TAMÁS SOLYMOSI | Ballet Director, Hungarian National Ballet
International Étoile

Education:

• Hungarian Dance Academy (Ballet Dancer)
• Vaganova Academy, Saint Petersburg
• Princess Grace Academy, Monte Carlo
• Hungarian Dance Academy (MA diploma as college professor of ballet)
• University of Theatre and Film Arts (choreographer)
• University of Theatre and Film Arts (currently working towards a DLA diploma)

Director’s Positions:

• Deputy Director of the Hungarian Dance Academy (2005-2006)
• Artistic Director of the Szolnok Summer Festival (2007)

Teaching Positions:

• Hungarian Dance Academy (2005-2013)
• Ballet Masterclasses Prague (2002-2014)

Guest Teaching:

• Wiener Staatsballet (2006, 2008)
• English National Ballet (2007)

Guest appearances:

• Metropolitan Opera, New York - American Ballet Theater
• Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow
• Miami City Ballet
• Teatro di San Carlo
• Bavarian State Opera, Munich
• Berlin State Opera
• Dresden Semperoper
• Ballet Chicago
• Osaka Ballet
• Norwegian National Ballet, Oslo
• Chilean National Ballet, Santiago
• Hungarian National Ballet
• Finnish National Ballet, Helsinki
• Warsaw Grand Theatre – National Opera and Ballet Company
• Vienna State Opera, Ballet Company

Repertoire: - Full-length ballets:

• Nureyev – Struchkova – van Dantzig – Iván Nagy – Petipa – Ivanov – Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake – The Prince
• Nureyev – Wright – Róna – Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty – Prince Désiré
• Nureyev – Holmes – Glazunov: Raymonda – Jean de Brienne
• Chernyshova – Iván Nagy – Lavrovsky – Adam: Giselle – The Prince
• Grigorovich – Stevenson – Vainonen – Wayne Eagling – Page – Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Nutcracker Prince
• Makarova – Minkus: La Bayadère – Solor
• Ashton – Stevenson – van Boven – Prokofiev: Cinderella – Prince
• MacMillan – Massenet: Manon – Des Grieux, Lescaut
• Cranko – van Dantzig – Seregi – Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet – Romeo, Tybalt, Mercutio
• Seregi – Goldmark: The Taming of the Shrew – Petruchio
• Pártay – Tchaikovsky: Anna Karenina – Vronsky
• Petipa – Minkus: Paquita
• Hynd – Lehár: The Merry Widow – Danilo
• Neumeier – Mendelssohn – Ligeti: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Theseus/Oberon
• Cranko – Tchaikovsky – Stolze: Onegin – Onegin
• MacMillan – Liszt: Mayerling – Rudolf
• Seregi – Delibes: Sylvia – Orion
• Harangozó – Delibes: Coppélia – Franz
• Zanella – Mozart – Salieri: Wolfgang Amadé – Salieri
• Sárközi: Macbeth – Macbeth
• Seregi - Khachaturian: Spartacus – Crassus

- One-act ballets:

• Gusev: Moskovsky Waltz
• Balanchine: Apollo, Tchaikovsky pas de deux/duett, Symphony in C major, Themes and Variations, Brahms-Schönberg Quartet
• Fokine: Les Sylphides, Spectre de la Rose
• Van Manen: Twilight, Trois Gnossiennes, Black Cake, Adagio Hammerklavier
• MacMillan: Song of the Earth
• North: Death and the Maiden
• Zanella: Empty Place, La Chambre, Sacre du Printemps, Konzertante Duo

Awards:

• Artist of Merit of the Republic of Hungary Award (2006)
• Philip Morris Award (2004)
• Gundel Prize (2003)
• Harangozó Gyula Prize (2001)
• EuroPAS Hungarian Dance Award (1998)
• Vécsey Elvira Prize (1990)
• Nívó Prize (1990)

Sara-Nora Krysteva – artistic director of the ballet/ Sofia national opera and ballet
Sara-Nora graduated at the National School of Dance Art in 1996 in the class of associated professor Kalina Bogoeva. Still as a student, she had successful ballet appearances which found their expression in 1995 in a award for ballet achievements and award for most promising young performer at the National Competition “Anastas Petrov”.
In the academic year 1995-1996 she was awarded a scholarship “Anastas Petrov”. In the -same year, she received a distinction for youngest participant at the International ballet competition in Osaka – 1996, and in 1997 she was finalist at the International ballet competition in Moscow.
Immediately upon her graduation, she joined the ballet company of the National Opera and Ballet passing through all categories from ensemble to soloist, although she started playing also difficult solo parts still upon her appointment.
Since 2003, she has been Prima and since 2009 – the youngest director of the National Ballet.
Repertoire: Kitri and Carmenssita – “Don Quixote”, Myrthe – “Giselle”, Odette-Odile – “Swan Lake”, Zobeida – “Scheherazade”, Lilac Fairy and Aurora – “The Sleeping Beauty”, Effie – “La Sylphide“, Marguerite Gautier – “La dame aux camellias”, Elina – “Goat horn”, Marina and Madame Hortense – “Zorba the Greek”, Indian Doll – “The Nutcracker”, soloist in settings by Balanchine and in “Polovtsian dances”, Black Knight – “Crusaders”, Evil Sister and Mother – “Cinderella”, many concert solos and Pas de deux.
Her international career Sara-Nora Krysteva started with an invitation for gust-performance in “Baletto del Sud” – Italy, in the role of Odette-Odile. As a result of her successful performance, she received a three-year engagement in some of the company’s spectacles – “Rhapsody in Blue”, “Scheherazade”, “Swan Lake” and others. Together with the ballet company, she had guest-performances in Spain, Italy, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Germany, Turkey, South America – Peru and Bolivia and in Japan.
In 2002 she graduated in ballet directing at the State Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” – Sofia.
In 2003 she was awarded a Crystal Lyre – Prize of the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers for her role of the Black Knight in “Crusaders”.
In 2008 she was awarded a Silver Rhyton for exceptional merits for promotion of Bulgarian culture by the Minister of Culture Prof. Stefan Danailov.
In 2009 she has been in the jury of the First international ballet festival “Young stars” – Sofia.
In 2011 she received the GOLDEN MUSE AWARD for contribution to the Bulgarian-Russian relations in the field of culture.
She is a member at international ballet competitions –Varna 2014,2016,2018, Estonia, Russia, Italy
Under her direction in 2013 Sofia Opera and Ballet was awarded a Golden feather, Prize of Sofia city 2017, Golden Lire-2018 for contribution to the Bulgarian,culture,
At a ceremony in 2016, she was awarded personally by Minister Vejdi Rashidov the highest distinction of the Ministry of Culture "Golden Century" for exceptionally big merits in the development and popularization of the Bulgarian culture and art.

Virginia Spallarossa is artistic director and choreographer of the contemporary dance company Déjà Donné, supported by the Ministry of cultural goods and activities and tourism in Italy.

She has studied the contemporary dance with the main teachers of the Release technique. She has danced in the Olympic Contemporary Ballet in Medusa choreographed by Wayne Mc Gregor.

As dancer, she worked in the Teatro alla Scala, Teatro Lirico in Cagliari, Arena in Verona, Carlo Felice Theater in Genova, Opera in Bilbao, Opera in Rome, Comunale of Florence, Bunkakhan in Tokyo, Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich. She has given masterclasses at the Università Cattolica in Milan, International Dance Theatres Festival of Lublin, at SEAD in Salzburg and she is a visiting professor at the Duncan Center Conservatory of Prague. In 2012 she has founded Pandanz, associazione più che culturale and she is the artistic director of the international festival  Pillole | somministrazioni di danza d’autore.

Geboren am 8.8.1959 in Wien, wurde Christian Tichy an der Ballettschule der Österreichischen Bundestheater ausgebildet. Sein erstes Engagement führte ihn 1974 an die Wiener Volksoper. 1977 wurde er Mitglied des Wiener Staatsopernballetts, 1985 erfolgte die Ernennung zum Solotänzer. 1992 wurde er Proben- und Trainingsleiter, 2003 avancierte er zum Ballettmeister. Er war erster Obmann der Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett. Im Herbst 2005 beendete Christian Tichy seine Karriere beim Wiener Staatsopernballett.
In den letzten Jahren widmet sich Christian Tichy neben seiner Lehrtätigkeit besonders der Choreographie. Er schuf Kreationen für Opernproduktionen der Wiener Staatsoper, zahlreiche Ballette für die Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett im Rahmen des jährlich stattfindenden Gastspiels in Bad Aussee, sowie zahlreiche Produktionen für den ORF. Der ORF betraute Christian Tichy auch mit der Choreographie der Balletteinlagen für das Neujahrskonzert 2007 sowie den Donauwalzer 2008. Für das vienna waltz project erarbeitete er Stücke wie „Schiele for sale“ , „Hommage an Friedenreich Hundertwasser“ , „Aufforderung zum Tanz“ und „Cafe square dance“ und „Passion Tango“. Viele Jahre choreographierte er für die Eröffnung des „Life Ball“ und er war künstlerischer Leiter bei der großen „Vladimir Malakhow Gala“ in St. Pölten 2010 und 2011. Aus diesem Anlass entstand auch„Shadows“, die erste Arbeit für das Europaballett St. Pölten. Er choreographierte und inszenierte auch die Uraufführung von „Dorian Gray“ – Musik von Paul Fürst nach einem Libretto von Ernst Jandl -im Festspielhaus St. Pölten und im Festschloß Hof. Ein nächster Höhepunkt ist gerade in Vorbereitung, ein Beitrag zur Eröffnungsfeier der Special Olympics mit der Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett und dem Verein „Ich bin Ok.“ im März 2017 in Schladming.

Born in Columbia, Missouri, Rick Gavin Tjia grew up in Gainesville,Florida, where at age 8 he began studies in tap, eventually branchingout into professional studies of classical ballet, jazz, hip-hop andcontemporary dance (training with teachers like David Howard,Finis Jhung, Christine Busch, Bruce Marks, Laura Young and GeriHoulihan). He also trained in other disciplines (trumpet, physics, andlater on, guitar studies and various studies in business). After anextensive career in dance and acting that includes performanceswith Ballet Austin, Boston Ballet and Delta Festival Ballet, as wellas 3 years of work in film and television in L.A. in jazz, hip-hop,contemporary, acting, and production (with choreographers likeTwyla Tharp, Joe Layton, and with film directors like Mark Rydell,and James Brooks), Rick joined La La La Human Steps in Montrealin 1993, with whom he danced and toured the world for 8 years. Rickis also a a choreographer, composer, coach, and teaches variousworkshops around the globe.In 2002 he joined Cirque du Soleil, where from 2004 to the presentday he has been a Talent Scout specializing in dance. Over the lastseveral years, Rick’s contributions to the Casting Department haveextended themselves to contributing to & drawing up new operationaland business strategies, as well as contributing to innovative internal& external strategies of various types.He is a Patron of Phoenix Associates and I-PATH in the UnitedKingdom, an organizations that offer opportunities, dance trainingsyllabi, and masterclasses to students aged from 6 right through toprofessional dancers.Rick was also one of the acrobatic choreographers for the Cirque duSoleil Big Top touring show Volta and is also CEO of ChoreographyOnline, the world's first online choreography marketplace.

Experience
Choreography Online
CEO/President
February 2019 - Present
Montreal, Canada Area

Freelance
Freelance Teacher
January 2010 - Present
International

Choreography Online
Co-Founder
May 2018 - Present
Montreal, Canada Area

Choreography Online is an online platform that sells performance rights fordance choreography on behalf of choreographers all over the world.By managing performance licenses in this way, Choreography Onlineempowers both choreographers and dancers. Our solution can makeobtaining choreography much less expensive for dancers, while at the sametime providing a source of revenue for choreographers— revenue that theyotherwise would not have.

Cirque du Soleil
Talent Scout, Dance Sector, Casting
May 2004 - Present
Montreal

Freelance
Dance Choreographer
1993 - Present

International
Third House on the Left
Owner
July 2002 - January 2019 (16 years 7 months)

Cirque du Soleil
Acrobatic Choreographer

April 2016 - March 2017 (1 year)
Montreal, Canada Area

La La La Human Steps
Dancer
1993 - 2000 (8 years)

Principal Male Dancer
Ballet Theatre of Miami

Guest Artist (dancer)
1990 - 1995 (6 years)

Sacramento Ballet
Guest Artist (dancer)
December 1992 - February 1993 (3 months)

Graffiti Tango
Guest Artist (dancer)
1993 - 1993 (1 year)

Universal Studios
Dancer
1992 - 1993 (2 years)

Freelance Dancer & Actor
1990 - 1993 (4 years)
Los Angeles, California, USA

Fox Television
Coordination
1990 - 1993 (4 years)
Delta Festival Ballet

Guest Artist (dancer)
November 1992 - November 1992 (1 month)

Abba
Dancer/actor/singer
1992 - 1992 (1 year)

Ballet Austin
Dancer
September 1988 - June 1990 (1 year 10 months)

Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Sloan School ofManagement
Certificate, Digital Marketing and Social Media Analytics - ExecutiveProgram · (2018)
Boston Ballet School
Degree doesn't exist, Dance · (1986 - 1987)
University of Florida
Associate of Arts (A.A.), Physics · (1984 - 1986)
Pofahl School of Dance
No degree exists, Ballet, Jazz, Tap · (1975 - 1986)
Buchholz High School
High School Diploma · (1980 - 1984)

MICHELE POLITI
TEACHER – BALLET MASTER

Attended  Training  Schools:
1980 E.Evans Ballet School in Leghorn  and D.Collin in Florence.
1983 Stuttgart Balletshule John Cranko  Stuttgart
1984-1988 Academie de Danse Classique Princesse Grace  under the direction of Madame Marika Besobrasova
1989 frequents The School of American Ballet.

Professional  experiences as a dancer:
Monte Carlo Ballets, direct by Jean Yves Esquerre
Hamburg Ballet,  direct by Jhon  Neumeier
Ballet dell’Opera  de Nice, direct by J.A Cariter ,H.Trailine –Marc Ribeaud
Dance Choreographies:
M. Petipa, S.Lifar, L.Massine, A.Bournonville, Sir.Mc  Millan, G.Balanchin, J.Cranko, J.Neumeier, R.Hynd, Y.Vamos, N.Criste.

Professional  experiences as a Ballet Master:
2000-2004 with the Ballet dell’Opera de Nice
2004-2006 with the Aterballetto direct by m.Bigonzetti.

Gust teacher:
Scala di Milano, Royal Swedish Ballet, Compania Nacional de Dansa de Madrid with Nacho Duato, CND1-CND2,  Nederlands Dans Theater NDT1-NDT2, New Zeland Ballet School, International Dance Centre of Rosella Hightower, Royal Koninklijk Conservatorium Deen Haag,
Artistic Consultant for the Theater C. Goldoni in Leghorn.

Founding member and board of the International Association of  Classical Ballet Marika Besobrasova .

Professionelle Ballettausbildung
1972 – 1975 - Ballettschule an der Nationaloper Sofia
1975 – 1981 - Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg
2005 – 2010 - Hochschulausbildung für Ballettmeisterin /Ballettpädagogin mit Abschluss,
Magistra mit Auszeichnung

Ich bin in Bulgarien geboren und erhielt den ersten Ballettunterricht an der Ballettschule in Sofia. 1975 holte mich die ehemalige Prima Ballerina des Mariinski – Theaters und langjährige Direktorin
der Vaganova Ballet Academy F. Balabina nach St. Petersburg, um meine Ballett-Ausbildung an der Vaganova Ballet Akademy fortzusetzen, die ich 1981 absolvierte. Nach meiner Rückkehr nach
Sofia im Jahr 1981 begann ich als Mitglied des Ballettensembles der Nationaloper Sofia. Von 1981 bis 1990 tanzte ich zunächst im Corps de Ballett und später als Solotänzerin unter der Leitung der
Ballettdirektoren M. Liepa, J. Grigorowich, sowie anderen namhaften Choreografen in: Nussknacker, Dornröschen, Don Quixote, Schwanensee, Bajadere, Paquita, Chopiniana, La Sylphide, Giselle, Romeo und Julia sowie auch in modernen Ballettproduktionen.

1990 wurde ich von der damaligen Ballettschefin G. Dill an das Staatsopernballett in Wien verpflichtet. Unter deren Leitung und unter der Leitung von E. Tchernichova, A. Woolliams und R. Zanella wirkte ich als Balletttänzerin in vielen Produktionen: G. Balanchine: La Valse, Serenade, Die Vier Temperamente, Divertimento Nr. 15; K. MacMillan: Manon; G. Neumeier: Ein Sommernachtstraum, Josephs Legende, Daphnis und Chloe, Der Feuervogel; J. Kranko: Romeo und Julia; R. Zanella: Black Angels, Alles Walzer, Strawinski-Abend Symfony/Movments/Sacre, Wolfgang Amadé; E. Tchernichova: Don Quixote, Giselle; P. Schaufuss: La Silphide; Fr. Ashton: La fille mal gardée: R. Nurejew: Schwanensee u.a.

Nach 20 Jahren Bühnenerfahrung begann ich 2001 als Ballettpädagogin für klassisches Ballett und Repertoire an der Ballettschule der Wiener Staatsoper unter der Leitung von Renato Zanella und später Gyula Harangozó. Neben meiner Unterrichtstätigkeit als Ballettpädagogin der Ballettschule war ich auch Probeleiterin der Schüler für diverse Ballettvorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper und der Volksoper Wien, unter anderem:

Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Vorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper: Aschenbrödel R. Zanella, Der Nussknacker R. Zanella, Spartacus R. Zanella, Kadettenball R. Zanella, Nussknacker G. Harangozó/Wainonen, Die Puppenfee Hassreiter/Dill und viele Choreographien von R. Zanella und G. Madia für den jährlichen Wiener Opernball. Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Ballett-Vorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper: Die Bajadere Malakhov/Petipa, Dornröschen Wright/Petipa, Wie es euch gefällt J. Neumeier, Coppélia Harangozó sen., Platzkonzert Harangozó sen., Fledermaus Roland Petit, Ein Sommernachtstraum Jorma Elo; Oper: Rienzi R. Zanella

Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Vorstellungen an der Volksoper Wien:
Tanzhommàge an Queen Ben van Cauwenbergh, Max & Moritz F. Barbay/M. Kropf
Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierung und Proben im Theater an der Wien:
Oper: Le Nozze di Figaro, R. Zanella
Ich war Ballettpädagogin an der Privatuniversität Konservatorium Wien mit dem Schwerpunkt
klassisches Ballett.
Ich war als Gasttrainingsleiterin an der Wiener Staatsoper, der Wiener Volksoper und in andere
Ballettkompanies in Europa tätig, sowie als
Jurymitglied in Ballettwettbewerben in Deutschland, Griechenland und Zypern.
Derzeit unterrichte ich klassisches Ballett am Sportinstitut der Universität Wien.

