Changing Ways

It is really quite astonishing to see how much my research project has already influenced my professional practice. I have seemingly picked up these tried and tested ways to use teaching and choreography skills and applied them to my work.

I've noticed how I am now demonstrating what I want rather than constantly breaking it down. This helps the students and children to see what the choreography is supposed to look like. Also I am using filming to help improve my work, in terms of creating and remembering a dance as occasionally I have a lot to remember. Writing it down takes time, filming seems far more efficient. The senior girls have been filmed so they may watch themselves and see where they are not together in time. I have also appeared more confident with creating movements with the dancers if necessary, rather than beforehand. For example, I was teaching in another school today, the class got further than I had expected with a piece of jazz choreography for a show. So I used my initiative and continued the dance and noticed what looked good. Before, I was not very confident with this skill as I felt under pressure, but today we achieved quite a lot and the school Principal turned up and really loved the dance so far, so much that she would like to use it in a public show coming up! Good news!

June 2010 Update

So after the trauma that was the Mamma Mia Easter School, I have somehow subjected myself to a repeat performance in the form of a Summer School....... but having learnt a lot from the last one, this one should hopefully run even smoother. I am only a tad concerned about the recent competition that caught wind of my Easter School from a rilvalry school. I am led to believe that this school ripped down any advertisements of my Easter School and even went as far as to send a "spy" student of her own to report back. Pathetic to say the least. I shall of course rise above this, and any competition is welcome. They are running a Summer school as well this time, so we shall see how this all fairs out.....

Uni work was put on hold in May to give myself a break, but I have said I would start preparing all things project from June, to give myself a head start on work for next time - whether this happens or not is another matter. I am busy currently in life but not my busiest so I could squeeze this in if I wanted to. Though I am juggling six different jobs, and studying for my Licentiate Diploma in Musical Theatre and sorting out this Summer School, plus the main shows for two schools I teach for, I'm doing ok. Oh yes, and I'm moving house next month. Forgot about that. Plus auditions. Life is pretty good right now, I'm enjoying our early Summer (don't be fooled this happens every year I swear - it'll rain through July and August - I hope I'm proved wrong!)

So I thought I would add a little life/career update but I must get back to preparing tomorrows lessons and choreography etc fun fun fun. I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine and break from uni work xx

The Easter School

Above: The last day of the Mamma Mia Easter School, pulling their best Abba poses!!

Below: Their lovely smiling faces!!

So after weeks of organising, worrying, contacting Mums, enduring nightmares of studios flooding, it finally happened and despite the lady with the keys for the hall turning up late thus me making a bad impression on the first day, the four day course occurred successfully!

It was the first thing like this I've ever organise, so quite an exciting challenge to embark upon. Luckily, having worked for many dance/theatre schools and holiday schools I have picked up a few different ideas on the best way to run my own course.

We had a show on the last day and I face painted Abba-style flowers for everyone, made sequin hair bands to fit in with the Abba theme all with lights and music. A massive turn out of 50+ parents, siblings, grandparents and friends. Even my Mum and Nan came to support!

I promoted the main school a lot and spotted some potential for new children to carry on training and we advertised to the parents during the show. We had a turn out of 22 children and most didn't already belong to the school, so it gives them a taster into the sort of things we do.

The whole experience has been a massive learning curve and I've been asked to run a Summer School too. I've learnt what not to do next time, to make it run more smoothly and less stressful for me, and other teachers would like to get involved, so there is the possibility of expanding it. What's more it made a profit in the end, so in the business sense it was very successful.

Learning Diary Three 14/3/10

Monday 14th March 2010

So, I was thinking more about my topic and thought I was in on an idea of processes of teaching dance/choreography. I spoke to the Principal of one of the schools I teach at and she said she thought I had a very good method of teaching my dances. As complimentary as this was, it wasn't constructive. Yet, it made me doubt my idea as I wanted it to be useful. After reading a blog where they had asked "outsider" opinions, i.e. family members what they thought. I gave this a try as it would give a different and objective view of the situation.

One idea put across to me was to look at forms of communication in terms of teaching. They also said my first idea was fine and that no one's perfect; there are always areas in which one can improve. I agreed with this and since no one has ever taught me to choreograph and I've never thoroughly researched it; there is bound to be much more I can improve on in the area. I argued it had to be of use and beneficial to someone or something.

I spoke to another impartial family member, who suggested collecting different styles of choreography from different countries and try to replicate their way of teaching dance. Obviously this would require a budget if I were to research this in the flesh.

After all this, again I felt somewhat overwhelmed by all the different directions I could take. So I took a step back and made some points clear of what I wanted to take from this research.

1. something that interests and excites me.

