Hungarian Dance Academy

[EduCativ]

In Hungary, Dance artist training within the school system started just over seventy years ago. However, the achievements of the past sixty years are correlated with the Hungarian Dance Academy. The state-funded education of ballet students within an organized system began as early as 1937 at the Hungarian Royal Opera House, which, in 1949, was supplemented by the Dance Artist School. In 1950 the State Ballet Institute was founded by unifying these two institutions. It has had its present name "The Hungarian Dance Academy" since 1990.
A primary and a secondary school have also been established within the Institute's boundaries, which was necessary because of training ballet artists of different age groups. Today the general education, lasting eight years, is pursued at the Ferenc Nádasi Secondary School of the Hungarian Dance Academy. However, pupils in their fourth school year can still join the Academy. A student graduating from the Institute received a secondary-level certificate, graded as academic qualification in 1975. Then in 1983, the Institute was reorganized into an academy.
For a long time, the Academy and its Secondary School's central premises were located in the 6th district in the former Dreschler-Palace, at 25 Andrássy Street. In 1976 new ballet studios were built in Kazinczy Street. In 1987, by adding a story to the building, three more ballet studios were attached to the five existing ones. In 2001 the theoretical education and management moved to 87 Columbus Street in the 14th district. In 2002 twelve brand new ballet studios were also built there. In the autumn of 2004, the dormitory of the Institute also moved to the Columbus Street "campus."
The founding director of the State Ballet Institute was György Lőrinc, who directed the Institute until 1960. Hedvig Hidas followed him in 1961 and Zsuzsa Kún in 1972. During 1979-1991 Imre Dózsa was the head of the Institute. After a year's commitment to János Palovecz, Jenő Gál became the general director between 1992 and 1998. Between 1998 and 2006, Imre Dózsa led the Academy again. In 2006, Zoltán Nagy Jr. was followed, who had a tragic and premature death in 2008. From May 2009, the institution was managed by Dr. Mária Jakabné Zórándi until her sudden death on November 7, 2010. In the difficult times after her death, the Academy was led by György Szakály, who received his appointment as rector on July 1, 2011, from the Hungarian Republic's prime minister.
Ballet training and education at HDA last for nine years. The training prepares students for a professional dance artist career. Preceding the BA studies, in Grade 1-6 students have the prior student status with HDA. Preparatory training ensures 3-5 dance classes daily, and stages experience according to age and talent.
Education in this specialization is based on the Vaganova-method, acknowledged all over the world, and the methodology based on the combinations of the traditions of the Nádasi school. The students are trained in the following professional subjects: classical ballet, repertoire, pointe, stretch and strength, folk dance, historical ballroom dance.
Students who speak the Hungarian language may also join the secondary school of the Academy for theoretical studies. Children begin their training at the age of 10, parallel with the 4th and 5th grades of the general school education.
Upon completing grade 6 on classical ballet, one can apply for BA studies. This way, the last preparatory semester's end-term examination will be the entrance exam to dance artist BA training. Students, who are not recommended for further studies at the Academy by the examining board, would finish their professional training at the end of the 6th grade.
The primary training language is Hungarian (with French vocabulary of ballet expressions) with the possibility of English language instructions. Students receive a certificate at the end of each academic year with marks. International students have to take an audition (live or video) to get into the program.
The training prepares students for a professional dance artist career. This specialization was first launched at the Dance Artist Department of the Academy in 2008. It was built on the traditions of the earlier folk dance and folk dance-theatrical dance specializations.
The training's primary aim is to acquire the dances of different nations living in Hungary and of the significant dance traditions of other nations.
The training and education last for five years. Students attending this department begin their education at the age of 14. Preceding the BA studies, in Grade 1 and 2, students have the prior student status with HDA. Preparatory training ensures 3-5 dance classes daily, and stages experience according to age and talent. Upon completing grade 2 in modern dance, one can apply for BA studies. This way, the last preparatory semester's end-term examination will be the entrance exam to dance artist BA training. Those students who are not recommended for further studies at the Academy by the examining board finish their professional training at the end of the 2nd grade.
Folk dance studies are complemented with other forms of dance (e.g., classical ballet, modern dance, and ballroom dance) and theory (ethnography, folk music, acting, history of arts, history of music, history of dance, movement biology, cultural management).
Students speaking Hungarian may also join the secondary school of the Academy for theoretical studies. The last two years of secondary education coincide with the first two years of their studies at the Academy, which means that the students become college students before passing their secondary school-leaving exams. This training is launched in approx. Every 3rd year.
The training prepares students for a professional dance artist career. This specialization was first launched at the Dance Artist Department of the Academy in 2007. Their training's primary aim is to acquire the following techniques: Graham-, Limón- and Contact Technique, Jazz Dance, and European Modern Dances. One of the essential requirements for students to join the Modern Dance Department is good improvisational skills.
The training and education last for five years. The students attending this department begin their education at the age of 14. Preceding the BA studies, in Grade 1 and 2, students have the prior student status with HDA. Preparatory training ensures 3-5 dance classes daily, and stages experience according to age and talent. Students who speak the Hungarian language may also join the secondary school of the Academy for theoretical studies. The last two years of secondary education coincide with the first two years of their studies at the Academy, which means that the students become college students before passing their secondary school-leaving exams.
Upon completing grade 2 in modern dance, one can apply for BA studies. This way, the last preparatory semester's end-term examination will be the entrance exam to dance artist BA training.
The students, who are not recommended for further studies at the Academy by the examining board, finish their professional training at the end of the 2nd grade.
The students of this specialization also study the following professional and theoretical subjects: Classical Ballet, Pilates, Repertoire, Dance in Home-Country, History of the Arts, Music History, Dance History, Kinesiology, and Cultural Management.

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