Thomas Poms und Lisa Tatzber haben sich in ihrer Ausbildung kennengelernt und schnell bemerkt, dass sie auch beruflich ein tolles Team sind. Sie begannen zusammen zu choreographieren und hatten dabei nicht nur Freude sondern auch großen Erfolg. Neben vielen nationalen und internationalen Preisen, bekamen die Beiden außerdem mehrere Male die Auszeichnungen für „Beste Choreographie“ (Sweet November 2009, WhyWar 2010, Schwester 2012, Mad World 2013, Augen Auf 2016) von der ASDU verliehen.

Bei der bekannten Fernsehsendung GOT TO DANCE kamen die Tänzer Sandra&Paul (Sandra Schwann & Paul Csitkovics) mit den Choreographien von Lisa und Thomas bis ins Finale, erreichten
dabei ein Millionenpublikum und bekamen von der Jury besonders positive Kritik.

Im Herbst 2016 gründeten die beiden den Verein INDEED UNIQUE, der versucht Sport mit Kunst zu vereinen und TänzerInnen nicht nur die Möglichkeit zu bieten zu trainieren und sich in
verschiedensten Stilen weiter zu bilden, sondern auch ein besonderes Augenmerk darauf legt, sich mit diversen Themen künstlerisch auseinanderzusetzen.

Darauf folgte 2018 die Eröffnung eines eigenen Studios (INDEED UNIQUE Performance) in der Kranzgasse 9,1150

Die Teilnahme an der Vienna International Ballet Experience 2017 brachte INDEED UNIQUE tolle Platzierungen, eine Einladung zur Winners Gala im wiener Volkstheater (mit gleich 3 Choreographien) und dem Spezialpreis „Best Choreography and Innovation 2017“ für Augen Auf (Choreographie gemeinsam mit Timo Tatzber), von einer renommierten internationalen Jury
verliehen. Bei den Dance Star World Masters konnten alle Choreographien sich für das große Finale qualifizieren, erreichten tolle Plätze und auch hier wurde Augen Auf zur Best Choreography im Open Chapter ernannt. Großes Highlight war die Gala Night mit über 6000 Zusehern, für die aus 2400 Beiträgen lediglich 20 ausgewählt wurden und bei der Augen Auf zur zweitbesten Choreographie des Abends gekürt wurde.

Weiters bekam das Choreographen-Team erneut den Preis „Best Choreography and Innovation 2018“ für Rythm Of The World bei den Vienna International Ballet Experience und sie gleich darauf gewann “Exanimationes Insidamus” den Special Award “Best Choreography” bei den ESDU Villach, choreographiert für die Tanzcompany TSV Black Diamonds.

Mit ihrer Arbeit möchten die Beiden zum Nachdenken anregen, Themen ansprechen, die vor allem in der Unterhaltungsbranche zu kurz kommen, und natürlich auch die Freude am Tanz und was man alles damit erzählen und bewirken kann, teilen und weitergeben.

MIKE LOEWENROSEN
geboren in der Schweiz, klassische Ballettausbildung sowie Ausbildung in Modernem Tanz mit Schwerpunkt Jazz in New York, Amsterdam und Wien. Mitglied diverser US-, Schweizer und Wiener Tanzkompanien, Mitwirkung als Tänzer bei Tourneen, Musicals, Theater- sowie Film- und Fernsehproduktionen. Staatlich anerkannter Dozent für Jazztanz (Spezialgebiet: Lyrical). Choreograph, Regisseur und Autor von Bühnenstücken und Romanen. Gründer des staatlich anerkannten Konservatoriums Sunrise_Studios Wien (mit Öffentlichkeitsrecht), 2007    

Tanzausbildung: 
Joffrey Ballet School (Ballett), N.Y. 
Broadway Dance Center (Jazz, Acrobatic, Modern, Ballett, Floor Barre), N.Y. 
Steps (Jazz, Modern), N.Y. 
First Russian Balletschool (Ballett), Wien 
Perry Dance (Jazz, Modern), N.Y. 
Amsterdam Dance School & Amsterdam Dance Center (Modern, Jazz), Amsterdam 
Martha Graham School (Graham-Technik), N.Y.
Performa (Yoga, Workout, Ballett) Santo Domingo
Gastdozent/Workshops in: 
USA, Argentinien, Brasilien, Uruguay, Schweiz

Choreograph: 
Teatro Argentino (La Plata), Dance Project (Zürich), VIBE International Ballet Experience (USA und Wien), Landestheater Niederösterreich (St. Pölten), Espacio Danza (Buenos Aires),  English Lovers (Wien), MuTh-Theater (Wien), Akzent-Theater (Wien), Wiener Rathaus (Wien), Espaca de danca (Rio de Janeiro), Theater der Jugend (Wien), Chaos deluxe - Theaterbrett (Wien), Moulin Rouge (Wien), Theater Winterthur (Winterthur, Schweiz), Off Theater (Wien), "Someday" - Rabenhof (Wien), "Ballet Days" - Odeon Theater (Wien), United Nations / IAEA - Vienna International Center

1975  -   Graduated. Vaganova Ballet  Academy. ( S - Petersburg )
1975 - 2001 - Ballet dancer  of the Mariinsky Theatre  ( S- Petersburg )
1993-  2006  Ballet  teacher of the Vaganova  Ballet  Academy  ( S- Petersburg )
1993 - 2001  -  Ballet master of the Mariinsky  Theatre. ( S - Petersburg )
1995 - 2008 -  Guest  Ballet master  of the  UBC company  ( Seoul  , South Korea )
2006 - 2008 -  Artistic  director  of the  Sun Hwa High Arts school ( Seoul , South Korea )
2008 - till now -  Ballet  master  of the Vienna  State  Opera .
Gave master classes :  Stockholm  , Athens , London , New York , Seoul , Vienna, S- Petersburg, Taipei , Vilnius , Budapest .

KrisTina Decker
Director and Owner of the Broadway Academy of Musical Theatre and the Broadway Connection

Kristina Decker is the Owner and Director of one of Vienna and Europe’s top Dance and Musical Academies, Broadway Academy of Musical Theatre and the Broadway Connection.
Kristina began her performing dream at the age of 3 studying Ballet and Tap. With each year she added new genres of dance such as Folkdancing, Jazz, Acrobatic Dance and Modern.
When Kristina decided to make a career of dance and theatre, she was accepted in Cincinnati’s High School for Creative and Performing Arts. There she received her Diploma in Dance and Musical Theatre. Her studies included Ballet/Partnering (Royal Academy of Dance, Cecchetti Method, French School, Russian Technique and School of American Ballet), Modern (Graham Technique, Cunningham, Horton and Paul Taylor), Singing and Acting.
During this time Kristina performed with the “Performing Arts Ballet Company” as a principal dancer in ballets such as “Graduation Ball”, “Midsummer Night’s Eve”, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “Les Sylphides”. She also found her love for Musicals and made her Professional Debut in “The King and I” where she played the oldest Daughter as well as Topsy in the Thailandish Style Ballet of Uncle Ben’s Cabin.
Throughout Kristina’s youth she attended several Competitions in the US. She received several National 1st Place Titles in Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics and Singing. She was also awarded Miss Dance of Ohio, a Dance Scholarship Pageant which sent her to the Miss Dance of America Competition. There she received the most Talented Award.
Kristina had the honour of also being one of twelve young American High School Seniors to receive a scholarship from the “National Foundation of the Advancements in the Arts” in Dance.
Kristina continued her education at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, apprenticing with the “Cincinnati Ballet Company“. During her first year Kristina came to a crossroad having to decide between Ballet and Musical Theatre when she was one of 26 females from an audition of 800 in NYC to receive a role in the Musical “Cats”! Though she left her persuit of becoming a Ballerina, she never lost her first love for Ballet.
At 18 years Kristina went on tour with the First National Touring Company of “CATS”. This was only the beginning of her life as a feline. She later performed in the “Cats” Productions in Vienna and Zurich.  
Other Musicals Kristina performed in are “The Boyfriend”, West Side Story”, “My Fair Lady” and the European Premieres of “The Beauty and the Beast” and “Tanz der Vampire” (Dance of the Vampire) at the Raimund Theater in Vienna.
Kristina has also had a talent for Teaching. She finds it inspiring to help others and to bring her creative visions to life. She thanks her sister Diane Campbell for bringing her into this field and being the wonderful mentor and Teacher she has always been.
Kristina has students all over the world. One of her most famour Students is Carmen Electra, once a performer in The Pussy Cat Dolls, Actress on Bay Watch and several other films. She’s also taught many Broadway Performers and European Musical Performers.
She has choreographed several Shows such as the “Andrew Lloyd Webber Spectacular” European Touring Production, “Me and My Gal” and “Linie 1” in the Theater Center Forum. She has also choreographed for Animation Teams World Wide and other large events.
Another favorate of Kristina’s was the work for the Government of Lower Austria, where she led the annual productions of the “Kinder (Kids) Musical Company”. There she taught different genres of Dance including native dances from different Nationalities.
Kristina’s first Dance Studio she founded was in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Technical Dance Center. It is now run by her sister Diane and still one of the Top Studios in its area. In the Autumn of 2003 Kristina opened her second Studio in Vienna. Kristina’s Broadway Connection and the Broadway Academy of Musical Theatre.

The Academy has created many professionals in Theatre and Dance. Her students are Performing, Choreophing as well as running theaters throughout Europe. A few now own their own Studios and have also been awarded several prices in Competitions through the US and Europe.

Kristina has created a syllabis for teaching that brings pupils to a high level within a short amount of time. This continues to help her students achieve awards throughout the past years. She herself has been awarded Best Choreographer several times and her students have been awarded Most Talented at several Competitions.

Since dance is an endless journey of inspiration, one must always continue to train and keep up with the times. Kristina is always either watching or attending classes every year in the US and Europe.

Quote from Kristina, “I live for Dance and Theatre! I can’t imagine my life without it. Especially all the beautiful students and colleagues I have been blessed with knowing along this beautiful Journey called ‘LIFE’”.

No one is ever too young or old to Dance. Kristina hopes to continue to inspire those around her throughout her entire life.

TAMÁS SOLYMOSI | Ballet Director, Hungarian National Ballet
International Étoile

Education:

• Hungarian Dance Academy (Ballet Dancer)
• Vaganova Academy, Saint Petersburg
• Princess Grace Academy, Monte Carlo
• Hungarian Dance Academy (MA diploma as college professor of ballet)
• University of Theatre and Film Arts (choreographer)
• University of Theatre and Film Arts (currently working towards a DLA diploma)

Director’s Positions:

• Deputy Director of the Hungarian Dance Academy (2005-2006)
• Artistic Director of the Szolnok Summer Festival (2007)

Teaching Positions:

• Hungarian Dance Academy (2005-2013)
• Ballet Masterclasses Prague (2002-2014)

Guest Teaching:

• Wiener Staatsballet (2006, 2008)
• English National Ballet (2007)

Guest appearances:

• Metropolitan Opera, New York - American Ballet Theater
• Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow
• Miami City Ballet
• Teatro di San Carlo
• Bavarian State Opera, Munich
• Berlin State Opera
• Dresden Semperoper
• Ballet Chicago
• Osaka Ballet
• Norwegian National Ballet, Oslo
• Chilean National Ballet, Santiago
• Hungarian National Ballet
• Finnish National Ballet, Helsinki
• Warsaw Grand Theatre – National Opera and Ballet Company
• Vienna State Opera, Ballet Company

Repertoire: - Full-length ballets:

• Nureyev – Struchkova – van Dantzig – Iván Nagy – Petipa – Ivanov – Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake – The Prince
• Nureyev – Wright – Róna – Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty – Prince Désiré
• Nureyev – Holmes – Glazunov: Raymonda – Jean de Brienne
• Chernyshova – Iván Nagy – Lavrovsky – Adam: Giselle – The Prince
• Grigorovich – Stevenson – Vainonen – Wayne Eagling – Page – Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Nutcracker Prince
• Makarova – Minkus: La Bayadère – Solor
• Ashton – Stevenson – van Boven – Prokofiev: Cinderella – Prince
• MacMillan – Massenet: Manon – Des Grieux, Lescaut
• Cranko – van Dantzig – Seregi – Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet – Romeo, Tybalt, Mercutio
• Seregi – Goldmark: The Taming of the Shrew – Petruchio
• Pártay – Tchaikovsky: Anna Karenina – Vronsky
• Petipa – Minkus: Paquita
• Hynd – Lehár: The Merry Widow – Danilo
• Neumeier – Mendelssohn – Ligeti: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Theseus/Oberon
• Cranko – Tchaikovsky – Stolze: Onegin – Onegin
• MacMillan – Liszt: Mayerling – Rudolf
• Seregi – Delibes: Sylvia – Orion
• Harangozó – Delibes: Coppélia – Franz
• Zanella – Mozart – Salieri: Wolfgang Amadé – Salieri
• Sárközi: Macbeth – Macbeth
• Seregi - Khachaturian: Spartacus – Crassus

- One-act ballets:

• Gusev: Moskovsky Waltz
• Balanchine: Apollo, Tchaikovsky pas de deux/duett, Symphony in C major, Themes and Variations, Brahms-Schönberg Quartet
• Fokine: Les Sylphides, Spectre de la Rose
• Van Manen: Twilight, Trois Gnossiennes, Black Cake, Adagio Hammerklavier
• MacMillan: Song of the Earth
• North: Death and the Maiden
• Zanella: Empty Place, La Chambre, Sacre du Printemps, Konzertante Duo

Awards:

• Artist of Merit of the Republic of Hungary Award (2006)
• Philip Morris Award (2004)
• Gundel Prize (2003)
• Harangozó Gyula Prize (2001)
• EuroPAS Hungarian Dance Award (1998)
• Vécsey Elvira Prize (1990)
• Nívó Prize (1990)

The Czech National Ballet is directed by Filip Barankiewicz since season 2017/18. His professional career has been highly variegated – besides having pursued an illustrious journey as a dancer, he has been a renowned and sought-after ballet master and coach. 

Filip Barankiewicz was born in Warsaw, Poland. In 1986 he began his ballet education at the National Ballet School in his hometown. In 1991, he received the Vaslav Nijinsky Medal. Following his graduation in 1995, and won first prize at the National Ballet Competition in Poland. He was a finalist at the Eurovision Young Dancers Competition in Lausanne. At the Académie de Dance Classique in Monte Carlo leaded by Marika Besobrasova, he received a scholarship from the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation and continued study until 1996.

That year, Filip Barankiewicz joined the Stuttgart Ballet, where in 2000 he was promoted to demi-soloist, to soloist in 2001, and a year later a principal dancer. Filip Barankiewicz joins the Stuttgart Ballet on tours all around the world. From 2003 he has repeatedly been a guest principal dancer at the Czech National Ballet in Prague.
He portrayed the lead roles in John Cranko’s Swan Lake, Onegin, The Taming of the Shrew, The Lady and the Fool and Romeo and Juliet,  Kenneth MacMillan’s Las Hermanas and The Song of the Earth, George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, Four Temperaments, Serenade, Symphony in C,  Glen Tetley’s Le sacre du printemps, Arena John Neumeier’s A Streetcar Named Desire, Fratres and The Lady of the Camellias, Sir Ashton La Fille Mal Gardeé,  Jiří Kylián’s  Forgotten Land and No More Play, Márcia Haydée’s The Sleeping Beauty, and other story ballets : Giselle, Don Quichotte, Peters Schaufuss La Sylphide amongst others.

In 2003, Filip Barankiewicz completed his ballet pedagogue education. At the end of his active dancing career in Stuttgart, from 2014 he started teaching daily classes and coached the rehearsals of the productions The Taming of the Shrew (John Cranko),  Onegin (John Cranko ) and Giselle (prod.: Reid Anderson, Valentina Savina),  Don Quichotte (Maximiliano Guerra )

From 2014 on he also oversaw the rehearsals and coached John Cranko’s Onegin at the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm, the Finnish National Ballet in Helsinki, the Estonian National Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet and National Ballet of Canada.
He staged Cranko`s Taming of the Shrew at the Korean National Ballet in Seoul, the Polish National Ballet in Warsaw and Bavarian State Ballet in Munich and Onegin at the Teatro Municipal in Santiago de Chile.

From September 2015 until 2017, he was a guest ballet master at the Stuttgart Ballet, participating in the creation of the company’s repertoire and the staging of choreographies by William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Hans van Manen and Maximiliano Guerra.

Furthermore, he has worked as a guest teacher at the Opera National de Bordeaux, the Polish National Ballet Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto.
In 2016, Filip Barankiewicz was juror in the jury of the VIBE Vienna international ballet competition.

Robert joined Elmhurst as Artistic Director in autumn 2012, following his retirement as a Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet. 

Born in Kingston upon Hull, Robert Parker trained at the Royal Ballet School and joined the Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1994 under the directorship of Sir Peter Wright. He received early acclaim when he danced the Second Seminarian in Carmina burana at the Royal Opera House in 1996. He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to Principal in 1999. He has danced a wide and varied repertoire from the classics to contemporary works, closely collaborating and creating many lead roles with director and choreographer David Bintley and other international choreographers. He has made guest appearances with the Royal Ballet and received various accolades including a Critics' Circle Award in 2003 and an Olivier Award nomination in 2001. 

In 2008 he took a sabbatical and moved to the USA where he successfully acquired his Commercial Pilots' Licence. A year later he returned to his first love of dance, rejoining Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2009 where he continued to perform Principal roles. During this time, he also began teaching at Elmhurst on a regular basis, completed a Master’s degree in Philosophy in Education and was selected to attend the 2012 Rural Retreat for aspiring artistic leaders. After retiring from Birmingham Royal Ballet he passed his RAD Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma with distinction. That same year he was appointed President of the London Ballet Association. 

His repertory with Birmingham Royal Ballet included: 
Frederick Ashton: La Fille mal gardée (Colas), The Two Pigeons (Young Man), Scènes de ballet andVoices of Spring
George Balanchine: Apollo (title role), Agon (first pas de trois), Four Temperaments (Melancholic Variation), Prodigal Son (title role), Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (Hoofer), Western Symphony (Fourth Movement) and Duo Concertant
David Bintley: Edward II (Edward, Gaveston), Far from the Madding Crowd (Oak), Hobson's Choice(Will Mossop, Fred Beenstock), Carmina burana (Second Seminarian), Choros (Pyrrhic), The Seasons ('Spring', 'Autumn'), Tombeaux (lead role), Dance House, and David Bintley and Galina Samsova's production of Giselle (Albrecht)
Ninette de Valois: Checkmate (Red Knight), Job (Satan) Kenneth MacMillan: Romeo and Juliet(Romeo), Elite Syncopations ('Friday Night') and Song of the Earth (Messenger of Death) and Song of the Earth (Messenger of Death)
Hans van Manen: Five Tangos
Jerome Robbins: Fancy Free (Sailor)
Twyla Tharp: In the Upper Room, Nine Sinatra Songs
Peter Wright's productions of Coppélia (Franz), The Nutcracker (Prince), The Sleeping Beauty(Prince Florimund, Bluebird), and Peter Wright and Galina Samsova's production of Swan Lake(Siegfried)
Spring Waters pas de deux

His created roles include:
David Bintley: Arthur (title role, Mordred) Cyrano (title role), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), The Nutcracker Sweeties (Sailor), The Orpheus Suite (Orpheus), The Shakespeare Suite (Hamlet) andThe Protecting Veil
Stanton Welch: Powder
Lila York: Sanctum
Kim Brandstrup: Pulcinella

His awards include:
Olivier Award nomination, 2001; Critics' Circle Award nomination, 2001; Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Male Artist, 2003.

