Nelly Danko Receives Thalia Award for Lifetime Achievement
The evening of 3 October 2026 at the historic building of the National Theatre belonged to the very best of the Czech theatre scene. The ceremonial event for the 33rd annual Thalia Awards, presented by the Actors’ Association for outstanding stage performances and lifetime achievement, was hosted by Martin Myšička and broadcast live by Czech Television on ČT1.
Nelly Danko received the Thalia Award for lifetime artistic achievement in ballet, dance, and physical theatre — a category that reflects her entire professional career.
Other laureates for lifetime achievement this year included Petr Nárožný and Zdena Herfortová in drama, Luděk Vele in opera, and Jaroslava Kretschmerová in musical theatre and operetta. Among the performance awards, the appearances of Magdalena Kožená and Štefan Margita in opera were also recognised. (https://www.narodni-divadlo.cz/cs/aktuality/narodni-divadlo-slavi-ctyri-ceny-thalie)
A year full of honours
For Nelly Danko, this year is exceptional not only because the Thalia Award is not her only honour in 2026. On 10 September, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Robert Plaga presented her with the First-Class Medal of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports at the Liechtenstein Palace in Malá Strana — the ministry’s highest award in the field of education and upbringing.
This medal is awarded to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development of Czech education through their long-term work and dedication.
Two such awards in a single year demonstrate just how rare and exceptional the person we are honoured to have as part of our school community truly is.
Congratulations Nelly!
Photos: National Theatre, Serghei Gherciu
Graduation Ceremony
Studying at a dance conservatory is a journey that requires talent, discipline, perseverance, and a deep love for the arts. That makes it all the more rewarding for us to see where our students’ next steps will take them.
We are proud to say that many of this year’s graduates will go on to join professional dance companies and institutions both at home and abroad—such as the National Theater Ballet, the National Theater in Brno, the South Bohemian Theater, ballet companies in Helsinki, the Ballet Praha Junior project, or will continue their studies at the education faculties of Prague’s universities.
We would like to thank all the teachers who have guided the students over the years with expertise and dedication, as well as the parents, who have been their greatest source of support throughout.
A big thank you also goes to the administration of the Prague Conservatory for giving us the opportunity to hold this wonderful celebration in the stately halls of Pálffy Palace, which lent the entire event a truly exceptional atmosphere.
We wish our graduates that the joy of art, the courage to pursue their dreams, and many wonderful successes on all the stages that await them will accompany them on their future journey.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire graduating class.
We’re really proud of you 3<
Graduation Ceremony
Studying at a dance conservatory is a journey that requires talent, discipline, perseverance, and a deep love for the arts. That makes it all the more rewarding for us to see where our students’ next steps will take them.
We are proud to say that many of this year’s graduates will go on to join professional dance companies and institutions both at home and abroad—such as the National Theater Ballet, the National Theater in Brno, the South Bohemian Theater, ballet companies in Helsinki, the Ballet Praha Junior project, or will continue their studies at the education faculties of Prague’s universities.
We would like to thank all the teachers who have guided the students over the years with expertise and dedication, as well as the parents, who have been their greatest source of support throughout.
A big thank you also goes to the administration of the Prague Conservatory for giving us the opportunity to hold this wonderful celebration in the stately halls of Pálffy Palace, which lent the entire event a truly exceptional atmosphere.
We wish our graduates that the joy of art, the courage to pursue their dreams, and many wonderful successes on all the stages that await them will accompany them on their future journey.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire graduating class.
We’re really proud of you 3<
Graduation Ceremony
Studying at a dance conservatory is a journey that requires talent, discipline, perseverance, and a deep love for the arts. That makes it all the more rewarding for us to see where our students’ next steps will take them.
We are proud to say that many of this year’s graduates will go on to join professional dance companies and institutions both at home and abroad—such as the National Theater Ballet, the National Theater in Brno, the South Bohemian Theater, ballet companies in Helsinki, the Ballet Praha Junior project, or will continue their studies at the education faculties of Prague’s universities.
We would like to thank all the teachers who have guided the students over the years with expertise and dedication, as well as the parents, who have been their greatest source of support throughout.
A big thank you also goes to the administration of the Prague Conservatory for giving us the opportunity to hold this wonderful celebration in the stately halls of Pálffy Palace, which lent the entire event a truly exceptional atmosphere.
We wish our graduates that the joy of art, the courage to pursue their dreams, and many wonderful successes on all the stages that await them will accompany them on their future journey.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire graduating class.
We’re really proud of you 3<
Conservatoire Applications for 2026/2027: Watch Out for the New Deadline This Year!
