Academic Variations is an annual gala that brings together education, performance, and audience development through dance.
Organised by Ballet de Catalunya and the Terrassa Municipal Dance Conservatory, in collaboration with the Association of Families of the Municipal School of Music and Conservatory of Terrassa, and with the support of the Terrassa City Council, this event is conceived as an open and accessible cultural experience for the entire community.
Presented in a gala format and held next to the Ballet de Catalunya School, Academic Variations features performances by the Ballet de Catalunya Trainee Program, alongside students of the school. The Trainee dancers perform in front of the Conservatory students and the general public, creating a direct connection between professional training, education, and audiences.
The main objective of this event is educational: to introduce dance to new audiences, to help spectators understand the foundations of academic ballet, and to contribute actively to the creation of future cultural audiences. This educational and outreach work is a fundamental part of Ballet de Catalunya’s mission.
For the dancers of the Trainee Program and the Ballet de Catalunya School, Academic Variations is also a key artistic moment: an opportunity to perform on stage, to present repertoire, and to shine in their own right within a supportive and pedagogical framework.
The programme is composed of short, carefully selected excerpts from the academic ballet repertoire, designed to guide the audience through its essential elements. Highlights include the White Act Suite from Swan Lake, as well as emblematic variations such as the Lilac Fairy from The Sleeping Beauty and excerpts from Giselle.
In addition, the audience will experience a live demonstration of selected parts of a ballet class by students of the Ballet de Catalunya School. Through these short exercises, spectators are introduced to the structure, fundamental exercises, and vocabulary of ballet, offering a clearer understanding of the discipline from the inside.
Academic Variations is a free event, open to all audiences, and a unique opportunity to discover dance in an educational, engaging, and high-quality artistic context — reaffirming Ballet de Catalunya’s commitment to culture, education, and public service.