KERRY NICHOLLS HAS TAUGHT, CHOREOGRAPHED, MENTORED AND PERFORMED EXTENSIVELY FOR NUMEROUS DANCE COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND WORLDWIDE, AND HER EXPERIENCE SPANS A DIVERSE DANCE PRACTICE SPECTRUM.

Regularly teaching for Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, DV8 and Michael Clark companies to name a few, she is widely regarded as one of Britain’s leading contemporary technique teachers; she receives many invitations to teach internationally at Ballet National de Marseille (France), Escuela de Danza (Cuba), the Beijing Dance Academy (China) and The Juilliard School (USA).

k|n|d|c (kerry nicholls dance company) was founded in 1999 as a vehicle to promote Kerry’s own choreographic research. During its existence, Kerry created numerous works for k|n|d|c and received independent commissions from organisations and companies within Europe, China and the USA, and directed various projects at venues such as the National Theatre and the Royal Festival Hall.

She was appointed Co-Director of Creative Learning for Wayne McGregor | Random Dance in 2007, in addition to becoming the Artistic Advisor for English National Ballet School in 2008.

Currently, Kerry is an external assessor for both English National Ballet School and The Royal Ballet School and is a regular choreographic mentor for the Royal Opera House, English National Ballet, One Dance UK, Rambert, Scottish Ballet, Barbican and Youth Dance England. She is also Artistic Advisor at The BRIT school, Artistic Director for National Youth Dance Wales, Patron of Constella OperaBallet and annual Guest Artist at The Juilliard School.

Kerry is director and owner of Kerry Nicholls Dance and embodies the values and spirit of the brand which launched in autumn 2012.

Laura Comi

Etoile and Director of the Ballet School of the Opera Theatre in Rome, Italy

Laura Comi graduated at the Ballet School of the Opera Theatre in Rome and entered the Ballet Company until holding the role of Etoile. After a tour in Germany, in 1989 she has worked at the English National Ballet. Her reportoire includes some of the major classic titles such as: “The Sylphide”, “Nutcracker”, “Giselle”, “Don Quixote”, “The Sleeping Beauty”, “The Fille Mal Gardèe”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “The Taming of the Shrew” “E. Onegin”, “Spartacus”, “Pas de Quattre”, “La Pèri”, “Petruska”, “Swan Lake”, “Cinderella”, “Raymonda”. She has performed in several modern versions: L.Cannito's “Cinderella”, M.Bigonzetti's “Coppelia”, A.Amodio’s “Romeo and Juliet” and “Coppelia”.

She has also taken part into important tributes to G.Balanchine's works, as she has performed in “The Four Temperaments”, “Allegro Brillante”, “Who Cares?”, “Apollon Musagete” and as a tribute to V.Nijinsky and L.Massine she has performed respectively in “Yeux” and “Parade”. She has danced in M.Bigonzetti's “Sei in movimento”, D.Allan's “Kachaturian pas de deux”, G.Carbone's “Uccello di fuoco” and “Carmina Burana”, R.Nunez's “The Bat”, B.Stevenson's “Three Preludes”, A.Milloss's “Estri”, A.Amodio's “Ricercare a nove movimenti” and “Per Alvin”, R.Petit's “Arlesienne” and “Ma Pavlova”, R-North's “Pini di Roma” and “Blues e Fanfare”, H.Spoerli's “Vespri Siciliani”, G.P.Aviotte's “L'Art d'Aimer”, G.C.Maillor's “Le Jarden Jeux d'Amour”, L.Bouy's “Orlando”, “Filumena Marturano” and “Jerusalem”, L.Gay's “Girotondo Romano” and L.Cannito's “Trilogia di Figaro”.

In 1996 she was won the price “Leonide Massine”, awarded in Positano by Dr A.Testa.

Since 2000 she has been a teacher for the Ballet School of the Opera Theatre in Rome.

In 2001 she has received the price “Gino Tani”, for her interpretation in “Romeo and Juliet”

In 2002 she has been sent to Theatre in Florence. In 2003 she has participated to the International Gala “Todi Music Fest”, which took place in Norfolk, Virginia.

She has performed in several exhibitions in Brazil (Porto Alegre – B.Gonsalves) where she represented the Opera Theatre of Rome.

In 2001 she has received the price “Gino Tani”, for her interpretation in “Romeo and Juliet” In 2002 she has been sent to Theatre in Florence.

In 2003 she has participated to the International Gala “Todi Music Fest”, which took place in Norfolk, Virginia.

She has performed in several exhibitions in Brazil (Porto Alegre – B.Gonsalves) where she represented the Opera Theatre of Rome.

In 2004 she was on tour for the Opera Theatre, and she has performed in “Swan Lake” in Theatre of Piacenza and in Massimo Bellini Theatre of Catania; also she has performed for the Kremlin Theatre, in Moscow, where she danced in “Petruska”.

In 2004 she has been awarded the role of Étoile of the Opera Theatre in Rome.

In 2004, 2005 and 2006 she has taken part in the comedy “The Swan's Song” with Mario Scaccia. In 2005 she has been awarded by Romeo Collanti's Cultural Association with the price “Marforio d'oro”. In 2006 she has received the price “Le ragioni della nuova politica” by the Cultural Association “L'Alba del Terzo Millennio”.

In 2007 she had her debut in “Alcyone” with Mario Scaccia; furthermore she has been the coreographer for the “Rigoletto”, “Traviata” and “Trovatore” for the Presidi in Orbetello's Festival. In September 2007 she has taken part in the “Pas de Dieux”, in Positano.

In 2008 she has received the career award “Leonide Massine”, again in Positano.

In 2009 she has received the awards “La Ginestra d'oro” and “Roma è... Arte”.

In 2010 she has received the award “GEF” and the silver plate “Athena Parthenos”.

Since October 2011 she is Director of the Ballet School of the Opera Theatre in Rome.

He graduates at SPID (Italian Professional Dance School) in Milan, completing his training in contemporary dance at Merce Cunningham Dance Company (New York) and with major companies and coreographers of the Italian and North Europe dance scene.

He dances for the company “Leggere Strutture” (Bologna -°©‐ Italy); he takes part in big productions as "Dracula opera rock", and "Tosca, amore disperato” produced by David Zard. He collaborates with the dancer and director Caroline Bo in Marseille. He has been selected as dancer for "Orfeo ed Euridice", directed by Graham Vick choreography by Ron Howell and he performs in the major italian theaters. In the same period he is the assistant of Emanuela Tagliavia, choreographer and teacher of contemporary dance at the La Scala Theater in Milan.

He has been selected by Mario Piazza to dance the role of Franz in the contemporary version of “Coppelia”, with the same company he dances in productions such as “ Carmina Burana”, “Les Noces” , “K2007”.

He works as dancer and choreographer for DES. company – Lugano in the production “Final Fight”. In Milan he dances in many productions at the “Nohma Theater” and he dances for the company “Corpi Mobili” in the production “Le donne, la guerra e l’amore”; with the same company he dances for the composer Ludovico Einaudi.

Since 2009 he dedicates to the training of young talents in contemporary dance, holding workshops and seminars in Italy, Switzerland, Austria. He works as a choreographer for independent projects, companies and international events like the “Milano Fashion Week” and “WorldWide design week” and collaborates with The Singapore University for which produces performances and teaches contemporary dance. For two consecutive years he cooperates with “Ballet Days”, international ballet festival, under the artistic direction of Gregor Hatala, and he teaches contemporary dance for the dancers of the festival.

From September 2011 is the Artistic Director of Milan City Ballet School. In the same year with Virginia Spallarossa is Vice President of the cultural association “PANDANZ”, and together organized the contemporary dance festival "Pillole – somministrazioni di danza d’autore” in Milan.

In 2015 he is founder and artistic director of Milan Contemporary Ballet junior company project that combines training young dancers and their first work experience on stage, in collaboration with Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, London.

Ausbildung, Companies:
2000 – 2010 Hungarian State Operaschool
2010 Hungarian National Ballet
2010- Ballet St. Pölten, European Ballet Conservatory
2011 Stadttheater Baden

Arbeitserfahrung:
2002-2007 Hungarian Dance Academy
2006 Hungarian Dance Academy- Maximiliano Terranova
2008- 2009 Austria-Wolfsegg International Ballet Seminar-John Bliekendaal,
Alexej Anatolijewitch Borzov, Andrea Nementhova;Alain Christen, Phyllis
Gutelius
Robert North: Bumm-Bumm
2010 Hungarian National Ballet Company –Eldar Aliev, Pongor Ildikó
Ballet St. Pölten-Michael Fichtenbaum
2011 Stadttheater Baden -Faust
Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Miami Gala Performance
2011 Malakhov Gala Ballet St. Pölten-Shadows- Christian Tichy
Moscow Gala: Fairy Doll
Marius Petipa Raymonda (Hungarian State Oper)
Morgen pas de deux John Bliekendaal
Accerelation-Renato Zanella (Vienna Staatsoper)
Tristan und Isolde: John Bliekendaal
Amore Portere: Michael Fichtenbaum
Wenn Sie Vorbeigeht- Reiner Feistel
Vienna Calling- Renato Zanella (Vienna Staatsoper)
Dorian Gray- Christian Tichy (Vienna Staatsoper)
Pass on: Ingo Meichsneir (Salzburg Landestheater)
Esdu Tour: Le Corsaire pas de deux
Stadttheater Baden :Faust
Balanchin: Who Cares?
Balanchin: Serenade
Austrian Ballet Gala: Nussknacker Adagio
Falco the Story
Zakharov: Fvountain of Bakhchisarai Adagio
Tychaikovsky’s-Serenade: Michael Fichtenbaum
Gran pas de classique, pas de deux
Peter Breuer- Marie Antoinette
William Forsythe-In the middle somewhat elevated pas de deux
William Forsythe-Love songs-I’v got love
Michael Kropf- Nussknacker
Kolmakov: The Rolling Stones
Turkmenistan Gala (Gast Tanzen)
Kufstein operett 2012-2015 (Lustige Witwe, Grafin Mariza ,My fair lady,
Weisses Rössl)
Vienna International Ballet Competition 2016 Finalist
Oleksandr Maslyannikov projects

Meine Choreographie Projekte:
Shadows
Wir sind alle gleich
Eletric emotions
Up where we belong (rockballet)
Secrets
Pearls

Balletlehrer Erfahrung:
Oleksandr Masliannikov Academic le Danse
Europe Ballett St.Polten
Move on
Sunrise Studio
Performing Dance Center
Vienna Dance Center
Vera Alekselenko russian ballet academy
Live Art Centrum Hamburg Ballet Master Class

Geboren in St. Petersburg (Russland). Er ist Absolvent der St. Petersburger Waganowa-Akademie des Russischen Balletts. Von 2000 bis 2006 war er Mitglied des Balletts des Mariinski-Theaters, zuletzt als Solist. Zu seinem Repertoire an diesem Theater zählten Basil in „Don Quixote“, Conrad in „Le Corsaire“, Rotbart in „Schwanensee“, Jean de Brienne in „Raymonda“, Ferhad in „Legende von der Liebe“, Paris in „Romeo und Julia“, Jüngling in „Leningrader Sinfonie“ sowie Partien in John Neumeiers „The Sounds of Empty Pages“ und William Forsythes „In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated“ und „Steptext“. Sein Engagement als Solotänzer an das Ballett der Wiener Staatsoper und Volksoper erfolgte 2006. 2010 wurde er zum Ersten Solotänzer des Wiener Staatsballetts ernannt.

Zu seinem Wiener Rollenrepertoire zählen Basil in Rudolf Nurejews „Don Quixote“, Prinz Siegfried in Nurejews „Schwanensee“, Drosselmeyer/Der Prinz in Nurejews „Der Nussknacker“, Prinz Nussknacker in Gyula Harangozós „Der Nussknacker“, Solor in Vladimir Malakhovs „Die Bajadere“, Solor in Nurejews „La Bayadère“ (2.Akt), die Titelrolle und Fürst Gremin in John Crankos „Onegin“, Tybalt in Crankos „Romeo und Julia“, Franz in „Coppélia“ von Gyula Harangozó sen., Militärkapellmeister in „Platzkonzert“ von Gyula Harangozó sen., Prinz Florimund in Peter Wrights „Dornröschen“, Johann in Roland Petits “Die Fledermaus“, Des Grieux in Kenneth MacMillans „Manon“, Conrad in Manuel Legris' „Le Corsaire“, Wronski in Boris Eifmans „Anna Karenina“ und Kommissar in Eifmans „Giselle Rouge“, Ludwig XVI. in Patrick de Banas „Marie Antoinette“, Abderachman in Rudolf Nurejews „Raymonda“, Vater in Frederick Ashtons „Marguerite and Armand“, Aslak, ein Schmied, in Edward Clugs “Peer Gynt”, die Hauptpartien in Marius Petipas Grand Pas aus „Paquita“ und „Raymonda“ sowie Hauptpartien in George Balanchines „Allegro Brillante“, „Thema und Variationen“ und „Symphonie in C“,, Harald Landers „Études“, Serge Lifars „Suite en blanc“, Jerome Robbins’ „In the Night“ und „The Four Seasons“, Hans van Manens „Adagio Hammerklavier“, Twyla Tharps „Variationen über ein Thema von Haydn“, Jiří Kyliáns „Bella Figura“, John Neumeiers „Verklungene Feste“ und „Bach Suite III“, William Forsythes „The Second Detail“ und „In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated“ (Ausschnitt), Jorma Elos „Glow – Stop“, David Dawsons „A Million Kisses to my Skin“ und ein Duo aus Roland Petits „Proust ou les Intermittences du cœur“. In Jorma Elos „Ein Sommernachtstraum“ kreierte er die Partie des Oberon.

Gastspiele führten ihn in europäische Länder und nach Übersee.

Seit September 2016 ist er zudem als Pädagoge an der Ballettakademie der Wiener Staatsoper tätig.

Auszeichnung: Prix International der Zeitschrift „Ballet 2000“ (2008).

1975  -   Graduated. Vaganova Ballet  Academy. ( S - Petersburg )
1975 - 2001 - Ballet dancer  of the Mariinsky Theatre  ( S- Petersburg )
1993-  2006  Ballet  teacher of the Vaganova  Ballet  Academy  ( S- Petersburg )
1993 - 2001  -  Ballet master of the Mariinsky  Theatre. ( S - Petersburg )
1995 - 2008 -  Guest  Ballet master  of the  UBC company  ( Seoul  , South Korea )
2006 - 2008 -  Artistic  director  of the  Sun Hwa High Arts school ( Seoul , South Korea )
2008 - till now -  Ballet  master  of the Vienna  State  Opera .
Gave master classes :  Stockholm  , Athens , London , New York , Seoul , Vienna, S- Petersburg, Taipei , Vilnius , Budapest .

Professionelle Ballettausbildung
1972 – 1975 - Ballettschule an der Nationaloper Sofia
1975 – 1981 - Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg
2005 – 2010 - Hochschulausbildung für Ballettmeisterin /Ballettpädagogin mit Abschluss,
Magistra mit Auszeichnung

Ich bin in Bulgarien geboren und erhielt den ersten Ballettunterricht an der Ballettschule in Sofia. 1975 holte mich die ehemalige Prima Ballerina des Mariinski – Theaters und langjährige Direktorin
der Vaganova Ballet Academy F. Balabina nach St. Petersburg, um meine Ballett-Ausbildung an der Vaganova Ballet Akademy fortzusetzen, die ich 1981 absolvierte. Nach meiner Rückkehr nach
Sofia im Jahr 1981 begann ich als Mitglied des Ballettensembles der Nationaloper Sofia. Von 1981 bis 1990 tanzte ich zunächst im Corps de Ballett und später als Solotänzerin unter der Leitung der
Ballettdirektoren M. Liepa, J. Grigorowich, sowie anderen namhaften Choreografen in: Nussknacker, Dornröschen, Don Quixote, Schwanensee, Bajadere, Paquita, Chopiniana, La Sylphide, Giselle, Romeo und Julia sowie auch in modernen Ballettproduktionen.

1990 wurde ich von der damaligen Ballettschefin G. Dill an das Staatsopernballett in Wien verpflichtet. Unter deren Leitung und unter der Leitung von E. Tchernichova, A. Woolliams und R. Zanella wirkte ich als Balletttänzerin in vielen Produktionen: G. Balanchine: La Valse, Serenade, Die Vier Temperamente, Divertimento Nr. 15; K. MacMillan: Manon; G. Neumeier: Ein Sommernachtstraum, Josephs Legende, Daphnis und Chloe, Der Feuervogel; J. Kranko: Romeo und Julia; R. Zanella: Black Angels, Alles Walzer, Strawinski-Abend Symfony/Movments/Sacre, Wolfgang Amadé; E. Tchernichova: Don Quixote, Giselle; P. Schaufuss: La Silphide; Fr. Ashton: La fille mal gardée: R. Nurejew: Schwanensee u.a.

Nach 20 Jahren Bühnenerfahrung begann ich 2001 als Ballettpädagogin für klassisches Ballett und Repertoire an der Ballettschule der Wiener Staatsoper unter der Leitung von Renato Zanella und später Gyula Harangozó. Neben meiner Unterrichtstätigkeit als Ballettpädagogin der Ballettschule war ich auch Probeleiterin der Schüler für diverse Ballettvorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper und der Volksoper Wien, unter anderem:

Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Vorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper: Aschenbrödel R. Zanella, Der Nussknacker R. Zanella, Spartacus R. Zanella, Kadettenball R. Zanella, Nussknacker G. Harangozó/Wainonen, Die Puppenfee Hassreiter/Dill und viele Choreographien von R. Zanella und G. Madia für den jährlichen Wiener Opernball. Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Ballett-Vorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper: Die Bajadere Malakhov/Petipa, Dornröschen Wright/Petipa, Wie es euch gefällt J. Neumeier, Coppélia Harangozó sen., Platzkonzert Harangozó sen., Fledermaus Roland Petit, Ein Sommernachtstraum Jorma Elo; Oper: Rienzi R. Zanella

Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Vorstellungen an der Volksoper Wien:
Tanzhommàge an Queen Ben van Cauwenbergh, Max & Moritz F. Barbay/M. Kropf
Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierung und Proben im Theater an der Wien:
Oper: Le Nozze di Figaro, R. Zanella
Ich war Ballettpädagogin an der Privatuniversität Konservatorium Wien mit dem Schwerpunkt
klassisches Ballett.
Ich war als Gasttrainingsleiterin an der Wiener Staatsoper, der Wiener Volksoper und in andere
Ballettkompanies in Europa tätig, sowie als
Jurymitglied in Ballettwettbewerben in Deutschland, Griechenland und Zypern.
Derzeit unterrichte ich klassisches Ballett am Sportinstitut der Universität Wien.

