Zemfira Manukyan

Zemfira Manukyan

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Zemfira Manukyan

Zemfira Manukyan, Teacher for Ballet

Zemfira is originally from Armenia, but grew up in Vienna. She found her love for dance very early. When she was five she started taking lessons in a private ballet school.

In 2007 she took the entry exam at the Ballet Academy of the Vienna State Opera and passed it. Classical ballet was the focus of the professional education, but modern dance, jazz and historical dance were also part of the training.

Since then Zemfira participated in a number of productions in the Vienna State Opera, the Volksoper and Hofburg. These productions included classics like Max and Moritz, Nabucco, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Magic Flute, Fête Impériale, Chipollino, etc.

Over the years she developed an even greater interest in modern dance, therefore she decided to continue her education at the Music and Arts University and in 2017 she began her bachelor’s degree there in the stage dance faculty. Subjects such as modern dance, ballet, choreography and repertoire were part of her schedule.

During her four years of study, Zemfira performed numerous pieces in the Wiener Konzerthaus, in the Muth Theater and on the stage of the Music and Arts University. In November 2019 she danced for a week at the Nederlands Dans Theater, a respected dance company in The Hague. In 2020 she graduated from the Music and Arts University with a bachelor’s degree.

As of 2020 Zemfira will support the ballet eduction of our Contest Dance Team.

Zemfira Manukyan Zemfira Manukyan Zemfira Manukyan

Adrian Infeld

Adrian Infeld

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Adrian Infeld

Adrian Infeld, Teacher for Lyrical & Acrobatic

Adrian Infeld was born in Lienz, East Tirol. Age 13 he took his first dance lesson and it didn’t take long that dancing became his passion.

In the following years he competed at many competitions, both in groups and as solo artist and won many titles.

In 2017 he started studying “contemporary dance education” at the MuK – Private University of the City of Vienna.

2019 he performed the original version of the solo “Lucifer”, choreographed by Rosalia Chladek at the “Alles tanzt. Kosmos Wiener Tanzmoderne”.

Adrian Infeld Adrian Infeld

Luisa SolowjowaGerry Frank Photography

Luisa Solowjowa

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Luisa Solowjowa

Luisa Solowjowa, Teacher for Ballet and Modern (Photo: Gerry Frank Photography)

Luisa received her dance education at the ballet school and ballet academy of the Vienna State Opera.

Already during her education she danced in many productions of the State Opera and the Volksoper like The Nutcracker, Don Quixot, The Fairy Doll, etc. She performed several times in the opening of the Vienna Opera Ball.

Only 17 years old, Luisa debuted successfully at the Viennese Volksoper in the leading role Juliette in the famous ballet Romeo and Juliette. She also shined as Bella in the Grand pas de Deux of the Fledermaus.

Luisa had many guest performances abroad and achieved numerous awards from international ballet competitions.

In addition to dancing, Luisa teaches ballet and modern dance. Her choreographies received first places at international competitions.

We are happy to welcome Luisa as teacher for our Competition Team and our Broadway Academy. She will also teach few hobby classes.

Luisa Solowjowa Luisa Solowjowa Luisa Solowjowa

Desi BonateGerry Frank Photography

Desi Bonato

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Desi Bonato

Desi Bonato, Teacher for Contemporary, Acro & Ballet (Photo: Gerry Frank Photography)

Desi was born in Italy and she started dancing at the age of 14 in a private dance school where she acquired knowledge in ballet, contemporary dance and tai chi.

At the age of 18 she was selected for Codarts, Rotterdam Dance Academy where she graduated in 2016. She danced a full year with the company Het Internationaal danstheater, under the direction of Jan Linkens and later she went to Israel and joined the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company for an other season.

Back in Europe she was involved in a project in Graz and later she moved to Vienna where she joined the UFO Collective. This group is busy with different productions/projects in collaboration with different artists in the Viennese area.

Desi is also assisting Alberto Franceschini in his projects, at the moment with the MUK University.

As freelancer, she joined the Cascade Dance Theatre in Wales for the production  ‘Frankenstein’ and she was part of the ‘gaga project’ in St. Pölten.

Desi joins Kristina’s Broadway Connection as a contemporary and acro teacher with main focus in floorwork.

Pascale PodiwinskyGerry Frank Photography

Pascale Mayer (Podiwinsky)

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Pascale MayerPascale found her enthusiasm for sports at a young age and began her journey with acrobatic sports. In 2004 she successfully completed her training as a gymnast, which underlines her skills and commitment to the world of movement and dance. Since the age of 14 she has been passing on her knowledge as a teacher and inspiring young talents.She graduated from the Broadway Academy of Musical Theater and received her acting degree.


Pascale has made a name for herself as a dancer in various outstanding productions. She has danced for events such as the Kultursommer Mödling and the legendary Life Ball. Her stage presence could also be admired in the piece “300 el x 50 el x 30 el” by the FC Bergmann company in the Tanzquartier Wien. She has also taken part in several music videos and has proven her dancing versatility.

