Dance Academy Balance 1 Berlin

Balance 1 Academy is a state-recognised professional dance school and studio venue in Berlin-Tempelhof, housed in the Villa Balance, a 1913 building designed by architect Peter Behrens. The academy operates as both a teaching institution and a rental facility for rehearsals, auditions and workshops.

For serious dancers, the academy offers a three-year full-time vocational training program in contemporary dance, state-recognised and fully eligible for BAföG funding. The curriculum combines deep training in contemporary, modern dance (Graham and Horton technique) and classical ballet with practical choreography training and regular stage performances. Dance pedagogy is integrated directly into the program. The academy also runs a five-month Dance Intensive and Certificate Program without audition requirements, designed for those with prior dance experience; it runs twice yearly starting in February and September, with classes from 4:45 p.m. onwards. For advanced dancers, a specialized nine-month pre-training program (Tanzvorausbildung) runs from October each year, with morning classes within the official training cohorts and requires audition entry.

The children's and teens program, run through Balance 1 Ballett- & Tanzschule, begins in October 2026 with classes for ages 7 and up. Children aged 7–10 take classical ballet on Tuesday and Thursday at 4–5 p.m., modern dance on Wednesday 4–5 p.m., and jazz dance on Friday 4–5 p.m. The 11–14 age group has ballet (Tue/Thu 5–6 p.m.), modern (Wed 5–6 p.m.) and jazz (Fri 5–6 p.m.). From age 15, teens receive ballet instruction using the Vaganova method (Wed/Fri 6:15–7:15 p.m., with optional pointe training 7:15–7:45 p.m. on two-class weekly commitment), modern dance (Tue 6:15–7:45 p.m.) and jazz (Thu 6:15–7:45 p.m.). Annual performances are included for all age groups.

The teaching faculty are international professionals active in global dance industries: choreographers including those from Cirque du Soleil and Berghain, state-recognised pedagogues and university professors. Instructors for the children's program include Adriana Mancuso (ballet and modern) and Dioni Birmpili (jazz dance).

The Villa Balance contains five light-filled, column-free studios across three stories (55–142 sq m), all fitted with certified, high-elasticity professional suspended floors designed for joint protection during intensive daily training. Studio 3 (142 sq m) serves as a professional studio and stage with installed theater lighting; Studios 1 and 5 (135 and 70 sq m respectively) are large general-purpose spaces; Studios 2 and 4 (56 sq m each) are rehearsal studios. All have professional sound systems, mirror walls and ballet barres. The facility includes a representative lounge with kitchen area, separate women's and men's changing rooms with three sanitary areas and showers each, and an in-house south-facing sun terrace.

For children and teens starting classes in October, a Kennenlern- und Mitmachtag (open day) is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September 2026, where you and your child can experience the studios, meet the instructors (Adriana Mancuso and Dioni Birmpili), and try classes in your chosen style. Bring fitted sportswear or a leotard; for ballet and jazz, socks are worn, for modern dance, bare feet. Hair should be tied back. Registration is by email with your child's age and course preferences.

The faculty are an international team of active choreographers (including those from Cirque du Soleil and Berghain), state-recognised pedagogues and university professors. For the children's and teens program, Adriana Mancuso teaches ballet and modern dance, and Dioni Birmpili teaches jazz dance.

The children's ballet program (age 7+) is structured as a foundational introduction to classical technique tailored to age and developmental stage; the five-month Dance Intensive accepts participants without prior audition and with any prior dance experience.