I am Deferring!

After some consideration, I have decided to defer my place on the BAPP course until the next semester (September). I have been very stressed lately and decided that I want to be able to enjoy the process of my inquiry. Therefore, I have come to the decision that it is better to wait until I am not feeling quite so pressured in order to give the course the time I feel it needs. I will however be remaining in the SIG groups that I have joined and contributing where I can. I have planned to continue working at the course myself and will be updating my blog with reflections during this time. I want to keep following the Module 2s even though I will behind you when I recommence in September.

Reflections on Collaborations in Dance and Art

Today (17^th February) I have had a fascinating experience. I was recently approached by an artist who asked if I could come and pose for some images which he would then paint from for a 'dancer project' which he is undertaking. I had initially thought this would involve holding certain positions for the artist to take still pictures of. However, the actually process was far more interesting because the artist had decided on a piece of music which he wanted me to improvise to. He said how important it was to him to capture the essence of movement in these photos so that he can show this in the painting.

What was very strange was that the music he chose was a piece by Arvo Pärt called Spiegel im Spiegel which translates mirror in the mirror. In the last few weeks I have been improvising to this very piece! It is very meditative and continuous and I have found a sort of sanctuary within the piece with which I can personally reach a more spiritual realm. I must say that I was in a state of disbelief when he put it on.

The area which I had to dance in was very small but I found this all the more interesting actually as I had to find ways to move expansively in a small space. Also it was a conservatory so the light would reach me every so often allowing for deeper connections to be made. It was very interesting to have a photo shoot like this because I have never before done one with music playing. Indeed, I often feel like a fraud in photos, as if I am not being honest and showing a true representation of myself. The more I think about it, the more I realise that it may be the lack of music that makes me feel that way. I found myself asking the question why do companies and schools not use music when they are doing their photo shoots?

I have decided that the next set of audition photos I do, I would like to use music for to see if I prefer the outcome. This feeds in to the questions I am exploring in Module 2 about environments with which artistry can be accessed. The element of music therefore can be considered an essential environmental factor in the development of self expression. Also the impact that light, particularly natural light has for me as an artist. I have always found that I feel most able to dance freely and honestly if I am dancing in a field in the sunshine!

I have found it an immensely broadening day today, a lot of food for thought. I will look forward to sharing the finished work when he produces it. 

Image from
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/carving-into-color-matisses-stunning-cut-outs/   (Accessed 5 March 2017)

Reflections on an Afternoon Performance With The Ballet Pod at Chirk Court Care Home: 3rd February 2017

I found this experience immensely rewarding. Our audience was a group of older people who had all decided to attend our performance of music, song and dance. They really were a very special and enthusiastic group. The space that we had to dance in was fairly restricted so we had specifically choreographed some dances for the occasion. It was important to take into consideration the fact that the residents would be sitting all around the space that we would be dancing in, so when choreographing we tried to ensure that everyone would feel involved and integrated. It was also essential to consider the costumes and show as much colour and variety as possible. The residents seemed to be especially impressed by the tutus with enthusiastic gasps emerging with each entrance that we made!

Because we had never performed at this venue before, I paid a visit before the event just to get a feel for the floor in my pointe shoes, which although not a dance floor, was in fact surprisingly good. It had a feel of spring to it, which I think is slightly deceptive because it is actually concrete underneath. It had a very nice non slip feel to it which was lovely for turning.

When performing in this situation, I began to think about what a good audience really is. I have found that those who are most appreciative and open are easiest to perform to. Someone with a critical eye is always hard to perform to and hard to please. I have found that I am much happier when I am giving to people who do not usually get to see ballet or dance. Indeed one of the male residents told us afterwards that he had never seen ballet before and that he thoroughly enjoyed it. This made me exceptionally happy as I feel like for him to have experienced something new and enjoyable at a late stage of his life, whilst at a care home is something very special.

I also found myself reflecting on the different ways in which we can give out when we dance. How for an audience at such close proximity such as this one, it is more effective to think of making eye contact with people and consider the performance as a sort of sharing of love and generosity. I found myself thinking that I would like to do more events like this one.

For ethical reasons I am unable to post any images of this event.

Reflections on An Afternoon of Tea and Entertainment with The Ballet Pod 21st January 2017

This performances was immensely rewarding for me. It was also surprisingly tiring and tough considering it was personally planned and performed by me and my brother and sister. Together we created a programme to perform. The programme consisted of our own choreographies as well as the Nutcracker pas de deux, a variation from Paquita and The Swan solo. My sister Clare, who works as a street performer and all round entertainer, performed cabaret numbers and songs and my Brother Michael also played the piano. We all performed together in a baroque dance interlude.

What was interesting preparing and performing in this event was analysing how to work with people who I know very well in a professional way. Although we have always worked closely together, it has been some years since we have put on an event together and I was intrigued to see how, now that we are all older, we work together. I believe that it was by far the best event that we have put on together actually. It raised the question in my head what does it mean to work together professionally? This brought to mind the theories associated with co-operation which I looked at in Module 1. I decided that the most beneficial way in which an event can take place is if all parties involved have an awareness of the following, regardless of whether or not they are a member of the family.

