The journey began in Brussels, where the group had the opportunity to explore the city and visit the Magritte Museum before travelling on to Antwerp for an intensive week of artistic training. This mobility provided a valuable opportunity to discover different teaching methods and gain a deeper understanding of Belgian dance culture and tradition.

During their stay, the students attended rehearsals with Junior Ballet Antwerp, directed by Alain Honorez, and took classes at prestigious institutions such as the Royal Ballet School Antwerp. The sixth-year students worked with teacher and choreographer Altea Núñez and took part in a Contemporary Dance workshop led by Jesse Callaert, a former student of the Royal Ballet School. Fourth-year students also received training from members of the school’s teaching staff, including Kimmy Lauwens and Bart de Block, with whom they worked on Ballet, Men’s Technique and Pas de Deux.

The programme also included cultural activities that enriched the learning experience, such as attending a performance of Die Fledermaus (The Bat) by Opera Ballet Vlaanderen at the Antwerp Opera House, as well as visits to Ghent, where the group explored the Castle of the Counts, the Patershol district, St Bavo’s Cathedral and the Belfry. The stay concluded with a visit to the Printing Museum before returning to Madrid.

During the mobility, the group also held an institutional meeting with Barbara Moreels, Honorary Consul of Spain in Antwerp, whom we would like to thank for her kind attention and warm welcome. Eva Moreno, a Spanish Dance teacher at the Royal Ballet School, was also present during the visit.

This Erasmus+ experience was characterised by the intensive work undertaken in the Junior Ballet classrooms and by the warm welcome received at the Royal Ballet School Antwerp. We return with valuable artistic, cultural and personal learning that strengthens our commitment to international engagement and excellence in the education of our students.