Dancers

SEASON 2024-2025

Ella Matthews

Australia

“Because it offers a smaller environment, at JBA there is room for more feedback and out of this improvement should be inevitable. I feel JBA is a nurturing, loving place which is the kind of atmosphere needed to enable a dancer to fulfill their full potential. Aside, the JBA training program offers the wealth of top-class professionals - teachers, choreographers and coaches - whom they bring in to work with the dancers”.

Maja Grubić

Canada

“During a summer dance course in Prague, I had heard about JBA from another JBA dancer and this made me aware of what Europe had to offer. At the same time I graduated at age 17 and did not feel ready to dive into a full-time career. I am also aware that companies today hesitate in signing up young dancers with so little experience. What JBA offers - strong training in different choreographic styles, performing experience, personal coaching in a small supportive environment - the two years in Antwerp is an ideal transition period for me!”

ALBA HELLÍN GALÁN

Spain

The teachers were really good, I loved the classes and I just wanted more! I was really thrilled to be accepted for the 24/25 program. I want to learn everything that I can from all these amazing people and I want to improve in every way: my classical technique, my knowledge of the contemporary repertoire and my artistry.

Seohyun Mo

South-Korea

“The JBA program was a further choice because of the diverse repertoire offered during a two-year course. I hope to learn more about myself here, to become stronger mentally as well as physically and to discover what I really like and wish to dance.”

Sora Nishida

Japan

“On completion of my final Antwerp year, I auditioned for JBA and I realized that two years of further training and performing with them would greatly improve not only my contemporary vocabulary but also my classical technique.”

James Cooper

England

“Having followed JBA on social media and heard very positive reports about it through a mutual friend, I auditioned and was accepted. What struck me forcibly at the audition was the personal feedback from both Alain and Altea: this strong focus on the nurturing of the individual dancer has been confirmed in the short time I have spent with JBA.”

Letizia Austoni

Italy

“Although my reasons initially were because of the large repertoire JBA offers, as well as the chance to work with so many choreographers and coaches, in the short space of time I have spent in Antwerp I fully appreciate JBA’s healthy work environment. It is safe here to learn from my mistakes and not be judged on them. Moreover I feel the JBA teachers get to know the talents (and faults) of all their dancers and to work with each one of them in an individual fashion. I hope during my period here to become ‘an aware dancer with a mature way of moving’, to pick up and assimilate new styles very quickly and also to release tension ‘to let go‘ and express my enjoyment in dancing.”

Lizé Mentz

South-Africa

“I knew that I wanted to continue my training at JBA after seeing Dance Europe’s film of the rehearsals for their production of Cinderella. I felt inspired by the passion, artistry and attention to detail of JBA and I feel that JBA will help me develop and grow into a dancer who can reach the audience through artistry and passionate storytelling. Furthermore, the support and career guidance of the teaching faculty is invaluable.”

MAHO SHIRAGA

Japan

Everyone at Junior Ballet Antwerp seemed to shine, I thought the teachers’ instructions were very accurate and wonderful so from that moment on, I wanted to join JBA. Now that I am here I want to improve not only my classical technique but also learn neo-classical ballet and contemporary dance, so I can prepare myself fully for future auditions.

ARISA HIRONO

Japan

ARISA HIRONO

LUDOVICO GALLO

Italy

I was interested in joining JBA because I want to gain stage experience as it is so essential for an emerging dancer/ artist. The repertoire JBA offers also aligns with the genre I aspire to dance.

PHOEBE WATSON

New Zealand / Canada

I have always held Junior Ballet Antwerp in high regard. I see it as one of the leading junior ballet companies in Europe as I believe it is a highly selective and elite platform for dancers on the verge of entering the professional industry. Aside, JBA replicates the intense performance schedule of a professional company.

HALLE MCGREGOR

Australia

I had my eyes set on Junior Ballet Antwerp, having seen that the program has a reputation for the standard of dancers they produce. JBA dancers are encouraged to be unique to themselves and to ‘expand their strengths’ while being helped personally with weaker issues. This was enhanced after my JBA audition and left me inspired. I hope and feel sure that I will be pushed and challenged in all aspects of dance, artistically and technically.

SILVIO NIKOLOV

Italy / Bulgaria

This program offers young people the chance to grow, not only as dancers but as individuals because of the very positive and nurturing environment. This, plus the wide variety of dance styles included in the course and the chances to meet so many people - coaches, teachers and choreographers, will without doubt influence my future path in unforeseen ways.

INÈS VALET

France

The first time I auditioned for JBA, my application was not accepted which made me understand that I was still too young and inexperienced. I then went on to spending time in Barcelona, studying with a few Cuban teachers who helped in strengthening my technique. As a result, after auditioning again for JBA at the age of 19, I was accepted.

VALENTINE CHAUMET

France

I realised on graduation that I was not yet ready to join a professional company. More and more companies today prefer dancers with experience. For this reason the JBA program is ideal; not only do they offer lots of stage experience, there is the opportunity on their program to learn various styles by working with different choreographers.

AMBER DU BOIS

Belgium

I look greatly forward to learn many new styles from different choreographers and I hope to develop further both as a dancer and an artist. JBA offers a very personal atmosphere - it has a limited amount of participants and it is an encouraging and nurturing environment.

SAMUEL KENDALL MUÑOZ

Spain

I believe Junior Ballet Antwerp will give me security and confidence, as well as prepare me for the future. The program offers great versatility and includes excellent teachers and coaches. Their former dancers have nothing but praise for the personal attention given to each student, which all adds up to make it a great place to learn to become a true professional. This is what I hope to learn during my time with JBA.

MARÍA CORDERO ALTAMIRANO

Mexico

I was drawn by the teachers’ compassionate approach and dedication, their enthusiasm and humane manner for helping young dancers to develop. The performance opportunities and valuable experience on offer at Junior Ballet Antwerp were compelling factors.

BENEDETTA SICILIA

Italy

Joining Junior Ballet Antwerp I feel sure, will help me bloom as an artist. It’s a healing place to be as you are helped to develop as an individual without judgement. Another reason is because of the unique repertoire, which is a reflection of what i dream of performing. David Dawson’s work for example with its unique lines and expression!