Talents from 15-16 years of age and dance skills according to their age apply to audition for the Dance Vocational Program after they have finished their regular school. The (up to) 3 years full study program prepares them for auditions in state schools or directly for companies. Each school year finishes with an exam week and after having passed the final exam, the student may receive a diploma of our institution. To us, Classical Ballet is the base for performative quality. From there, various dance styles from neoclassical to contemporary emerge for the stage. Our goal is to help building expressive, technically strong and self-confident, self-responsible, versatile and creative dancer personalities who have a deep understanding of dance as performance, creation and transmission. Therefore, our intense, daily curriculum contains not only the traditional subjects Classical Ballet, Pointe/Repertoire, Modern/Contemporary Dance, Academic Character Dance and Muscle Strengthening, but also Vaganova Ballet Methodics, Pas de Deux (if men available), Choreography/Composition as well as frequent stage experience in performances of the Benedict Manniegel Dance Company (Junior Program).
Goal: A job in a ballet/dance company
The aim of the training in the academy is to prepare the students for auditioning and thus entry into a ballet company: Through the intensive and varied training practice, the artistic, technical and personal skills are optimally trained and strengthened by the individually tailored choreographic works which help develop different dancer personalities and build individually their feeling for different styles of dance. Applying for auditions at theaters is an essential part of the academy’s goals. The teachers are always available at this time to advise the graduating students.
Goal: Entering a B.A./M.A. program at a State Academy/Dance University
Anyone who wishes to obtain a state-recognized professional qualification (B.A. = Bachelor of Arts, M.A. = Master of Arts) must complete their ballet education at a state-approved ballet academy or university institution. The transfer to a state training institution is also a declared goal of our academy program, which is designed so that young talents are optimally prepared for the training conditions there. Every year, students of the Academy are accepted to prestigious international schools, academies and universities worldwide where they continue their education.
Choreography
Benedict Manniegel Ballet covers a broad choreographic repertoire of the house choreographers Heinz Manniegel and Ada Ramzews. Especially for solos in the context of competitions, but also in the context of performances, Benedict Manniegel students have the exclusive opportunity to have a choreography made “on their body” for them – the ideal situation for every dancer, who uses his or her respective choreographer’s potential to recognize and discover their own special talents. The solos, which are usually created in a competition context, may also be “taken along” to auditions by the students or danced in performances in their home country. On the other hand, students get encouraged to research on their own choreographic potential and how to build creative processes through the subject Choreography/Competition.
Intensive year for already external graduates or young professionals
Anyone who already has received an official degree from a (state) training institution, but has not yet been able to find any job, is able to spend an intensive year at the academy and take part in all classes offered in order to get into their best shape for auditions. In our experience, this intensive program which also includes participating in our company and school performances, extends the skills of the dancer, creates more self-confidence, and prepares them for various professional companies.
Dual education: learning how to teach ballet (Vaganova Method)
A unique feature of our Academy is the opportunity for our full-time students to learn Ballet Methodics according to the Vaganova Method of Classical Dance in addition to their practical dance subjects. Profound knowledge about the way how to build up a dancer from the very basics, is not only invaluably beneficial for the actual teaching practice, but also provides a deep understanding and self-awareness of one’s own dancing body. The participants gain the theoretical knowledge (subject matter, course structure, teaching objectives) about the method and learn how to apply it (lesson mode, class goals, motivation and corrections). As part of the general curriculum, Ballet Methodics contains the material of the 1st and 2nd year of the Vaganova system, which enable students to teach children and beginners.
What a student needs to audition:
CV
Portrait Photo
A whole body picture in ballet clothing
DVD or video link
- 10 Minutes of classical training with the following exercises:
At the barre: Plié, Tendu with Jeté, Fondu with rond de jambe en láir, Developpe´
Grand battement
Middle: Small Adagio with grand tours, Tendu with small turns, (pirouette), one small Allegro, (jump), middle or big jump, for men tour en láir - For women 2-3 exercises on point
- If available a classical variation, and a small excerpt of modern dance or improvisation
- 10 Minutes of classical training with the following exercises:
Please send the required material to academy@benedictmanniegel.com.
Supervision and accomodation of international students
For the organization of a visa, a dorm or a doctor’s visit, we work together with Mrs. Emiko Kühling, who, as a supervisor, reliably and confidentially regulates all organizational matters for our foreign students.
Our concept of Individual Housing in guest families, private flats or dorms offers international students the possibility to live in a tailored format of accomodation according to their budget and social ambitions. Especially when in a full scheduled training day, it is essentially important to have an individual, clean and comfy place to rest and relax.
Supervision is a separate service, contractually agreed between the students and Mrs. Kühling. She receives the power of attorney from the parents in the country of origin.
The services include:
Interpreter
Finds living accommodation
Organization and assistance with official visits (visa etc.)
Organization and accompaniment at doctor and clinic visits
Help and advice for travel planning, pre-dates, bookings
Settlement of money transfers and payments organizing bank accounts
Contact person for all questions
Helps with any personal problems
News
+++ AUDITION CALL +++
Application for the season 2025/26 now possible!
Our professional 2-3 years dance study program offers a unique fusion of Vaganova-based Classical Ballet training with Vaganova Methodics, Contemporary/Modern Dance with Choreography/Composition as well as frequent stage experience through performances of the Benedict Manniegel Dance Company. Our goal is to help building expressive, technically strong and self-confident, self-responsible, versatile and creative dancer personalities who have a deep understanding of dance as performance, creation and transmission.
#You are on fire for dance and want to become a professional dancer?
#You want to get ready to apply at a State Ballet Academy to accomplish your B.A. or M.A. degree in Dance?
#You graduated already and want to prepare yourself for company auditions?
#You are no younger than 15 years of age and you have professional dance skills according to your age?
#You are searching for a ballet academy that offers an intense and versatile training program based on Classical Ballet including high-frequency stage experience with the Benedict Manniegel Dance Company?
#You are interested in achieving methodic skills about the Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet to learn more about yourself as a dancer but also how to teach ballet?
#You are interested in choreography and creation and want to get to know your potential?
…audition now for our Dance Vocational Program for the season 2024/25 by sending the required material to academy@benedictmanniegel.de!
The deadline will close on June 15th, 2025!
There are still places available!
