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/

The New YEM Theatre School Website

http://www.yemtheatreschool.co.uk/index.html

Since November last year, I have been gathering and organising information for the new website for the theatre school I teach at. Since moving house and living next door to a web designer, I soon realised for professional purposes a business needs to be kept modern and up to date for it to succeed. So since initiating a new website for the school, myself and our web designer have been working hard to put forward a brand new design.

The old site was out of date and the principals would receive enquiries asking "are you still running as a school?" rather than "when can my child start?".

The new site has videos, recent photos, news, tutors, events, maps and more. We also looked at appealing more to our target audience, i.e children, so colours and an easy design were taken into consideration. The site is filled with images and colour portraying the school as fun and friendly.

Home

Welcome to the Young Entertainers Musical Theatre School website.

Please have a look and let me know what you think..... http://www.yemtheatreschool.co.uk/index.html

The Challenges of Choreography

You may have seen my gathered images for Alice in Wonderland, well I am pleased to say that the choreography is well under way. As this is first BALLET choreography I have done, I accepted early on it wouldn't be easy.

There's been a lot of problems within the ballet end of the school due to the teacher before me stealing students and leaving me; the new teacher with next to none - good luck creating a work-of-art ballet Lucy!

Never the less, I overcame that problem by borrowing other students from the school to bulk it up a bit (though the students don't know this yet!) The principals have agreed due to the circumstances and I am allowed to do so.

However this has somehow started something. School's tend to thrive with little ones learning music and dance, and occasionally stream into a few less in each class as the students get older. So the principals want the youngest (non-ballet) school members which are between the ages of 1 and 3 to be in much more.

Oh let's ask Lucy to put them in the ballet!!!.........

I'll keep you posted!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello all and Happy New Year

If any one is free to give any last minute feedback on the last three pieces

I would very much appreciated it!!

Thank you to all who have already commented and I have attempted to take all comments on board

Love Lucy

Why Is Jazz Choreography Performed in the School's Musical Theatre Solo Show?

Following a recent discussion and debate; the parents and teachers of the students at the YEM Theatre School in Hampshire reached an agreement that a group choreography would be suitable for the next family show. The show is to be held at Ancells Farm Studios in November 2009 and a choreography will now be produced for all subsequent family shows directed and created by the school.

The family shows traditionally embraced the vocal and harmonic threat of the students' part time training, constructed in a semi-formal production. By including dance, this allows students to share all what they have accomplished throughout their training. “Dance promotes agility, grace and physical fitness. Install these interests early to set them up for interest in these disciplines as they mature. Go to the dance performance at the end of the course, and your child will be happy to know that you support all their hard work. It means a lot for them to see that you approve of what they are doing.” (2007 Carolyn McFann). Consequently, it generates a brilliant learning curve of professionalism and showmanship within theatre productions, especially since the YEM company produces an immense arrangement of theatre productions in local theatres and areas throughout the year. These particular family shows are arranged primarily for the benefit of the child's family.

Humphrey (1951) said “The dancer with conviction has power; many a dance of poor quality has been “put across” just by the superb belief of the performer in the work.....if you believe in yourself, everybody else probably will, too”. A dancer needs to attain confidence in their work and a perfect solution in order to achieve confidence in dance is to gain as much performing experience as possible. Dance is an enjoyable hobby promoting health and well-being from a young age. “Tap, Jazz and Ballet all instill discipline and health conscious attitudes that will be beneficial tools as children grow and learn” (Janelle Inkens 2008).

The dance has been placed as the finale of the YEM Theatre School's latest showcase of musical theatre work. The dance; Evacuate the Dancefloor (2009) by Cascada, a commercial dance track and the latest tune to another of Lucy Clark's street jazz choreography. The piece explores the idea of parties, enjoyment and attitude, as well as involving street jazz, technical and contemporary dance styles, illustrating a positive time in the dancer's life. The choreography has amalgamated an eclectic combination of steps with original movements and various spacing ideas. The teachers ensure they encourage every individual to perform at the best of their abilities.

