Prof. Fernando Coelho

Head of MA Dance Teacher Programme

PLACE OF BIRTH

Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

EDUCATION

  • Ballet dancer: Centro de Danças Helfany & Jânia
  • Business Administration: Universidade Gama Filho
  • Graduated Stage Dance Teacher for ballet, modern dance, and pas de deux: Mannheim University of Music and Performing Arts, Mannheim/Heidelberg

CAREER

International stage experience as soloist:

  • Ballet Jovem Helfany & Jânia (Helfany Peçanha)
  • Corpo de Baile da Cidade de Niterói (Helfany Peçanha)
  • Fundação Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro (Tatiana Leskova)
  • Grupo de Dança D.C. (João Wlamir)
  • Badisches Staatstheatre Karlsruhe (Germinal Casado)
  • Choreographic (award-winning) works, e. g., „Entre Nós“, „Beim Schlafen gehen“, „Oposição“, „Canção de Amor“ etc.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

  • International stage experience as ballet master and assistant , e. g., Landestheatre Salzburg
  • Since 1997, artistic consultant and coordinator for the Association "L’Avant-Scène Danse Jânia Batista" Lausanne
  • Since 1986, founding member of the dance foundation „Fundação Fluminense de Ballet" in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Visiting lecturer and jury member for various (dance) ensembles, workshops, and educational institutions all over the world.

ABOUT MY WORK

In professional terms I am firmly rooted in ballet and consider it my main task to convey not just technique but also the passion for dance. In addition to my classical training I am always open to taking up and implementing impulses from new and contemporary movements. As well as teaching dancers, in recent years I have also intensively committed myself to educational theory within the context of my teaching work for the development of future dance education.

The main aims of teaching professional qualifications in dance/dance education are the development of sound technique, linked to musicality and artistic expression, and confidence in the vocabulary and terminology of dance. It is equally important to me to support the students in developing their artistic personality, enabling them to foster their individual talents and expand their horizons. Only on the basis of this self-perception do students become able to prepare themselves for a professional career. An artist’s personality is based on social competence, group dynamics, individuality, reflective skills, motivation, and self-confidence.