2. something to benefit my career

Answers

1. I love choreographing but I need this to be education related to go on to a PGCE

Teaching

-inspiration

-communication

-accuracy

-performance

-tools

-efficiency

-processes

-choreography

-styles

-techniques

Out of these the ones that interest me are performance, styles, accuracy and efficiency

To find the best methods for teaching and teaching choreography I could look at

-talking to and researching different choreographers

-finding how students think they learn best

-finding out how professionals learn a routine best

-their opinions

-trying different techniques and methods on classes I teach

It would benefit

-myself as a choreographer/teacher

-the success rate of students I teach

-the school if the students succeed/improve

I am looking forward to exploring some of these ideas further and narrowing it down to just a couple to concentrate on.

Attempt Two; Easter School

So after agreeing to run my own Easter school for The YEM Theatre School I now realise why they don't do it!

I started organising a timetable and how much to charge and where to go. I then found that none of this matters if you have no children attending. Advertising is the key!

I need ten pupils at least to attend. I've sorted out an assistant. The hall hire is done, with how much and covering costs.

It is worrying when you start a project like this on your own. I think it takes a lot of nerve. Luckily I have the YEM School behind me. It will be beneficial to them as it promotes the school and could potentially give the main school more students.

I think though, as it nears Easter I should hopefully get more interest.....

The 100 Words (ish) Topic Idea, Comments Please!

I know that I enjoy and feel passionately about CHOREOGRAPHY and TEACHING DANCE, so this is problem number one solved of not getting bored during this project. I also know that I want this degree to continue with a PGCE later on in my career, therefore my topic should be education related.

If I were to do a project on "the most effective methods of teaching a class a choreography/dance routine" then this could potentially benefit myself as a teacher/choreographer, the classes I teach, the schools I teach for and also other teacher/choreographers. (Note; this title will need redrafting so it is accurate to what I research)

I would use an age group that I regularly teach, though this will bring ethical and parental permission issues. I teach students over 16, but not as many.

There is already lots of information about how to teach dance, but not specific to choreographers, which is where my research might strike.

• I could look at successful past/present choreographers and find out details of how they worked to achieve results.

• I could take surveys/interviews of dancers on how they believe they learn best with choreography.

• I could experiment with different processes and observe which works best.

• I could observe other teachers and how they work with their classes.

• I could interview choreographers and teachers.

So many options! Too many? Useful? Pointless? Does this interest anyone else or just me? Comments if you would please.....

Learning Diary Two 3/3/10

My initial mind-mapped thoughts

The 3rd March 2010

I've been deliberating what my project might be since the campus session last month. I started with two words in my head, which have been in my head since the start of September. These two words are areas which I currently work part-time in, but eventually would like to pursue towards the end of my career. Reflecting on my blog, I would say it's quite clear that I have an interest in teaching and choreographing.

In my opinion I don't think you can have one without the other in this industry. If you choreograph you're going to have to teach the choreography to someone, even if you're teaching yourself. Furthermore, teaching jobs tend to require a "dance for this show", or "something to show the parents". This means consequently choreography is a common denominator even if you didn't want it to be. But I do! I love it, and I have so many projects going on right now for different shows, competitions in different styles of dance and theatre and yet I still can't wait until I finish these and am able to begin some more. So in conclusion, my project will hopefully be about these fields.

Luckily, I have access to students, children, schools in which to work with and conduct research on. I have created a mind map around these two ideas and thus formulated numerous titles/hypotheses. After being left with around ten different titles, I narrowed them down by considering the literature and information out there to help me, plus if an idea already began to become boring I swiftly discarded it. I was subsequently left with an idea around short term memory in association with "picking up" choreography (note the blog previous to this!) and methods or processes in which to teach choreography.

Now, I hope tomorrow will bring light on these two proposals to be either utterly ridiculous in which case I shall have to rethink, or for them to be acceptable and need more insight.....we shall find out.

Panicking As Usual

This, I think, happens every time we start a new module, but it's all so overwhelming and there's so much to do and think about, that naturally I just panic. I think I just need to take each day at a time and do the best I can, as that's all you can do!

After the Ballet Technique Course I am now on board for the beginning preparations for The YEM's first ever Easter School run by me..... so timetables, studio bookings, lesson material, age requirements and posters are being worked out and created. I have also been hired to work for another Easter school the week before. Much work to be done, but this is all good experience. I have worked for this other school a few times on holiday courses, it's mine I'm fretting about. Time is the issue.

Money is another big factor, having none helps no one, so I am working as much as I can right now; taking on more shifts and covering 5 different dance school classes next week alone. Sacrifices will have to be made. Two of my schools have shows coming up and the pressure is piling on, especially as for one school it will be the first set being put forward by me from my own musical theatre class and the first musical theatre set they've ever had in their shows, so I'm sure they will be expecting something pretty spectacular.

I's working hard for my diploma exam coming up in July in musical theatre, which is mainly a hobby I've had since I started all this madness, but just two more exams until I complete the whole series, and will then have a fellowship. I am beginning to work towards my next keyboard grade exam too. Lovely.