MIKE LOEWENROSEN
geboren in der Schweiz, klassische Ballettausbildung sowie Ausbildung in Modernem Tanz mit Schwerpunkt Jazz in New York, Amsterdam und Wien. Mitglied diverser US-, Schweizer und Wiener Tanzkompanien, Mitwirkung als Tänzer bei Tourneen, Musicals, Theater- sowie Film- und Fernsehproduktionen. Staatlich anerkannter Dozent für Jazztanz (Spezialgebiet: Lyrical). Choreograph, Regisseur und Autor von Bühnenstücken und Romanen. Gründer des staatlich anerkannten Konservatoriums Sunrise_Studios Wien (mit Öffentlichkeitsrecht), 2007    

Tanzausbildung: 
Joffrey Ballet School (Ballett), N.Y. 
Broadway Dance Center (Jazz, Acrobatic, Modern, Ballett, Floor Barre), N.Y. 
Steps (Jazz, Modern), N.Y. 
First Russian Balletschool (Ballett), Wien 
Perry Dance (Jazz, Modern), N.Y. 
Amsterdam Dance School & Amsterdam Dance Center (Modern, Jazz), Amsterdam 
Martha Graham School (Graham-Technik), N.Y.
Performa (Yoga, Workout, Ballett) Santo Domingo
Gastdozent/Workshops in: 
USA, Argentinien, Brasilien, Uruguay, Schweiz

Choreograph: 
Teatro Argentino (La Plata), Dance Project (Zürich), VIBE International Ballet Experience (USA und Wien), Landestheater Niederösterreich (St. Pölten), Espacio Danza (Buenos Aires),  English Lovers (Wien), MuTh-Theater (Wien), Akzent-Theater (Wien), Wiener Rathaus (Wien), Espaca de danca (Rio de Janeiro), Theater der Jugend (Wien), Chaos deluxe - Theaterbrett (Wien), Moulin Rouge (Wien), Theater Winterthur (Winterthur, Schweiz), Off Theater (Wien), "Someday" - Rabenhof (Wien), "Ballet Days" - Odeon Theater (Wien), United Nations / IAEA - Vienna International Center

Wei-Ken Liao received his training in performing arts (dance, drama, voice) in Vienna, London, Toronto, Los Angeles and New York. Since season 2016/2017 he's been Resident Dance Captain of the musical theatre department at Landestheater Linz. There he supervised and performed in productions like "Ghost - The Musical", "The Full Monty" and "Around the World in 80 Days". Furthermore he had the honor and opportunity to choreograph the European premiere of Dave Malloy's "Préludes".

Prior to his engagement in Linz, Wei-Ken Liao was signed to theatres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and played e.g. Paul San Marco in "A Chorus Line", he was Dance Captain in "Mackie Messer - Eine Salzburger Dreigroschenoper" at the world-famous Salzburg Festival, he was Dance Captain in "Flashdance", and understudy Mereb in Elton John's and Tim Rice's "Aida". Additional credentials are "Evita", "Bounce - The Killer Swing Musical", "Join!" at the Wiener Festwochen, "Musical Rocks!" and "Miss Saigon".

As a commercial dancer he performed on stage alongside Adam Lambert, Natasha Bedingfield and Dave Stewart, as well as in front of the cameras for the German movies "Im Weißen Rössl - Wehe du singst!" and "Bollywood lässt Alpen glühen".

Wei-Ken Liao is also teaching masterclasses and workshops, and has already worked as a freelance choreographer (e.g. the Finale of "Herz von Österreich" - an Austrian Folklore-version of X-Factor, for PartyLite Austria and Europe, REWE Group Austria and several galas and fashion shows.

Maria Naber, born 1996 in Vienna with Downsyndrom
School career in integration classes of:
2002/2003  VS Josefinum, 1140 Vienna
2003-2007   VS Mondweg, 1140 Vienna
2007-2011  KMS Antonigasse, 1180 Vienna
2011-2014 HS Hans Radl-Schule, 1180 Vienna
since 2014 at ITA (individualized Education for young persons with special needs) going for assistant in kindergarten
since 2007 activ member at „Ich bin ok“ Dance Company for people with special needs in different dance groups and styles
participant at several dance performances in Austria and different European countries
2017 and 2018 participant at VIBE Dance Festival (second places in category „special“)
participant as protagonist and dancer at opening and closing ceremony of special olympics 2017 in Schladming together with members of Vienna´s opera ballet company
2018 finishing her education as „dance assist“ at „Ich bin ok“
Participant  at special olympics in riding disciplines and winer of a silver and bronze medal

Aktueller Arbeitsplatz:

Seit 2009: Obfrau und künstlerische Leiterin des Kultur- und Bildungsvereins „Ich bin O.K.“, für Menschen mit und ohne Behinderung in Wien (ehrenamtlich)

Seit 2009: Tanzpädagogin für „Kindertanz“ und „O.K. Modern Tanz“ in Kultur- und Bildungsverein „Ich bin O.K.“

Seit 2010: Gemeinsam mit Attila Zanin, Leiterin und Choreographin der „Ich bin O.K. Dance Company“

Fortbildungen:

2016: „Dance for Health“ Andrev Greenwood, Switch2Move- Methode für die Arbeit mit Menschen mit körperlichen und geistigen Beeinträchtigungen wie Parkinson- oder MS-Patienten

2012: „Zeitgenössischer Tanz trifft Gebärdensprache“ tanzbar_bremen mit Corinna Mindt (Wien)

2010: „Dance Dynamics“, Inklusives Tanztheater, Theorie und Praxis mit Wolfgang Stange „Mixid Abilities“ mit Janice Parker (Wien) 2009: „Kreativer Kindertanz und Choreographie für Kinder“ mit Catharina Gacklha (Köln)

2009: „Contact Improvisation“ mit Marion Kortenkamp (Bochum)

2009: „Tanz mit Jungen“ mit Claudia Hanfgarn (Köln) Workshops

2005-2013: Frey Faust (Axis Syllabus), Rudolfo Leoni (Contemporary Dance), Joe Alegado (Limon-Technik), Josef Frucek (Contemporary Dance), Risa Steinberg (Limon-Technik)

Engagements und Projekte als Tänzerin:

2012: „3 Geschichten über Freundschaft“ mit Nicole Bernd Caccivio in „Doppelgängerin“ (Dschungel Wien)

2011-2012: mit Karin Steinbrugger / Cie. Villa Agathe, „Es gibt so Tage“ (Dschungel Wien)

2004-2009: Ensemblemitglied beim Theater der Klänge (Düsseldorf) z. B. zu sehen bei „HOEReographien“, “Ich ist ein anderer“, "HOEReographien Suite"

2008: Tanzcompany Cie.Cimrfraj (Zürich) unter der künstlerischen Leitung von Barbora Kryslova Greiner: „DorFMoRD“

2008: “HeldenHaft“ Tanzsolo in Rahmen des Projekts „6Tage rennen“ (Essen, Dresden, Prag), Choreographie- Julia Nesterova

2004-2008: Ivanovic.Clan (Essen) unter der künstlerischen Leitung von Jelena Ivan

JOB EXPERIENCE

Since 2000
• Artistic Diretor, Teacher and Choreographer at CDA -­ Companhia de Dança do Algarve, Portugal
1992 – 2000
• Worked as a freelancer dancer and choreographer in several companies in Portugal
1985 – 1992
• Principal dancer at Russian Military Red Army Company “Ensemble Alexandrov”
1982-­1985
• Principal Dancer at Contemporary Company “Rhythm of Planet”
1980-­1982
• Professional Dancer at Moscow Army Military Company

EDUCATION

1969 – 1977 | Student at Ivanovo Cultural Centre (Dance School), Russia
1977 -­ 1979 | Higher School of Dance at Ivanovo Arts College

SUMMARY, AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I started my career at the age of 8 in the Ivanovo Cultural Centre. At the age of 12 I’ve joined the International Dance Company of Russia. In 1980 I finished my training at the
Ivanovo Higher School of Dance that gave me the qualification as a professional dancer, choreographer and ballet teacher.

Throughout my career I joined different companies in Moscow, amongst which should be highlighted the "Rhythms of the Planet" Contemporary Dance Company (principal dancer) and Red Army’s Military Company (principal dancer). Whilst working for them I promoted contemporary dance in various countries, namely the U.S.A., Canada, Germany, France, England, Belgium and Spain.

Settled in Portugal since 1992 as choreographer and dancer led various classes in the north of the country, and in the academic years 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 I was teacher at the Regional Conservatory of the Algarve and in Faro’s Recreative Artistic Society.

In the academic year 2002/2003 created my own School of Dance in Faro. My pupils have
been awarded in various national and international competitions since then.

Since 2001 I organized dance workshops annually in which my pupils have the opportunity
to learn different subjects taught by russian dancers and teachers, some of whom were trained in the Bolshoi Theatre and the Marinsky theatre.

In 2005, I was an instructor for the module “Dramatic and Corporal Expression” in the course “perfection of actors I”, organized by ACTA -­ A Companhia de Teatro do Algarve. (The Algarve Theatre Company).

From the work developed in the classical and contemporary dance classes I created the "Companhia de Dança do Algarve” (Algarve Dance Company) for which I am the artistic director and main choreographer.

As choreographer, I have colaborated with ACTA, the Algarve theatre company, being responsible for the choreographies of the plays Antigone, Pandemónio, História do Soldado e Ricardo III, shown for the first time in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Geboren am 8.8.1959 in Wien, wurde Christian Tichy an der Ballettschule der Österreichischen Bundestheater ausgebildet. Sein erstes Engagement führte ihn 1974 an die Wiener Volksoper. 1977 wurde er Mitglied des Wiener Staatsopernballetts, 1985 erfolgte die Ernennung zum Solotänzer. 1992 wurde er Proben- und Trainingsleiter, 2003 avancierte er zum Ballettmeister. Er war erster Obmann der Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett. Im Herbst 2005 beendete Christian Tichy seine Karriere beim Wiener Staatsopernballett.
In den letzten Jahren widmet sich Christian Tichy neben seiner Lehrtätigkeit besonders der Choreographie. Er schuf Kreationen für Opernproduktionen der Wiener Staatsoper, zahlreiche Ballette für die Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett im Rahmen des jährlich stattfindenden Gastspiels in Bad Aussee, sowie zahlreiche Produktionen für den ORF. Der ORF betraute Christian Tichy auch mit der Choreographie der Balletteinlagen für das Neujahrskonzert 2007 sowie den Donauwalzer 2008. Für das vienna waltz project erarbeitete er Stücke wie „Schiele for sale“ , „Hommage an Friedenreich Hundertwasser“ , „Aufforderung zum Tanz“ und „Cafe square dance“ und „Passion Tango“. Viele Jahre choreographierte er für die Eröffnung des „Life Ball“ und er war künstlerischer Leiter bei der großen „Vladimir Malakhow Gala“ in St. Pölten 2010 und 2011. Aus diesem Anlass entstand auch„Shadows“, die erste Arbeit für das Europaballett St. Pölten. Er choreographierte und inszenierte auch die Uraufführung von „Dorian Gray“ – Musik von Paul Fürst nach einem Libretto von Ernst Jandl -im Festspielhaus St. Pölten und im Festschloß Hof. Ein nächster Höhepunkt ist gerade in Vorbereitung, ein Beitrag zur Eröffnungsfeier der Special Olympics mit der Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett und dem Verein „Ich bin Ok.“ im März 2017 in Schladming.

Thomas Poms und Lisa Tatzber haben sich in ihrer Ausbildung kennengelernt und schnell bemerkt, dass sie auch beruflich ein tolles Team sind. Sie begannen zusammen zu choreographieren und hatten dabei nicht nur Freude sondern auch großen Erfolg. Neben vielen nationalen und internationalen Preisen, bekamen die Beiden außerdem mehrere Male die Auszeichnungen für „Beste Choreographie“ (Sweet November 2009, WhyWar 2010, Schwester 2012, Mad World 2013, Augen Auf 2016) von der ASDU verliehen.

Bei der bekannten Fernsehsendung GOT TO DANCE kamen die Tänzer Sandra&Paul (Sandra Schwann & Paul Csitkovics) mit den Choreographien von Lisa und Thomas bis ins Finale, erreichten
dabei ein Millionenpublikum und bekamen von der Jury besonders positive Kritik.

Im Herbst 2016 gründeten die beiden den Verein INDEED UNIQUE, der versucht Sport mit Kunst zu vereinen und TänzerInnen nicht nur die Möglichkeit zu bieten zu trainieren und sich in
verschiedensten Stilen weiter zu bilden, sondern auch ein besonderes Augenmerk darauf legt, sich mit diversen Themen künstlerisch auseinanderzusetzen.

Darauf folgte 2018 die Eröffnung eines eigenen Studios (INDEED UNIQUE Performance) in der Kranzgasse 9,1150

Die Teilnahme an der Vienna International Ballet Experience 2017 brachte INDEED UNIQUE tolle Platzierungen, eine Einladung zur Winners Gala im wiener Volkstheater (mit gleich 3 Choreographien) und dem Spezialpreis „Best Choreography and Innovation 2017“ für Augen Auf (Choreographie gemeinsam mit Timo Tatzber), von einer renommierten internationalen Jury
verliehen. Bei den Dance Star World Masters konnten alle Choreographien sich für das große Finale qualifizieren, erreichten tolle Plätze und auch hier wurde Augen Auf zur Best Choreography im Open Chapter ernannt. Großes Highlight war die Gala Night mit über 6000 Zusehern, für die aus 2400 Beiträgen lediglich 20 ausgewählt wurden und bei der Augen Auf zur zweitbesten Choreographie des Abends gekürt wurde.

Weiters bekam das Choreographen-Team erneut den Preis „Best Choreography and Innovation 2018“ für Rythm Of The World bei den Vienna International Ballet Experience und sie gleich darauf gewann “Exanimationes Insidamus” den Special Award “Best Choreography” bei den ESDU Villach, choreographiert für die Tanzcompany TSV Black Diamonds.

Mit ihrer Arbeit möchten die Beiden zum Nachdenken anregen, Themen ansprechen, die vor allem in der Unterhaltungsbranche zu kurz kommen, und natürlich auch die Freude am Tanz und was man alles damit erzählen und bewirken kann, teilen und weitergeben.

Kiss János
Director, Artistic Executive
Kossuth Award Holder, Artist of Merit

(born in Budapest, on 13th August 1959)

He graduated at the State Ballet Institute in 1979-ben. His class masters were Kálmán Etelka and Lőrincz György.

His career
1st August 1979       Founding Member of the Ballet Company of Győr
September 1991    Director of Ballet Company of Győr
1993     Inauguration of the Teacher Training Specialisation of the Hungarian Dance Academy in the School of Dance and Fine Arts

His Featured Roles:
Markó Iván: Loved by The Sun (1979)
Markó Iván: The Miraculous Mandarin (1981)
Markó Iván, Novák Ferenc: The Sons Turned into Stags (1985)
Markó Iván: Jesus The Son of Man (1986)
Markó Iván: Prospero (1987)
Markó Iván: On The Verge of Life (1990)

His Choreographies:
The Caucasian Chalk Circle (1990)
The Legend of Saint Margaret (1991, for the occasion of the visit of John Paul II in Hungary (jointly with the creative team of the Ballet Company of Győr)
Mr. Gulliver’s Travels (Act II, 1991)
Monarchy, Monarchy (1994)(jointly with William Fomin)

Professional Prizes, Awards
1979      “Best Graduating Student” – an award by the Association of Hungarian Dance Artists
1983      “Dancer of the Year” – an award by the Association of Hungarian Dance Artists
1985      Liszt Ferenc Award
1995      Szent László Award
1997      Small Cross of the Republic of Hungary
1998      PRO URBE Award
2004      Hevesi Sándor Award
2005      Artist of Merit
2005      Freeman of the City of Győr
2007      Company of Immortals
2008      Kossuth Award

Members in Professional Advisory Boards, Activities in Public Bodies:
Board of Directors of the Hungarian Chamber of Dance Artists (1992)
Professional College of The Art of Dance at the National Cultural Fund of the Ministry of Culture and Public Education (1993), later Chairperson (2001-2002), Member (2002-2007), Chairperson (2007-)
Advisory Board for the Minister (1999)
Supervisory Board of Dance Forum (2000)
Advisory Board of Contemporary Arts at the National Cultural Fund (2000)
Co- Chairperson of the Association of Hungarian Dance Artists (2000), Chairperson (2001-2007)
Supervisory Board of the National Dance Theatre – Chairperson
Member of the Philip Morris Advisory Board
Chairperson of the College of The Art of Dance at the National Cultural Fund (2008)
Member of Dance Art Committee (2011)
Chairperson of Dance Art Committee (2013)
Member of the Board of the Association of Performing Rights (2013)
Non-Academic Public Body Member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (November 2014-)
Representative of the Arts representative Side of the National Economic and Social Council (2016)

RICHARD BOWMAN

Mr Bowman trained in Auckland, New Zealand and awarded a full tuition scholarship to complete his training at the Royal Ballet School in London, England.

Mr Bowman has danced with many world-renown ballet companies as a guest artist and performed as a principal artist with internationally acclaimed companies of which include, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Leipzig Ballet, the Australian Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

In addition to being the first prize recipient of the 1987 Sir Jon Logan Campbell Award. He has been noted, throughout his career, for his physique and technical brilliance, and the ability able to capture large audiences with ease, in many leading roles to name just a few, the Gaoler in Kenneth MacMillan's production of Manon and James in Erik Bruhn's production of La Sylphide.

In 2012 Mr Bowman was appointed a member of American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Artistic Board of Examiners & Instructors and became a senior faculty member at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in NYC.

Leon Kupferschmid (Artist, Teacher and Cirque du Soleil Talent Scout) was born in Jerusalem, Israel.

He began dancing at age 13 at the Jerusalem Academy for Music and Dance high-school. Upon graduation, he joined Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.

In 2005, he was accepted on full scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York, where he had the privilege of performing works by Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, Aszure Barton, Nicolo Fonte and many more. Leon graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2009, and since, has performed in Europe, Asia, central and south America, and throughout the United States and Canada, with the distinguished Compagnie Marie Chouinard, and Compagnie Flak/Jose Navas. He has had as well, the privilege of performing works by choreographers such as: Crystal Pite, Christopher House, Idan Sharabi, and Trey Mcintyre.

Leon joined Cirque du Soleil as an artistic talent scout, specializing in both - dancers and actors/clowns, in oct. 2016.

