Business Details
29 Years
experience
Your Premier Dance Academy in Jenkintown, PA
Metropolitan Ballet Academy has been a leader in dance education for over 25 years, dedicated to artistic excellence, personal growth, and community enrichment. Our nationally recognized curriculum blends classical ballet with contemporary training for students aged 3-18, fostering technical mastery and creative expression. Through rigorous classes, performance opportunities, and outreach programs, we prepare dancers for professional careers while making dance accessible to diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.Our faculty combines professional expertise with mentorship that extends beyond technique, creating a supportive environment where students thrive. With a legacy of producing accomplished alumni and innovative choreography, we remain committed to advancing dance education through scholarships, community partnerships, and cutting-edge programming.
Services
Ballet Training
Contemporary Dance
Pre-Professional Company
Boys' Scholarship Program
Community Outreach
Performance Opportunities
Choreography Workshops
Summer Intensive
Adult Classes
Kinetic Literacy
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of proven success in dance education and professional development
- Our pre-professional company trains dancers for careers in classical and contemporary ballet
- We provide tuition-free opportunities through our nationally recognized Boys' Scholarship Program
- Our faculty includes award-winning instructors with professional performance experience
- We combine technical mastery with creative process immersion through 200+ annual performances
Associations and certifications
- Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP)
Services
Ballet Training
Our comprehensive ballet curriculum develops technical mastery from beginner to advanced levels. Students receive personalized instruction in classical technique while building artistic expression through performance opportunities. The program emphasizes proper alignment, musicality, and artistry for dancers aged 3-18.
Pre-Professional Company
This elite program trains serious dancers through rigorous daily classes and rehearsals. Participants gain professional experience performing 200+ times annually while developing time management and collaborative skills. The program has produced dancers now performing with major companies nationwide.
Boys' Scholarship Program
This tuition-free initiative provides specialized training for male dancers. The program addresses gender disparities in ballet through mentorship, strength training, and performance opportunities. Since 1999, it has graduated over 300 students who now perform professionally worldwide.
Community Outreach
Our outreach initiatives bring dance education to underserved populations through school partnerships and cultural collaborations. Programs include Kinetic Literacy residencies and free performances that have engaged over 10,000 community members annually since our founding.
Choreography Workshops
Students collaborate with professional choreographers to create original works. The program emphasizes creative process immersion through workshops with 50+ guest artists annually. Participants gain experience in movement invention, staging, and performance production.
People
Lisa Collins Vidnovic
Artistic Director
Award-winning director with 25+ years of experience developing young dancers. Former principal dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet who has trained multiple YAGP medalists. Leads choreographic initiatives and curriculum development.
Denise D'Angelo
Co-Artistic Director
Former Joffrey Ballet soloist with expertise in classical repertoire. Oversees faculty training and directs summer intensive programs. Recipient of multiple teaching awards from national dance organizations.
Da'Von Doane
Choreographer
Emerging artist creating contemporary works for pre-professional dancers. Former Alvin Ailey dancer with MFA in choreography from University of North Carolina. Teaches modern technique and improvisation classes.
Sarah Mettin
Faculty Member
Specialist in character dance with 20+ years of teaching experience. Former Boston Ballet principal dancer who stages classical variations. Directs weekend workshops for intermediate students.
Gina Palumbo
Development Director
Nonprofit leader managing community partnerships and fundraising initiatives. Oversees $500K annual budget for scholarship programs and outreach activities. Holds MA in arts administration from Drexel University.
Questions
What age groups do you accept for dance training?
We offer programs for children as young as 3 through pre-professional training for teens. Adult classes are also available for recreational dancers.
Do you offer scholarships for dance training?
Yes, our Boys' Scholarship Program provides tuition-free training for male dancers. We also offer need-based financial assistance for other students.
How do students prepare for professional dance careers?
Our Pre-Professional Company provides daily technique classes, rehearsals with guest artists, and 200+ annual performance opportunities to develop career-ready skills.
What performance opportunities are available?
Students perform in 3 major concerts annually plus community outreach events. Advanced dancers may join Philadelphia Ballet productions and national tours.
How do you support dancer wellness and development?
We provide strength training, injury prevention workshops, and mentorship programs. Our faculty includes certified dance medicine specialists.
Reviews (4)
Mateo Daukaus
Nov 02, 2019
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Met is a place where anything is possible. With the help of teachers and thanks to Mrs. Collins this could never be what it is now. Thank you for the amazing experience of a life time.
Rebecca Eaton
Aug 01, 2019
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Metropolitan Ballet has been an incredible experience for our daughter. The training is excellent and the teachers are caring. I highly recommend this studio for the serious and recreational dancer!
Nicole Vangen
Nov 22, 2017
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It isn't magic that happens at Metropolitan Ballet Academy, but one might think so after watching one of their several performances during the academic year. My favorite performance is the Family Concert Series performed every November by children of all ages. The energy and talent is top-notch. I also love attending Variations/Collaborations in April. The Company dancers perform three contemporary pieces choreographed by cutting-edge, visiting choreographers. The pieces are then accompanied with live music - the effect is breath-taking. The opportunities for the students to perform is plentiful
Welcome To Harambe
Oct 02, 2017
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Seems prejudice against black students. Child has been there since age of 3 and is a far better dancer than most but is constantly overlooked due to her race. Mrs.collins only helps and shapes her favorites and mostly white students. So disappointed and sad
