What do I love about what I do?
I love that my hobbies have become my job; it means I never really have to ‘work’ a day in my life. I love to be inspired by people who are on the top of their game, and I also get satisfaction from inspiring students when I’m teaching. Watching a student learn and improve on what they’re doing and seeing them reap a sense of achievement is a special thing that not many people can be a part of. It is because of the constant challenges that face both me and my students that keep my job fresh, I’m never bored, or watching the clock this is why I love what I do.
What gets you angry or makes you sad?
I get frustrated by natural talent going to waste, by students who have an ability to go far in dancing that give up, not commit and fade into the shadows. The reason they press the self destruct button is what annoys me most, this is because I can’t understand their reasoning for doing so. I then get annoyed at myself for being so involved with my students and I realise it is their right to give up...
What in your daily practice gets you really enthusiastic to find out more?
I find the human body fascinating, every body is different, yet we as dancers strive to make our bodies do the same movements that actually go against the natural form of the skeleton. Different genes and DNA make different figures that can do different moves to different capacities. We are all individual and have various skills to bring to the table, it enthuses me to see how my personal journey and others around me progresses and the path that we end up taking because of who we are.
What do you feel you don’t understand?
I don’t understand the future. I don’t understand how my skills will enable me to make a living as the future is uncertain and cannot be foretold. Dancing is a form of expression, creativity that speaks volumes through movement and interpretation of a song or theme. My journey is still beginning and it’s scary to put myself out there with my skills and hope that it’s enough to be financially secure, this is common especially in the dancing industry I know, time will tell!
Your last point - which I would express as the concept of the 'unknown' is one that I think a lot of people would agree is a scary one, at the beginning of a career, or these days, for experienced practitioners who might have to negotiate changing times and workplaces. However, while it is an uncomfortable notion, it is one that most on the programme are looking at in some way as the degree unfolds. Therefore, I think the learners on our programme are taking on challenges that some others in their final year of university are not...
ReplyDeleteAs this question relates to beginning to think about topics that interest you, your relationship to teaching and dance performance are ones that you value and might provide materials for your later inquiry. Also, as this reflective practice section looks inward, the professional networking section might provide you with some 'outward' examples of preferences and practice.