Ballet audition coaching, photography & film

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Ballet audition coaching, photography & film

How to give your daughter or son the best chance to live their dream on stage.

We make years of training count through guidance, ballet coaching and authentic application photos and films.

OUR FOUNDER ON AUDITIONS
06:02
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Your next step. Our full attention.

AWARDS
Master of WPE Photography Award
OFFICIAL PARTNER

Photographic partner of Alte Oper Frankfurt

Tibor-Florestan Pluto · Since 2014

FEATURED IN
Ballett-Journal
ADÉLIE'S STORY

Accepted to the Winter Intensive at Académie Princesse Grace and the Summer School at Dutch National Ballet Academy.

We truly believe that their coaching, guidance, and artistic eye played an important role in these achievements.
Vesna R., Adélie’s mother

After getting to know Adélie online and coaching her remotely, Nina could prepare her one-to-one intensive training in Frankfurt around what she needed most. Working side by side in the studio, they could go deeper: direct corrections, demonstrations and time to try again, with feedback Adélie could put straight into her dancing.

Then came the audition shoot. With Nina coaching and Tibor behind the camera, Adélie brought that preparation into her photographs — showing her technique and expression with growing confidence.

One-to-one intensive training with Nina in Frankfurt
Audition shoot with Nina and Tibor

Her family also booked a separate Fine Art shoot: space to play with movement, explore her creativity and create photographs to treasure.

Preparing a Fine Art photograph together

Here, too, preparation was part of the experience: Nina helped Adélie shape each pose before bringing it to life in front of Tibor’s camera.

From preparation to a finished Fine Art photograph
Fine Art — from a later visit

They left full of inspiration — and enjoyed the experience so much that they came back.

WHERE TALENT GETS LOST

Your child has the ambition. You have a hundred questions.

An intensive, a masterclass, pre-vocational or vocational ballet training: suddenly there are requirements to compare, photos and films to organise and deadlines to meet — on top of school, ballet classes and family life.

What if we miss a detail — or a deadline?

Photo positions, video content, formats and deadlines vary. Even the same exercise may need a different camera angle for another academy. A short clip here; a 15-minute film of barre, centre, allegro and solos there — with details scattered across websites and forms.

Who prepares all this alongside regular ballet classes?

Even with individual lessons, ballet schools often have limited capacity for application preparation. Photo positions, a variation, a contemporary solo or academy-specific videos can require more dedicated time than a busy teaching schedule allows.

Will the panel see what our child can really do?

A panel may first see your child in a photograph or a few minutes of film. A relaxed atmosphere, focused coaching and time for corrections and retakes let technique and expression come through. In a rushed session, timing, angles and framing can hide what your child can really do.

What if nerves get in the way at the audition?

Photos and film may only open the door. A live audition or trial week means an unfamiliar studio, new combinations to learn on the spot and a watching panel. Under that pressure, even familiar steps can suddenly feel different.

Your child deserves to walk in ready — and to be seen for everything they can do.

WHERE TALENT IS SEEN

This is where we come in.

A small correction. Another try. A look at the photographs together — and a moment of progress your child can see.

A dancer, two coaches and the photographer looking together at images on a laptop in the studio.

WE GUIDE

We review the official requirements for each application and keep every deadline in view — and, where you want it, identify and assess further opportunities. You are not facing this alone.

A coach demonstrates an arm position in a bright studio while a young dancer mirrors it; a camera is visible in the foreground.

WE COACH

We prepare what the application calls for: one dancer at a time, with the coach whose field it is — always alongside your child’s ballet school, never in its place.

Tibor-Florestan Pluto setting up a studio light, a coach beside him holding the shot list.

WE CAPTURE

Then we capture it: photographs, and film where the application asks for it, in the format it requires. Clear, honest and ready to submit.

The studio · Frankfurt

A studio worth travelling for.

First-class photo and film facilities. Intensive training on a sprung dance floor that cushions landings. And the freedom to prepare partly online, so your time in Frankfurt is focused on your child.