TAMÁS SOLYMOSI | Ballet Director, Hungarian National Ballet
International Étoile

Education:

• Hungarian Dance Academy (Ballet Dancer)
• Vaganova Academy, Saint Petersburg
• Princess Grace Academy, Monte Carlo
• Hungarian Dance Academy (MA diploma as college professor of ballet)
• University of Theatre and Film Arts (choreographer)
• University of Theatre and Film Arts (currently working towards a DLA diploma)

Director’s Positions:

• Deputy Director of the Hungarian Dance Academy (2005-2006)
• Artistic Director of the Szolnok Summer Festival (2007)

Teaching Positions:

• Hungarian Dance Academy (2005-2013)
• Ballet Masterclasses Prague (2002-2014)

Guest Teaching:

• Wiener Staatsballet (2006, 2008)
• English National Ballet (2007)

Guest appearances:

• Metropolitan Opera, New York - American Ballet Theater
• Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow
• Miami City Ballet
• Teatro di San Carlo
• Bavarian State Opera, Munich
• Berlin State Opera
• Dresden Semperoper
• Ballet Chicago
• Osaka Ballet
• Norwegian National Ballet, Oslo
• Chilean National Ballet, Santiago
• Hungarian National Ballet
• Finnish National Ballet, Helsinki
• Warsaw Grand Theatre – National Opera and Ballet Company
• Vienna State Opera, Ballet Company

Repertoire: - Full-length ballets:

• Nureyev – Struchkova – van Dantzig – Iván Nagy – Petipa – Ivanov – Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake – The Prince
• Nureyev – Wright – Róna – Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty – Prince Désiré
• Nureyev – Holmes – Glazunov: Raymonda – Jean de Brienne
• Chernyshova – Iván Nagy – Lavrovsky – Adam: Giselle – The Prince
• Grigorovich – Stevenson – Vainonen – Wayne Eagling – Page – Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Nutcracker Prince
• Makarova – Minkus: La Bayadère – Solor
• Ashton – Stevenson – van Boven – Prokofiev: Cinderella – Prince
• MacMillan – Massenet: Manon – Des Grieux, Lescaut
• Cranko – van Dantzig – Seregi – Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet – Romeo, Tybalt, Mercutio
• Seregi – Goldmark: The Taming of the Shrew – Petruchio
• Pártay – Tchaikovsky: Anna Karenina – Vronsky
• Petipa – Minkus: Paquita
• Hynd – Lehár: The Merry Widow – Danilo
• Neumeier – Mendelssohn – Ligeti: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Theseus/Oberon
• Cranko – Tchaikovsky – Stolze: Onegin – Onegin
• MacMillan – Liszt: Mayerling – Rudolf
• Seregi – Delibes: Sylvia – Orion
• Harangozó – Delibes: Coppélia – Franz
• Zanella – Mozart – Salieri: Wolfgang Amadé – Salieri
• Sárközi: Macbeth – Macbeth
• Seregi - Khachaturian: Spartacus – Crassus

- One-act ballets:

• Gusev: Moskovsky Waltz
• Balanchine: Apollo, Tchaikovsky pas de deux/duett, Symphony in C major, Themes and Variations, Brahms-Schönberg Quartet
• Fokine: Les Sylphides, Spectre de la Rose
• Van Manen: Twilight, Trois Gnossiennes, Black Cake, Adagio Hammerklavier
• MacMillan: Song of the Earth
• North: Death and the Maiden
• Zanella: Empty Place, La Chambre, Sacre du Printemps, Konzertante Duo

Awards:

• Artist of Merit of the Republic of Hungary Award (2006)
• Philip Morris Award (2004)
• Gundel Prize (2003)
• Harangozó Gyula Prize (2001)
• EuroPAS Hungarian Dance Award (1998)
• Vécsey Elvira Prize (1990)
• Nívó Prize (1990)

Classical studies:
-with Piotr Nardelli, Andrej Ziemski and Paolo Bertolucci in Brussels(belgium)
-at the school of 
"Royal ballet of flanders" in Antwerp(Belgium)
-with lotje Hertogs in Antwerp(Belgium)
-at the school of Rossella Higgtower in Cannes (france)

Contemporary studies:
- with carolin carlson , monet robier, edward cook and joseph rossillio in France

 studiesmodern tecnics of graham and limon

Studies jazz with gianin Lorinqet , lin Simonson, alvin mc Duffy, Bruce Taylor, serge Alzetta, Monica Saez

Belgium i graduate in physical education at the university of Ghent in Belgium

Professional experiences:
Debuts at the "ballet of wallonie" in belgium
Is soloist at the theater of Augsburg and Chemnitz in Germania
Is soloist at euroballet in luxemburg
Works with the company of Misha van hoecke in Florence in italy

Teaching and coreographer experiecieces:

-teaches in several schools in france, belgium, germany and italy

-is gast teacher for classical and modern-contempory in Rome at the ials studios and I.D.A. studios
-teaches the professional open classes in napels at "movimento danza"and at "Mara Fusco dance studio" in Napels
_teaches for the dance company of Misha van Hoecke" in italy
-Works as assistent coreographer with Misha van Hoecke at the Paris Operá for the production " la fiancée vendue"in settember and october 2008 and in november and dicember 2010
-From 2007 to 2014 he is gast teacher at the dance studios of Terry Fox in Chicago( Usa) for summer intensive .
-in 2016 and 2017 he is in the jury of Vibe Usa in Missoula in Montan(usa)
-he creates sevaral coreographies for private companys in italy and germany

Geboren am 8.8.1959 in Wien, wurde Christian Tichy an der Ballettschule der Österreichischen Bundestheater ausgebildet. Sein erstes Engagement führte ihn 1974 an die Wiener Volksoper. 1977 wurde er Mitglied des Wiener Staatsopernballetts, 1985 erfolgte die Ernennung zum Solotänzer. 1992 wurde er Proben- und Trainingsleiter, 2003 avancierte er zum Ballettmeister. Er war erster Obmann der Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett. Im Herbst 2005 beendete Christian Tichy seine Karriere beim Wiener Staatsopernballett.
In den letzten Jahren widmet sich Christian Tichy neben seiner Lehrtätigkeit besonders der Choreographie. Er schuf Kreationen für Opernproduktionen der Wiener Staatsoper, zahlreiche Ballette für die Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett im Rahmen des jährlich stattfindenden Gastspiels in Bad Aussee, sowie zahlreiche Produktionen für den ORF. Der ORF betraute Christian Tichy auch mit der Choreographie der Balletteinlagen für das Neujahrskonzert 2007 sowie den Donauwalzer 2008. Für das vienna waltz project erarbeitete er Stücke wie „Schiele for sale“ , „Hommage an Friedenreich Hundertwasser“ , „Aufforderung zum Tanz“ und „Cafe square dance“ und „Passion Tango“. Viele Jahre choreographierte er für die Eröffnung des „Life Ball“ und er war künstlerischer Leiter bei der großen „Vladimir Malakhow Gala“ in St. Pölten 2010 und 2011. Aus diesem Anlass entstand auch„Shadows“, die erste Arbeit für das Europaballett St. Pölten. Er choreographierte und inszenierte auch die Uraufführung von „Dorian Gray“ – Musik von Paul Fürst nach einem Libretto von Ernst Jandl -im Festspielhaus St. Pölten und im Festschloß Hof. Ein nächster Höhepunkt ist gerade in Vorbereitung, ein Beitrag zur Eröffnungsfeier der Special Olympics mit der Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett und dem Verein „Ich bin Ok.“ im März 2017 in Schladming.

Milan Hatala was born in Bratislava, Slovakia. Besides his dance education at the Ballet conservatory he also studied violin at the music school. His engagements included the Slovakian National Ballet and the Vienna State Opera and as a soloist the Theater an der Wien and P.A.C.T. in Johannesburg, SA: He created many roles of which “Golem”, “Peter Schlemihl” and “Siegfried” are to be mentioned.

After his career as a dancer Milan Hatala became Ballet Master at the Vienna State Opera for 25 years and pedagogue at the national Ballet school. During this time he also worked as a choreographic assistant to Rudolf Nureyev, John Neumeier, Jiri Kylian, Lorca Massine,… to name a few.

Together with his wife, Mag. Christine Hatala, Milan Hatala is currently directing the family’s Ballet school.

Milan Hatala was rewarded the “Ehrenkreuz for science and art”.

Felix Röper

Bildundsweg

2013 - dato Mitglied der „Ich bin O.K.“ Dance Company, Wien
2014 Hauptschulabschluss im Integrativen Montessori
Atelier St. Pölten
2016 - 2017 Arbeitstraining im Marionettentheater Schloss
Schönbrunn als Marionettenspieler

Weiterbildung
2013 - 2014 Regelmäßiger Privatunterricht in klassischem Tanz bei
Wolfgang Grascher
2013 - 2015 Teilnahme an Kursen in Stepptanz und Ballet bei der
Broadway Connection
2016 - dato Schlagzeugunterricht an der Musikschule
Wilhelmsburg
2016 - dato Diverse Tanz-Workshops im Festspielhaus St. Pölten
2017 - dato Ausbildung zum Dance Assisi in Wien („Ich bin O.K.“)

Wettbewerbe
2017 Vibe International Dance Competition Wien, 2. Platz
2017 International Inclusive Dance Festival Moskau, 2.Platz
2018 Eröffnung des Wiener Opernballes

Auftritte in Produktionen
2014 „Getrennt - Vereint“
(Produktion der Ich bin O.K. Dance Company) mit
Auftrittsorte: Odeon Wien, Ursulinenhof Linz,
Impulstanzfestival in Wien
2015 „Übern Berg“
Auftrittsort: Festspielhaus St. Pölten
2015 „Kein Stück Liebe“
(Produktion der Ich bin O.K. Dance Company)
Auftrittsorte: Wien, Dresden, München, Intaktfestival
in Graz, Impulstanzfestival in Wien
2016 Eröffnung der Special Olympics World Wintergames
in Schladming, Abschlussveranstaltung in Graz
2017 „Flame of Peace“
Soloauftritt im Rahmen der Festveranstaltung
der Familie Habsburg im Rathaus Wien

Hobbies
Musik Oper, Operette, Musical, aktiv Schlagzeug spielen
Sport Schwimmen, Fußball, Skifahren, Eislaufen

Thomas Poms und Lisa Tatzber sind die Gründer von Indeed Unique, choreographieren, inszenieren und entwickeln für verschiedenste Projekte und Produktionen. 
Indeed Unique versucht Sport mit Kunst zu vereinen und jungen talentierten Menschen nicht nur die Möglichkeit zu geben zu trainieren und ihre Fähigkeiten in verschiedensten Tanzstilen (Jazz, Urban-Styles, Breakdance, Contemporary, Ballet, Latin, Parcouring und Tricking) auszubauen, sondern sich auch mit diversen Themen künstlerisch auseinanderzusetzen und zu entfalten.
Cybermobbing, Amoklauf, Transgender, Flucht, Krieg aber auch ein sarkastischer Blick auf den großen
Fleischkonsum und noch viel mehr thematisiert Indeed Unique in seinen Choreographien und Projekten, die
Großteils mit jungen TänzerInnen erarbeitet werden.

Mit dieser Arbeit möchten die Gründer, Thomas Poms und Lisa Tatzber, zum Nachdenken anregen,
Themen ansprechen, die vor allem in der Unterhaltungsbranche zu kurz kommen, und natürlich auch die Freude am Tanz und was man alles damit erzählen und bewirken kann, teilen und weitergeben.
Der Teamgedanke spielt dabei eine große Rolle.
Die GrundIdee von Indeed Unique ist:
gemeinsam zu trainieren,
gemeinsam auf der Bühne zu stehen.
gemeinsam Erfolge zu feiern,
und dabei das Individuum nicht aus den Augen zu verlieren

Erfolge 2017:
Best Choreography and Innovation (“VIBE - Vienna International Ballet Experience”)
Best Choreography & 2nd Place at Gala Night (Finals der DanceStar-World-Tour in Porec)

Weitere Erfolge:
Neben vielen nationalen und internationalen Preisen, bekamen die Beiden außerdem mehrere Male die Auszeichnungen für „Beste Choreographie“ (Sweet November 2009, WhyWar 2010, Schwester 2012, Mad World 2013, Augen Auf 2016) von der ASDU verliehen.
Bei der bekannten Fernsehsendung GOT TO DANCE kamen die Tänzer Sandra&Paul (Sandra Schwann&Paul Csitkovics) mit den Choreographien von Lisa und Thomas bis ins Finale, erreichten dabei ein Millionenpubikum und bekamen von der Jury besonders positive Kritik.  

Geboren 02/04/1994 in Korneuburg.  Lebt und arbeitet  in Wien.
Schulische Ausbildung:

• Besuch von  Integrationsklassen in VS und KMS, davon 3 Jahre in einer französischen Classe d’intégration specialisée in St.Cloud/Paris.
• Berufsvorbereitungslehrgang (BVL) in der Holzhausergasse im 2.Bezirk.

Berufliche Praxis:

• Seit September 2012 arbeitet Simon in der Badeschiff-Betriebs-GmbH als Gastronomiearbeiter abwechselnd auf dem Badeschiff und in der Adria-Wien.

Musikalische Ausbildung:

• Schlagwerk seit 2003 

Tänzerische Ausbildung :

• Seit 2006 Mitglied des Kultur und Bildungsvereins „Ich bin O.K.“ Schwerpunkte: Hip Hop, Modern und Standard

Tänzerische Können zeigte er in zahlreichen Auftritten mit dem im Verein „Ich bin O.K. Tanzstudio und der Dance Company“  im Theater Akzent, Dschungel Wien,  Akademietheater, Linz, Graz, Innsbruck sowie auf diversen Festivals im In- und Ausland.

• Auswahl der Produktionen:

„Welt/er/schöpfung (2011),
„Der Zauberer von OK“ (2012),
„Ost Side Story“ (2013) – Hauptrolle des Milan
„Aladins Erkenntnis “ (2015)
„Übern Zaun schaun“ (2017)
„Drei Geschichten über Freundschaft“
„Getrennt-Vereint“
„Kein Stück Liebe“
„Eröffnung Special Olympics World Winter games“ in Schladming (2017)

Seit September 2017 : Ausbildung zum Dance Assist

• Praxis als Assistent bei diversen Tanzworkshops beim Impuls-Tanz-Festival und in Wiener Schulen
• VIBE Goldmedaillen Gewinner

Geboren 1990 in Wien (Österreich) mit guatemaltekischen Wurzeln, lebte von seinem sechsten bis achten Lebensjahr in Mexico. Von klein auf war er immer sehr bewegungsfreudig und entdeckte seine Leidenschaft zum Tanzen im Alter von 19 Jahren. Seine ersten Tanzerfahrungen sammelte Kirin España innerhalb seiner privaten Tanzausbildung von BIGSMILE 2010 und hielt in Folge zahlreiche Workshops ab. Als künstlerischer Artist, Performer und Tänzer sammelte er seine ersten Erfahrungen im inklusiven Tanzverein ICH BIN OK im Jahre 2012. Bis heute wirkte er als aktives Mitglied in mehreren Produktionen mit, mit denen er international an verschiedenen Tanzfestivals und Wettbewerben teilnahm (Spezial Olympics, VIBE 2016-1.Platz, Inclusive Dance Festival Russia 2017 1.Platz). Zusätzliche Showerfahrungen konnte er gemeinsam mit der Crew FRUITASTICS (Frequenzy) und mit der Agentur DANCE INDUSTRY erlangen. Seit 2017 ist er ein Mitglied des Vereins KÖRPERVERSTAND. TANZTHEATER WIEN und der Company SILK FLUEGGE. Er lebt und arbeitet in Wien.

Professionelle Ballettausbildung
1972 – 1975 - Ballettschule an der Nationaloper Sofia
1975 – 1981 - Vaganova Ballet Academy, St. Petersburg
2005 – 2010 - Hochschulausbildung für Ballettmeisterin /Ballettpädagogin mit Abschluss,
Magistra mit Auszeichnung

Ich bin in Bulgarien geboren und erhielt den ersten Ballettunterricht an der Ballettschule in Sofia. 1975 holte mich die ehemalige Prima Ballerina des Mariinski – Theaters und langjährige Direktorin
der Vaganova Ballet Academy F. Balabina nach St. Petersburg, um meine Ballett-Ausbildung an der Vaganova Ballet Akademy fortzusetzen, die ich 1981 absolvierte. Nach meiner Rückkehr nach
Sofia im Jahr 1981 begann ich als Mitglied des Ballettensembles der Nationaloper Sofia. Von 1981 bis 1990 tanzte ich zunächst im Corps de Ballett und später als Solotänzerin unter der Leitung der
Ballettdirektoren M. Liepa, J. Grigorowich, sowie anderen namhaften Choreografen in: Nussknacker, Dornröschen, Don Quixote, Schwanensee, Bajadere, Paquita, Chopiniana, La Sylphide, Giselle, Romeo und Julia sowie auch in modernen Ballettproduktionen.

1990 wurde ich von der damaligen Ballettschefin G. Dill an das Staatsopernballett in Wien verpflichtet. Unter deren Leitung und unter der Leitung von E. Tchernichova, A. Woolliams und R. Zanella wirkte ich als Balletttänzerin in vielen Produktionen: G. Balanchine: La Valse, Serenade, Die Vier Temperamente, Divertimento Nr. 15; K. MacMillan: Manon; G. Neumeier: Ein Sommernachtstraum, Josephs Legende, Daphnis und Chloe, Der Feuervogel; J. Kranko: Romeo und Julia; R. Zanella: Black Angels, Alles Walzer, Strawinski-Abend Symfony/Movments/Sacre, Wolfgang Amadé; E. Tchernichova: Don Quixote, Giselle; P. Schaufuss: La Silphide; Fr. Ashton: La fille mal gardée: R. Nurejew: Schwanensee u.a.

Nach 20 Jahren Bühnenerfahrung begann ich 2001 als Ballettpädagogin für klassisches Ballett und Repertoire an der Ballettschule der Wiener Staatsoper unter der Leitung von Renato Zanella und später Gyula Harangozó. Neben meiner Unterrichtstätigkeit als Ballettpädagogin der Ballettschule war ich auch Probeleiterin der Schüler für diverse Ballettvorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper und der Volksoper Wien, unter anderem:

Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Vorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper: Aschenbrödel R. Zanella, Der Nussknacker R. Zanella, Spartacus R. Zanella, Kadettenball R. Zanella, Nussknacker G. Harangozó/Wainonen, Die Puppenfee Hassreiter/Dill und viele Choreographien von R. Zanella und G. Madia für den jährlichen Wiener Opernball. Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Ballett-Vorstellungen an der Wiener Staatsoper: Die Bajadere Malakhov/Petipa, Dornröschen Wright/Petipa, Wie es euch gefällt J. Neumeier, Coppélia Harangozó sen., Platzkonzert Harangozó sen., Fledermaus Roland Petit, Ein Sommernachtstraum Jorma Elo; Oper: Rienzi R. Zanella

Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierungen und Proben für folgende Vorstellungen an der Volksoper Wien:
Tanzhommàge an Queen Ben van Cauwenbergh, Max & Moritz F. Barbay/M. Kropf
Choreographische Assistenz/Einstudierung und Proben im Theater an der Wien:
Oper: Le Nozze di Figaro, R. Zanella
Ich war Ballettpädagogin an der Privatuniversität Konservatorium Wien mit dem Schwerpunkt
klassisches Ballett.
Ich war als Gasttrainingsleiterin an der Wiener Staatsoper, der Wiener Volksoper und in andere
Ballettkompanies in Europa tätig, sowie als
Jurymitglied in Ballettwettbewerben in Deutschland, Griechenland und Zypern.
Derzeit unterrichte ich klassisches Ballett am Sportinstitut der Universität Wien.

