Let’s Dance & High School Choreographic Students Perform at the Mandell Theater

April 2026

In March, we celebrated months of dedication and growth as hundreds of students from the Let’s Dance and High School Choreographic Mentorship Programs took the stage before a full audience of family and friends at Drexel University’s Mandell Theater. This was the culminating collaborative performances of all the schools that participated in this year-long program.

The Let's Dance Program serves middle school level students who attend twice weekly after school dance classes led by professional dancers. In partnership with Philadelphia Ballet, the program offers a well-rounded curriculum that introduces students to a range of dance styles, including classical ballet, modern, hip hop, Latin, and African dance. This year, participants came from eight Philadelphia public schools: Pan American Academy, Folk Arts Cultural Treasures, Conwell Middle Magnet, AMY5 at James Martin, Thomas Holme, Kearny Schools, Greenwoods Charter, and Pennypacker School.

Students in the High School Choreographic Mentorship Program (HSCMP engage with professional dancers throughout the school year, including participating in master classes. At this level, students explore the choreographic process and create original works, often building portfolios as they prepare for continued dance study at the collegiate level. This year’s participating schools included Kensington CAPA, Northeast High School, CAPA, Esperanza Academy, Girls’ High, and Benjamin Rush High School.

These performances showcased the discipline and resilience of our middle and high school students. Beyond developing technical skills across multiple dance genres, participants gain valuable experience in teamwork and creative problem-solving. The performances were filled with energy, joy, and a strong sense of community support for these talented young artists.

Looking ahead, students will have the opportunity to participate in the Summer Dance Camp, a one-week immersive program for middle and high school students across Philadelphia who are eager to deepen their passion for dance. The camp features a rigorous full-day schedule that includes technique classes and choreography workshops, along with an exciting collaboration this year with Opera Philadelphia. This partnership will unite students from the Summer Dance Camp and the Opera Philadelphia Nexus Vocal Camp, offering a unique opportunity for young artists to learn from and alongside one another.

Philadelphia Ballet will host the camp in its new studios on North Broad Street from June 15–20, 2026. This year’s theme draws inspiration from the iconic musicals Wicked and The Wiz, setting the stage for a dynamic and creative week. Stay tuned!