Living Arts Dance
Living Arts Dance is a Philadelphia nonprofit dance studio founded in 2006, providing session-based performing-arts instruction in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, and other styles to youth ages 2-17, supplemented by a competition team, summer camps, space rental, and a foundation scholarship program for low-income families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersPhiladelphia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Living Arts Dance does
Living Arts Dance, Inc. is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit dance studio founded in 2006 by Jaquetta Colson, operating from a two-studio facility in Northern Liberties. The studio delivers performing-arts education across ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, acrobatics, modern, contemporary, Horton, West African dance, and musical theater, primarily serving youth ages 2-17 with a currently paused adult program. It generates revenue through session-based tuition (fall/winter/spring/summer), an audition-based pre-professional competition team, summer day camps and intensives ($200-$375/week), studio space rental (capacity 65), private lessons, branded merchandise, and a traveling-classes program that delivers 4-12 week instruction to daycares, schools, and community facilities. Go-to-market is community-led direct-to-consumer, leveraging Instagram and Facebook organic social, a Jack Rabbit Class online registration platform, community performances (including the 2025 City of Philadelphia Juneteenth Jubilee), and word-of-mouth referrals.
The company operates without proprietary technology beyond a standard website and third-party registration platform; its competitive differentiation rests on instructor credentials (BFAs from University of the Arts, Temple, AMDA, Ailey/Fordham, Point Park; current BalletX company members; alumni of Alvin Ailey and Complexions), 20+ years of brand equity in Philadelphia, and a Black-owned, explicitly inclusive mission. The affiliated Living Arts Dance Foundation, spun off in 2018, provides scholarships, mentoring, and study-abroad opportunities to low-income Philadelphia families, with a $100-$150/month subsidized tier launching for September 2025-June 2026. Distribution is anchored to one physical studio supplemented by the mobile traveling-classes channel, with no disclosed geographic expansion beyond the Philadelphia market.
Living Arts Dance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Living Arts Dance
- Legal name
- Living Arts Dance, Inc.
- Website
- https://livingartsdance.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Living Arts Dance is a Philadelphia nonprofit dance studio founded in 2006, providing session-based performing-arts instruction in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, and other styles to youth ages 2-17, supplemented by a competition team, summer camps, space rental, and a foundation scholarship program for low-income families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Living Arts Dance industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dance Education
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610), Dance Companies (711120), Dance Companies (71112)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports) (MPAGADAH), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB), Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD)
Keywords
Where Living Arts Dance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Philadelphia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Living Arts Dance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Dance Class Tuition: Session-based tuition for youth and adult dance classes including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, African dance, and more. Classes run in fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons.
- Summer Dance Camp Programs: Weekly summer camp programs for ages 5-17 including day camp, intensive programs, and Saturday mini-sessions. Tuition paid weekly or bi-weekly.
- Space Rental: Studio space rental for movement classes, rehearsals, workshops, birthday parties, and events. Studio accommodates 65 people with tables and chairs included.
- Competition Team Training: Pre-professional competition team with intensive training 4-5 days per week. Audition required. Includes rehearsals, competitions, performances, and showcases.
- Merchandise Sales: Dance apparel and merchandise sold through online shop including class uniforms and dancewear.
- Traveling Classes: Dance instruction delivered to daycare centers, schools, and facilities. Offered in 4-12 week sessions at per-student or per-class rates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Dance Day Camp - Full Day |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Dance Day Camp - Extended Day |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Summer Saturday Mini Session |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pre-Professional Summer Intensive |
| Subscription | Monthly | Foundation Discounted Scholarship |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Space Rental |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Class Registration Fee |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Living Arts Dance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Living Arts Dance is a non-profit performing arts studio that provides professional dance education programs in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, modern, West African, Horton, contemporary, acrobatics, and musical theater for youth ages 2–17, with supporting offerings including a pre-professional competition team, summer camps and intensives, private lessons, mobile traveling classes, studio space rental, and a scholarship foundation for disadvantaged families.
