About the Company

Metropolitan Ballet Company, established as a 501(c)(3) in 2001, grew from several programs initiated by its parent school, Metropolitan Ballet Academy, which was founded in Jenkintown, PA in 1996. Today Metropolitan is recognized as our region’s preeminent classical dance company, and its training acknowledged as one of “seven local studios in America cultivating top talent,” (Pointe, October/November 2011).

Noted for its high-caliber faculty, rigorous performing schedule, successful alumni, and acclaimed Boys’ Scholarship Program, Metropolitan Ballet Company has been cited as “one of the top places to see ballet in Philadelphia” (CBS/ Arts and Culture, June, 2012). Metropolitan Ballet Company has four times been honored with the Youth America Grand Prix “Outstanding School Award” in the world’s largest international student ballet scholarship competition (2012, 2015, 2017 & 2018).  Metropolitan Ballet Company was also named “2015 Nonprofit of the Year” by the Eastern Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce.

Metropolitan Ballet Company dancers are exposed to technique and teaching by some of the dance world’s most illustrious artists through master classes and workshops, and practice the art of performance in an annual season that presents both traditional and contemporary dance. Since its founding in 2001, the company has added an astounding 75 works to its repertoire, including 33 world premiere contemporary works and five world premiere story ballets for children, created for the company by noted choreographers including Jessica Lang (Jessica Lang Dance), Kanji Segawa and Carlos dos Santos, Jr. (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater), Kate Skarpetowska (Lar Lubovitch Dance Company), Metropolitan Ballet Company alumna Sarah Mettin (Mettin Movement), and Tommie-Waheed Evans (Philadanco). The Company was honored to receive permission from The Balanchine Trust to present George Balanchine’s Serenade in 2010 and Valse Fantaisie in 2011. Metropolitan continues to expand its opportunities for pre-professional students and in 2012 launched the innovative Explorations program, designed to connect its dancers with professional companies across the nation.

Check out some rehearsal footage from our historical reconstruction of Martha Graham’s Panorama, from our 2023 Variations/Collaborations performance!

Serving a diverse community audience of more than 10,000 people annually, Metropolitan Ballet Company is committed to ensuring that dance continues to be relevant, exciting and accessible for people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. Metropolitan partners with The School District of Philadelphia, Educating Communities for Parenting, The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center, Northern Children’s Services, Abington YMCA, Abington Hospital, Jenkintown Library, Rydal Park and Sunrise Retirement to offer over 3,000 children and seniors free access to its performance season, outreach performances at retirement communities, and in-school Kinetic Literacy Program © classes and scholarship programs for underserved youth.

Metropolitan Ballet Company is grateful to its institutional and individual donors, who make our performances, community outreach, and training scholarships possible. We welcome your support.

Metropolitan Ballet Company is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization providing scholarships, performance training for pre-professional dancers and outreach programs designed to promote a love and appreciation of dance in our community.

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