreographers and creative consultants for cultural organizations and production agencies.

The facility occupies 1,000 square meters with six studios, spacious changing rooms with lockers, showers and toilets, and an exclusive common room for PDA students. Since 2024, the academy has been recognized as a state vocational school and is eligible for BAföG and housing benefit funding.

Attend an exclusive taster day (in person or digital) to observe classroom training, see the studio spaces, and potentially join evening courses from the New York City Dance School. The in-person taster includes a welcome, observation of class instruction in the main cohort, and optional participation in NYCDS evening classes of your choice.

The international teaching staff comprises around 20 highly qualified instructors with extensive stage and teaching experience. International guest teachers lead regular workshops in various topic areas. Names of individual instructors are not listed on the source materials.