In Rumänien geboren,war sie im Anschluss an ihre Ausbildung am Ballett-Institut in Bukarest von 1977-1984 Mitglied des Balletts der Staatsoper Bukarest. 1984 wechselte sie an das Staatstheater Sarajewo, wo sie bis 1988 als Erste Solotänzerin engagiert war. 1988 wurde sie Mitglied des Wiener Staatsopernballett und seit 1999 arbeitet sie als Proben und Trainingsleiterin . Sie unterrichtete u.a. in Bukarest,Sarajewo,Zagreb,Prag,Boulder.

Wei-Ken Liao received his training in performing arts (dance, drama, voice) in Vienna, London, Toronto, Los Angeles and New York. Since season 2016/2017 he's been Resident Dance Captain of the musical theatre department at Landestheater Linz. There he supervised and performed in productions like "Ghost - The Musical", "The Full Monty" and "Around the World in 80 Days". Furthermore he had the honor and opportunity to choreograph the European premiere of Dave Malloy's "Préludes".

Prior to his engagement in Linz, Wei-Ken Liao was signed to theatres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and played e.g. Paul San Marco in "A Chorus Line", he was Dance Captain in "Mackie Messer - Eine Salzburger Dreigroschenoper" at the world-famous Salzburg Festival, he was Dance Captain in "Flashdance", and understudy Mereb in Elton John's and Tim Rice's "Aida". Additional credentials are "Evita", "Bounce - The Killer Swing Musical", "Join!" at the Wiener Festwochen, "Musical Rocks!" and "Miss Saigon".

As a commercial dancer he performed on stage alongside Adam Lambert, Natasha Bedingfield and Dave Stewart, as well as in front of the cameras for the German movies "Im Weißen Rössl - Wehe du singst!" and "Bollywood lässt Alpen glühen".

Wei-Ken Liao is also teaching masterclasses and workshops, and has already worked as a freelance choreographer (e.g. the Finale of "Herz von Österreich" - an Austrian Folklore-version of X-Factor, for PartyLite Austria and Europe, REWE Group Austria and several galas and fashion shows.

MIKE LOEWENROSEN
geboren in der Schweiz, klassische Ballettausbildung sowie Ausbildung in Modernem Tanz mit Schwerpunkt Jazz in New York, Amsterdam und Wien. Mitglied diverser US-, Schweizer und Wiener Tanzkompanien, Mitwirkung als Tänzer bei Tourneen, Musicals, Theater- sowie Film- und Fernsehproduktionen. Staatlich anerkannter Dozent für Jazztanz (Spezialgebiet: Lyrical). Choreograph, Regisseur und Autor von Bühnenstücken und Romanen. Gründer des staatlich anerkannten Konservatoriums Sunrise_Studios Wien (mit Öffentlichkeitsrecht), 2007    

Tanzausbildung: 
Joffrey Ballet School (Ballett), N.Y. 
Broadway Dance Center (Jazz, Acrobatic, Modern, Ballett, Floor Barre), N.Y. 
Steps (Jazz, Modern), N.Y. 
First Russian Balletschool (Ballett), Wien 
Perry Dance (Jazz, Modern), N.Y. 
Amsterdam Dance School & Amsterdam Dance Center (Modern, Jazz), Amsterdam 
Martha Graham School (Graham-Technik), N.Y.
Performa (Yoga, Workout, Ballett) Santo Domingo
Gastdozent/Workshops in: 
USA, Argentinien, Brasilien, Uruguay, Schweiz

Choreograph: 
Teatro Argentino (La Plata), Dance Project (Zürich), VIBE International Ballet Experience (USA und Wien), Landestheater Niederösterreich (St. Pölten), Espacio Danza (Buenos Aires),  English Lovers (Wien), MuTh-Theater (Wien), Akzent-Theater (Wien), Wiener Rathaus (Wien), Espaca de danca (Rio de Janeiro), Theater der Jugend (Wien), Chaos deluxe - Theaterbrett (Wien), Moulin Rouge (Wien), Theater Winterthur (Winterthur, Schweiz), Off Theater (Wien), "Someday" - Rabenhof (Wien), "Ballet Days" - Odeon Theater (Wien), United Nations / IAEA - Vienna International Center

He graduates at SPID (Italian Professional Dance School) in Milan, completing his training in contemporary dance at Merce Cunningham Dance Company (New York) and with major companies and coreographers of the Italian and North Europe dance scene.

He dances for the company “Leggere Strutture” (Bologna -°©‐ Italy); he takes part in big productions as "Dracula opera rock", and "Tosca, amore disperato” produced by David Zard. He collaborates with the dancer and director Caroline Bo in Marseille. He has been selected as dancer for "Orfeo ed Euridice", directed by Graham Vick choreography by Ron Howell and he performs in the major italian theaters. In the same period he is the assistant of Emanuela Tagliavia, choreographer and teacher of contemporary dance at the La Scala Theater in Milan.

He has been selected by Mario Piazza to dance the role of Franz in the contemporary version of “Coppelia”, with the same company he dances in productions such as “ Carmina Burana”, “Les Noces” , “K2007”.

He works as dancer and choreographer for DES. company – Lugano in the production “Final Fight”. In Milan he dances in many productions at the “Nohma Theater” and he dances for the company “Corpi Mobili” in the production “Le donne, la guerra e l’amore”; with the same company he dances for the composer Ludovico Einaudi.

Since 2009 he dedicates to the training of young talents in contemporary dance, holding workshops and seminars in Italy, Switzerland, Austria. He works as a choreographer for independent projects, companies and international events like the “Milano Fashion Week” and “WorldWide design week” and collaborates with The Singapore University for which produces performances and teaches contemporary dance. For two consecutive years he cooperates with “Ballet Days”, international ballet festival, under the artistic direction of Gregor Hatala, and he teaches contemporary dance for the dancers of the festival.

From September 2011 is the Artistic Director of Milan City Ballet School. In the same year with Virginia Spallarossa is Vice President of the cultural association “PANDANZ”, and together organized the contemporary dance festival "Pillole – somministrazioni di danza d’autore” in Milan.

In 2015 he is founder and artistic director of Milan Contemporary Ballet junior company project that combines training young dancers and their first work experience on stage, in collaboration with Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, London.

TAMÁS SOLYMOSI | Ballet Director, Hungarian National Ballet
International Étoile

Education:

• Hungarian Dance Academy (Ballet Dancer)
• Vaganova Academy, Saint Petersburg
• Princess Grace Academy, Monte Carlo
• Hungarian Dance Academy (MA diploma as college professor of ballet)
• University of Theatre and Film Arts (choreographer)
• University of Theatre and Film Arts (currently working towards a DLA diploma)

Director’s Positions:

• Deputy Director of the Hungarian Dance Academy (2005-2006)
• Artistic Director of the Szolnok Summer Festival (2007)

Teaching Positions:

• Hungarian Dance Academy (2005-2013)
• Ballet Masterclasses Prague (2002-2014)

Guest Teaching:

• Wiener Staatsballet (2006, 2008)
• English National Ballet (2007)

Guest appearances:

• Metropolitan Opera, New York - American Ballet Theater
• Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow
• Miami City Ballet
• Teatro di San Carlo
• Bavarian State Opera, Munich
• Berlin State Opera
• Dresden Semperoper
• Ballet Chicago
• Osaka Ballet
• Norwegian National Ballet, Oslo
• Chilean National Ballet, Santiago
• Hungarian National Ballet
• Finnish National Ballet, Helsinki
• Warsaw Grand Theatre – National Opera and Ballet Company
• Vienna State Opera, Ballet Company

Repertoire: - Full-length ballets:

• Nureyev – Struchkova – van Dantzig – Iván Nagy – Petipa – Ivanov – Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake – The Prince
• Nureyev – Wright – Róna – Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty – Prince Désiré
• Nureyev – Holmes – Glazunov: Raymonda – Jean de Brienne
• Chernyshova – Iván Nagy – Lavrovsky – Adam: Giselle – The Prince
• Grigorovich – Stevenson – Vainonen – Wayne Eagling – Page – Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Nutcracker Prince
• Makarova – Minkus: La Bayadère – Solor
• Ashton – Stevenson – van Boven – Prokofiev: Cinderella – Prince
• MacMillan – Massenet: Manon – Des Grieux, Lescaut
• Cranko – van Dantzig – Seregi – Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet – Romeo, Tybalt, Mercutio
• Seregi – Goldmark: The Taming of the Shrew – Petruchio
• Pártay – Tchaikovsky: Anna Karenina – Vronsky
• Petipa – Minkus: Paquita
• Hynd – Lehár: The Merry Widow – Danilo
• Neumeier – Mendelssohn – Ligeti: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Theseus/Oberon
• Cranko – Tchaikovsky – Stolze: Onegin – Onegin
• MacMillan – Liszt: Mayerling – Rudolf
• Seregi – Delibes: Sylvia – Orion
• Harangozó – Delibes: Coppélia – Franz
• Zanella – Mozart – Salieri: Wolfgang Amadé – Salieri
• Sárközi: Macbeth – Macbeth
• Seregi - Khachaturian: Spartacus – Crassus

- One-act ballets:

• Gusev: Moskovsky Waltz
• Balanchine: Apollo, Tchaikovsky pas de deux/duett, Symphony in C major, Themes and Variations, Brahms-Schönberg Quartet
• Fokine: Les Sylphides, Spectre de la Rose
• Van Manen: Twilight, Trois Gnossiennes, Black Cake, Adagio Hammerklavier
• MacMillan: Song of the Earth
• North: Death and the Maiden
• Zanella: Empty Place, La Chambre, Sacre du Printemps, Konzertante Duo

Awards:

• Artist of Merit of the Republic of Hungary Award (2006)
• Philip Morris Award (2004)
• Gundel Prize (2003)
• Harangozó Gyula Prize (2001)
• EuroPAS Hungarian Dance Award (1998)
• Vécsey Elvira Prize (1990)
• Nívó Prize (1990)

In the autumn of 2008, Ben Van Cauwenbergh took up the position of Ballet Director of the Aalto Theatre and with the season 2013/14 he has been appointed Artistic Director. He was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and is the son of the dancer Anna Brabants (“Brabant’s Siblings”). He received his ballet training from a very early age and after completing his dance education at the National Institute for Ballet he received his first engagement with the Royal Ballet of Flanders. In 1976 he won the Silver Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna as well as the gold medal at the renowned “Prix de Lausanne”.

From 1978 until 1982 he worked under the direction of Beryl Grey and John Field as the principal dancer at the London Festival Ballet (today known as the English National Ballet). During these years he danced numerous leading roles in ballets such as “Sleeping Beauty”, “Giselle” and “Swan Lake”. He worked also in close collaboration with Rudolf Nurejew creating the production of “Romeo and Juliet” and Valery Panov created the role of "Hamlet" for him personally.

In 1984 he returned to the Royal Ballet of Flanders and was voted Dancer of the Year by the magazine “Dance and Dancers”.

In 1987 he furthered his career, by joining the Bern Ballet where he was engaged as principal dancer.

In 1989 he moved on to Lucerne where he held the position of Ballet Director and Head Choreographer.

From 1992 until 2007 he worked as Ballet Director and Head Choreographer at the State Theatre in Wiesbaden.

He often combines classical aesthetics with elements of contemporary dance in the development of his choreographic works; several of his productions have joined the repertoires of ballet companies throughout the world. In Essen his productions of “La vie en rose”, “Carmen/Boléro”, “Irish Soul” and “Homage to Queen” are extremely popular with the audiences.

The Company has toured to Korea, Spain and Italy with these performances. Furthermore Ben Van Cauwenbergh has extended the Aalto Ballet Theatre’s repertoire with classics such as “Coppélia” by Roland Petit and “La Sylphide” by Peter Schaufuss, “Lichtblicke” and “Zeitblicke” (which includes Jiři Kylián’s “Petite Mort”), Stijn Celis’ “Undine” and "Cinderella", Heinz Spoerli’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Ohad Nwarin’s “Deca Dance” as well as the world premiere “Othello” choreographed by his company members Denis Untila and Michelle Yamamoto.

In addition, he has given the dancers the opportunity to try out their choreographic talent with the ballet evenings “PTAH”. In 2010/11, he implemented the project "Dance at School" integrating pupils from Essen. One of the highlights of last season was David Dawson′s "Giselle”, that was realized in cooperation with the Ballett im Revier Gelsenkirchen. This season, he introduces a choreography of "Romeo and Juliet“, shows the world premiere "Die Odyssee“ choreographed by Patrick Delcroix and realises the Education Project "Queeny“.

Nadia Deferm was born in Hasselt, Belgium 4th of June 1966.

She studied at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, Belgium where she graduated in 1984.

After winning the prix Professional in the Prix de Lausanne and the Bronze medal in the first international New York Ballet competition in 1984 she was engaged at the Royal Ballet of Flanders.

She worked there as well later on, in Luzerner Ballet with Valery Panov and danced many solo roles in his Productions. Such as Anastasia and Aglaya in The Idiot, Irina in Three sisters, Juliette in Romeo and Juliette, Cinderella, Moves, the Virgin in Rite of Spring and others…

From Belgium she moved to Switzerland and danced with the Berner and Lucerner Theater by Ricardo Duse, Reda Sheta and Ben Van Cauwenbergh. She danced solo roles in Daphnis &Chloe, Firebird, Kitri in Don Quichote, Juliette in Romeo & Juliette, Lise in La fille mal gardée, Scottisch girl in Scottisch Symphonie (Balanchine), Miss Julie (B. Cullberg) and more.

In 1992 she became a soloist at the state Theater Wiesbaden in Germany and danced there till 1996.

After her career she became the head of the International Ballet School BVC and Children and Youth coordinator for the Hessisches State Theater in Wiesbaden. She followed Vaganova-Advanced training courses with Ursula Borrmann and graduated as Master of Arts at The Folkwang University in Essen Germany. She was the Artistic children and Youth dance advisor at The Aalto Theater in Essen from 2008 till 2014. She was also a Ballet teacher and coach at the Gymnasium Essen-Werden.

Since 2014, she is the Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, Belgium

Jozef Dolinský Jr. graduated from the Eva Jaczová Dance Conservatory (1988). He extended his education by completing the speciality of Cultural Studies at Comenius University and the Department of dramaturgy and theatrical directing at the Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica.

From 1990 Jozef Dolinský Jr. Became a member and later the first soloist of the SND Ballet. On our first ballet stage he portred dozens of characters - the most successful include Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, the Prince in The Nutcracker, Albert and Hilarion in Giselle, Basilio in Don Quixote, Death in Requiem, Romeo and Thybalt in the Romeo and Juliet ballet, Prince Désiré in Sleeping Beauty and Theseus in Midsummer Night's Dream amongst others. For the National Theatre Ballet he created choreography for Wish (2000) to the music of Henry Tóth. After finishing his active dance career he became the producer of SND Ballet artistic creations for one theatrical season (2010 - 2011)

Jozef Dolinský Jr. was the artistic director of the State Opera Ballet in Banská Bystrica from 2005 - 2010, where he staged and choreographed several productions, for example the dance musical Snow White and the Seven Racers (2006, music by V. Patejdl), ballets A Soldier's Tale (2007, music by Stravinsky) Macbeth (2008, music by K. Molčanov), The Firebird and Petrushka (2009, music by Stravinsky) and the dance drama Hunchback (2010, music by M. Jarre).

At the State Opera in Banská Bystrica he prepared a project titled How to Make a Dance (2006, music by C. Saint-Saens).

The artist worked as a dramaturge and director in preparing performances for the Academy of Arts in Banska Bystrica, the Apollo Theatre in Bratislava and SĽUK; as a co-author he was involved in the memoirs of artist Joseph Bubák.

He actively works as a teacher at the Eva Jaczová Dance Conservatory in Bratislava

Jozef Dolinský Jr. has guested during his career at the Tokyo Inoue Ballet (1993, 1995), the Fukuoka International Ballet Theatre (2001), as a guest soloist at the gala project called Petrograd Ballet Stars (Stars of St. Petersburg, 2002), and has performed in many countries around the world. In 2011 he became a member of the Austrian Show Dance Union international panel of judges.

In 1995, Joseph Dolinský Jr. received The Philip Morris Award and became the first holder of the Ballet Flower prize. The Anna Pavlova Foundation (Russia) awarded him a medal for promoting culture and arts in 2006. He received the Literary Fund lifetime achievement for theatre-making award in 2010. Since 2012 he has headed the SND Ballet.

Rasta Thomas was born in San Francisco, California, and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was a black belt in Martial arts by the age of 5 and from there he became classically trained in Ballet at the prestigious Kirov Academy in Washington DC under the direction of Oleg Vinagrodov and also studied at Washington School of Ballet. As a teenager he made dance competition history. At the age of 13 he become the youngest person ever to receive the Jury Prize at the 1994 Paris International Dance Competition. At 15 he was awarded the Junior Gold Medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition, becoming the youngest ever to win.

In 1995, Thomas became a member of Le Jeune Ballet de France, and in 1997 was invited by the Hartford Ballet to be a principal artist.

In 1998 he was given a special dispensation, and was permitted to perform in the senior division of the USA International Ballet Competition (USAIBC). He won the gold medal, and at 16 years old became the youngest to win in the senior division, beating Mikhail Baryshnikov's previous record age of 18.

In 2003 he joined Dance Theatre of Harlem as its youngest principal dancer. Introduced by choreographer Vladimir Angelov in 2001 he was the first American to become a member of the Kirov Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia while they granted him freedom accepting independent work. While there, he most notably danced as Swan Lake's Jester, Carmen's bullfighter or Le jeune homme et la mort's Young Man.

Besides Rasta Thomas has danced with such companies as the the Russian Imperial Ballet, National Ballet of China, Victor Ullate Ballet of Spain, Inoue Ballet of Japan, Ochi Ballet, Universal Ballet of Korea, Joffrey Ballet, Washington Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Complexions, Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Baryshnikov's White Oak Dance Company, Orlando Ballet, K Ballet, CityDance, Philadanco, the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) at the Metropolitan Opera House or as an „étoile“ (leading dancer) in the Paris Opera House.

