Roberta Ferrara
Artistic Director/Programme Director
MA in Contemporary Dance Performance
ApplyEquilibrio Dinamico Ensemble
MA in Contemporary
Dance Performance
The first University Master’s in Contemporary Dance Performance arrives in Italy, validated by the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) in Leeds (UK). A Master’s programme in line with the standards of British higher education, an academic training model already recognised worldwide.
In the international dance landscape, the market increasingly requires certified, academically recognised programmes capable of guaranteeing dancers a solid, competitive education in line with international standards. Today, moreover, without an academic qualification in contemporary dance it is not possible to access teaching within the most prestigious international universities and academies. A higher academic education is no longer just an added value: it is the necessary condition for building a stable professional future, both as performers and as teachers.
Course Overview
The Master’s lasts one year, from October 2026 to July 2027, and is structured as a complete university pathway that integrates practical and theoretical training in a balanced way. The academic year is divided into three main modules, designed to accompany students on a progressive journey from technique to creation, up to the real experience of a company.
Who leads the Master
The teachers of the Master’s come from long experience in prestigious national and international institutions, bringing with them solid teaching practices, recognised artistic and intellectual skills and a deep knowledge of the contemporary landscape.
Many of them have worked as performers, pedagogues, researchers and choreographers within universities, companies and major choreographic centres, contributing to the development of performative and pedagogical practices at European level.
Studying in Puglia
Choosing Puglia means choosing a land that lives in a rare balance between energy and stillness, between tradition and contemporaneity. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean, the region is a natural crossroads of cultures, landscapes and visions, a place capable of offering young people an authentic space in which to grow, study and reconnect.
Where You Will Study
The building that hosts the Master’s has a clearly international vocation: a space conceived with a European outlook, where training, creation and production coexist organically.
The studios have been designed not only as dance studios but as real theatre spaces, equipped with licences for public performance and suitable for staging shows. This makes it possible to experience the stage from the inside, in an environment that hosts regular dance and theatre programming.
Inside the venue, students will also find a relaxation area dedicated to them, a place designed to facilitate study, rest and social interaction. There is also a space for meals, to support the most intense days in a practical and functional way.
Leadership Team
Vincenzo Losito
General Manager/PR Manager
Livia Massarelli
Programme Leader/Rehearsal Director
Beatrice Netti
Head of Student Support/Registrat’s Office
Luca Braccia
Research Module Leader
Entry Criteria and How to Apply
Admission to the Master’s is aimed at candidates with a basic training in dance and a defined professional orientation, but above all at those who wish to deepen, mature and transform their practice and artistic identity.
Who may apply?
• students holding a three-year Bachelor’s degree, preferably in literary, artistic or related disciplines;
• dancers with proven professional experience in the field of contemporary dance;
• candidates with references from recognised institutions such as international pre-professional programmes, dance universities, young companies or choreographic centres.
• dancers with proven professional experience in the field of contemporary dance;
• candidates with references from recognised institutions such as international pre-professional programmes, dance universities, young companies or choreographic centres.
Application Requirements
Admission will take place through a clear procedure accessible to all students, regardless of origin.
Applicants will be asked for:
• an improvisation video lasting two and a half minutes, allowing the panel to assess stage presence, movement quality, listening and artistic identity;
• the completion of a biography or CV, needed to understand the educational pathway and previous experiences;
• a motivational letter through which candidates can express their intentions, vision and objectives in relation to the Master’s and their professional development.
All materials will be assessed by the artistic and academic direction of the Master’s, which will select the profiles most suited to undertaking this international university pathway.
Applications will remain open until 1 June 2026, unless the maximum number of available places is reached earlier. If places are filled before the deadline, admissions will close in advance.
It will be possible to take part in various open days in the form of workshop/auditions held in Europe, America and Asia. For further details it will be necessary to contact the office. The dates will be online together with any forms to be completed.
Applicants will be asked for:
• an improvisation video lasting two and a half minutes, allowing the panel to assess stage presence, movement quality, listening and artistic identity;
• the completion of a biography or CV, needed to understand the educational pathway and previous experiences;
• a motivational letter through which candidates can express their intentions, vision and objectives in relation to the Master’s and their professional development.
All materials will be assessed by the artistic and academic direction of the Master’s, which will select the profiles most suited to undertaking this international university pathway.
Applications will remain open until 1 June 2026, unless the maximum number of available places is reached earlier. If places are filled before the deadline, admissions will close in advance.
It will be possible to take part in various open days in the form of workshop/auditions held in Europe, America and Asia. For further details it will be necessary to contact the office. The dates will be online together with any forms to be completed.
Language Requirements
The Master’s is delivered in English. For this reason, students are required to have an English language certificate at B2 level (CEFR) or equivalent.
Candidates who do not yet have the certificate may obtain it during the Master’s, on condition that the related proof is presented by 1 March 2027; it is required for the final examination, for the thesis itself and for the awarding of the Master’s degree.
This certification is at the student’s expense. The Master’s provides access to native-speaker teachers, with whom Equilibrio Dinamico has already collaborated, for obtaining the certificate.
During the programme, if guest teachers speak other languages, an interpreter will be provided to ensure full accessibility and understanding of the activities.
Accomodation and Student Support
The Master’s provides a dedicated support service for accommodation search, designed to facilitate students’ arrival and settling in the city. A reference tutor will accompany dancers in choosing their housing, putting them in contact with various solutions available in the area.
Students will be able to choose between:
• shared apartments with other Master’s students;
• single rooms in shared flats;
• various options recommended by the tutor, selected according to budget, personal preferences and convenience of transport links.
Although accommodation near the venue is preferable, apartments located in more distant areas can also be considered.
The Equilibrio Dinamico venue is located close to Bari Brigata station and is therefore easily reachable both by train and by urban public transport, making travel convenient even from other districts of the city or neighbouring towns.
The tutor will offer personalised guidance, suggesting the most suitable neighbourhoods, providing contacts and facilitating the first dialogue with landlords, agencies or future flatmates.
The aim is to guarantee students a smooth arrival in their new living environment and stable, comfortable housing that supports their studies.
Payment and Financial Support
Course Fees:
| Italian Students | UK and Other EU Countries | Other Overseas |
|---|---|---|
| €9,000 | €14,000 | €22,000 |
Applicants are kindly invited to carefully review the section below in order to gain a clear understanding of fees, deadlines, and available opportunities.