Good Time management

Empathy

Dedication

Flexibility

Positive attitude

Easy to work with

Commitment to the event and the rehearsals for it

Enthusiasm for the project

A sense of artistic communication and investment

The last element of the list above is a very important to me and my family actually. I was considering this notion of positive environments for artistry at this event too and I must say, I always feel very able to be myself when I am dancing with The Ballet Pod. I suppose because we all know each other so well, there is a special artistic bond between us all.

However, because we all know each other so well it can be a challenge to always be on top form. It can be easy to fall in to the trap of thinking we can take it easy on one day or to automatically blame each other for something before truly analysing the situation. This brought me to consider one of the topics discussed in this module - single and double loop learning (Anderson, 1994). It really is essential that we employ double loop learning to any situation which arises when we work together if we are to avoid major fall outs! Peter Senge's vision of a learning organisation (Smith, 2001) also comes into play here. For example the idea of personal mastery and an individual's learning possibly having an impact on the organisation definitely applies to the Ballet Pod, where the success of it is dependent on each of our visions. Our director and coach Richard Slaughter also naturally employs the Senge's notion of a shared vision with each of our views contributing to the outcomes of the organisation.

Photographs above by Steve Lloyd

With Michael Wall

A snap shot during the interval!

Bibliography

Anderson, L(1994) Espoused theories and theories-in-use:Bridging the gap (Breaking through defensive routines with organisation development consultants).Unpublished Master of Organisation Psychology thesis, University of Qld. Available at: http://www.aral.com.au/resources/argyris.html   (Accessed 4 March 2017)

Smith. M (2001) Peter Senge and the Learning Organisation: the encyclopedia of informal education. Available at: http://infed.org/mobi/peter-senge-and-the-learning-organization/ (Accessed 1 March 2017)

Reflections on Performing The Swan for Richmond Academy of Dance

On January 8th I was invited to perform The Swan at Hampton Hill Theatre in London as a guest professional dancer for the Richmond Academy of Dance school performance. It was very special to finally perform the Swan on a stage with a lovely projection of a lake at the back and a spotlight too. Initially I was a bit worried about how it would be received in a school performance with so much variety in terms of other styles of dance. However, it was actually well received and seemed to fit petty well in the whole programme. With many music hall style numbers I felt like I was back in a time when Anna Pavlova was dancing! There was a lovely feel about the whole event and all the students showed a true sense of performance and a real love of what they did. I was very impressed by the amount that they all performed and the incredible dedication clearly put in by their teachers. I feel that the environment which the principal Harita Stavrou has created is very positive and is clearly enhancing these young people's lives. This was a clear example of an environment in which young people can find their artistry and self expression, feeding into my questions about environmental factors influencing artistry. I felt very honoured to perform for such a lovely school.

To perform the swan here had different meanings for me. It gave me the opportunity to give to both the audience and the children involved in the performance.

Some snapshots before the performance!

Some collages I created to help me with this role.

Reflections on A Nutcracker workshop with The Ballet Pod

On the 19^th December 2016 I taught and performed in a Nutcracker Workshop for children with The Ballet Pod.

I always find that these workshops are exhausting. Both teaching all day and then performing in the showing at the end of the day is always a challenge. However, a very rewarding experience. This year was made especially rewarding by the fact that one of the students, who has been coming to our classes and workshops for some years, has in the last few years been suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis. She did not believe that she would ever be able to do ballet again. But today she did the whole day and performed at the end. She was clearly so proud of what she achieved and it was quite an emotional moment when the performance was finished. It was hard because I found myself considering her needs all of the time, not wanting to jump too much, but at the same time having to take all the other children into consideration too. It all worked well in the end and I was very surprised by how much this little girl was able to do. In fact, when we spoke to her grandmother a couple of days later I was even more surprised to hear that she had not been in any more pain than usual the next day.

I felt like I made a difference to this young girl's life through this workshop, urging me to consider how dance can be used as a form of healing too and how every child should have the opportunity to have access to the art form. The other wonderful thing about this day was that this little girl was able to show enjoyment of her dancing and this was perhaps because she felt comfortable within the environment. This is one of the questions which I hope to explore in greater depth as I begin to plan my enquiry for Module 2.

A Time for Personal and Artistic development

Since just before Christmas I have been on break from working with Ballet Cymru (as it only works seasonally). In this time, which is a rare window in a dancer's career, I have in fact been incredibly busy! However, I have also had time for personal growth and development which I feel has been beneficial for me. I have been involved in some fascinating projects which have helped me in the formulation of some of my questions for the planning of my professional inquiry. Some of these events were with The Ballet Pod. An organisation here in Chirk which I have been involved in for 10 years. Within this project I work alongside my brother and sister who are also in the performance field. I have been reflecting on each of my experiences and am going to post up these reflections on my blog. I have left out certain names for ethical purposes but all those which I have left in I have asked for permission to include.