  • Frankfurt Airport (FRA)

    One of the world’s best-connected aviation hubs.

  • Arrive relaxed by rail.

    ICE and international rail connections to Frankfurt.

  • Easy to reach by road.

    Excellent access via the A3 and A5.

Make a little more of your time in Frankfurt: a choice of hotels, museums and walks along the Main for the whole family.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PATH

What support does your child need for their application?

You do not need a shortlist or a clear direction yet. We will help you find the right support.

PREMIÈRE

Photos for one specific application

Your child is applying for an intensive, a masterclass or pre-vocational or vocational ballet training at an academy and needs the photographs on its requirements list — ballet positions and a headshot where requested.

  • We check the photo requirements for your chosen application.
  • Coach and photographer refine each position together during a shoot lasting less than half a day.
  • You receive the required photographs, ready for you to submit.

€900

Photography · including VAT

Optional application video · +€500 incl. VAT

Does the application also ask for a short video — a few barre exercises or a variation? Our coach helps refine your child’s prepared performance, and we film it at its best, ready to submit.

RÉPERTOIRE

Photos for several applications

You are considering several academies, intensives or masterclasses — or want to keep your options open and have the application photographs ready.

  • Ready for the season: we cover your chosen applications plus all commonly requested photo positions — from The Royal Ballet School and Dutch National Ballet Academy to John Cranko School, Princess Grace Academy and many more.
  • A dedicated coaching lesson builds confidence in the positions before a half-day shoot, with coach and photographer working together to bring out your child’s best.
  • You leave with a complete application photo portfolio for the season — ready to submit, with room to keep your options open.

€1,300

Photo Season · including VAT

Optional application films · from €500 incl. VAT

From barre and centre to solos and variations: we create the audition films your applications need, with coaching throughout the shoot and each version ready to submit. Your child can already dance the required content confidently; we help their technique and expression shine on camera. Your fixed price is confirmed before you book.

ÉLÈVE

Preparing for a future in professional ballet

Your child is serious about a future in ballet. Our flagship programme brings guidance, individual training and application support together — with your family supported every step towards an academy.

  • We map out the months and year ahead together: which academies fit your child, which intensives and masterclasses will help them grow, and when to take each next step.
  • Individual coaching builds technique, artistry and self-belief alongside their ballet school — from new combinations and solos to walking into auditions ready to show what they can do.
  • We create the application photos and films, keep deadlines on track and handle submissions wherever the process allows — freeing you to support your child and enjoy their progress.

Individual fixed price

Agreed in a written proposal

Book your introductory call

20 minutes · free

IN THEIR WORDS

What parents tell us afterwards

Audition headshot: a young dancer in a leotard, shoulders turned to the camera, plain studio background

The same team for four years of applications.

“We regularly need professional photos for Alina's applications to summer intensives. We've had other photographers, but this combination of professionalism, artistic flair, and so much humanity is unique — the perfect companions on her journey. You simply feel you're in the best hands.”
Nathalie R., mother of Alina (15), training in Stuttgart
Audition headshot: a young dancer in a blue leotard, hair in a bun, plain grey studio background

Photos and film for her application — accepted to the Summer Course at the Académie Princesse Grace.

“The video was so comprehensive — barre, centre, allegro, a classical variation and a contemporary solo — with high-quality headshots and dance photos as well. We had complete material for several applications straight away, with nothing to re-produce. You can tell this isn't just photography — there's a real understanding of what truly matters in a dance audition.”
Natalie F., mother of a 12-year-old dancer training in Frankfurt
HOW IT WORKS

Three phases. One goal: the best chance.

From one application to a season of possibilities — with the right support at every step.

  1. Clarity

    Know what comes next. Together, we turn your child’s ambitions and the application requirements into a clear plan.

  2. Confidence

    Bring out what your child can do — with expert coaching for the camera and, with our Élève programme, focused audition preparation.

  3. Ready

    Application photos that show your child at their best, with optional films that bring their dancing to life. Ready to submit.

