The state of the world is not exactly something to be cheerful about. Destruction everywhere. Fortunately, there are still people who channel their passion and energy into beauty. Altea Nuñez and Alain Honorez, former principal dancers at the Royal Ballet of Flanders, and with the backing of the Royal Ballet School, founded Junior Ballet Antwerp together with Irma Swijnen a few years ago, or JBA for short.
Junior Ballet Antwerp is a youth company (Junior Company) in which talented, highly trained, graduated dancers from all over the world get their first professional stage experiences. A young artist can only get to know themselves on stage and acquire the much-needed expertise there. Every day, JBA is dedicated to guiding and perfecting its dancers in this art form. To prepare them for a future as a professional dancer/artist.
Six months after the start, they were confronted with corona. A difficult period, but where there's a will there's a way. Artists are not only known for their fighting spirit but also their imagination. Last working year, a first lustrum was celebrated with beautiful productions, including the enchanting classical ballet 'Cinderella' and the production 'James' on the occasion of the James Ensor year 2024. A choreography by the Italian choreographer Mauro de Candia full of technical challenges, testifying to great lyricism and expressivity. There was also a first international performance in Geneva during the international dance festival for Junior Companies.
Exponential growth
Meanwhile, the name and fame of JBA has spread far beyond the borders. This year starts with 20 young ambitious dancers from far and wide, 4 boys and 16 girls were
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selected from hundreds of applications. From their home countries Australia, New Zealand, France, Croatia, Japan, England, Canada, South Korea, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Bulgaria, Belgium and Mexico, they found their way to Flanders. Over the past decades, Belgium has developed into an international crossroads of dance. In these dancers burns the sacred fire. They already have a solid foundation but want to excel. It is admirable that these young people, aged 17/18, want to develop their talent further in various dance styles so far from home, optimize their technique, work as a team and master the different approaches of various choreographers. They will now be immersed for two to three years in the daily life of professional dancers. It is by no means easy. A dancing career is not a gift, it is a craft that requires heart and soul and, above all, discipline. With youthful enthusiasm and tremendous drive, they go for it. JBA might well be best described as a creative powerhouse.
Teaser
A select group of invited guests (friends, supporters and sponsors of JBA) received an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes and were allowed to participate in part of the daily training. Every day starts with an hour and a half of exercises to warm up the muscles. Some dancers graduating this year showed their solos that they want to present at auditions. All of this under the critical eye of dance coach and choreographer Altea Nuñez. Every movement is analyzed and refined down to the finest detail. Every fiber of their body is under their control. As a spectator, you are impressed by the natural grace, beautiful posture, and the quick and light movement across the stage.
The fantastic production 'James' was re-staged with the expanded ensemble. Fast, intense and full of physical power. Entirely legitimate and in an admirable artistic manner, the young dancers make use of their imagination. The production 'James' is a cross-pollination between painting and dance. The quirky personality of James Ensor and his colorful paintings come to life on stage. This production goes on tour and stops at numerous Cultural Centers. At De Spil in Roeselare on 8 Nov., Eeklo Herbakker 14 Nov., Aalst De Werf 27 Nov., Kapellen Zaal Lux 29 Nov., Turnhout De Warande 4 Dec., Waregem De Schakel 12 Dec., and Heist-op-den-Berg Zwanenberg 14 Dec.
During KMSKA-Laat on 19 Dec., JBA pays tribute to Ensor with fragments of this performance and this before and around the paintings of the master. Tickets for this special experience can be purchased via the KMSKA website.
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JBA has more in store. On 27 and 28 February, 'FURORE' will premiere at the Opera of Antwerpen. 'FURORE' stands for fury, intensity and fierceness, but also for rapture and inspiration. It features two brand new creations by Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo, who has been the resident choreographer at Boston Ballet for 20 years and is one of the most sought-after choreographers in the world, and by Francesco Annarumma, an emerging talent from Italy with a unique dance vocabulary. These creations are complemented by the extremely dynamic 'YU' by JBA's resident choreographer Altea Nuñez. Also to be seen on 19 March at CC De Meent in Alsemberg and on 12 April at CC Scharpoord in Knokke-Heist. Reserve your seats now via www.juniorballetantwerp.be
The spicy, extremely successful ballet production 'Cinderella', music by Sergej Prokofjev, has also received a new input so that JBA can take it to the Cultural Centres. A choice has been made for a more intimate setting and experience, but one that will not have to fall short of the beautiful setting of the Handelsbeurs. That series of performances in 2023 was of course special because of the unique decor of the Beurs and the collaboration with Casco Phil (live orchestra). But a ballet production like Cinderella must of course also be able to play in a theatre. In spring 2026, this Cinderella will also tour the country. But on 30 and 31 May and 1 June, this magical fairy tale production can already be seen at thepaleis in Antwerpen.