On October 5, 2026, the fourth generation of the qualification program “Tanzpädagogisches Zertifikat (TPZ)” of the Deutscher Berufsverband für Tanzpädagogik e.V. will begin.

This AZAV-certified continuing education program (specialist area 4) is designed for professional stage dancers who wish to expand their artistic careers with a sustainable pedagogical perspective. Its aim is to enable a structured and practice-oriented transition from an active performing career into dance pedagogy – without gaps in employment and with a clear professional outlook.

In principle, the program is eligible for funding through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).

At a Glance

• Start: October 5, 2026

• Duration: 9–12 months (depending on specialization)

• Scope: 333 teaching units (approx. 250 hours)

• Format: Hybrid (online via Zoom & Moodle + one in-person week in Dortmund, spring 2027)

• Recommended self-study time: approx. 8 hours per week

• Language of instruction: primarily English

• German language skills: not required (optional German course up to B1 available)

• School-leaving certificate: not required

• Qualification: DBfT Certificate + practical examination (teaching demonstration/project presentation

Costs & Funding

• Total cost: €5,900

• Eligible under AZAV funding: €4,595.40

• Personal contribution: €1,304.60

Various options for financial support are available. We are happy to advise you individually

Curriculum – Core Mandatory Modules

All participants complete a comprehensive foundation module including:

• Pedagogy & Educational Psychology

• Ethics

• Dance Medicine

• Dance History

• Business Administration

• Music Theory

• Voice and Speech Training

• Video Analysis

• Introduction to the Job Exchange Platform

Teaching is practice-oriented and combines theory and application in various learning formats (lecture-based, group work, and plenary sessions).

Three Specializations – Your Profile, Your Path

After completing the joint foundation module, participants choose one of three specializations:

KT – Artistic Dance (Dance School Pedagogy)

Objective: Teaching at private ballet and dance schools or founding your own school.

Focus areas:

• Methodology and didactics of classical dance (e.g., Vaganova, RAD)

• Class structure and lesson planning

• Working with children and adolescents

• Choreography and dramaturgy

• Teaching practice in dance schools

Typical professional fields:

Dance teacher at private schools, freelance teaching, lecturer, school founder.

Suitable for you if …

• You would like to work long-term with children and adolescents.

• You prefer structured work with fixed classes.

• You are planning to found your own dance school.

KP – Artistic Projects in Socio-Cultural Contexts

Objective: Working in dance projects with schools, municipalities, and social institutions.

Focus areas:

• Dance education in social and cultural contexts

• Project planning and management

• Choreography and movement development

• Working with heterogeneous groups

• Independent project development and presentation

Typical professional fields:

Dance educator in school and extracurricular projects, artistic mediation, project management, cooperation with educational institutions and municipalities.

Suitable for you if …

• You would like to bring dance into schools, neighborhoods, or social projects.

• You prefer process-oriented and project-based work.

• You are interested in collaborating with funding bodies and partner institutions.

PB – Professional Sector (Training for Companies)

Objective: Pedagogical work in professional training environments.

Focus areas:

Training and movement science

Methodology of professional dance training

Rehearsal structure and training planning

Collaboration with répétiteurs

Teaching assistance and ensemble training

Typical professional fields:

Training at theatres and opera houses, company class instruction, rehearsal assistance, professional coaching.

Suitable for you if …

• You would like to work with professional dancers.

• You prefer performance- and training-oriented work.

• You aim to teach company class at theatres or opera houses in the future.

Target Group & Requirements

The program is aimed at professional dancers in the field of artistic dance with at least three years of professional experience (e.g., with municipal or state companies or established independent houses).

Application:
Only online via this link. (Upload your CV and motivation letter as PDF) 

Application deadline: July 1, 2026

Qualification & Career Perspective

Upon successful completion, participants receive the Tanzpädagogisches Zertifikat of the DBfT.

The program qualifies graduates for sustainable pedagogical work after or alongside a stage career and opens up new employment opportunities – in dance schools, project work, or professional training environments.

Graduates are presented within the DBfT network via newsletter, website, and social media.

Contact & Consultation

Henriette Droß-Duplancic
Managing Director
Deutscher Berufsverband für Tanzpädagogik e.V.
📧 h.dross@dbft.de
📞 +49 157 5161 7557

Subject to change.

For reasons of readability, gender-specific language forms are not used simultaneously. All personal designations apply equally to all genders.