After signing with a new agent, the dust has settled on that change in my career and I'd quite like a job now, so auditions please? It's nice to know you have someone else routing for your team.

Plus the cabaret group and rock choir I'm in, are performing at a wedding in two months time. So rehearsals are taking place for that. The principal at YEM would like me to put forward one of my choreographies in a Spanish competition. Plus I'm about to start rehearsals for a band.

I'd like some more to do please, because I'm clearly not busy enough.

Teaching Diary 19/02/10

Friday 19th February 2010

I have been teaching ballet now for five months and it's been hard but much better than dancing it myself. One of my older students recently suggested or rather requested a ballet technique class for in the half term, which I agreed might be beneficial for them. Though ballet and especially technique is not my forte; I always knew what I was supposed to be doing technique-wise, just my body would have a hard time doing it. With my limitations and injuries I decided to concentrate my career on musical theatre and dance styles I could do. So I organised this class through the school for which I already teach the ballet classes, but I would pay the hall hire and be paid from those who attended. This would be my first taste of running my own class.

I looked at a few different sources to help me create a lesson plan that focused purely on technique, strengthening and conditioning. My initial idea was to start with a floor barre, which I've known students have done at my college. I looked on youtube for any exercises, inspiration and ideas. I drew on relevant pilates and yoga exercises I knew that may be useful for a dancer's body. I followed this up by researching related websites. I recently purchased "Ballet For Dummies" on Amazon, and looked for "back to basics" ideas for adults. I chose more relaxing music so they would be able to concentrate on their bodies working rather than the exercise and timing. So I used iTunes to pick my playlist. Basically most of the girls I expected to attend I already teach ballet to, so I wanted to give them a completely different ballet class to what they are used to. As online social networking is the way forward I used Facebook to set up an event and to invite dancers to attend. I put all information on the site including cost, venue, what they need to bring and what they'll be doing during the class. I also added that it would only go ahead if I have enough people attending. Six people said they would attend.

The hardest part I found was the reliability of everyone. The class took place yesterday evening. I had five girls, four of which said they were coming originally, so two didn't attend). Both explained why. The Principal of the school said they should pay anyway, as in terms of expenses covered I made a loss. I haven't asked either to pay and won't do as I think I'll be clearer about attendance. This is all practise though for when I attempt to organise an Easter School in April. I hope this will be more successful. I'm going to send a facebook message out now to see who might be interested initially. We'll see how this goes.

This is one of the videos I watched to gather ideas to improve ballet technique.

References and Bibliography

Ballet For Dummies

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ballet-Dummies-Scott-Speck/dp/0764525689/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266691666&sr=8-1 available at Amazon.co.uk

Pilates Foundation

http://www.pilatesfoundation.com/newsite/what-is-pilates.php (date unknown) Uses of pilates (Online) (Accessed 15th February 2010)

Yoga

(Date unknown) http://yoga.about.com/ Uses (Online) (Accessed 15th February 2010)

The Finis Jhung Ballet Technique

(30th December 2009) Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPSKFJjbscU (Online) (Accessed 15th February 2010)

iTunes http://www.apple.com/itunes/

Resources for Teaching

I keep realising and forgetting that I don't just perform but I teach and choreograph too.

So I am just figuring out if my resources differ for these. To be honest, like I've mentioned before I almost stumbled into choreography and teaching and didn't really get much choice (not that I'm complaining), but I absolutely love both and they work nicely together too. So onto resources.....

As a choreographer:

google and youtube - for background research and ideas

iTunes and Spotify - to listen and download music and get ideas

Pineapple - watching and taking class influences my ideas subliminally at the least

As a Teacher

iTunes - again for getting the right music for a class

google - for researching the school I'm to be teaching at

TFL - Transport for London - I get lost very easily

Lyrics Websites - crucial for Musical Theatre Classes

Word Programmes - for creating invoices to send off for payment

In conclusion they don't really differ too much, and I am scraping the barrel by the time I get to "Word programmes"!!!

In Reference to My Last Blog

In reference to my last blog; an example of my “It's not what you know, it's who know” is it's worked like that for me in terms of teaching. I was lucky enough to have been told I would be someone's student teacher when I was just 13, a year later I was choreographing for big shows, and not long after I was a student teacher. From my experience gained, I have been lead to teach at other theatre schools, called in regularly at a dance schools and in various classes in London. Yet, I want to do this degree to eventually gain my PGCE so I can do what I'm already doing, and although I have years of teaching experience now and of course a CRB, every one of my teaching jobs came through someone I knew. I am the one who wants to make my qualifications official so I am able to teach at any school, including senior schools. So looking from the other perspective if I had done this in reverse without having any experience, gaining my PGCE but not knowing anyone within the teaching world, would it have been this easy?