Apprentice Programme

Created in 2006, the Apprentice Programme enables up to 12 Apprentices to work with the Dresden Semper Opera Ballet and the Palucca School Dresden for a complete season.

The Apprentices will be involved in the performances of the Company as well as benefiting from a complete training programme offered in conjunction with the Palucca School.

Offering a combination of performance experience, combined with an intensive training, the Programme is designed to facilitate young dancers’ integration into the professional world.

Working with the Faculty of both the Company and the School, the apprentices will benefit from special classes designed for the apprentices, workshops learning the Company’s repertoire, coaching, mentoring and classes in additional subjects such as contemporary, improvisation, pointe work, pas de deux and partnering. Theory classes, relevant to the content of the Programme are also planned to provide a well-rounded education as well as a tutor from both the Company and the School for intensive artistic guidance.

The apprentices participate also in the performances and activities of the Palucca School and can also be coached for competitions or other such events as the Directors feel of benefit to the apprentices.

The programme is a joint-venture between the Dresden Semper Opera Ballet and the Palucca School Dresden, and during the duration the Apprentices also enjoy the benefits of being fulltime college students with access to the full facilities provided by the Palucca School.

Prof. Jason Beechey
Aaron S. Watkin