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

Villa Balance – A Century-Old Jewel Reimagined and "Choreographed"

The home of the Balance 1 Academy is the stylish Villa Balance in Berlin-Tempelhof, affectionately known as the Balance Dance Villa. Built in 1913, our beautiful villa breathes history. Where industrial pioneer spirit once reigned, movement, light, and music now flow together. Where machines once set the pace, rhythm and movement now define the majestic ambiance.
The high ceilings, large windows, and grand charm of the historic building offer the perfect backdrop for ballet and contemporary dance. It is an inspiring space that grants artists and dance enthusiasts the freedom to fully express themselves.
Since October 2019, our dance students have been training on professional, state-of-the-art sprung floors and professional Marley flooring. These floors were developed specifically for professional dancers to minimize joint impact and ensure a safe training environment.
Villa Balance Berlin entrance stairwell
Balance 1 - vision of the dance academy

The Vision: Vocational Contemporary Dance Training Inspired by New York

n 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 legendary Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance in the Upper East Side. The three-story villa there provided a deep, warm, and familial sense of community for everyone who trained—a creative sanctuary in the heart of the metropolis.
When the historic Graham villa was sold and demolished in 2000, it remained deeply anchored in our hearts as an enduring source of inspiration. With the Villa Balance, the Balance 1 Academy has brought exactly this spirit to Berlin. Today, our Berlin dance villa is—just like Miriam’s original inspiration in New York—a welcoming, creative, and safe 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.

A true omen of lasting success was the very first graduating class, which celebrated its commencement in 1999. The young dancers launched into the professional dance world so successfully that the professional industry affectionately dubbed them "the magical first Balance 1 class". To this day, the Balance 1 Academy maintains its leading position among state-approved vocational dance institutions in Germany.

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 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.

Balance 1s first magic graduates 1999 in front of theatre

Connect with the global dance industry from day one. Learn from acclaimed artists and pioneers.

Balance1-mission

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)

zeitgenoessischer_Tanz_Berlin_logoBalance 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.