Iwanson International school of contemporary dance

What Iwanson International school of contemporary dance does

Iwanson International School of Contemporary Dance is a Munich-based private performing-arts academy founded in 1974 by Jessica Iwanson. It operates as a sole proprietorship (Einzelunternehmen) led since 2025 by sole director Johannes Härtl, with approximately 15 employees. The school serves roughly 150 full-time students from over 26 nations, structured across a three-year diploma program in stage dance (Vollzeit-Ausbildung / Bühnentanz), a Basic Year preparatory course introduced in 2023, the Nimble Project post-graduate program, and an Iwanson Pädagogik teacher-certification pathway. Complementary offerings include seasonal workshops (Sommer- and Winterschule), Jazz & Commercial intensives, and a local children and youth division (Kindertanz, Teeny-Stunden, Vorausbildung) serving Munich-area families.

The school's core technology is its dance-education methodology: contemporary dance, classical ballet, jazz, floor technique, partnering, contact improvisation, somatic training, the proprietary Iwanson Technique, and a guest-teacher rotation that exposes students from the second year onward to 30+ international dancers, choreographers and pedagogues annually. Curated public performance opportunities at venues such as Kunstkraftwerk Bergson, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Gasteig, Schwere Reiter and Bayerische Staatsoper are integrated into training.

The business model is tuition-driven and segmented. Monthly subscription pricing ranges from €620-€690 for full-time programs, with separate one-time fees of €150-€640 for workshops and pedagogy modules, and €46-€90/month for children's classes. Distribution combines direct enrollment at the Munich campus, a pan-European audition tour (Thessensaloniki, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Lecce, Ourem), video auditions for overseas applicants, and partnerships with venues, festivals and academies that anchor stage experience. A separately constituted support foundation, Make it! e.V., was established in 2019 to supplement tuition funding for young artists.

Name

Iwanson International school of contemporary dance

Legal name

Iwanson Studios (Einzelunternehmen)

Website

https://iwanson.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Iwanson International is a Munich-based private contemporary dance academy founded in 1974, serving roughly 150 full-time students from over 26 nations through a three-year diploma program, preparatory and post-graduate tracks, teacher certification, seasonal workshops, and local children and youth classes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Dance Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Pre-College Summer/Winter Academic Programs (High School Students) (EDAIAIAD)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance education
• Professional dance training
• Dance pedagogy
• Dance workshops
• Children's dance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Munich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Full-time Education Programs: Monthly tuition fees for 3-year full-time dance education program leading to diploma. Revenue is recurring monthly over 12-month academic years. Additional enrollment fees apply.
2. Basic Year Program: Monthly tuition for preparatory year program. Revenue is recurring monthly over 12 months. Enrollment fee charged separately.
3. Nimble Project: Post-graduate 8-month program tuition. Revenue is recurring monthly for 8 months.
4. Pedagogy Workshops: Continuing education workshops for dance teachers including theory, style workshops, and certification exams. One-time fees per module or course.
5. Summer and Winter Schools: Intensive workshop programs offered during school holidays. One-time fee per course or workshop.
6. Jazz and Commercial Programs: Specialized weekend and week-long workshops in jazz and commercial dance styles. One-time fees per program.
7. Children and Youth Programs: Recurring monthly tuition for children's dance, teeny lessons, and pre-education programs. Additional fees for trial lessons and registration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Iwanson International is a Munich-based dance academy offering a three-year full-time contemporary dance diploma program, a preparatory Basic Year, a post-graduate Nimble Project, and dance pedagogy certification courses. The school supplements these programs with seasonal summer and winter schools, jazz and commercial dance workshops, and children's and teen dance classes. Approximately 150 full-time students from over 26 countries study on campus, with instruction delivered primarily in English by rotating international faculty.