He has been a featured soloist at many galas, including Le Gala Des Etoiles and has danced diverse roles including "Albrecht" in "Giselle", "Basilio" in "Don Quixote", "Ali" in "Le Corsaire" and "Death" in "Debbie Allen's Soul Possessed".

Further more beside of his carreer as a ballet dancer he appears as "Timmy Chambers" in the film One Last Dance (2003), starring Patrick Swayze and also performed a solo in Lar Lubovitch's US debut of Elemental Brubeck. That same year, he debuted on Broadway as the lead character Eddie in Twyla Tharp's Broadway hit "Movin' Out"and went on to work with the Movin' Out touring company. Besides he opened at the Special Olympics World Games or also choreographed and performed a well-received "stand-alone acrobatic ballet solo" for "Poetry in New York," a flamenco musical by Rafael Amargo. 2008, Rasta Thomas and 11 other gold-medal winners of previous USAIBC competitions were included in a one-night-only IBC Reunion Gala in Jackson, Mississippi.

Further television credits include a Bravo documentary in 1997, CBS' Breakfast with the Arts (1991), Sesame Street (1969), a featured solo during the 1999 Academy Awards/Oscars and the Spring 2000 international ad campaign for The GAP.

In 2007, Rasta Thomas founded his own company, the Bad Boys of Dance (BBD), based in Takoma Park, Maryland . He chooses the best versatile dancers for this company from competition, Broadway, and ballet backgrounds. One of the most successful and worldwide touring shows of the Bad Boys of Dance, Rock the Ballet! incorporates contemporary dance, acrobatics, martial arts, pop, breakdance, jazz, hip hop and other street dance genre into its ballet elements. Among others, BBD opened the two-week USAIBC on June 2010.

Following up the international hit "Rock the Ballet", Rasta launched dance shows like "Tap Stars" or "Romeo and Juliet".

Most recently he danced in „Carmen“ at Houston Grand Opera, performed with award winning world's top male dancers in Tokyo, Fukuoka and Osaka or danced in „Carmina Burana“ in Cuba and Mexico as a guest star with the Cuban Contemporary Dance.

Rasta Thomas has also held the position of Resident Director at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles, California and is the Artistic Director & CEO of Showbiz and Primetime Talent Competition/USA.

Filip Barankiewicz was born in Warsaw, Poland. In 1986, he began his ballet training at the National Ballet School in his home city and subsequently performed in various ballets in Warsaw and Lódz. During that time, Emil Wesolowski created a role for him in The Way. In 1991 he won the Vaslav Nijinsky Medal. In 1995 he graduated and won the first prize at the National Ballet Competition in Poland. In the same year he was a finalist at the “Grand Prix d’Eurovision for young dancers” in Lausanne. He continued his studies with Marika Besobrasova at the Académie de Danse Classique in Monte Carlo, where he received a scholarship sponsored by the Nureyev Foundation and graduated in 1996.

Filip Barankiewicz joined the Stuttgart Ballet in the same year. He was promoted to Demi-Soloist in September 2000, to Soloist in September 2001. His promotion to Principal Dancer followed in September 2002.

Filip Barankiewicz has joined the Stuttgart Ballet on all world tours. Since 2003 he has danced as a permanent guest with the Czech National Ballet in Prague, where he has portrayed Siegfried in Swan Lake, as well as Petrucchio in The Taming of the Shrew and the title role in Onegin (both John Cranko), which he has performed opposite Tereza Podařilová, Barbora Kohoutková, Ivana Illienko, Sue Jin Kang, Maria Eichwald and Alicia Amatriain.
Furthermore, he has appeared in several galas in Prague, Poznań and Krakow, as well as in Bodrum, Salzburg, Karlsruhe and Pforzheim. He also danced Petrucchio as a guest with the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro Ballet, with the Norwegian National Ballet, with the Leipzig Ballet, with the Ballet of the Semperoper Dresden, where he danced with Leslie Heylmann in 2008 at her farewell performance, and with the West Australian Ballet. In 2008 he also danced a Pas de deux from John Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew with Leslie Heylmann in Birmingham at the Farewell Gala for Desmond Kelly, the outgoing Director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet. In 2004, Filip Barankiewicz danced the male title role in Romeo and Juliet (John Cranko), and in 2006 the role of Albrecht in Giselle as a guest of the Companhia Nacional de Bailado, Lisbon.
In 2009 he also danced Romeo at the Vienna State Opera opposite Polina Semionova as Juliet. In 2003, 2006 and 2009, Filip Barankiewicz was invited to the World Ballet Festival in Tokyo, where he danced with the internationally renowned ballerinas Alessandra Ferri, Alina Cojocaru and Maria Eichwald. In 2010 he guested with Maria Eichwald at the Polish National Ballet in his home town in John Cranko’s Onegin. At the beginning of 2013, the Ballet Director Ivan Cavallari invited him to dance Basilio in the world premiere of Don Quichotte ou l’illusion perdue by Rui Lopes Graça at the Ballet de l’Opèra du Rhin. In November 2013 he danced the Pas de deux from My Way (Stephan Thoss) with Alexander Zaitsev at the Gala during the “Three Centuries of World Ballet” festival on the occasion of the 240th anniversary of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow. On 29 March 2014 he danced with the famous Japanese dancer Miyako Yoshida at the NHK Gala in Tokyo. In April 2014 he was part of the performance when Roberto Bolle was awarded the UNESCO medal in Paris.
He returned to Warsaw as a guest artist to perform the part of Basilio in Don Quixote. On 8 June 2014 he appeared opposite Aleksandra Liashenko, who gave a brilliant portrayal of Kitri at the Polish National Ballet.

Filip Barankiewicz completed his ballet pedagogue education in 2003. Besides dancing, Filip Barankiewicz also works as a guest trainer at the Polish National Ballet in Warsaw, as well as at the Czech National Ballet in Prague. At the Stuttgart Ballet he gave classes and oversaw rehearsals of The Taming of the Shrew (John Cranko), Onegin (John Cranko ) and Giselle (Reid Anderson, Valentina Savina) during 2014.
In 2014 he also coached the rehearsals of John Cranko’s Onegin at the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm and at the Finnish National Ballet in Helsinki. During his stays in Stockholm and Helsinki he also gave classes. Since SeptembSeptember 2014 he has been a freelance principal dancer, coach and guest teacher.

On 15 November 2014 he danced at the premiere of Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew with the Baden State Ballet in Karlsruhe opposite the Australian-born ballerina Blythe Newmann.

During the first half of 2015 he has been a guest ballet master at the Opera National de Bordeaux, the Estonian National Ballet and the Korean National Ballet to stage Cranko’s The Taming of the Shrew. He also performed at the Aids-Gala in Salzburg and at the “Gala des Etoiles with Svetlana Zakharova” in Luxembourg.

From September 2015 he is a guest ballet master with the Stuttgart Ballet teaching daily ballet classes and coaching the Stuttgart Ballet repertory including ballets from John Cranko, Jiri Kylian, William Forsythe, Hans van Manen, Uwe Scholz.

In November 2015 he had staged Cranko's The Taming of the Shrew in Warsaw at the Polish National Ballet.

From the 2017/2018 season, Filip will be Artistic Director of the Czech National Ballet in Prague. As a commitment of this appointment on the 21 of June 2015 he organized a " Dance Gala " at the State Opera in Prague in order to introduce himself as a new leader of CNB.

Repertoire

• Lead and solo roles with the Stuttgart Ballet
• A Streetcar Named Desire (John Neumeier): Allan Gray, Doctor, Paper Boy
• Corps (Hans van Manen)
• Dances at a Gathering (Jerome Robbins): Role in Green
• Don Quijote (Maximiliano Guerra): Basilio
• Edward II (David Bintley): Gaveston, Warwick
• Forgotten Land (Jiří Kylián): Couple in Black
• Fratres (John Neumeier)
• Gaîté parisienne (Maurice Béjart): Offenbach, Friend, Pas de deux “The Lovers”
• Giselle (Production: Reid Anderson, Valentina Savina): Albrecht, Peasant-Pas de deux
• I fratelli – The Brothers (Mauro Bigonzetti): Rocco
• Initials R.B.M.E. (John Cranko): 1st Movement
• Krabat (Demis Volpi): the Master
• La fille mal gardée (Sir Frederick Ashton): Colas, Widow Simone
• La Sylphide (Peter Schaufuss, after August Bournonville): James
• Las Hermanas (Sir Kenneth MacMillan): Pepe
• Le sacre du printemps (Glen Tetley)
• No More Play (Jiří Kylián)
• Onegin (John Cranko): Onegin, Lenski
• Orma (Mauro Bigonzetti)
• Return to a Strange Land (Jiří Kylián)
• Romeo and Juliet (John Cranko): Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio
• Serenade (George Balanchine)
• Siebte Sinfonie (Uwe Scholz): male lead role
• Slice to Sharp (Jorma Elo)
• Stravinsky: Violin Concerto (George Balanchine)
• Swan Lake (John Cranko): Prince Siegfried, Benno
• The Four Temperaments (George Balanchine): Sanguinic
• The Lady and the Fool (John Cranko): Moondog
• The Lady of the Camellias (John Neumeier): des Grieux and Gaston
• The Sleeping Beauty (Márcia Haydée after Marius Petipa): Carabosse, Prince Desiré,
• The Blue Bird, Prince of the East, Ali Baba
• The Song of the Earth (Kenneth MacMillan): male lead role
• The Taming of the Shrew (John Cranko): Petrucchio, Hortensio
• Theme and Variations (George Balanchine): male lead role
• Two Pieces for HET (Hans van Manen)
• Urlicht (William Forsythe)

Specially created roles

• (Im)paired Ground (James Sutherland)
• Igor Poems (Kevin O’Day)
• Nautilus (Wayne McGregor)
• Nocturne (Christian Spuck)
• RED in 3. (Jorma Elo)
• The Shaking Tent (Marc Spradling)
• The Way (Emil Wesolowski)

Specially created roles at Noverre-Society: Young Choreographers

• Antigone. Thyristor. Theben (Corinna Spieth)

Further roles with the Stuttgart Ballet

• 5 Tangos (Hans van Manen)
• Arena (Glen Tetley)
• Ashes (Daniela Kurz)
• Brouillards (John Cranko)
• dreamdeepdown (Kevin O´Day)
• Jeu de Cartes (John Cranko)
• Kleines Requiem (Hans van Manen)
• Les Bourgeois (Ben van Cauwenbergh)
• Now and Then (John Neumeier)
• Song of the Earth (Sir Kenneth MacMillan)
• Symphony in C (George Balanchine)
• The Flames of Paris (Vasily Vainonen): Pas de deux
• Troy Game (Robert North)
• Vers un Pays Sage (Jean Christophe Maillot)
• Voluntaries (Glen Tetley)

Tours and guest performances

• -Paris, Italy, Japan, South Korea, USA, Luxembourg, Bangkok, Singapore, Macau.
• -Since 2003, permanent guest at the Czech National Ballet in Prague: Siegfried in Swan Lake, Petrucchio in The Taming of the Shrew and the title role in Onegin (both John Cranko).
• -Petrucchio in The Taming of the Shrew (John Cranko), also as guest with the Ballet of the Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, the Norwegian National Ballet in Oslo, the Leipzig Ballet, the Ballet of the Semperoper Dresden, the West Australian Ballet and the Baden State Ballet, Karlsruhe.
• -2003, 2006, 2009: 10th, 11th and 12th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo.
• -2003: Gala in Cremona, Italy, with Alessandra Ferri.
• -2009 and 2010: Roberto Bolle and Friends.
• -2012: Hommage à Marika Besobrasova, Benefit Gala in Florence.
• -2012: 11th St. Petersburg International Ballet Award Dance Open.
• -2013: Basilio in the world premiere of Don Quichotte ou l’illusion perdue by Rui Lopes Graça at the Ballet de l’Opèra du Rhin.
• -2013: Pas de deux in My Way (Stephan Thoss) with Alexander Zaitsev at the gala during the “Three Centuries of World Ballet” festival on the occasion of the 240th anniversary of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy.
• -2014: NHK Gala in Tokyo with Miyako Yoshida; Aids-Gala in Salzburg; performance when Roberto Bolle was awarded the UNESCO medal in Paris; Basilio at the Polish National Ballet in Warsaw.

Montana born, Maria Sascha Khan is a principal dancer of the Ekaterinburg State Ballet. She has worked with the world’s top ballet companies, choreographers and artists of our time.

She is the recipient of the Outstanding Artist Award, Mentor for Youth Arts in Action, Gaynor Minden Artist, member of the International Dance Council (CID) UNESCO and ambassador for the London based Save Wild Tigers.

Maria Sascha first started on her path towards a professional career in ballet when she was discovered by a former Bolshoi Ballet dancer.

Trained under Luidmila Morkovina at the Kirov Academy of Ballet (in Washington DC). Graduated with honours from the Academie de Danse Classique de Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo, with full scholarship and under the personal mentorship and of the Russian director Marika Besobrasova. She attended Royal Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet and American Ballet Theatre summer programs on scholarship.

After graduating from the Academie with top marks, Maria Sascha was invited to join the Staatsballett Berlin by Vladimir Malakhov, then went on to dance with the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich.

She has won medals from competitions such as the Youth America Grand Prix, Premio Internazionale Danza, awarded scholarships from the Prix de Lausanne and a Tiger Woods Foundation Scholarships for her work with children and produces an online video series "Inspiring Artists". Featured in television commercials for Honda Acura and Lowe,

models for the Parisian jewellery company Chaumet, Damiani (Italian), Mouawad, Axenoff (Russian), and collaborates with Russian couture house Yanina Couture, and couture house Elizabeth Emmanuel and Amanda Wakely, London. She has had the honour of performing for Prince Albert II of Monaco, Karl Lagerfeld, Katie Holmes, famous footballer Bastian Schweinsteiger, HRH Princess Caroline of Monaco, HRH Princess Stephanie of Monaco,HRH Princess Camilla of Bourbon, HRH Sultana of Pahang, HRH Princess Olga Romanoff of Russia, German and Chinese heads of state, Jackie Chan and others.

Maria Sascha comes from a family of artists, and all of her siblings are classical ballet dancers. Nadia Khan dances with the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Julian MacKay, recent graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy dances with the Royal Ballet of London and, Nicholas MacKay who is in his last 3 years of training at the Vagonova Ballet Academy, Russia.

She has performed in London, Russia, Brazil, USA, Malaysia, China, Monte Carlo, Germany, Cuba, France, Oman, and Europe, and personally worked with Polina Semionova, Vladimir Malakhov, Ivan Vasiliev, John Neumeier, Nacho Duato,Natalia Osipova, Angelin Prejlocaj, Jiri Kylian, Svetlana Zakharova, Irek Mukhamedov to name a few.

He graduates at SPID (Italian Professional Dance School) in Milan, completing his training in contemporary dance at Merce Cunningham Dance Company (New York) and with major companies and coreographers of the Italian and North Europe dance scene.

He dances for the company “Leggere Strutture” (Bologna -°©‐ Italy); he takes part in big productions as "Dracula opera rock", and "Tosca, amore disperato” produced by David Zard. He collaborates with the dancer and director Caroline Bo in Marseille. He has been selected as dancer for "Orfeo ed Euridice", directed by Graham Vick choreography by Ron Howell and he performs in the major italian theaters. In the same period he is the assistant of Emanuela Tagliavia, choreographer and teacher of contemporary dance at the La Scala Theater in Milan.

He has been selected by Mario Piazza to dance the role of Franz in the contemporary version of “Coppelia”, with the same company he dances in productions such as “ Carmina Burana”, “Les Noces” , “K2007”.

He works as dancer and choreographer for DES. company – Lugano in the production “Final Fight”. In Milan he dances in many productions at the “Nohma Theater” and he dances for the company “Corpi Mobili” in the production “Le donne, la guerra e l’amore”; with the same company he dances for the composer Ludovico Einaudi.

Since 2009 he dedicates to the training of young talents in contemporary dance, holding workshops and seminars in Italy, Switzerland, Austria. He works as a choreographer for independent projects, companies and international events like the “Milano Fashion Week” and “WorldWide design week” and collaborates with The Singapore University for which produces performances and teaches contemporary dance. For two consecutive years he cooperates with “Ballet Days”, international ballet festival, under the artistic direction of Gregor Hatala, and he teaches contemporary dance for the dancers of the festival.

From September 2011 is the Artistic Director of Milan City Ballet School. In the same year with Virginia Spallarossa is Vice President of the cultural association “PANDANZ”, and together organized the contemporary dance festival "Pillole – somministrazioni di danza d’autore” in Milan.

In 2015 he is founder and artistic director of Milan Contemporary Ballet junior company project that combines training young dancers and their first work experience on stage, in collaboration with Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, London.

Robert joined Elmhurst as Artistic Director in autumn 2012, following his retirement as a Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet. 

Born in Kingston upon Hull, Robert Parker trained at the Royal Ballet School and joined the Birmingham Royal Ballet in 1994 under the directorship of Sir Peter Wright. He received early acclaim when he danced the Second Seminarian in Carmina burana at the Royal Opera House in 1996. He quickly rose through the ranks and was promoted to Principal in 1999. He has danced a wide and varied repertoire from the classics to contemporary works, closely collaborating and creating many lead roles with director and choreographer David Bintley and other international choreographers. He has made guest appearances with the Royal Ballet and received various accolades including a Critics' Circle Award in 2003 and an Olivier Award nomination in 2001. 

In 2008 he took a sabbatical and moved to the USA where he successfully acquired his Commercial Pilots' Licence. A year later he returned to his first love of dance, rejoining Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2009 where he continued to perform Principal roles. During this time, he also began teaching at Elmhurst on a regular basis, completed a Master’s degree in Philosophy in Education and was selected to attend the 2012 Rural Retreat for aspiring artistic leaders. After retiring from Birmingham Royal Ballet he passed his RAD Professional Dancers’ Teaching Diploma with distinction. That same year he was appointed President of the London Ballet Association. 

His repertory with Birmingham Royal Ballet included: 
Frederick Ashton: La Fille mal gardée (Colas), The Two Pigeons (Young Man), Scènes de ballet andVoices of Spring
George Balanchine: Apollo (title role), Agon (first pas de trois), Four Temperaments (Melancholic Variation), Prodigal Son (title role), Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (Hoofer), Western Symphony (Fourth Movement) and Duo Concertant
David Bintley: Edward II (Edward, Gaveston), Far from the Madding Crowd (Oak), Hobson's Choice(Will Mossop, Fred Beenstock), Carmina burana (Second Seminarian), Choros (Pyrrhic), The Seasons ('Spring', 'Autumn'), Tombeaux (lead role), Dance House, and David Bintley and Galina Samsova's production of Giselle (Albrecht)
Ninette de Valois: Checkmate (Red Knight), Job (Satan) Kenneth MacMillan: Romeo and Juliet(Romeo), Elite Syncopations ('Friday Night') and Song of the Earth (Messenger of Death) and Song of the Earth (Messenger of Death)
Hans van Manen: Five Tangos
Jerome Robbins: Fancy Free (Sailor)
Twyla Tharp: In the Upper Room, Nine Sinatra Songs
Peter Wright's productions of Coppélia (Franz), The Nutcracker (Prince), The Sleeping Beauty(Prince Florimund, Bluebird), and Peter Wright and Galina Samsova's production of Swan Lake(Siegfried)
Spring Waters pas de deux

His created roles include:
David Bintley: Arthur (title role, Mordred) Cyrano (title role), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), The Nutcracker Sweeties (Sailor), The Orpheus Suite (Orpheus), The Shakespeare Suite (Hamlet) andThe Protecting Veil
Stanton Welch: Powder
Lila York: Sanctum
Kim Brandstrup: Pulcinella

His awards include:
Olivier Award nomination, 2001; Critics' Circle Award nomination, 2001; Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Male Artist, 2003.

