Juri Ackermann

Juri Ackermann trained as a dancer at the Sigurd Leeder School of Dance in Herisau from 1970–1975 and attended summer courses with Mary Hinkson, Hans Züllig, and Jean Cébron. From 1975, he formed his first dance group with Jiolia Pyrokakoy and Christine Anliker. In 1976, he founded a larger ensemble which, following its first major success in Nyon in 1977, was named Choreo 77. The collective of dancers in a changing lineup, who performed their own and others' works, solos, and group dances, pioneered independent dance creation in Switzerland and existed until 1981. Their performances took them across Switzerland, as well as to Austria, Greece, and France. Ackermann ended his dance career in 1984.