About the Programme
Each February, Vienna becomes the setting for an extraordinary winter training experience. The Winter Intensive International Masterclass 2027 unites ten of the world’s most distinguished ballet artists with dancers of every age and level — from children taking their first steps in classical ballet to professional performers refining their artistry on stage. Across seven immersive days, participants train in dedicated programme tracks designed for their specific stage of development, making this the most comprehensive winter ballet intensive in central Europe.
Beyond the group masterclasses, every dancer has the rare opportunity to arrange individual private lessons with the faculty artist of their choice — one-to-one coaching at a level that few programmes anywhere in the world can offer.
The week concludes with a closing ceremony where each graduate receives an official certificate personally signed by all ten faculty members — world-renowned artists of the Vienna State Ballet and leading international companies who have taught and mentored them throughout the week.
About the Masterclass
Set in the heart of Vienna during the winter season, the Winter Intensive International Masterclass 2027 offers an extraordinary week of professional ballet training unlike any other. Over seven consecutive days in February, dancers from across Europe and beyond converge to study with ten world-class ballet artists — principals, soloists and master pedagogues of the Vienna State Ballet and leading international companies. From the youngest beginners to seasoned stage performers, every dancer is immersed in an atmosphere of artistic excellence, disciplined technique and genuine creative inspiration.
Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the Winter Intensive has been structured around four distinct, age-appropriate programme tracks that run in parallel throughout the week. Young Dancers aged 6–8 and 9–12 are guided through a joyful, nurturing introduction to classical ballet that cultivates musicality, coordination and self-confidence. The Intensive Programme opens its doors to amateur dancers and private ballet school students aged 13–17, while the Professional Masterclass challenges advanced students, pre-professional dancers and professional stage performers at the very highest level.
This multi-track design means families can take part together: younger siblings train in an age-appropriate group while older dancers push their technical limits, and every participant studies alongside peers of a comparable level — an essential ingredient for genuine progress and the individual attention that defines the programme.
The heart of the Winter Intensive is its faculty. Ten extraordinary ballet artists — principal dancers, soloists and revered pedagogues from the Vienna State Ballet and leading companies across Europe and beyond — gather in Vienna for one week each winter to teach, demonstrate and mentor the next generation. Each brings a singular artistic lineage, a personal teaching philosophy and a deep dedication to passing on the traditions of classical and contemporary ballet.
Participants do not simply watch from afar. Every masterclass is hands-on, with individual corrections, personal feedback and the rare privilege of experiencing the artistry of dancers who perform on the world’s most celebrated stages. It is this direct, personal contact that elevates a week of classes into a truly formative experience.
In addition to the group masterclasses, every participant may arrange individual private lessons directly with the faculty artist of their choice. These one-to-one coaching sessions give dancers the space to work on specific technical challenges, polish a competition variation, deepen their pointe work, or receive personalised artistic guidance that a group setting simply cannot provide.
Private lessons are coordinated individually upon enquiry and depend on faculty availability. For dancers preparing for auditions, competitions or a professional career, this one-to-one coaching at the highest level is among the most valuable elements of the entire programme.
Few cities in the world carry the musical and artistic heritage of Vienna. The birthplace of classical music and home to the legendary Vienna State Opera and Vienna State Ballet, the city offers an environment in which ballet is not merely taught but lived. Participants train in professional studios and breathe in the atmosphere of a capital that has shaped the performing arts for centuries.
The Winter Intensive takes place from 1 to 7 February 2027, allowing dancers and their families to combine elite training with the rich cultural life of Vienna in winter — from concert halls and museums to the elegant streets of the historic city centre.
The Winter Intensive International Masterclass 2027 welcomes professional dancers and advanced students in search of elite coaching, amateur dancers from private ballet schools who wish to deepen their training, and young dancers from the age of six taking their first serious steps in classical ballet. No audition is required for enrolment; places are, however, strictly limited to preserve the quality of individual attention that defines the programme.