Peter Appel, born on September 8, 1933 in Surabaya, Indonesia, began his dancing career with a solid education in Holland and Paris. He demonstrated his exceptional talent early on, which led him to perform as a soloist with renowned companies such as the Netherlands Ballet and Het Nationale Ballet.

In the 1960s, he set new standards as a dancer and ballet master in Basel, Hamburg and Cologne. Appel left a lasting impression in Cologne in particular: as director of the Institute for Stage Dance and co-founder of the Cologne Dance Forum, he had a lasting influence on dance culture in Germany.

His collaboration with choreographic icons such as John Neumeier in Hamburg and Heinz Spoerli in Basel, Düsseldorf and Zurich testified to his unique understanding of the connection between technique and expression. At the same time, he devoted himself passionately to teaching, supporting and inspiring countless dancers.

In 2023, Peter Appel was awarded the German Dance Prize for his life's work - a tribute that recognizes his unparalleled contribution to the art of dance. On November 14, 2024, Peter Appel passed away in Switzerland, leaving a significant gap in the world of dance. However, his legacy lives on in the hearts and movements of all those he touched.

Further information can be found in Sabrina Sadowska's obituary on → tanznetz.de.