About the Institute
Performance disciplines, translated into practical capabilities for modern work.
Through professional vocal performance and contemporary dance, Benedikt and Angelos learned how pressure changes the way people breathe, move, listen and respond. The Institute of Presence translates that insight into practical, embodied training for corporate leaders and teams, helping them communicate clearly, adapt quickly, and develop authentic executive voice and presence when the stakes are high.
The conductor imagery reflects this approach: effective leadership is not about controlling every contribution, but creating the clarity, timing and conditions that enable people to respond together.
Our foundation
Presence is not an innate trait. It is a trainable physical state.
Benedikt Jankowitsch and Angelos Papadopoulos founded The Institute of Presence from two distinct performance disciplines: opera and contemporary dance. Both learned that clear expression under pressure depends on more than knowing what to say.
Breath, posture, voice, attention and responsiveness change when the stakes rise. Our work trains those elements directly, then connects them to the real conversations, presentations and team interactions people need to navigate.
The shared question
What helps people remain present when pressure changes how they breathe, move, listen and respond?
Founders & lead facilitators
Different disciplines. Shared standards.
Founder · Executive Voice & Presence
Benedikt Jankowitsch
Benedikt is an Austrian-Australian executive voice and presence coach, vocal pedagogue and former professional opera singer. His work combines voice training, breath regulation and physical presence for high-stakes professional situations. During more than seven years performing with leading Vienna-based opera and concert ensembles on national and international stages, he developed a practical understanding of how breath, voice, attention and physical focus support clear expression when pressure rises.
Today he translates performance training, vocal pedagogy and structured behavioural practice into practical training for leaders and teams, helping them develop calm authority, clear expression and reliable presence in pitches, presentations, leadership meetings and media appearances.
Selected experience
- BA in Vocal Pedagogy — University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (mdw)
- BEd in Music and German Education — mdw and University of Vienna
- NLP Master Practitioner — The Life Coaching College Australia
- iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher (Level 1) — iRest Institute
- Native German and English speaker. Also speaks Italian.
Founder · Movement & Embodied Practice
Angelos Papadopoulos
Angelos is an Athens-based dancer, choreographer, movement practitioner, Pilates instructor and personal trainer. He trained extensively in dance, choreography and physical practice, alongside studying economics at Athens University of Economics and Business, bringing together embodied experience and analytical thinking.
His work across performance, physical training and embodied research explores how awareness, precision and adaptability shape the way people move, respond and relate under pressure. Drawing on contemporary dance, Pilates, Ashtanga Yoga, boxing fitness and strength training, Angelos translates this experience into practical training for leaders and teams, helping them develop grounded confidence, physical awareness, adaptability and composure in demanding professional situations.
Selected experience
- MRes in Choreography and Performance with honours — University of Roehampton
- BA in Dance — State School of Dance Athens (KSOT)
- BSc in Economics — Athens University of Economics and Business
- Certified Pilates instructor and practising personal trainer
- International performance work, artistic fellowships and choreographic research
- Artistic work funded by the Greek Ministry of Culture
- Native Greek speaker. Also speaks English and Spanish.
What shapes the work
Distinct disciplines, deliberately combined.
We select methods for the capability being trained. The work draws from four connected areas of practice.
Voice & performance
Opera, singing technique and vocal pedagogy inform breath control, pacing, resonance, expression and preparation for high-stakes communication.
Movement & embodiment
Dance, Pilates, breath-led movement and physical training develop awareness, alignment, adaptability and grounded physical presence.
Behaviour & interaction
NLP-informed coaching, structured reflection, rehearsal and improvisational theatre reveal patterns under pressure and expand the range of possible responses.
Application & transfer
Every exercise is connected to the meetings, presentations and team situations participants actually face.
Our principles
What we believe about meaningful change.
Train the state, not just the script.
Under pressure, communication becomes physical. Breath, posture, voice and attention need to support the message.
Practise under realistic pressure.
Repeatable capability comes from structured practice in situations that require an unscripted response.
Connect practice to observable change.
Every exercise should strengthen a practical capability: from clearer expression to faster recovery and more responsive teamwork.
What changes when your people can stay present?
Let’s talk about the situations your teams face and the capabilities that would make the greatest difference.