Our Vision & History | Balance 1 Academy Berlin

Villa Balance – our home since the 1980s

The home of the Balance 1 Academy is Villa Balance in Berlin-Tempelhof, affectionately known as the Balance Dance Villa. This 1913 former industrialist's mansion combines industrial charm with high ceilings and plenty of light — good conditions for classical ballet and contemporary dance.
The villa’s unique atmosphere is reminiscent of Martha Graham’s original studio in New York—that’s often the first thing American dancers who trained there tell us when they come to visit. Just like the legendary New York villa, our Berlin dance villa has become a second home for dance enthusiasts from all over the world.

The Vision: Vocational Contemporary Dance Training Inspired by New York

In the 1980s and 1990s, opportunities to complete a professional dance training program in Germany were highly limited. Dissatisfied with the options available at the time, dancer Miriam Drechsler moved to the United States to study under the pioneers of the dance world in New York City.

Even during her visa application process, she convinced the US authorities with her grand vision: she wanted to absorb the knowledge of the American masters in order to later found a highly qualified, professional dance conservatory in her hometown of Berlin.

The Spirit of Martha Graham in Berlin

In New York, Miriam found more than just technical dance expertise; she discovered the emotional blueprint for her future academy: the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance. The two-story building in the Upper East Side gave everyone who trained there a deep, warm sense of community — a creative sanctuary in the heart of the metropolis. This building no longer stands today

With Villa Balance, the Balance 1 Academy has brought this spirit to Berlin: a welcoming, creative home away from home for dance students from all over the world.

The Founding of the Academy and the "Magical First Class"

In 1993, Miriam Drechsler laid the cornerstone by founding the BALANCE DanStudiOne in Berlin. The studio rapidly transformed into a vibrant residency for dance companies and a magnet for internationally renowned guest instructors hosting electrifying workshops. Driven by this creative momentum, the next logical step followed in 1996: the founding of today's Balance 1 Academy with a professional vocational training program for stage dancers.

The excellent reputation of the newly established academy quickly attracted talent from Germany and across the globe, and shortly thereafter, the institution received its official state approval as a vocational conservatory from the Berlin Senate.

The very first graduating class celebrated its commencement in 1999. The young dancers launched into the professional dance world so successfully that, in the Berlin dance scene, this class became known as "the magical first Balance 1 class."
Today, the Balance 1 Academy is the oldest recognized vocational dance school in Germany, following the closure of the Etage für darstellende Künste.

The Return of the Balance 1 Ballet School for Kids and Teens

Following extensive modernizations and renovations of the Villa Balance, we are now coming full circle: the original concept of hobby and open classes is being revitalized as the Balance 1 Ballet & Dance School. Within our historic studio spaces, we once again offer structured, professionally guided dance classes and ballet courses specifically designed to introduce kids from the age of 7 as well as teens to the art of dance.

Our mission

We believe that every dance student has the right to learn and train in a safe environment, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
Therefore, we distance ourselves from any form of discrimination, racism, bullying, violence, anti-Semitism, as well as all forms of abuse.
The cultural roots of our academy are based on respect and open-mindedness.
We are always committed to creating a welcoming, friendly and safe environment. This is the only way to create a place where different cultures and backgrounds can intermingle. To learn from and with each other and to develop together in a curious and creative community. Both as a person and as an artist.

Our core values are based on:

equality
diversity
inclusion
curiosity
open-mindedness
self-motivation
dedication
self-reflection
generosity
mutual respect

Balance 1 Academy partners and memberships

UFER_STUDIOS collective dance spaces

Our Dance performances are presented with the cooperation of the
Uferstudios collective dance spaces in Berlin.

International audition director Cristina Perera

Dancer, choreographer and dance teacher Cristina Perera, also traveling worldwide for dance workshops,
holds international auditions for admission to the dance education.

ZTB Zeitgenössischer Tanz Berlin (contemporary Dance Berlin)

Balance 1 Academy is a member of the ZTB, Zeitgenössischer Tanz Berlin.
The association Contemporary Dance Berlin represents the interests of artists and institutions active in dance.
The ZTB is the sponsor of the Tanzbüro Berlin, the central consulting and marketing office for dance in Berlin.

Eurasia Dance Project International Network

We are partner of the EurAsia Dance Project International Network, directed by Stefano Fardelli, which has more than 20 EurAsia Partners in 18 countries all over the world through Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, Pacific States and Central America.

EurAsia Dance Project International Network is a Non Profit Association legalized by the Italian Government.

One of the missions is to enable young dancers and choreographers of any origin to study abroad and spread out their culture. This is why EurAsia Auditions are also on tour in the poorest and most dangerous countries of the globe. It allows these young dancers to take auditions for the biggest academies of Europe without flying abroad. The students selected during the EurAsia Auditions win a 50% / 80% scholarship for all the 3 / 4 year professional dance programs.

Balance 1 Academy | The History of our Conservatory & The Heritage of Villa Balance