Eva Jaczova Dance Conservatory, Bratislava

Originally established in 1979 as the Music and Dance School, the Eva Jaczova Dance Conservatory was the first state school in Slovakia to teach professional dancers.

Graduates of the Conservatory are given the highest academic education in classical, modern and folk dance. The Conservatory co-operates closely with the Slovak National Theatre - Ballet and the Slovak Folk Art Ensemble (SĽUK), as well as with other musical theatre companies, and is also a participant in many international shows and events.

After passing the aptitude tests pupils begin with studying here in the fifth year of primary school. As to academic subjects pupils continue with subject matter from primary school. In addition to these, practical and theoretical specialised subjects become a part of a curriculum: classical dance, dance gymnastics, repertoire, French language and playing the piano. In the fifth year of studies the specialisation of students is decided and some more practical specialised subjects are taught, including folk dance, character, dance with a partner, modern dance. Theoretical specialised subjects such as theory and methodology of dance, history of dance and ballet, history of music and theatre create the graduate´s profile. Students achieve a complex secondary artistic education in classical, modern or folk dance. The studies are completed with an absolutorium and a school-leaving exam.

The most talented students represent the Conservatory with great success in international ballet competitions where they have obtained many prestigious awards. Former graduates of the Conservatory are now members of top performance companies in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, the Netherlands, Monaco, Ukraine and Canada.

The Dance Conservatory also participates in many international dance projects, including those organised through Socrates-Comenius I, the International Visegrad Fund and the British Council.

Placements and awards achieved by graduates prove the best quality of the Conservatory's dance education. The best former students were awarded with the Flower of Ballet prize.

On the occasion of the 25th foundation of the Conservatory the Director of Bratislava Regional Government awarded the Dance Conservatory the medal Bulla Aurea Bratislavensis. The Conservatory has also been awarded the Anna Pavlova Medal by the Russian Cultural Centre in Bratislava for keeping the traditions of Russian ballet alive.