How Porsche is helping young ballet dancers chase their dreams
The Porsche Korea initiative that gave young students a unique experience with the Stuttgart Ballet
10 ballet dancers pose outside the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart
10 ballet students. Two continents. One unforgettable summer. For a group of young South Korean dancers, the road to Stuttgart wasn’t just a flight across the world – it was a leap into their future
Through Turbo for Dreams, a long-running Porsche Korea initiative rooted in the brand’s wider Porsche Do Dream campaign, 10 teenagers from South Korea were given an exciting opportunity to train at one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world – the John Cranko School in Stuttgart – and experience what it means to be driven by dreams.This is their story.
Male ballet dancer pirouettes in dance studio
Championing excellence is a long-term passion for Porsche. In the summer of 2025, 10 young dancers from South Korea were able to experience that first-hand as they trained with David Moore, Principal Dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet Photo: Porsche
What is the Porsche Turbo for Dreams – Ballet programme?Ballet is popular in South Korea. Inspired by national icons like former Stuttgart Ballet star Sue Jin Kang, a generation of South Korean children grow up with dreams of dancing on the world’s biggest stages. But not all of them get the chance. High-level ballet training is expensive and, for many, the international leap to world-renowned establishments like the John Cranko School feels unreachable.With Turbo for Dreams, Porsche Korea set out to change that.Launched over a decade ago by Porsche Korea as a social responsibility initiative focused on education, arts and culture, the programme focuses on championing untapped talent. For 2025, it partnered with the Stuttgart Ballet in a collaboration that brought the project full circle to the home town of Porsche. Porsche has sponsored the Stuttgart Ballet since 2012 – reflecting how celebrating creativity and craft is a shared philosophy of the two parties.
Ballet teacher showing dancers moves in front of mirror
From 9-22 June 2025, the ballet students from South Korea joined the John Cranko Summer School alongside dancers from 25 countries. They took daily classes, joined a masterclass with the Stuttgart Ballet Principal Dancer, David Moore, and got to explore the Stuttgart Opera House and much more besides Photo: Porsche
To find the 10 dancers who would represent South Korea in Stuttgart, Porsche Korea supported a rigorous selection process that was led by ballet educator Hyemin Kim of the John Cranko School. Around 100 students auditioned in Seoul. The final 10, aged between 11 and 18, stood out not just for their technical ability but for their raw passion.“It was a great honour to be involved in the entire process of the Porsche Turbo for Dreams – Ballet programme,” says Hyemin Kim. “From the beginning, I had the privilege of observing the students’ growth closely. During the audition and master classes back in South Korea, they had already demonstrated strong potential, artistry and a sincere attitude towards their craft. Throughout the summer programme in Germany, it was especially rewarding to witness how each student matured not only technically but also artistically and personally.”For the young dancers, this wasn’t just another summer school. It was their first time in Europe, first time training with international students and first taste of life as professional dancers – and global citizens.
Ballet student picking up pretzel at Porsche Brand Store
Among many memorable moments was a visit by the students to the Porsche Brand Store in the heart of Stuttgart, where the dancers took part in a photo shoot Photo: Porsche
The John Cranko Summer School at the Stuttgart BalletFrom 9-14 June, the students attended the John Cranko Summer School, joining peers from 25 other nations. Every day brought sessions of intense training, choreography and correction. Equally important was the opportunity for new connections – with new friends, new mentors and new perspectives.One of the most exciting aspects of their time in Germany was the chance to experience a masterclass with David Moore, Principal Dancer with the Stuttgart Ballet, who was moved by their dedication. “It was such a pleasure working with a talented group of students,” said David. “They were full of energy and enthusiasm, and we had a lot of fun together.”Beyond the studio, their itinerary read like a dream. Watching the Stuttgart Ballet perform. Visiting rehearsals. Touring the Stuttgart Opera House. They even posed for a professional photo shoot at the Porsche Brand Store in Stuttgart’s city centre, their tutus twirling beside Taycan and 911 cars. It was a merging of art and engineering, elegance and performance. And it worked beautifully.
Male ballet dancer next to red Porsche 911 in Stuttgart
Porsche has been a sponsor of the Stuttgart Ballet since 2012, but 2025 marked a new step: using the partnership to foster international talent and create cultural bridges between Germany and South Korea Photo: Porsche
A shared philosophy: Porsche, Turbo for Dreams and the Stuttgart BalletDuring the Summer School, each student was presented with a Porsche baseball cap – a symbol of encouragement, community and of being part of something bigger – as well as many other souvenirs and memorabilia.“Porsche Turbo for Dreams and the Summer School provide a stage for young talents and personal success stories – a place where dreams are born and passion comes alive,” explained Sandra Siegloch, Head of Sponsoring & Partnering at Porsche AG. “This is fully in line with our Brand Purpose, Driven by Dreams, which promotes creativity, passion and community.”It’s that shared spirit – between Porsche and choreographers, Stuttgart and Seoul – that makes this project so meaningful. A reminder that performance takes many forms and that the passion required to power a 911 around the Nürburgring isn’t so different from the passion needed to pirouette across the stage of the Staatstheater to thundering applause.As Matthias Busse, CEO of Porsche Korea, put it: “We hope this initiative will not only support the next generation of talented individuals, but also serve as a meaningful platform for cultural exchange that inspires more students to expand their dreams onto the global stage.”
Ballet dancers pose in Porsche Brand Store
Following their experience with the Turbo for Dreams programme in Stuttgart, the 10 aspiring dancers returned home to South Korea possessing the invaluable confidence and knowledge gained from this life-changing experience Photo: Porsche Korea
What’s next for the South Korean ballet dancers of the Porsche Turbo for Dreams programme?For the students, the weeks in Stuttgart were a turning point. Many returned home more focused than ever. Some now dream of applying to the John Cranko School full-time. One thing is clear – all of them went back to their families with bigger visions, broader horizons and the belief that they belong on a ballet stage, anywhere in the world.“This programme offered far more than just ballet training,” adds Hyemin Kim. “It created opportunities for cultural exchange, international exposure and meaningful personal development. I sincerely hope to see these young dancers continue to grow and thrive.”And that’s what Turbo for Dreams is all about. Giving young people the tools, the support and the inspiration to chase what moves them. Because at Porsche, performance is about more than speed. It’s about spirit. And sometimes, a single opportunity is all it takes to change a life.
Consumption and emission information 911 Turbo 50 Years (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 12.5 – 12.3 l/100 km (preliminary value); CO₂ emissions combined: 283 – 278 g/km (preliminary value); CO₂ class: G (preliminary value). 911 Turbo S (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 11.7 – 11.5 l/100 km (preliminary value); CO₂ emissions combined: 266 – 262 g/km (preliminary value); CO₂ class: . Taycan Sport Turismo (WLTP): Electric energy consumption combined: 20.2 – 17.5 kWh/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO₂ class: .
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