Nilah Dönszelmann (4th year Dance in Education) is the winner of the Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize 2025. The jury is very impressed with her work and her vision as a creator. The date of the festive award ceremony in the hall of the Academy of Theatre and Dance at Jodenbreestraat 3 in Amsterdam is 29 September 2025 at 17:30 hrs.
The jury on Nilah Dönszelmann
'Nilah captivated the jury with her pitch, arousing curiosity about her work and vision as a creator. In her project, she aims to give the women in Picasso's oeuvre their own voice, independent of the male gaze that often defines them. She has presented an ambitious plan in which six female figures take centre stage in a unique and personal way, supported by a visual artwork or installation.
Nilah is aware of the importance of accessibility in her work and has an eye for the potential audience. She consciously chooses to further broaden this audience and ensure inclusivity in her approach.
Her pitch was well-founded, clear and professional, giving us the confidence to support the next step in her development as a creator.'
About the Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize
The Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize is presented annually by a professional jury to an outstanding, unique and exceptional dancer in any form. The prize is named after Henny Kamerman, who built up and led the jazz theatre and show musical dance programme (later called UC/JMD) from the late 1980s until 2002. Within the established dance world of modern and classical dance, she managed to create an academic basis for jazz dance. Her energy and rebelliousness in the dance world are taken into account by the jury.
The Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize was presented for the first time in 2021 to the final classes of the Modern Theatre Dance and Urban Contemporary (JMD) dance programmes. In 2022, the Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize went to Jinko Adams, a graduate of Urban Contemporary (JMD). In 2023, the Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize went to Tim Vervenne, a graduate of the Dance Teacher programme. In 2024, Maria Gomez Becerra (NBA bachelor's degree in classical ballet teaching) and Yasmin Diktaş (Dance Teacher) received the prize.
Jury Henny Kamerman Dancers Prize
Honey Eavis, Dalton Jansen, Wendy Tadrous-Paulusma, Jimat Pelupessy
About the ATD Fund
The ATD Fund supports students from all programmes at the Academy of Theatre and Dance in completing their education and making the transition to the professional field. The fund does this by awarding prizes and granting contributions. Anna Drijver is chair of the fund.
Want to contribute?
Anyone can contribute to the ATD Fund, and your contribution is greatly needed!
Visit www.atdfonds.nl for more information.