Jochen Heckmann
Artistic Director
EDUCATION
A-Levels, professional education in dance and pedagogy Erlangen / Germany, Academie Danse Classique (Solange Golovine): Stage Dance diploma,
Studios Peter Goss und Theater de la Danse (Martine Harmel) with scholarship in Paris
ENGAGEMENTS
Soloist in Paula Lansley / Contemporary Dance Zurich, Richard Wherlock / Ballett-Theater Hagen & Luzern Ballett, Artnocorps (Zurich), Movers (Zurich), etc.
1995-1999: several national and international tours with own ensemble LOOPING (contemporary dance company)
1999-2007: Ballett- Theater Augsburg - Ballet director and head choreographer
2007 – 2011: artist in residence
As a teacher, he has been teaching contemporary dance and choreography for many years at various educational institutions (including ZHdK Tanzakademie Zürich, Iwanson-Schule München, Kölner Musik- Hochschule). He gives trainings to numerous freelancers and permanent dance ensembles and holds master classes throughout Europe. In 2008 he took over the artistic direction of the renowned 12th International Choreographers Course (SiWiC) in Zurich.
CHOREOGRAPHY/DIRECTION
As a choreographer, he has developed a repertoire of over 40 full-length dance productions with his own ensembles and numerous medium to smaller works as a guest. Guest choreographies have taken him to Portugal, England, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland, Austria and numerous theaters in Germany. He worked together with the director Christof Loy at the renowned Glyndebourne Opera Festival/GB and at the Salzburg Festival/A. For his dancing and choreographic skills, he has already received several international awards in Germany, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland and in the Czech Republic.