Directed by Karl Baratta, she acted in the play “Hallo Aliens”, which was performed at renowned theaters such as Theater Spektakel, WUK and Atelier 10. She also embodied the role of Luisa Miller’s double in the opera “Luisa Miller” at the Graz Opera. Her acting skills were also visible in the Theater an der Wien in Handel’s “Agrippina” in the production by Robert Carsen.

Pascale has always had a passion for writing, which is why she not only wrote this year’s play, but will also direct it with great dedication.

Kristina DeckerGerry Frank Photography

KrisTina Decker

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Kristina Decker

KrisTina Decker, Director & Owner Broadway Academy and Broadway Connection (Photo: Gerry Frank Photography)

Kristina Decker is the Owner and Director of one of Vienna and Europe’s top Dance and Musical Academies, the Broadway Academy of Musical Theatre and the Broadway Connection.

Kristina began her performing dream at the age of 3 studying Ballet and Tap. With each year she added new genres of dance such as Folkdancing, Jazz, Acrobatic Dance and Modern.

When Kristina decided to make a career of dance and theatre, she was accepted in Cincinnati’s High School for Creative and Performing Arts. There she received her Diploma in Dance and Musical Theatre. Her studies included Ballet/Partnering (Royal Academy of Dance, Cecchetti Method, French School, Russian Technique and School of American Ballet), Modern (Graham Technique, Cunningham, Horton and Paul Taylor), Singing and Acting.

During this time Kristina performed with the “Performing Arts Ballet Company” as a principal dancer in ballets such as “Graduation Ball”, “Midsummer Night’s Eve”, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, “Romeo and Juliet” and “Les Sylphides”. She also found her love for Musicals and made her Professional Debut in “The King and I” where she played the oldest Daughter as well as Topsy in the Thai Style Ballet of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Throughout Kristina’s youth she attended several Competitions in the US. She received several National 1st Place Titles in Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics and Singing. She was also awarded Miss Dance of Ohio, a Dance Scholarship Pageant which sent her to the Miss Dance of America Competition. There she received the most Talented Award.

Kristina had the honour of also being one of twelve young American High School Seniors to receive a scholarship from the “National Foundation of the Advancements in the Arts” in Dance.

Kristina continued her education at the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, apprenticing with the “Cincinnati Ballet Company“. During her first year Kristina came to a crossroad having to decide between Ballet and Musical Theatre when she was one of 26 females from an audition of 800 in NYC to receive a role in the Musical “Cats”! Though she left her persuit of becoming a Ballerina, she never lost her first love for Ballet.

At 18 years Kristina went on tour with the First National Touring Company of “CATS”. This was only the beginning of her life as a feline. She later performed in the “Cats” Productions in Vienna and Zurich.

Other Musicals Kristina performed in are “The Boyfriend”, West Side Story”, “My Fair Lady” and the European Premieres of “The Beauty and the Beast” and “Tanz der Vampire” (Dance of the Vampire) at the Raimund Theater in Vienna.

Kristina has also had a talent for Teaching. She finds it inspiring to help others and to bring her creative visions to life. She thanks her sister Diane Campbell for bringing her into this field and being the wonderful mentor and Teacher, she has always been.

Kristina has students all over the world. One of her most famous Students is Carmen Electra, once a performer in The Pussy Cat Dolls, Actress on Bay Watch and several other films. She’s also taught many Broadway Performers and European Musical Performers.

She has choreographed several Shows such as the “Andrew Lloyd Webber Spectacular” European Touring Production, “Me and My Gal” and “Linie 1” in the Theater Center Forum. She has also choreographed for Animation Teams World Wide and other large events.

Another favorite of Kristina’s was the work for the Government of Lower Austria, where she led the annual productions of the “Kinder (Kids) Musical Company”. There she taught different genres of Dance including native dances from different Nationalities.

Kristina’s first Dance Studio she founded was in Cincinnati, Ohio. The “Technical Dance Center”. It is now run by her sister Diane and still one of the Top Studios in its area. In the Autumn of 2003 Kristina opened her second Studio in Vienna: Kristina’s Broadway Connection and the Broadway Academy of Musical Theatre.

The Academy has created many professionals in Theatre and Dance. Her students are Performing, Choreographing as well as running theaters throughout Europe. A few now own their own Studios and have also been awarded several prices in Competitions through the US and Europe.

Kristina has created a syllabus for teaching that brings pupils to a high level within a short amount of time. This continues to help her students achieve awards throughout the past years. She herself has been awarded Best Choreographer several times and her students have been awarded Most Talented at several Competitions.

Since dance is an endless journey of inspiration, one must always continue to train and keep up with the times. Kristina is always either watching or attending classes every year in the US and Europe.

Quote from Kristina, “I live for Dance and Theatre! I can’t imagine my life without it. Especially all the beautiful students and colleagues I have been blessed with knowing along this beautiful Journey called ‘LIFE’”.

No one is ever too young or old to Dance. Kristina hopes to continue to inspire those around her throughout her entire life.