See what each phase includes
01

Clarity

WHAT WE DO

We take the time to understand where your child stands today, what they hope for and whether the path ahead is already clear or still open.

WHAT YOU GET

A personalized preparation plan — your agreed target applications, their official requirements and deadlines, and the preparation and production plan confirmed for your child.

WHAT IT MEANS

Your child sees the path. The guessing stops.

02

Confidence

WHAT WE DO

Technique, repertoire and audition preparation — one-to-one with our coaches, dancers who have lived these auditions from the inside. And where an academy decides in person, we rehearse the live audition or trial week as well.

WHAT YOU GET

Classical technique sharpened. Variations and contemporary prepared — and improvisation, where an academy asks for it.

WHAT IT MEANS

On the day, your child has nothing to invent. Only to dance.

03

Ready

WHAT WE DO

We capture what your child has prepared with us — and walk you through every application.

WHAT YOU GET

Photos and videos, assembled in the required order and format. A submission folder for each application, closed with a final checklist.

WHAT IT MEANS

You press send with a quiet mind — the material shows the dancer you know, and nothing required has been overlooked.

THE FOUNDER

An exceptional eye for a dancer’s next step.

Tibor-Florestan Pluto · Founder & ballet photographer

An award-winning photographer with a mind for the whole journey. Tibor brings photography, coaching and preparation together, so your child can focus on dancing — and you have someone by your side.

Photographic partner of Alte Oper Frankfurt

Since 2014

Tibor-Florestan Pluto with his camera during a ballet photo shoot.
Meet Tibor in a free introductory call20 minutes · free
More about Tibor

For 15 years, Tibor has photographed the world of leading orchestras and opera houses — including performances by Sir Simon Rattle, Sir Antonio Pappano and Lang Lang.

Throughout those years, his main career was in software architecture and product ownership at major companies. He learned to see how complex pieces fit together, bring the right specialists around a goal and turn ambitious ideas into a clear plan.

VERASCENA brings those two worlds together: an eye trained on exceptional performers, and the care and structure that help a family move forward. Tibor brings the coaches, preparation and photography together, with space for a dancer to grow in confidence as well as technique.

Beyond the studio, Tibor contributes his digital expertise to Ballettfreunde Frankfurt, a local association helping young ballet talent access opportunities.

Ballettfreunde Frankfurt (opens in a new tab)

He created intensive.dance with a clear vision: to make ballet opportunities worldwide easier for every dancer and family to discover. The free, independent register brings intensives, summer schools and masterclasses together in one place — with information checked directly against the institutions’ own sources.

intensive.dance (opens in a new tab)
A TEAM OF EXPERTS AT YOUR SIDE

They've lived the career your child dreams of — working with them one-to-one.

Nina Bakhareva

Nina Bakhareva

CLASSICAL BALLET COACH

Vaganova graduate and former soloist — dancers she has coached have been accepted at renowned academies.

She coaches in German, Russian or English.

Greta Dato

Greta Dato

CONTEMPORARY & CLASSICAL BALLET COACH

On professional stages since 2011 — now leading a dance company's daily training.

She coaches in English, Italian or German.

Martin Angiuli

Martin Angiuli

AUDITION & CONTEMPORARY COACH

A professional dancer and, for nearly a decade, a teacher across Europe — the audition itself is his subject.

He coaches in English or Italian.

Every coaching session is one-to-one. Which coach works with your child depends on the target academies and what each application requires — we bring in the right specialist once that path is clear.

BEFORE THE CALL

Your questions, answered.

  • VERASCENA is for serious dancers from around 11 upwards who are preparing for an academy, intensive, masterclass or university application — and for the parents guiding them. If you have a particular opportunity and its official requirements, we look at them together and tell you plainly which programme fits, or whether you do not need us. Dancers auditioning for a company are welcome to bring that to the introductory call — we arrange that work individually.

Is your child preparing for an audition? Let us talk.

Book your introductory call

by Tibor-Florestan Pluto

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Your next step. Our full attention.

Ballet audition coaching, photography & film

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