In juxtaposition to this view; a minority argued that including the dance would detract from the main subject currently in focus. “The children must learn to focus their time and energy on one subject at a time and giving 100%, rather than splitting their rehearsal time on other areas”. (Sue Hockney, 2009)

It has been argued that the song choice could be inappropriate. “ In 1975, the rage was "Boogie Fever" and it was really good. Nowadays, there are so few good and clean dancing songs.” (Tracey Hannam 2009) YEM are adamant that all show song choices go through a rigorous process in which the suitability of a song is tested. Swearing and inappropriate lyrics are considered unacceptable for the school regardless of the student's ages.

Another element of the debate involved complaints from parents that this was supposedly the “family” show, where students chose their song and costumes. This group dance demanded costumes of the choreographer's choice and style. “After forking out large amounts of money all year for the classes, plus the uniforms and shoes, now comes this end-of-year extravaganza, for which you will need to buy array of hideous costumes.” (Jillian Whiting 2009) The choreographer since informed parents, that YEM requested three colours (black, white and silver) and the dancers could bring any items of old clothing they wished from the selected colours.

In conclusion, the featured choreography will be included in the future performance as part of a massive learning curve to the students' training. It has been settled that song choice and choreography is appropriate for the ages of the students. In addition costumes should not be bought thus causing no extra cost to the parent. The dancers have also thoroughly enjoyed previous jazz choreography and this will once again be beneficial to their learning experience as a whole.

1.Carolyn McFann, 2007, An article within Associated Content, online, www.associatedcontent.com

2.Doris Humphrey, 1951, www.oprf.com/Humphrey/

3.Janelle Inkens, 2008 for Fitness Beginnings www.fitnessbeginnings.com

4.Sue Hockney, 2009 Parent of student attending YEM Theatre School

5.Tracey Hannam, Ipswich, November, Courier Mail Comments available online at http://www.news.com.au/couriermail

6.Jillian Whiting, 2009, Published article Courier Mail, available online at http://www.news.com.au/couriermail

Please Evacuate The Dancefloor

Midnight. A silhouetted party emerges from the darkness. A pretence of slow motion. A sea of silver, black and white comes to life as the commotion begins. Meeting and greeting eventuates until the beat kicks in and a dance floor naturally forms in the centre of the stage. At first, just three young girls brave the crowded dance floor. Chords burst from speakers through the hot air; thick with the taste of sweat and hard work. More and more indecipherable shapes start to join in their flow, until eventually everyone embraces the DJ to enjoy a fabulous party.

Upon the dusty stage “Evacuate the Dancefloor” by Cascada is transformed into the YEM Theatre School's latest street jazz choreography. With the dance it brings their most recent show of musical theatre solo performances to an outstanding finale. The show is a mixture and variety of musical theatre and pop songs with finished performances behind a taster of the school's work from the recent term. An outlook to some of the school's most talented pupils in a display and showcase of their current work for close friends and family.

The attitude and style that is brought from the dance is just one small demonstration of the skills taught to the students. Not to mention the jazz technique, spacial awareness and professionalism they also practise. The routine conveys a strength and passion whilst acting-through-dance, to deliver a modern and intensive choreography to a small and personal audience.

This uplifting dance entails some inspired and creative costumes, allowing the students to express themselves within the coloured realms of black, white and silver. Flowers, sequins, stripes, and fishnets all masquerade a group of confident young women whom are coming of age. Mixed with strobe and flickering rainbow lights the atmosphere is sharp yet fun and care-free. The dancers are at ease in their own costume creations and can consequently perform to their best ability and enjoy the show they have worked so incredibly hard on.

Performing this dance to an attentive and supportive audience is what the hard-working students need to up their confidence and support them into further training within the school. It will help with a sense of achievement from the last terms hard but creative work in order to look forward what they in store for them next term, in which they will be challenged with different styles and choreography. The show is also a beautifully intended way to document each students success at the YEM Theatre school and for the students and their families to look back and share the memories.

From this performance, the dancers will have earned another string to their bow by adding another show and choreography to the YEM repertoire amongst the solo performances. Yet this dance is the perfect way to end another accomplished term.