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American Dance Festival

About PDI

Applications for PDI 2025 open November 12!

Pre-Professional Dance Intensive
July 13–26, 2025 | Ages 13–17

 

Experience Rigorous Training in a Supportive Community

PDI offers two weeks of intense dancing and collaboration to develop your artistic voice.

Train

  • Elevate your technique, artistry, and confidence.
  • Attend 20+ classes per week, including African dance forms, ballet, composition, dance film, Hip-hop, jazz, modern, and repertory.

Connect

  • Attend and discuss performances from a diverse roster of dance companies.
  • Investigate and engage with what matters to you as an artist.
  • Form strong bonds with peers nationwide and beyond.

Grow

  • Build relationships while having the freedom to create and grow independently.
  • Immerse yourself in the creative process through repertory and collaborative classes.
  • Present repertory, creative projects, and class excerpts in a full-length performance for friends, family, and the ADF community.

“ADF allowed me to push my boundaries, acknowledge my limits, and discover new ways to express myself creatively. The environment fostered a sense of community and support encouraging me to take risks and grow both technically and emotionally.”

–Estée Brooks, PDI 2024

PDI Students Receive

  • A curated schedule of four classes per day (Mon-Fri) from accomplished artists who serve as mentors and guides for students
  • 1 free ticket to all ADF performances during the two-week intensive
  • Additional drop-in and master classes on evenings and weekends
  • An end-of-intensive showing for family and friends
  • A chance to expand their community and build lifelong friendships

 

“I finally feel understood in my dancing and my intentions. I will forever cherish my 2 weeks at ADF, and even if I never return, I will never forget the magic that the festival contains. My heart has never been so full after leaving an intensive. Thank you for creating an environment where every human is allowed to be vulnerable and open.”

Elspeth Migliore
2023 PDI student

 

“I really appreciate all that ADF has built. I think it is a gem in the dance world and really is a place that brings so many people together. I just want to thank everyone that has contributed to my experience here because I know there was a lot of hard work that went on to make this happen.”

Jaya Dave
2023 PDI student

 

“This intensive pushed [me] more than I have ever been pushed. I learned so many valuable things and met so many amazing people. I found a voice inside of me that I never knew I had.”

Ajani Solomon
2022 PDI student

 

“[ADF] was perhaps my first glimpse at professional training. It was truly eye opening for me. I was able to understand my limitations, assess them, and work past them. Being a part of this community has been so special and I can truly say there is nothing like it!”

Avery Germany
2022 PDI student

See if ADF is offering a class near you!

 

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General Info

Questions?

 Contact us at school@americandancefestival.org