Product overview

Iwanson International is an educational institution offering a multi-tiered portfolio of dance programs. The core offerings include the three-year Vollzeit-Ausbildung leading to a Diplom-Bühnenreife, the Basic Year preparatory program (since 2023), The Nimble Project post-graduate program, and the Iwanson Pädagogik Grundausbildung pedagogy certification. Additional programs include seasonal workshops (Sommerschule, Winterschule), specialized Jazz & Commercial dance workshops, and a comprehensive children and youth program (Vorausbildung, Teeny-Stunden, Kindertanz). The institution operates from Munich and serves approximately 150 full-time students from over 25 nations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vollzeit-Ausbildung (Bühnentanz) / Full-Time Stage Dance Diploma Three-year full-time professional dance education program leading to Diplom-Bühnenreife (stage dance diploma). Combines daily technical training in contemporary dance and classical ballet with public stage practice. Tuition €650-690 per month (school year 25/26), €180 enrollment fee. Minimum age 16, instruction in English.
• Basic Year One-year preparatory program for prospective professional dance students and non-professionals seeking high-level intensive training. Includes three yearly feedback sessions. Tuition €620/month (school year 25/26), €160 enrollment fee.
• The Nimble Project Six-month post-graduate program designed as a transition from dance studies to professional career, featuring work with international choreographers and stage presentations in Munich, Bavaria, Budapest, Florence, and Zagreb. Tuition €640/month for 8 months. Requires completed dance education (Bachelor/Diplom).
• Iwanson Pädagogik Grundausbildung / Pedagogy Basic Education Pedagogy basic education program for dance teachers, educators and Iwanson students, offering weekend workshops in contemporary dance, jazz dance, and children's dance with certification. Modules priced separately (theory €270, style workshops €640, exam €110 per style, basic pedagogy €160).
• Sommerschule / Summer School One of Germany's largest summer dance courses, suitable as continuing education for dance teachers, preparation for dance education, or dance summer for youth from 14 years and adults. Four weekly courses priced at €290 each; package pricing available.
• Winterschule / Winter School Four-day intensive winter workshop in classical ballet, contemporary dance, jazz dance, and additional subjects. Suitable for dance teachers and youth from 14 years. Priced at €280 for the workshop period.
• Jazz und Commercial Tanztage / Jazz and Commercial Dance Days Intensive four-day training in various Jazz and Commercial styles including Musical, Commercial, Funk Jazz, Lyrical, and Heels. Easter program priced at €150.
• Jazz & Commercial Performancewoche / Jazz & Commercial Performance Week Four-day intensive workshop for participants aged 16+ with jazz dance experience, focusing on technique, stage presence, and creative improvisation with a choreographic performance. Priced at €290.
• Jugend-Tanz-Tage / Youth Dance Days Three-day intensive training for youth aged 14-18 during long holiday weekends, featuring contemporary dance, classical ballet, jazz dance, and demo subjects with a small closing presentation. Priced at €150.
• Vorausbildung / Pre-Education Pre-professional dance training for school-age children alongside their regular education, focusing on classical and contemporary dance forms with stage experience opportunities. Starts at €90 monthly for 2 hours.
• Teeny-Stunden / Teen Dance Lessons Dance training for teenagers featuring ballet, modern and jazz with current music and new choreographies, taught by the same teaching team that later guides pre-education and full-time programs. Monthly tuition €62 (1x weekly) for general category.
• Kindertanz / Children's Dance Professional modern children's dance for ages 4-7, focusing on body awareness, rhythm, spatial movement, and shared concentration through improvisation and current music. Monthly rates €46 (4/5 years) and €50 (6/7 years) for 1x weekly class; trial lesson €10; registration fee €30; individual lesson €16.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates dance at renowned venues and in independent scene, teach at major schools, run their own studios, or establish as choreographers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Make it! e.V.coreOthersFoundation established by Johannes Härtl and Marie Preußler in 2019 to support and promote dance education and young artists. Provides additional funding and support opportunities for students and graduates.
• Festspielhaus Baden-BadencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor German festival house where Iwanson students and alumni perform. Hosts regular performances and provides professional stage experience for students.
• Künstlerhaus MünchenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunich arts venue hosting Iwanson performances and student presentations throughout the year
• Gasteig MünchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Munich cultural center and library complex; regular venue for Iwanson performances and 'Tanz den Gasteig' events. Choreography workshops and student presentations held here.
• Kunstkraftwerk Bergson MünchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue for annual 'Junger Tanz' festival and graduation performances. Key venue for student stage experience and public presentations.
• Schwere ReiterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunich cultural center presenting contemporary dance performances where Nimble Project results are showcased
• Bürgerzentrum UnterföhringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity center in Unterföhring hosting Nimble Project performances, community dance projects, and youth programs
• Euro Pain Danza (Rome)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational dance school in Rome that collaborates with Iwanson for student exchanges and auditions. Hosts Iwanson auditions annually.
• International Theaters, Festivals, and AcademiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExchange partnerships enabling students to gain experience and contacts during education. Includes theaters and festivals across Europe (Budapest, Florence, Zagreb) and internationally for performances and professional exposure.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance: UK conservatoire offering undergraduate and postgraduate dance programs with strong contemporary focus. Comparable international profile but with degree-granting accreditation Iwanson lacks.
• Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt: German state university offering performing arts programs including contemporary dance within a broader conservatoire portfolio. Competes for German applicants seeking degree-granting credentials Iwanson does not currently offer.
• Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris: France's elite national conservatoire with a prestigious Diploma in contemporary dance. Represents the prestige ceiling for European dance education and pulls top international candidates from Iwanson's audition pool.

Others

• Tanzwerkstatt Europa / residencies at Künstlerhaus Mousonturm: Frankfurt-based festival and residency platform for contemporary dance and performance. Adjacent ecosystem player — overlapping audience and partnership potential for Iwanson alumni and Nimble Project performances.

Direct peers

• Codarts Rotterdam: Dutch university of performing arts in Rotterdam offering bachelor programs in classical ballet and contemporary dance. Comparable European location, English-taught programs, and tuition-paying international cohort.
• La Manufacture – Haute école des arts de la scène: Swiss performing arts school in Lausanne with dedicated contemporary dance bachelor program taught partly in English. Comparable international recruitment model and contemporary dance specialization in a German-speaking neighboring market.
• London Contemporary Dance School at The Place: UK-based contemporary dance conservatoire offering three-year professional training and post-graduate pathways. Comparable in international student recruitment, contemporary focus, and integrated performance programming via The Place theatre.
• Northern School of Contemporary Dance: Leeds-based conservatoire specializing exclusively in contemporary dance with undergraduate, postgraduate and short-course programs. Closely aligned in curriculum mix (contemporary, ballet, jazz), workshop stack, and pedagogical certification offerings.
• Palucca University of Dance Dresden: Germany's leading state-recognized university of dance in Dresden, offering bachelor and master programs in contemporary and classical dance. Most direct national competitor for serious German and international dance students comparing multi-year professional training options.
• SEAD – Salzburg Experimental Academy of Dance: Austrian contemporary dance academy offering a four-year BFA program with international faculty and strong industry placement record. Closely comparable in curriculum focus (contemporary emphasis), international student mix, and European alternative status.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkw9S2x13ewf-FbEoSOhIjA
• Facebookfacebook.com/iwansoninternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/iwanson_international/?hl=de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iwanson-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Iwanson International school of contemporary dance