Healthier Dancer Program

Emily Brenchley recently bogged about the Healthier Dancer Program (Healthier Dancer Updates) and how she has been looking at the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science.

This program has really interested me, and after digging a little, I found that the program is based in the Jerwood Centre in Birmingham.  Connected to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the Jerwood Centre focuses on dance injury.  Luckily, I have managed to interview a member of staff, which I will be using in my enquiry.

I am glad that there is now something for dancers to get specialist treatment and for free!  Its such a big jump forward for the artistic world.  In fact, we were talking about the health care situation in work today, and how it is so different in the UK in comparison to America.  It makes me proud to be British!

Communication

Communication (from Latin "communis", meaning to share) is the activity of conveying information through the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, visuals, signals, writing, or behavior. www.(wikipedia)

Distance learning brings with it its own set of difficulties. The common feeling of ‘we are all in this together’ does not become immediately apparent.  Without the ability to attend campus sessions (although I would have loved to , work commitment and distance have been prohibitive) communication between student, tutor  and fellow students become of vital importance.
The next best thing to attending the campus session has been the libguides in particular – Campus Session 2   Module 3 WBS3760 – 31st October 2012, which contained the key ingredients which had been discussed.  I particularly found Adesola’s blog (Monday 5th November) useful, with its link to 9 fellow student’s blogs which she suggests we read.  In particular I liked Alice Chambers analogy of ‘Three Boats’ and Corrindas Hall’s productive approach to her enquiry and the setting out of  her sequence of actions.

I have decided the title of my profession enquiry will be ‘An Exploration of Dance Technique and Injury Prevention in Classical Dance‘.  Using the tools and drawing the skills I have learnt over the past year I intend to draw together in information I have collated  and put it into a three pronged approach to culminate at one destination. (Three Boats).
As a dancer my enquiry is of importance to me on a personal level but I also feel it perhaps of even greater importance to the students who are teachers of prospective students as the pupils being educated now are the future of dance.
I have conducted a questionnaire amongst fellow dancers but would like to widen the re-mit so, to my fellow students and blogers I would appreciate your views on technique.  How important is technique?  Is it  right to force the body into un-natural of unfamiliar positions for the sake of art?  Has anyone experienced injury from dance?  Has it altered the pathway of your career?
YOUR views would be very much appreciated so come on guys help a fellow student out, you may even find it throws up more questions for you own enquiry.
 

Keeping Positive

It is important to keep positive, especially in a world full of rejection.  The cup must always be half full and never half empty.

Like “The Secret” suggests, positive thoughts attract more positive thoughts.  I feel that this is true, and that the more we look on the brighter side, the better you feel.

I think we can all be a bit more positive.  After all, as my grandmother used to tell me “Every cloud has a silver lining”.  All you need to do is look up at the sky and you can see the truth in that.  When one door shuts another opens, and everything happens for a reason.  This is the best advice I have ever been given.

Being Thankful

I have been with Sarasota Ballet for 2 months now, and there is a lot to be thankful for.  Not only am I lucky to have a job in today’s economical situation, but I have a job in Florida, or as I like to call it “Paradise”.

On a random note, I would like to mention that I feel that the sun really does help to keep people happy, supplying vitamin D and Serotonin (the feel good hormone) which makes the residents friendly and pleasurable live and work with.

One thing I would like to mention, that we do forget about, is my health and the health of my family.  We should be grateful for our health.

I am so lucky to work with a company that has some of the kindest personalities, incredible repertoire and in a climate that means I don’t need a winter wardrobe!

Lots to be grateful for and its good to keep positive! =]

Lazy "Sunday Funday" in Paradise by the Pool.
Photograph © Jacob Hughes

Inspiration

You think you have had it rough? Read Michaela DePrince's story.

I have so much respect for this incredibly talented young woman.  Truly inspirational to hear a dancer who has worked so hard and finally living their dream after such an epic journey.

Photograph of Michaela DePrince.

Taking Care of Yourself

As a dancer, image is everything.  We must take care of our bodies we are the product.  It’s important to eat properly, exercise and look after the product.  We stare in mirrors all day.  Getting the right positions and shapes are important, but its not just when we are dancing we need to be tidy and presentable.

As a dancer with the Sarasota Ballet, it is important that we represent the company in a good light.  Presentation is everything!  As Sarasota is a place for the arts, a lot of people know and recognise us (like minor local celebrities!).  there has been a number of occasions when we have been stopped on the street and asked if we dance with the company or if we were in the local newspaper.

The dancers are often asked to go to fund raisers.  We need to make a good impression.  At the end of the day, there is no harm in being respectable.

Eating properly does a number of great things for you.  You become healthier, stronger and more resilient to illness.  Your skin looks more youthful, your stamina is increased and your overall appearance is enhanced.  Eating right can assist you in so many ways.  Also the quality of the food can make a huge difference.  Organic, homemade cuisine is the best thing for you, it smells and tastes so much more superior that packet/microwave meals and has greater health benefits.

