© Silvano Ballone
Founded at the initiative of Prof. John Neumeier, the National Youth Ballet is unique throughout Germany. Eight young professional dancers aged 18 to 23 form the young company, which is supported by federal funds and wishes to bring ballet closer to people’s daily lives again. Therefore, the ensemble appears not only at opera houses, concert halls and theatres, but also in schools, senior citizens’ homes, clubs and even prisons. The National Youth Ballet honours the past by studying works from the history of ballet, experiences the present by working with contemporary choreographers of different ages and styles, and invests in the future of dance by commissioning its own works and supporting talented young choreographers. The dancers come from all over the world. Their home is the Hamburg Ballet Centre – John Neumeier; their language is dance. Since its Young Euro Classic debut in 2012, the dancers perform together with young musicians for the sixth time at Young Euro Classic in 2017.
Dancers of the 2016/2017 Season:
Sarah Ezzell, Charlotte Larzerele, Larissa Machado, Teresa Silva Dias, Kristian Lever, Tilman Patzak, Joel Paulin, Ricardo Urbina Reyes
Konzerthaus Berlin
© Kiran West
The US-American John Neumeier is among the most important choreographers of our times. As Ballet Director and Artistic Director of the Hamburg Ballet, he turned this company into one of Germany’s leading ones. John Neumeier won international acclaim for his combination of traditional ballet with new, contemporary forms. One of John Neumeier’s passions is the support and education of young talent. In 1978, he founded the Ballet School of the Hamburg Ballet. In 2011, John Neumeier took on the position of Artistic Director of the newly-founded National Youth Ballet. John Neumeier has been awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit twice and was named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 2003. He already choreographed a ballet for Young Euro Classic in 2012, and in 2013 and 2014 the National Youth Ballet appeared at the Konzerthaus in two of his choreographies as well.
© Yohan Stegli
Born in Miami, Kevin Haigen has worked as a dancer, choreographer, ballet teacher and ballet master. He trained at the School of American Ballet under George Balanchine, where he created his first choreographies. In 1976 Kevin Haigen joined the Hamburg Ballet, where he returned in 1991, after several international engagements, as company ballet master and ballet teacher. Ever since, he has assisted John Neumeier in the production of numerous ballets worldwide. Since the founding of the National Youth Ballet, Kevin Haigen has been its Artistic and Pedagogical Director.
Choreography and lyrics: Bundesjugendballett, John Neumeier, Maša Kolar, Bundesjugendballett
Music: based on Leonard Cohen (Halleluja); Ludwig van Beethoven, String Quartet No. 13 D Major Op. 130; Carlos Gardel, Melodía de arrabal (Arr.: James McFadden-Talbot); Beatbox: Anton »The Kid« Stender
Choreography: Ricardo Urbina Reyes
Music: Oliver Messiaen, Louange à l'Éternité de Jésus
Hans Zimmer, Time
Choreography: Paul Hess
Music: TV-recording with music of Paul van Dyk, commentary by Carsten Sostmeier
Choreography: Sasha Riva (excerpts)
Music: Peteris Vasks, Quartett - III. Canti Dramatici and V. Canto Principale
Choreography: Wubkje Kuindersma
Music: Arnold Schönberg
PROGRAMME
Classical and contemporary music, improvisation and beatboxing: the National Youth Ballet shows works by its Artistic and Executive Director John Neumeier and its Artistic Director Kevin Haigen, as well as “Verklärte Nacht”, choreographed by Wubkje Kuindersma.
