Karin Wakamatsu, Royal Balletschool AntwerpKarin Wakamatsu, Royal Balletschool Antwerp
The Royal Ballet School Antwerp is a Flemish school that offers secondary education in Antwerp in the first grade A-stream and in the second and third grades of art. The school is located in the buildings on the Meistraat, in the Stadsschouwburg Antwerp.
In 1951, the Ballet School of the Royal Flemish Opera was founded on the initiative of Jeanne Brabants with the support of Antwerp mayor Lode Craeybeckx. The first school year only offers evening classes. 61 students register. After being located in a school building in the Leguitstraat for a few months, the school moves to the Oever. From the second school year, there is also daytime education, for students from 14 years.
In 1958 the school moves to Kolveniersstraat. From 1961 the school is no longer part of the Flemish Opera but becomes part of Antwerp's urban education. The school also follows the curricula and issues recognized diplomas. This is formalized in 1964 when the Ballet School of the KVO also changes its name and becomes the Municipal Institute of Ballet (SIB).
When Jeanne Brabants became the first director of the Ballet of Flanders in 1969, her sister Jos Brabants, who was already active as a teacher, was assigned the management of the school. In 1971 the school had 126 students, 12 dance teachers, 7 music accompanists and 20 general subjects.
In 1974 a move to the Lange Klarenstraat follows. In 1980 the school moves to the Stadsschouwburg Antwerp in buildings on the Meistraat. In July 2000 the school was awarded the Royal designation. The Municipal Institute of Ballet becomes the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp. In 2012, Queen Mathilde becomes the High Protector of the school and Jan Fabre accepts the position of Artistic Peter.
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