You will apply as early as November
For conservatoire admissions for the 2027/2028 school year, the following applies:
1–30 November 2026 — submission of applications to a conservatoire
This is the most important date to remember this year. Applications must be submitted within this period; it is not possible to wait until February, when applications for standard secondary-school programmes are submitted. The change follows from an amendment to the Education Act, effective from 1 September 2026.
How many conservatoires can you choose?
In the first round, you may apply to a maximum of two conservatoires. The order listed in your application indicates your preferred choice.
Please also note one important detail: an application to a conservatoire counts towards the maximum of two secondary-education programmes requiring an aptitude test. Therefore, if you apply to only one conservatoire, you may subsequently submit an application for one additional programme with an aptitude test.
Key dates to keep an eye on
| What to expect | Date |
|---|---|
| Publication of conservatoire admissions criteria | 15–31 October 2026 |
| Submission of applications to conservatoires | 1-30 November 2026 |
| Regular dates for school and aptitude examinations | 2-17 January 2027 |
| Alternative dates for school and aptitude examinations | 18-31 January 2027 |
Conservatoire directors must publish their admissions criteria, including the number of applicants to be admitted, between 15 and 31 October 2026. The school and aptitude entrance examinations themselves will then take place on working days from 2 to 17 January 2027; the period from 18 to 31 January 2027 is reserved for alternative examination dates.
Recommendation for applicants: do not wait until November to begin preparing for the aptitude examination. Each school’s criteria may differ, and once they are published, you will have only limited time to submit your application.
How to prepare for the aptitude examination?
The aptitude examination is naturally specific to each conservatoire and programme. That is why we recommend following primarily the criteria of the school to which you are applying. This is where the school will publish details about the admissions procedure, requirements, and further conditions.
You can also find a practical overview of applications and aptitude examinations here: Information about conservatoire applications and aptitude examinations.
Would you like to start preparing early?
For this year’s season, we have prepared several opportunities to get to know the school and try out the preparation process before submitting your application.
The preparatory course begins in early September
You can begin preparing for the aptitude examinations right from the start of the school year. Our preparatory course starts at the beginning of September and is designed for applicants who want time to prepare systematically and arrive at the aptitude examinations as well prepared as possible.
Applications and detailed information about the course will be published soon in the For Applicants section.
TKopen
During the autumn, we are also preparing TKopen — an opportunity to get to know the school up close, experience the atmosphere of the conservatoire, and gain a better idea of what to expect during your studies.
TKopen is designed specifically for prospective students and offers the opportunity to meet teachers and try out various dance subjects.
We are preparing TKopen for October and December 2026. Specific dates and the registration process will be published soon.
Open Day in November
In November, we will also invite you to an Open Day. You will have the opportunity to see the school environment, learn more about studying with us, and ask about anything you are interested in before submitting your application. The exact date and programme will be published soon.
What should you do, and when?
September 2026: Start preparing and follow information about the course.
October 2026: Follow the publication of the individual conservatoires’ criteria and take advantage of TKopen.
November 2026: Visit the Open Day and submit your conservatoire application no later than 30 November. .
December 2026: Continue preparing intensively, attend TKopen, and follow the school’s updates.
January 2027: The aptitude entrance examinations await you.
Above all, do not leave your preparation until the last minute. The new schedule means that conservatoires begin their admissions season significantly earlier than other secondary schools.
Applications and detailed information about our preparatory course, TKopen, and the Open Day will be published soon. Follow our website and social media channels so that you do not miss anything.
The admissions dates stated in this article are based on the current rules for the 2026/2027 school year and on the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports document “Set of Pedagogical and Organisational Information”, updated on 23 July 2026. 7. 2026. The specific criteria and conditions of the admissions procedure are always set by the individual conservatoire.
Graduation Ceremony
Studying at a dance conservatory is a journey that requires talent, discipline, perseverance, and a deep love for the arts. That makes it all the more rewarding for us to see where our students’ next steps will take them.
We are proud to say that many of this year’s graduates will go on to join professional dance companies and institutions both at home and abroad—such as the National Theater Ballet, the National Theater in Brno, the South Bohemian Theater, ballet companies in Helsinki, the Ballet Praha Junior project, or will continue their studies at the education faculties of Prague’s universities.
We would like to thank all the teachers who have guided the students over the years with expertise and dedication, as well as the parents, who have been their greatest source of support throughout.
A big thank you also goes to the administration of the Prague Conservatory for giving us the opportunity to hold this wonderful celebration in the stately halls of Pálffy Palace, which lent the entire event a truly exceptional atmosphere.
We wish our graduates that the joy of art, the courage to pursue their dreams, and many wonderful successes on all the stages that await them will accompany them on their future journey.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire graduating class.
We’re really proud of you 3<