Jozef Dolinský Jr. graduated from the Eva Jaczová Dance Conservatory (1988). He extended his education by completing the speciality of Cultural Studies at Comenius University and the Department of dramaturgy and theatrical directing at the Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica.

From 1990 Jozef Dolinský Jr. Became a member and later the first soloist of the SND Ballet. On our first ballet stage he portred dozens of characters - the most successful include Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, the Prince in The Nutcracker, Albert and Hilarion in Giselle, Basilio in Don Quixote, Death in Requiem, Romeo and Thybalt in the Romeo and Juliet ballet, Prince Désiré in Sleeping Beauty and Theseus in Midsummer Night's Dream amongst others. For the National Theatre Ballet he created choreography for Wish (2000) to the music of Henry Tóth. After finishing his active dance career he became the producer of SND Ballet artistic creations for one theatrical season (2010 - 2011)

Jozef Dolinský Jr. was the artistic director of the State Opera Ballet in Banská Bystrica from 2005 - 2010, where he staged and choreographed several productions, for example the dance musical Snow White and the Seven Racers (2006, music by V. Patejdl), ballets A Soldier's Tale (2007, music by Stravinsky) Macbeth (2008, music by K. Molčanov), The Firebird and Petrushka (2009, music by Stravinsky) and the dance drama Hunchback (2010, music by M. Jarre).

At the State Opera in Banská Bystrica he prepared a project titled How to Make a Dance (2006, music by C. Saint-Saens).

The artist worked as a dramaturge and director in preparing performances for the Academy of Arts in Banska Bystrica, the Apollo Theatre in Bratislava and SĽUK; as a co-author he was involved in the memoirs of artist Joseph Bubák.

He actively works as a teacher at the Eva Jaczová Dance Conservatory in Bratislava

Jozef Dolinský Jr. has guested during his career at the Tokyo Inoue Ballet (1993, 1995), the Fukuoka International Ballet Theatre (2001), as a guest soloist at the gala project called Petrograd Ballet Stars (Stars of St. Petersburg, 2002), and has performed in many countries around the world. In 2011 he became a member of the Austrian Show Dance Union international panel of judges.

In 1995, Joseph Dolinský Jr. received The Philip Morris Award and became the first holder of the Ballet Flower prize. The Anna Pavlova Foundation (Russia) awarded him a medal for promoting culture and arts in 2006. He received the Literary Fund lifetime achievement for theatre-making award in 2010. Since 2012 he has headed the SND Ballet.

Dawn joined The State Theatre Ballet at an early age and moved rapidly through the ranks to principal dancer status by the age of 19. During her career as a dancer, she built up an extensive repertoire that included all the major classics, full-length dramatic works, and works created for her by leading 20th century choreographers.

Dawn has been the subject of a book (Dawn Weller: Portrait of a ballerina) Her contribution to dance was acknowledged by South Africa when she was awarded the Order of Meritorious Service Silver (O.M.S.S). Dawn is cited in the Oxford Dictionary of Dance as a “musical and dramatic dancer” and, amongst other achievements, for her appointment as artistic director.

Appointed Artistic Director of the State Theatre Ballet a position she held for 17 years, Dawn acquired for the company works by many of the world’s leading choreographer.

Her lavish 3 Act production of La Bayadere was taken into the repertoire of 3 major companies including Hong Kong Ballet.

Dawn was the founding Director of the contemporary State Theatre Dance Company, The State Theatre Ballet School and a founder trustee of President Nelson Mandela’s Arts & Culture Trust.

On moving to Australia, Dawn was appointed Director of The Graduate College of Dance Perth Western Australia.

She is regularly invited as an international guest teacher at European summer schools and has conducted workshops in Malaysia and Israel. Dawn has served on the jury of various international competitions including the VIII Moscow International Ballet Competition chaired by Yuri Gregorovich and headed by the legendary Galina Ulanova.

In 2014 Dawn was invited as a panellist for the South African International Ballet Competition in Cape Town and in 2015 a panellist for the World Ballet Competition in Sibiu Romania headed by founder and Executive Director Vasile Petrutiu.
West Australian Ballet extended an invitation to Dawn to be on their Teachers Advisory Panel.

KERRY NICHOLLS HAS TAUGHT, CHOREOGRAPHED, MENTORED AND PERFORMED EXTENSIVELY FOR NUMEROUS DANCE COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT EUROPE AND WORLDWIDE, AND HER EXPERIENCE SPANS A DIVERSE DANCE PRACTICE SPECTRUM.

Regularly teaching for Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, DV8 and Michael Clark companies to name a few, she is widely regarded as one of Britain’s leading contemporary technique teachers; she receives many invitations to teach internationally at Ballet National de Marseille (France), Escuela de Danza (Cuba), the Beijing Dance Academy (China) and The Juilliard School (USA).

k|n|d|c (kerry nicholls dance company) was founded in 1999 as a vehicle to promote Kerry’s own choreographic research. During its existence, Kerry created numerous works for k|n|d|c and received independent commissions from organisations and companies within Europe, China and the USA, and directed various projects at venues such as the National Theatre and the Royal Festival Hall.

She was appointed Co-Director of Creative Learning for Wayne McGregor | Random Dance in 2007, in addition to becoming the Artistic Advisor for English National Ballet School in 2008.

Currently, Kerry is an external assessor for both English National Ballet School and The Royal Ballet School and is a regular choreographic mentor for the Royal Opera House, English National Ballet, One Dance UK, Rambert, Scottish Ballet, Barbican and Youth Dance England. She is also Artistic Advisor at The BRIT school, Artistic Director for National Youth Dance Wales, Patron of Constella OperaBallet and annual Guest Artist at The Juilliard School.

Kerry is director and owner of Kerry Nicholls Dance and embodies the values and spirit of the brand which launched in autumn 2012.

Kiss János
Director, Artistic Executive
Kossuth Award Holder, Artist of Merit

(born in Budapest, on 13th August 1959)

He graduated at the State Ballet Institute in 1979-ben. His class masters were Kálmán Etelka and Lőrincz György.

His career
1st August 1979       Founding Member of the Ballet Company of Győr
September 1991    Director of Ballet Company of Győr
1993     Inauguration of the Teacher Training Specialisation of the Hungarian Dance Academy in the School of Dance and Fine Arts

His Featured Roles:
Markó Iván: Loved by The Sun (1979)
Markó Iván: The Miraculous Mandarin (1981)
Markó Iván, Novák Ferenc: The Sons Turned into Stags (1985)
Markó Iván: Jesus The Son of Man (1986)
Markó Iván: Prospero (1987)
Markó Iván: On The Verge of Life (1990)

His Choreographies:
The Caucasian Chalk Circle (1990)
The Legend of Saint Margaret (1991, for the occasion of the visit of John Paul II in Hungary (jointly with the creative team of the Ballet Company of Győr)
Mr. Gulliver’s Travels (Act II, 1991)
Monarchy, Monarchy (1994)(jointly with William Fomin)

Professional Prizes, Awards
1979      “Best Graduating Student” – an award by the Association of Hungarian Dance Artists
1983      “Dancer of the Year” – an award by the Association of Hungarian Dance Artists
1985      Liszt Ferenc Award
1995      Szent László Award
1997      Small Cross of the Republic of Hungary
1998      PRO URBE Award
2004      Hevesi Sándor Award
2005      Artist of Merit
2005      Freeman of the City of Győr
2007      Company of Immortals
2008      Kossuth Award

Members in Professional Advisory Boards, Activities in Public Bodies:
Board of Directors of the Hungarian Chamber of Dance Artists (1992)
Professional College of The Art of Dance at the National Cultural Fund of the Ministry of Culture and Public Education (1993), later Chairperson (2001-2002), Member (2002-2007), Chairperson (2007-)
Advisory Board for the Minister (1999)
Supervisory Board of Dance Forum (2000)
Advisory Board of Contemporary Arts at the National Cultural Fund (2000)
Co- Chairperson of the Association of Hungarian Dance Artists (2000), Chairperson (2001-2007)
Supervisory Board of the National Dance Theatre – Chairperson
Member of the Philip Morris Advisory Board
Chairperson of the College of The Art of Dance at the National Cultural Fund (2008)
Member of Dance Art Committee (2011)
Chairperson of Dance Art Committee (2013)
Member of the Board of the Association of Performing Rights (2013)
Non-Academic Public Body Member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts (November 2014-)
Representative of the Arts representative Side of the National Economic and Social Council (2016)

RICHARD BOWMAN

Mr Bowman trained in Auckland, New Zealand and awarded a full tuition scholarship to complete his training at the Royal Ballet School in London, England.

Mr Bowman has danced with many world-renown ballet companies as a guest artist and performed as a principal artist with internationally acclaimed companies of which include, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Leipzig Ballet, the Australian Ballet, and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

In addition to being the first prize recipient of the 1987 Sir Jon Logan Campbell Award. He has been noted, throughout his career, for his physique and technical brilliance, and the ability able to capture large audiences with ease, in many leading roles to name just a few, the Gaoler in Kenneth MacMillan's production of Manon and James in Erik Bruhn's production of La Sylphide.

In 2012 Mr Bowman was appointed a member of American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Artistic Board of Examiners & Instructors and became a senior faculty member at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School in NYC.

Melissa Hinz - Born in western Montana, Melissa has been passionately dancing, singing, and loving the creative process for most of her life. She trained and performed with the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre under the direction of Charlene Campbell Carey before studying on full scholarship at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

In NYC she worked professionally in dance and musical theatre. Favorite musical theatre credits include the national tour of The Will Rogers Follies and the following regional productions: Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie), 42nd Street (Anytime Annie), Crazy For You, South Pacific, Mary Poppins, Annie Get Your Gun, Damn Yankees, Gypsy Love, and Kismet. Also while in NYC she studied at Steps On Broadway with master teachers including: Tony Stevens, Richard Peirlon, Derek Mitchell, Jeff Shade, Ray Hesselink, Steven Sophia, Fabrice Herrault, and Edward Ellison to name a few. She also attended the Broadway Theatre Project directed by Ann Reinking and Circle in the Square Theatre School along with receiving her Yoga Teaching Certification from Laughing Lotus NYC.

She’s proud to have been an original company member and teacher for the House of Roses directed by Jeff Shade, performing in their first show at Symphony Space. After seven years in NYC, she moved to Arcata, CA to live with the love of her life! She’s become a choreographer, teacher, producer, and director, as well as started her Juice Plus+ business. Favorite chorography credits for the Humboldt Light Opera Company: Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mary Poppins, and Damn Yankees; North Coast Dance: Wizard Of Oz, West Side Story Excerpts, and many original works; for Dancing Stars of Humboldt (DSH) 2016: Radioactive and Sunshine; and a flash Mob for a birthday surprise! She’s also the co-producer for DSH and is preparing for their 2017 production.

At the Vienna International Ballet Experience (VIBE) 2016 she and her dance partner, Gino Bloomberg, won best in their category for Tappin' The Night Away (choreographed by Hinz). At VIBE 2017 she and her dance partner, Ty Vizenor, won 2nd place in their category for Winter Tapland (choreographed by Hinz). She had the privilege of being on the teaching faculty both years at VIBE, teaching tap, musical theatre dance, and ballet. Hinz teaches a variety of styles including ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, musical theatre dance, and yoga. To all of the people who have helped shape her dance life she is forever grateful!

www.melissahinz.com

Wei-Ken Liao received his training in performing arts (dance, drama, voice) in Vienna, London, Toronto, Los Angeles and New York. Since season 2016/2017 he's been Resident Dance Captain of the musical theatre department at Landestheater Linz. There he supervised and performed in productions like "Ghost - The Musical", "The Full Monty" and "Around the World in 80 Days". Furthermore he had the honor and opportunity to choreograph the European premiere of Dave Malloy's "Préludes".

Prior to his engagement in Linz, Wei-Ken Liao was signed to theatres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and played e.g. Paul San Marco in "A Chorus Line", he was Dance Captain in "Mackie Messer - Eine Salzburger Dreigroschenoper" at the world-famous Salzburg Festival, he was Dance Captain in "Flashdance", and understudy Mereb in Elton John's and Tim Rice's "Aida". Additional credentials are "Evita", "Bounce - The Killer Swing Musical", "Join!" at the Wiener Festwochen, "Musical Rocks!" and "Miss Saigon".

As a commercial dancer he performed on stage alongside Adam Lambert, Natasha Bedingfield and Dave Stewart, as well as in front of the cameras for the German movies "Im Weißen Rössl - Wehe du singst!" and "Bollywood lässt Alpen glühen".

Wei-Ken Liao is also teaching masterclasses and workshops, and has already worked as a freelance choreographer (e.g. the Finale of "Herz von Österreich" - an Austrian Folklore-version of X-Factor, for PartyLite Austria and Europe, REWE Group Austria and several galas and fashion shows.

Radu Domsa graduated Liceul de Coregrafie si Arta Dramatica “Octavian Stroia”, contemporary class. He’s now a professional dancer with a strong personality and original style, which has influence from all dance technique that he achieved: contemporary, break dance, street dance, acrobatics.

He had a lot of collaborations with famous dance companies: Gigi Caciuleanu, Battery Dance Company (NY),Trouble Dance Company, Opera Vox, Jump In Dance Company.

Now he’s involved in educational and cultural projects, together with his team from Jump IN Dance Company:

• 2016 – till present: Founder Member at JUMP IN Dance Company
• 2015 – till present: Dance Instructor at JUMP IN Dance Company
• 2012 – till present: Professional Dancer at JUMP IN Dance Company

Radu started dancing in 2008. He got into the b-boy world and culture as a dancer and nowadays he’s organising a Break-Dance Competition in Romania „Jump In the Cypher”. Breaking represents a very important part of his life, having the biggest influence in his dance style. Inspired by Breaking culture and contemporary dance technique, Radu found a way to express himself through a dance fusion based on power and fluidity.

Radu won a lot of national and international dance competitions and he was involved in a lot of dance projects and events. After graduating from high-school he started a dance tour in China and Germany with Andrew Loyd Webber Musicals Productions, a musical that covers the greatest works of Andrew Weber: The Cats, Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Starlight Express.

Alina Ciceo is the owner and Artistic Director of the Jump In Dance Company in Cluj Napoca, Rumänien. Besides directing she is also choreographing for the company and developing and implementing dance programs. In her function as an Art Assisant at TiMAF (Transylvania International Festival of Music and Arts) she organizes the TiMAF Dance Competition as well as other dance events.

Geboren am 8.8.1959 in Wien, wurde Christian Tichy an der Ballettschule der Österreichischen Bundestheater ausgebildet. Sein erstes Engagement führte ihn 1974 an die Wiener Volksoper. 1977 wurde er Mitglied des Wiener Staatsopernballetts, 1985 erfolgte die Ernennung zum Solotänzer. 1992 wurde er Proben- und Trainingsleiter, 2003 avancierte er zum Ballettmeister. Er war erster Obmann der Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett. Im Herbst 2005 beendete Christian Tichy seine Karriere beim Wiener Staatsopernballett.
In den letzten Jahren widmet sich Christian Tichy neben seiner Lehrtätigkeit besonders der Choreographie. Er schuf Kreationen für Opernproduktionen der Wiener Staatsoper, zahlreiche Ballette für die Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett im Rahmen des jährlich stattfindenden Gastspiels in Bad Aussee, sowie zahlreiche Produktionen für den ORF. Der ORF betraute Christian Tichy auch mit der Choreographie der Balletteinlagen für das Neujahrskonzert 2007 sowie den Donauwalzer 2008. Für das vienna waltz project erarbeitete er Stücke wie „Schiele for sale“ , „Hommage an Friedenreich Hundertwasser“ , „Aufforderung zum Tanz“ und „Cafe square dance“ und „Passion Tango“. Viele Jahre choreographierte er für die Eröffnung des „Life Ball“ und er war künstlerischer Leiter bei der großen „Vladimir Malakhow Gala“ in St. Pölten 2010 und 2011. Aus diesem Anlass entstand auch„Shadows“, die erste Arbeit für das Europaballett St. Pölten. Er choreographierte und inszenierte auch die Uraufführung von „Dorian Gray“ – Musik von Paul Fürst nach einem Libretto von Ernst Jandl -im Festspielhaus St. Pölten und im Festschloß Hof. Ein nächster Höhepunkt ist gerade in Vorbereitung, ein Beitrag zur Eröffnungsfeier der Special Olympics mit der Vereinigung Wiener Staatsopernballett und dem Verein „Ich bin Ok.“ im März 2017 in Schladming.

Milan Hatala was born in Bratislava, Slovakia. Besides his dance education at the Ballet conservatory he also studied violin at the music school. His engagements included the Slovakian National Ballet and the Vienna State Opera and as a soloist the Theater an der Wien and P.A.C.T. in Johannesburg, SA: He created many roles of which “Golem”, “Peter Schlemihl” and “Siegfried” are to be mentioned.

After his career as a dancer Milan Hatala became Ballet Master at the Vienna State Opera for 25 years and pedagogue at the national Ballet school. During this time he also worked as a choreographic assistant to Rudolf Nureyev, John Neumeier, Jiri Kylian, Lorca Massine,… to name a few.

Together with his wife, Mag. Christine Hatala, Milan Hatala is currently directing the family’s Ballet school.

Milan Hatala was rewarded the “Ehrenkreuz for science and art”.

Judith-Elisa Kaufmann
was a classical dancer and actress. As a lecturer on dance medicine and dance pedagogy as well as choreographer and ballet master she is working all over Europe and the USA. She is the principal and founder of Body, Art & Expression School for performing arts (since 1998; www.bodyartandexpression.com) and Academy for dance pedagogy and dance medicine (since 2005; www.tanzpaedagogik.eu) in Austria, Europe. In 2013 she was promoted head of Austria’s dance medicine (“tamed”® Organisation for Dance Medicine in German Speaking Countries; www.tamed.eu), since 2016 she is a member of tamed’s international executive board. Kaufmann published a number of theatre plays, screen plays, articles in the field of dance medicine and dance pedagogy, as well as novels.