 As a young girl, she learned rhythmics and gymnastics.She trained in the style of Hellerau-Laxenburg in 1927-1928, before studying expressionist dance or "Ausdruckstanz" for a year with Gret Palucca in 1929-1930.In 1931, she was engaged as a soloist in Plauen, and in 1933 she became a ballet mistress in Oldenburg.