Product overview
Living Arts Dance operates as a dance studio offering performing arts and fitness programs. The core offerings include Youth Dance Classes (Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Tap, Modern, West African, Contemporary, Horton, Acrobatics, Musical Theater, and Creative Movement) for ages 3-17, and Adult Dance & Fitness programs (currently paused). Seasonal programs include Summer Dance Day Camp, Summer Dance Intensive, and Summer Fun Saturdays. Specialized programs include the Youth Competition Team (audition-based pre-professional training). Additional services include Private Lessons, Space Rental for events, and Traveling Classes for external facilities. The Living Arts Dance Foundation provides scholarship and financial aid programs. Retail offerings include Merchandise and Class Apparel through the online shop.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Living Arts Dance Foundation: Non-profit organization providing scholarships, mentoring programs, study abroad programs, and financial assistance to disadvantaged youth for performing arts education.
Products and services
- Youth Dance Classes Comprehensive dance education program for children ages 2–17 covering Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Acrobatics/Tumbling, Tap, Modern, Horton, West African Dance, Creative Movement, and Musical Theater. Classes run in fall, winter, spring, and summer seasons; registration is via Jack Rabbit Class.
- Summer Dance Day Camp Seasonal summer day camp for ages 5–17 running Monday–Friday, including Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Tap, Acrobatics, West African Dance, Musical Theater, Arts & Crafts, and outdoor activities. Full Day and Extended Day options with weekly and bi-weekly rates.
- Summer Dance Intensive Pre-professional intensive dance training program for ages 7–17 requiring invite or audition, with a minimum 5-week commitment. Includes advanced multi-genre instruction.
- Summer Fun Saturdays Six-week mini session of Saturday dance classes for ages 2–17 featuring age-appropriate combo classes including Ballet, Tap, Hip-hop, Acro, Creative Movement, and Tumbling.
- Youth Competition Team Pre-professional training program for serious dancers ages 7–17 (also referenced as 4–17) requiring audition. Includes conditioning, Ballet, Pointe, Hip-hop, African dance, Contemporary, Horton, and Jazz technique with competitions and performances; team has won multiple Starbound awards.
- Adult Dance & Fitness Professional performing arts and fitness programs for adults covering Ballet, Jazz, Hip-hop, Tap, African Dance, and more. Adult class program is currently paused; private lessons remain available.
- Private Lessons Personalized one-on-one dance instruction customized to individual needs, pace, ability, and schedule.
- Traveling Classes Mobile dance and performing arts instruction brought to daycare centers, schools, offices, and community facilities. Offers Creative Movement, Edu-Gym, Music, Theater, Ballet, Praise Dance, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, and Tumbling for ages 12 months and up.
- Studio Space Rental Studio space rental for movement classes, rehearsals, meetings, workshops, and private events. Features Marley and Commercial Vinyl floors, two studios, waiting area, kitchenette, and capacity for up to 65 people with tables, chairs, and Bluetooth sound system.
- Living Arts Dance Foundation Scholarship Program Non-profit foundation (established 2018) providing scholarships, mentoring programs, study abroad opportunities, and financial assistance to disadvantaged Philadelphia youth for performing arts participation. September 2025 – June 2026 program at $100/month (1 class/week) or $150/month (2 classes/week).
- Merchandise Online shop offering Living Arts Dance branded merchandise and dancewear.
- Class Apparel Dancewear boutique offering mandatory dance uniforms, tights, and dance shoes for students.
Quantifiable outcome
- Dance education proven to improve math and science skills through musicality development in young children
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Living Arts Dance
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Living Arts Dance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Living Arts Dance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Living Arts Dance FoundationcoreNon-profit arm established in 2018 by alumni and director Jaquetta Colson. Provides scholarships and financial assistance to disadvantaged Philadelphia families. Former scholarship recipients have graduated college and now contribute to foundation leadership. Core to company's mission of affordable arts for all.
- Kimmel Center for Performing ArtscoreJaquetta Colson serves as dance teaching artist and choreographer for the Education Department. Partnership provides professional development opportunities and connection to Philadelphia's performing arts community.
- BalletXminorInstructor Shawn Cusseaux is a current company member of BalletX. Partnership brings professional dance expertise to youth instruction.
- Venice Island Performing Arts CenterminorSummer Concert held at Venice Island Performing Arts Center venue for annual performance showcase.
- 1764 German Society of PhiladelphiaminorHistoric venue used for 20th Annual Recital Gala, providing elegant backdrop for Harlem Renaissance themed celebration.
