The Philadelphia Dance Academy

The Philadelphia Dance Academy was founded in 2005 by Lori A. Lahnemann with the vision of creating a pre-professional training program in a healthy, constructive environment. Today it operates two locations: Old City in Center City Philadelphia (219 Cuthbert St, 3rd Floor) and Ardmore on the Main Line (116 Cricket Ave). The studio serves more than 700 aspiring dancers across the Greater Philadelphia region and has been recognized as 2025 "Best Dance Studio" by Philadelphia Family Magazine and 2025 "Best Dance School for Children" by Metro Philly.

PDA offers Early Childhood Dance, Primary and Pre-Professional Ballet Programs, a Boys Scholarship Program, Theater Dance, Contemporary Dance, Adult/Teen Recreational Classes, and Pilates. All three studios at both locations are equipped with Stagestep professional dance flooring. The ballet curriculum is built on the AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE® National Training Curriculum, an 8-level program combining high-quality artistic training with dancer health and child development. Primary through Level 7 ballet is taught by ABT® Certified Teacher Lori A. Lahnemann, who completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive.

The faculty are experienced professionals. Jennifer Smith, Principal Teacher, spent 14 years teaching at PDA after a career with Pennsylvania Ballet, where she performed principal roles in works by Balanchine, Cranko, and Wheeldon and created roles in world premieres. Jennifer Lameo, Theater Dance Director, trained extensively in New York with teachers including David Howard, Kat Wildish, and Andy Blankenbuehler, and worked as a Rockette Assistant at Radio City Music Hall before moving to Philadelphia in 2009. Kathryn Van Yahres, Assistant Director, holds a B.F.A. Magna Cum Laude from Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts and performed with DanceSpora, Asya Zlatina + Dancers, Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet, and Blythe Smith Contemporary Ballet. Kristen Adams, Program Manager, earned a Bachelor's in Fine Arts in Dance from Temple University in 2020 and joined PDA faculty in 2019.

Performance opportunities are central to training. PDA produces an Annual Spring Showcase each year at the end of spring semester (typically late May) at the Walter K. Gordon Theater at Rutgers University–Camden, with five performances accommodating different cast assignments. All classes except Creative Movement and Adult/Teen Ballet participate; students gain appreciation for the time and effort involved in preparing for performance. The studio also produces a Nutcracker performance and manages The Philadelphia Youth Ballet, founded to inspire dedicated young dancers with opportunities to learn and perform diverse repertoire, develop artistry, build confidence, and prepare for professional dance careers.

Students receive progress reports at the end of each school year detailing level placement for the following year. The studio maintains a nurturing, inclusive environment where each student is viewed as an individual encouraged to reach maximum potential. Families consistently praise the positive culture, professional instruction, and opportunities for artistic growth that extend beyond technique to foster confidence, discipline, and leadership skills.

Classes are structured by age and experience level, from toddlers through adults. You arrive 5 minutes early, and younger students are picked up promptly after class. The studio enforces a dress code: ballet classes require hair secured in a bun, pink tights, and pink ballet slippers or flesh-toned equivalents. No jewelry, watches, or warm-ups are permitted in class. Professional instructors teach refined technique while emphasizing dancer wellness and artistic development in a positive, constructive environment.

Lori A. Lahnemann, founder and director, trained under Scott Jovovich (principal, Joffrey Ballet), Nina Fedorova (principal, New York City Ballet), and Jeffrey Lyons (Pennsylvania Ballet). She holds a Master's in Elementary Education and is ABT® Certified in Primary through Level 7. Jennifer Smith, Principal Teacher for 14 years, was a principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet and has taught at University of the Arts. Jennifer Lameo, Theater Dance Director, trained in New York with David Howard and Andy Blankenbuehler and worked as a Rockette Assistant. Kathryn Van Yahres, Assistant Director, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Point Park University Conservatory. All faculty are described as professional and experienced.

Early Childhood, Ballet 1/1X, Ballet 2/2X, Theater Dance 1/1X, Contemporary 1/1X, and Adult/Teen classes may register directly based on age and experience; experienced dancers are encouraged to call for a placement assessment.