About

Born in Hamburg by a German mother and a Nigerian father, Patrick de Bana studied at the school of Hamburg Ballett (directed by John Neumeier and Truman Finney), before he was engaged at the Bèjart Ballet Lausanne (directed by Maurice Bèjart) in 1987, where he shortly after got promoted to a principal dancer.

He left Bèjart Ballet Lausanne in 1992 in order to join the Compania Nacional de Danza of Spain (directed by Nacho Duato). As a principal dancer he stayed over ten years. In his repertoire are choreographers such as: Nacho Duato, Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe, Mats Ek, Hans van Manen, etc.

In 2003 he created his own company, the Nafas Dance Company. With his company and as a guest artist, Patrick travelled throughout many countries around the world: Turkey, Holland, Cuba, Israel, Colombia, Japan, South and North-America, Australia, New Zealand Ö Patrick choreographed and performed in the movies “Iberia” (2004) and “Fados” (2006), both directed by the well known Spanish film director Carlos Saura. One year later he toured around Europe with the world famous Fado singer Mariza.

Rich of all these impressions and experiences, he is creating numerous pieces all over the world with different companies and dancers. This variety is significant for Patrick de Bana himself and his creations. That gives this very rare and special attribute for his oeuvre as choreographer.

In the meanwhile he is continuing his cooperations with star dancers such as Manuel Legris, Agnes Letestu, Aurèlie Dupont, Eleonora Abbagnato, Friedeman Vogel, Mizuka Ueno, Farouk Ruzimatov, Ilze Liepa, Eva la Yerbabuena, Helena Martin, Ivan Vasiliev, Isabelle Guèrin and Svetlana Zakharova.

Being invited by Nathalia Ozipova and Ivan Vasiliev, he took part in the International Dance Gala “Tour de Force”(2013)in Los Angeles.

Shanghai Ballet offered Patrick de Bana the artistic direction of its Shanghai World Ballet Gala “Baiser vole”(2014) and “Memories of a kiss” (2016). In 2014 he was also commissioned a new creation “Echoes of Eternity” inspired by the legendary poem “Everlasting Regret”. For this occasion, he chose to entrust the scenery of the famous Jaya Ibrahim and costumes of Agnès Letestu, Paris Opera Etoile.

Patrick de Bana created a new version of “Marie-Antoinette” for the Wiener Staatsballett. And he also created “Rain Before it Falls” with Svetlana Zakharova and “Lost Heaven” with Mathieu Ganio and Hervè Moreau, both Etoiles of the Paris Opera Ballet.

In 2017 Patrick took part in the 50th Anniversary Gala Performance of Andris Liepa. And he premiered his triple bill evening “Three colors of Love” (including“Rite of Spring”, “Ludwig II”, “Windgames”) at the Shanghai Ballet in China.

Also in late 2017 Patrick de Bana participated in gala performances of “Manuel Legris and Friends” in Tokyo, Japan.

He also gave masterclasses in Istanbul, Turkey on regular occasions in 2017 and2018. He aims to grow and pass on the youth’s understanding and experiences regarding the life as a ballet dancer and choreographer. 2018 he therefor created and premiered the ballet “Broken Wings” for the Bundesjugendballett of the Hamburg Ballett directed by John Neumeier.

Mid 2018 Patrick created “Medea” as a Solo-Version for Laura Hecquet, Etoiles of the Paris Opera Ballet, which was premiered at “Un Violin de Sable Festival” in France.

Patrick de Bana closed the year 2018 with his inspiring creation of “Dreams of a Traveller – A Tale from Muharraq”. It was created in Madrid, Spain and premiered successful in Bahrain in November 2018.

In March 2019 Patrick premiered his new ballet “Silk/Ochiba” at the gala performances “Manuel Legris and Stars in blue” in Tokyo, Japan. This emotionally intense duet was danced by Manuel Legris and Olga Smirnova.

Also in May 2019 he premiered his new ballet “Les Noces – Svadebka. Solitude of Poetry “ at the Moscow State Academy Theatre in Moscow, Russia.