Bilingual advanced studies

The advanced study programme is a three-to four-year, high-quality training programme taught in German and English.The young dancers are taught practical subjects such as classical ballet, en pointe ballet, classical variations, classical pas de deux, contemporary dance, improvization and strength & conditioning. Classes take place daily from Monday to Friday.
National and international guest teachers complement the demanding training programme with their specialist knowledge. 
The academic curriculum of theoretical subjects includes music history, music theory, dance history, professional studies, anatomy, society, language/communication and English. General subjects and English are taught at the Allgemeine Berufsschule Zürich (ABZH).

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Qualification

The professional training concludes with the “Stage Dancer EFZ” Federal Certificate of Proficiency in Classical Dance, a professional qualification accredited by the Swiss Confederation. For students completing the Berufsmaturitätsschule (exclusively in German), this is additionally awarded with the Berufsmatur ARTE. 

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Performances

Gaining experience on stage is one of the central components of our training curiculum. The students are able to work with renowned choreographers who create performances especially for the school. This prepares our young talents for the challenging professional life that lies ahead of them. In addition to guest appearances in Switzerland and abroad, the annual gala performances, including at the Zurich Opera House, represent the highlight at the end of the school year. This gives our students the opportunity to showcase their work on stage in front of an audience.

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Moving onto the next year

According to the training contract, a three-month probationary period, which can be extended to six months in exceptional cases, is granted upon entry into the first year of the main study programme. Students can only move on to the next school year if they pass the mid-year and end-of-year examinations, without exception.

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Costs

The advanced study programme is free of charge. 

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Admission: Requirements and Procedure

The two-day audition workshop serves as an admission process forthe first year of the four-year Federal Certificate of Proficiency in Classical Dance (Stage Dancer EFZ) at the Zurich Dance Academy. It is aimed at young people aged 15–16 and includes training sessions in classical and contemporary dance as well as improvisation. A very good background in classical dance is a prerequisite for participation.

The audition procedure consists of two stages. After reviewing the submitted documents (application form, CV, school reports, passport/ID, photos and video), applicants who are accepted will receive an invitation to the on-site Audition Workshop in Zurich. All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and answered – regardless of the outcome. All information on registration can be found on our our Auditions page.

Language skills
For admission to the Advanced Study Programme, proof of English language skills at level A2 or higher is required.

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Holiday dates