DAP – Tanz- und Bewegungungszentrum
DAP – Tanz- und Bewegungszentrum is a dance, acrobatics, and movement center located in Thun, in the canton of Bern. It offers, among other things, regular introductory circus arts classes with its Zirkuszauber course, as well as aerial acrobatics activities and themed workshops. Participants can explore various techniques such as aerial silks, trapeze, hoop, balancing, and acrobatics, in an approach that combines motor development, creativity, and stage presence.
3600 Thun
DAP – Tanz- und Bewegungszentrum is a dance and movement center located in Thun, in the canton of Bern, Switzerland. With over 25 years of experience in movement pedagogy, the center offers a diverse range of programs combining dance, acrobatics, body expression, and the introduction of circus arts.
The center accommodates approximately 500 students and offers more than 70 weekly sessions , supervised by a multidisciplinary team of about thirty instructors.
Although DAP is not exclusively a circus school, circus disciplines occupy an identifiable place in its educational program.
The establishment notably offers a weekly course called Zirkuszauber , dedicated to discovering the world of the circus.
Aerial acrobatics
Aerial acrobatics is also one of the specialties offered by the center.
Participants can discover different techniques on apparatus, including aerial silks , trapeze and aerial hoop .
- Learning about fabric includes techniques for mounting, wrapping, working with patterns and combining them into sequences.
- On the trapeze and hoop , students learn to build sequences combining technical mastery, coordination and aesthetic research.
The sessions begin with a warm-up adapted to acrobatic practice and the physical demands of the disciplines taught.
Aerial work allows for the progressive development of strength , flexibility , balance , mobility and body awareness .
The teaching also encourages the memorization of movements, creativity, and the ability to link different figures to construct a small artistic sequence.
Aerial acrobatics courses are aimed particularly at children aged 6 to 12 , as well as teenagers and adults from 12 years old , depending on the groups offered.
Good to know
Prior sporting experience is not always necessary to discover these activities.
Events and internships
In addition to regular classes, DAP organizes events and workshops dedicated to circus arts.
Zirkusdays allows participants to explore several disciplines during two intensive days .
- Aerial acrobatics
- Acrodance
- Acrobatics in pairs
- Balances
- Mini-trampoline
These days are accessible to children from 6 years old as well as adults interested in circus practices.
The work done during the internship culminates in the collective preparation of different acts presented during a final show .
This stage dimension occupies an important place in DAP's general philosophy, which combines technical learning, artistic expression and the pleasure of performing in front of an audience.
Contemporary dance and circus
The various disciplines offered by the centre also make it possible to create bridges between dance and contemporary circus .
Students can thus enrich their acrobatic practice through choreographic work, musicality and the search for movement.
DAP is an interesting address for the inhabitants of Thun wishing to discover the circus arts in a multidisciplinary environment, particularly through aerial acrobatics and activities combining dance and circus techniques.
