August Bournonville's ballets is part of my life. From I was very young, I have had different parts in many of Bornonvilles ballets.

Karina Elver 1972

Among some of my Bournonville teachers were Niels Bjørn Larsen, Kirsten Ralov, Dinna Bjoern, Flemming Ryberg, Anne Marie Wessel and Frank Andersen.

Today I work as a freelance, instructor/teacher and choreographer in Denmark and abroad.

I offer classes, repertory and lecture demonstrations in the specific dance style of the Danish choreographer August Bournonville which is characteristic of famous ballets as Flower Festival in Genzano or La Sylphide.

La Sylphide, Teatr Wielki in Poznan in Poland. Staged by Karina Elver Photo - Catarina Zalewska©

My teaching is based on The Bournonville Schools which consists of some wonderful combinations of steps which had been devised by Bournonville himself, as well as from his ballets.

The Bournonville Schools have, since they were assembled and written down in 1890'erne, been an important training material for the Royal Danish Ballet up until today. Not necessarily because the Royal Danish Ballet regularly perform Bournonville ballets, but because the Bournonville training is particularly suited to develop the strength and speed in the legs and feets of the dancers as well as the mental joy of dancing.

National Theatre, Brno, Czech Republic.

In addition, the training requires concentration which helps to develop the focus of the dancers on step combinations and developments.

La Sylphide Teatr Wielki in Poznan in Poland. Staged by Karina Elver Photo - Catarina Zalewska©

In my teaching I focus on the performing of the steps as Bournonville would have liked it (as far as we know). I work with the natural grace, the lightness and the softness and humor behind the steps.

August Bournonville's ballets are at the repertoire of many companies around the world and it is my experience that many dancers have great joy and advantage of obtaining knowledge of the Bournonville technique.


In addition to teaching Bournonville's technique, I can also offer ordinary classical ballet training and training sessions consisting of a mixture of classical and modern training added a number of steps and stepcombinations inspired by Bournonville. Normally I give companyclasses, but alternatively, I also work with apprentices or young dancers, which often need a broader knowledge of different techniques and styles. Lecture demonstrations/ workshops is also a possibility.

Le Conservatoire, Bournonville lecture demonstration, National Theatre, Brno, Czech Republic.

Besides giving classes, I also stage ballets of Bournonville. This year I staged La Sylphide in Teatr Wielki in Poznan in Poland.

La Sylphide, Teatr Wielki in Poznan in Poland. Staged by Karina Elver Photo - Catarina Zalewska©