Patrik Benák

Patrik Benák was born in Prague (Czech Republic). He started hip-hop at the age of four and ballet at the age of ten. A year later, he was admitted to the Pražská konzervatoř - Prague's conservatory - where his professional training began. In 2017, he was admitted to the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin. He was allowed to represent the school in a competition in Riga, where he came in second in two categories. In 2019, he was admitted to the Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg. During his training there, Patrik had the opportunity to dance at the historic Mariinsky Theatre, the Mikhailovsky Theatre and the Hermitage Theatre. He also danced major roles in school productions such as the prince in The Nutcracker, a solo in August Bournonville's Le Conservatoire and a friend in Coppelia. In 2022, Patrik returned to the Staatliche Ballettschule Berlin to complete his training. During the final year of his training, he danced, among other roles, the role of Count Albrecht in Giselle at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin. In 2023, Patrik was accepted into the Junior Company of Dutch National Ballet.

Patrik: “This is not only my first season with Dutch National Ballet but also my first season with a ballet company ever! I expect to meet new people and make new friends in the company. I am looking forward to all the opportunities I will get, to working with interesting choreographers and improving more as an artist.”