Benesh International

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Benesh International: Benesh Movement Notation

Benesh Movement Notation (BMN) is a system for documenting human movement. It is mainly used in the documentation and reconstruction of dance pieces. Benesh International serves as the headquarters for BMN.

Previously known as the Benesh Institute, it has been part of the RAD since 1997. It supports the dance community by protecting choreographic copyrights, educating choreologists, and nurturing the BMN community.

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Upcoming Events

PCBMN Application Deadline

1st November 2024/1st May 2025

Benesh Congress 2025

30th June – 4th July 2025

Benesh Student Forum

Sept 2025 (TBC)

Devised by Rudolf and Joan Benesh, and first published in 1956, BMN is a written system for recording human movement. It is most widely used in the recording and restaging of dance works.

Over 1,750 BMN scores have been written. These are used to reconstruct and revive repertoire, to analyse movement, and as source material for educational research. The set exercises and dances in the RAD syllabi are published in BMN to enable teachers to study the work in a common language and in more detail than is possible from notes or video alone.

Benesh Resources

Find out more about our tools and resources for choreologists including:

  • The Encyclopedia of Benesh Movement Notation (the EBMN)
  • Benesh Score Notating Standards
  • The Benesh Notation Editor
  • The BMN Score Catalogue

Courses available

Find out more about our courses and qualifications in Benesh Movement Notation.

Professional Certificate in Benesh Movement Notation (PCBMN)

This part-time distance learning programme provides a thorough grounding in the principles and usage of BMN. It is for anyone interested in the observation, analysis and recording of human movement.

Professional Diploma in Benesh Movement Notation (PDBMN)

The highest taught award in BMN, this prepares students to become a Professional Benesh Choreologist. This course is preparation for becoming a Benesh Choreologist in a repertory dance company.

Score Reading for Dancers (SRfD)

This award is delivered and examined in weekly lessons over two years at vocational schools and colleges.

Benesh for Beginners

A flexible distance learning course open to anyone looking for an introduction to BMN. It is particularly suitable for teachers who want to be able to read the notation in the RAD’s syllabus books and you can start at any point in the year.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Our CPD department offers a variety of starter courses in BMN. This includes the ‘Benesh Movement Notation for Ballet’ distance learning course which comes with time-valued CPD.

Benesh Movement Notation (BMN) for Clinicians

Staff

Get in touch

  • Contact Benesh International
  • Melanie Simpkin
  • James Groom

For general enquiries, please contact our department at the email address below.

beneshinternational@rad.org.uk

Melanie Simpkin – Head of Benesh International

msimpkin@rad.org.uk

t: +44 (0)20 7326 8031

James Groom – Benesh International Lead Officer

jgroom@rad.org.uk

t: +44 (0)20 7326 8031

A Who’s Who of Benesh

Patrons:

Our patrons are people and institutions that support us financially.

Benesh Institute Endowment Fund

The Benesh Board of Studies (BBoS)

Victoria Watts (Chair)

Melanie Simpkin (Head of Benesh International)

Diana Curry

Kendra Johnson

The Benesh Technical Advisory Panel (BenTAP)

Kendra Johnson (Chair)

Amanda Eyles

Anders Ivarsson

Diana Curry

Eleonora Demichelis

Eliane Mirzabekiantz

Gregory Mislin

Liz Cunliffe

Rhonda Ryman

Robyn Hughes Ryman

Romain Panassié