- Jack Rabbit ClasscoreOnline registration platform used for all class registrations, summer camp enrollment, and scholarship applications. Integral to enrollment operations.
- Area Daycare Centers and SchoolsminorPartner facilities receive traveling dance classes. Classes offered in 4-12 week sessions at affordable rates, can serve as fundraiser for partner programs.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Living Arts Dance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Complexions Contemporary Ballet: Contemporary ballet company where Living Arts Dance instructor Ashley Simpson trained as a trainee/apprentice. An upstream professional pathway and stylistic reference point for Living Arts Dance's contemporary curriculum.
- BalletX: Philadelphia contemporary ballet company whose dancers (Shawn Cusseaux, Ashley Simpson) are concurrently on Living Arts Dance faculty. A talent-source partner rather than a competitor, but overlapping brand exposure in the Philadelphia dance community.
- Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts: Philadelphia's flagship performing arts venue. Living Arts Dance founder Jaquetta Colson is a Kimmel teaching artist and the partnership functions as both an upstream talent pipeline and a performance venue relationship — adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Pennsylvania Ballet / Philadelphia Ballet: Major regional ballet company with associated school training dancers in Philadelphia. Overlaps Living Arts Dance on ballet instruction, Pointe pathway, and the feeder pipeline into professional companies like BalletX.
- National Dance Institute: New York-based nonprofit delivering in-school dance education programs. Conceptually parallel to Living Arts Dance's traveling-classes channel and foundation scholarship work, but at national scale.
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: National African American-led dance company and school. Several Living Arts Dance instructors trained at Ailey (Ashley Simpson performed with the company; Aiyana Martin was an Ailey Experience teaching assistant), positioning it as an upstream talent and brand reference.
- Dance Theatre of Harlem: New York-based ballet company with a school focused on training Black dancers — same cultural mission and audience as Living Arts Dance, but operating at a national scale rather than a single-city studio.
Direct peers
- Philadanco: Philadelphia-based African American dance company and school founded in 1970. Closely aligned with Living Arts Dance on mission (Black-led performing arts access in Philadelphia), style offerings, and pre-professional competition track.
- The Rock School for Dance Education: Pennsylvania-based pre-professional dance school (originally Tampa, FL) offering youth training across ballet, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop with competition team pathway. Comparable to Living Arts Dance's audition-based competition team model and audition-driven pre-professional track.
- PAVE School of the Arts: Philadelphia-area performing arts school offering multi-style dance instruction for youth. One of Living Arts Dance's own instructors (Skye Lewis) is concurrently on faculty, evidencing direct overlap in instructor pool, student demographic, and curriculum.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Living Arts Dance social profiles
Digital presenceLiving Arts Dance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Living Arts Dance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Living Arts Dance subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Living Arts Dance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Living Arts Dance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Living Arts Dance
What does Living Arts Dance do?
Living Arts Dance is a non-profit performing arts studio that provides professional dance education programs in ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, modern, West African, Horton, contemporary, acrobatics, and musical theater for youth ages 2–17, with supporting offerings including a pre-professional competition team, summer camps and intensives, private lessons, mobile traveling classes, studio space rental, and a scholarship foundation for disadvantaged families.
Is Living Arts Dance a public or private company?
Living Arts Dance is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Living Arts Dance founded?
Living Arts Dance was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Living Arts Dance based?
Living Arts Dance is headquartered in Philadelphia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Living Arts Dance make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Dance Class Tuition is the primary driver. The others are summer Dance Camp Programs, space Rental, competition Team Training, merchandise Sales and traveling Classes.
Who are Living Arts Dance's main competitors?
Others on record are Complexions Contemporary Ballet, BalletX and Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Broad incumbents are Pennsylvania Ballet / Philadelphia Ballet, National Dance Institute, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Direct peers are Philadanco, The Rock School for Dance Education and PAVE School of the Arts.
Does Living Arts Dance have an API?
No public API is recorded for Living Arts Dance.
What industry is Living Arts Dance in?
Living Arts Dance's product category is Dance Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMAAAH, Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance), with a secondary code of MPAGADAH, Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports). Its NAICS code is 61161 and its SIC code is 7900.