The School of Philadelphia Ballet is broadening its pre-professional offerings with the launch of its Contemporary Division for dancers ages 15 through 20 for the 2026-27 school year. Designed to complement rigorous classical training with contemporary movement practices, the program aims to prepare students for careers in contemporary ballet, second companies, and mixed-repertory settings.

The announcement follows the recent designation of the school (known officially as The Maxine and Jay L. Goldberg School) as an official partner school of the Prix de Lausanne, placing it among a select group of internationally recognized training institutions. The expansion also comes at a time when the school prepares to fully inhabit the new Philadelphia Ballet Center for Dance, which will provide additional studio space and programming opportunities.

In a recent press release, Davit Karapetyan, the director of the school and the Pennsylvania Ballet’s second company, PBII, said: “This new division reflects where dance is today and where it’s going. We are expanding how we train dancers, which includes preparing them to be adaptable, thoughtful and complete artists.”

Auditions for the Contemporary Division will take place throughout this spring and summer in Philadelphia and, in New Jersey, West Berlin. More information is available on Philadelphia Ballet’s website.