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.

Distractions....

I was just researching some ideas for my project and got on to the subject of short-term memory in reference to dance. So I googled the idea and stumbled upon a really interesting and useful site.

I must say that unfortunately this site is not directly useful for my project, never-the-less I have just spent the best part of an hour playing on it.

So if you're looking to improve yourself in terms of memory, attention, speed and problem solving, this site has specific games to improve spacial awareness, peripheral vision and driving skills but to name a few.

http://www.lumosity.com/

it also has an app to sync with your iPhone and they're on Twitter apparently. Plus it's free. Love it!

Learning Diary One Wednesday 17th February

A whole new module begins. Choosing my project should be the fun part, but after talking to a friend at another university, she explained how she loved her topic at the start too, now love has been replaced with loathing.....

So after the campus session on 16th February not long after my Birthday, I was pretty clued up on where to begin. This session was extremely helpful. My Bell book arrived and I was able to start reading up on all the different theories and research methods. I was told that "Doing your Research Project" was an easy read and once I started to get my head around the idea it was.

I think I will begin my planning on reflecting upon the work already published on my blog and see what I enjoy in my professional practice. I will also note what I have access to currently in terms of work and who/what companies I can work with at this moment in time.

I already have many projects, which are about to embark in my career right now, but I am uncertain where I may be by the time this project needs to take place. Hopefully, my situation will remain steady and similar to now. Much work and research needs to be done, so I'd better start now!

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