About Us
Our History
Founded in 1996 in Köniz near Bern by Sônia Melo and Alfonso Bausilio, the AS Ballet School is based on the legacy of two artists with international careers marked by excellence.
Sônia Melo, trained in Brazil, was a soloist with the São Paulo City Ballet, the Rio de Janeiro Ballet Company, and the Grand Théâtre de Genève before joining the Stadttheater Bern, where she danced and choreographed for over ten years.
Alfonso Bausilio, trained in Naples, has performed as a soloist at major opera houses such as La Fenice in Venice, the Opera in Rome, the Ballet Royal de Wallonie, and the Israel Ballet. He has also left his mark as a dancer at the Stadttheater Bern.
With a wealth of experience working with personalities such as Rudolf Nureyev, Fernando Bujones, and Wilfride Piollet, they put their knowledge at the service of future generations of dancers—with high standards, goodwill, and passion.
A reputation built on excellence and empathy
The school has trained numerous dancers who are now employed by renowned companies, particularly at the Paris Opera, the Béjart Company, in Rotterdam, in the United States, in Hollywood, and on Broadway in New York City.
At the same time, the AS Ballet School actively participates in numerous international competitions in France, Italy, Germany, and the United States. These competitions, which are open to students of a certain level, are an integral part of our teaching approach: they enable everyone to position themselves in a stimulating professional context, evaluated by highly qualified judges from major international institutions.
An internal examination is also organized annually, attended by prestigious guest juries from renowned institutions such as the Paris Opera.
Artistic and geographic openness
During its 30 years of existence, the school has had the honor of performing several times at the Stadttheater Bern. Most of the annual performances take place in various theaters in Bern and the surrounding area, which allows for a diverse approach to the stage and the audience.
The AS Ballet School also maintains long-standing partnerships with:
• the Centre Académique de Danse (CAD) in Apt (France),
• the École de danse d’Apt as part of the Danse sous les étoiles event, in which the school regularly participates.
A transatlantic dialogue about dance
For 16 years, Sônia Melo ran an educational branch in New York under the name of American Swiss Ballet, which represented an important stage of artistic exchange for the school. Regular collaborations developed between Switzerland and the United States: student exchanges, performances in New York—particularly at the Theater at St. Jean (Manhattan), Dixon Place, Gelsey Kirkland Academy Theater, and Symphony Space Theater—as well as tours in Switzerland and France by the small company founded within this framework. Sônia Melo was also co-producer of the revival of the musical Evita on Broadway, starring Ricky Martin in the lead role.
This immersion in the cultural life of New York—where dance and Broadway can be found on every street corner—has had a profound influence on the school's educational vision: a cosmopolitan dance style that is rigorous but never narrow-minded. Dance is more than just a discipline; it trains ambition, creativity, and interdisciplinarity—all important qualities in the contemporary art scene.
A new era since August 2025
In August 2025, the AS Ballet School begins a new chapter in its history.
In August 2025, the AS Ballet School begins a new chapter in its history. Yannick Bittencourt, son of the founders, joins forces with Grégory Dominiak joining the artistic direction of the school. Both are former dancers with the Opéra de Paris and hold French state diplomas as dance teachers.
“Returning to the school where I took my first steps alongside my parents is like returning to my roots and a great honor for me. Together with Grégory, we want to start a new chapter that remains true to the school's heritage while looking to the future.”
— Yannick Bittencourt
The founders Sônia Melo (back from New York) and Alfonso Bausilio will continue to teach and ensure direct transmission between generations and educational continuity.
Our Mission
To convey the art of ballet in all its dimensions—technical, artistic, human—and to accompany each student on their own path.