National Success for Berlin Cosmopolitan School: Junior Performance Class Achieves 3rd Place at “Jugend tanzt” 2026

The Junior Performance Class of Berlin Cosmopolitan School achieved 3rd place at national level at the 11th national “Jugend tanzt” competition in Paderborn – an outstanding success for cultural education in schools.

What makes this achievement especially remarkable is that the award-winning formation is not a professional dance school or performance academy, but a school-based dance club at BCS.

From 14 to 16 May 2026, the students of the Junior Performance Class competed against strong groups from across Germany.

Around 44 dance schools and clubs took part, with approximately 700 dancers. Across 66 adjudications, groups presented choreographies in classical dance, modern dance, urban dance, folklore and character dance, as well as show, jazz and tap dance.

Already in January, the group had achieved 1st place at the Berlin-Brandenburg regional competition in Neuenhagen, qualifying for the national competition. This alone was a major success.

Now, BCS ranking among the best groups in its age category nationwide marks a special milestone.

In their category, age group 2 for 10- to 16-year-olds, the Junior Performance Class competed against seven highly experienced groups – all of them dance schools or established ensembles.

In its feedback, the jury particularly highlighted the group’s exceptional synchronisation, strong sense of rhythm and dramaturgical structure of the choreography. The jury was impressed by the precision and professionalism of the performance – and surprised to learn that the group was a school club.

This is precisely what makes the success so meaningful.

At Berlin Cosmopolitan School, dance is far more than a stage performance. The work of the Dance Department helps children and young people develop important skills that go far beyond the artistic: discipline, concentration, teamwork, responsibility, expression and self-confidence.

Through regular training, students learn to support one another, overcome challenges together and grow as an ensemble.

The success of the Junior Performance Class is the result of a long-term pedagogical vision. For more than 20 years, Anita S. Kreft, Head of the Dance Department at Berlin Cosmopolitan School, has developed a dance concept that firmly anchors cultural education in everyday school life.

With great commitment, artistic passion and perseverance, a department has been built over many years that enables children and young people to receive professional artistic support within a school setting.

What is now visible as a major success on stage was created through continuous work behind the scenes – through trust, consistency and the conviction that cultural education is an essential part of holistic education.

Or, as Anita S. Kreft puts it:

“You reap what you sow.”

Berlin Cosmopolitan School would like to sincerely thank all supporters who made this journey possible.

Special thanks go to the school leadership – especially Ms Wende – for their long-standing trust in the work of the Dance Department. We would also like to thank Ms Ehrenfried, Head of Primary School, and Ms Röschel, Head of Secondary School, for their continuous support of rehearsals, competitions and artistic projects.

Thanks also go to the pedagogical team on site, as well as to all families and parents of the Junior Performance Class, who supported the young dancers with great commitment.

And of course, Fritzi has now become a firm part of the team – the new JPC mascot, whose outfit was lovingly made the night before departure.

The 3rd place at the national “Jugend tanzt” competition powerfully demonstrates the potential of cultural education in schools.

The Junior Performance Class of Berlin Cosmopolitan School has not only achieved success in a competition – it has shown what becomes possible when schools give young people space to develop creativity, passion and personality.