I feel that we must always be presentable, as you don’t know who is watching or what might be around the corner.  We must not forget, when you look good, you feel good!

From left: Dancers Daniel Rodriguez, Ellen Overstreet and Jacob Hughes of the Sarasota Ballet at Sarasota Ballet's "Welcome Back" Luncheon.Photograph: Cliff Roles ©

If you would like to see more photographs from Sarasota Ballets "Welcome Back" Luncheon, Click Here.

Meet the New Dancers

Browsing the web, as you do, and I came across this!

Weird to find a picture of yourself.  I thought this article was only published in the local newspaper.  A nice little surprise! =]

If you get a chance, check out dancer 16!

Meet the New Dancers

The new dancers with Artistic Director of the Sarasota Ballet, Iain Webb.

Pas de Deux

Corinda Hall Commented on my Post about my Network Dance Profile, and asked if I had done any duet work.  In Classical Ballet we call duet work a Pas de Deux.

I found a photograph of myself dancing with a partner, which will soon be uploaded to my profile.  I hope this makes the profile more appealing.  I hope you like it Corinda, thank you for the comment!

Copyright © Brian Mengini

Dancers Among Us

Someone posted a link on Facebook the other day to select a photograph for the Dancers Among Us poster.

I love the Grande Jete over the puddle,  something many of us dancers find ourselves doing!  It also appears so relaxed an natural.  The denim jeans and dirt gives connotations of hard work, paired with a pair of pointe shoes emphasises the dedication and effort we put into dance.

Which one do you prefer?  Who will you vote for?

Misha

Walking through the corridors at work, just about to leave.  Who should I happen to walk into, but Mikhail Baryshnikov himself!

Also known as Misha, the international dance, TV/film super star Mikhail Baryshnikov is best know for dancing in New York City Ballet after dancing with the Kirov Ballet and defecting from Russia.  he later danced with American Ballet theatre where he became Artistic Director.  He is also noted for being one of the best male ballet dancers of all time, along with Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev.

It is an honour to meet one of the greatest dancers of our time, especially when it is a surprise to turn a corner and see him walking towards you! 

Photograph: Mikhail Baryshnikov

There Where She Loved

Currently we are learning a piece created by Christopher Wheeldon called "There Where She Loved".

Before we started to work on the piece, I tried to find a video clip on the internet to see what was is store for us.  Yet very little could be found.  I was however able to find a review from when the company last performed There Where She Loved.

We have only just started to learn the choreography, but already I can't wait to get my teeth in and learn more.  The movement is mesmerising and effortless.

I am honoured to be learning a piece from one of the choreographic geniuses of the 21st century and so excited to be performing it with such an amazing company!

Amy Wood and Octavio Martin from Sarasota Ballet, performed in "There Where She Loved."

Network Dance Profile

I have updated my network dance profile, but could it be better?  Is there anything you think I could do to make it more user friendly?

Jacob Hughes

Copyright © Brian Mengini

Move It

Move It is a dance trade and consumer event held in London once a year.  Each year they have performances, master classes, auditions, scouts, stalls, schools and agencies for people to browse, ask questions and buy items.  It’s an incredible event that should not be missed!

The Move It website has been recently updated, featuring this years “Face of” dancers.  I am proud to announce that I am the 2013 Face of Ballet.

If you get a chance check out the website and let me know what you think!

Would be great if I you could make it there to see all the fabulous stuff they have to offer!  You may even bump into me! =]

Picture: Copyright © Jacob Hughes

The Nutcracker

Sarasota Ballet recently announced that they will be putting a new light on a classic production of The Nutcracker, which I will be performing in this December.  After hearing about the story, I am very excited to be involved in the new production, to be choreographed by Matthew Hart.

The Nutcracker is a seasonal piece that is danced throughout the world.  It’s a magical Christmas story with music by Tchaikovsky, about a little girl and her dream of the Land of the Sweets. It was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa, but the version that is danced by the Royal Ballet is Sir Peter Wright choreography.

Sarasota has a large connection to the arts and culture, you may have heard of the Ringling Circus that settled down in Sarasota.  The Nutcracker that Sarasota Ballet will be presenting is an adapted version of the classic story of the nutcracker, with an emphasis on the Ringling Circus.

In the new production, Clara runs away with the circus and experiences what circus life is like.  I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a very clever story that will give the Nutcracker a new edge.  If you get a chance to see it, you should!

Picture: A note from Clara

Sarasota Ballet

If you didn't already know, I was offered a contract with the Sarasota Ballet of Florida in America, under the direction of Iain Webb.

Since starting our season I have had little time to think about the BAPP course, but I shall do my best and keeping you guys up to date with all that is going on!

If you get a chance you should check out the website.  I’m very excited to be working with such an incredible company with amazing repertoire!  We are currently working on a brand new Nutcracker with a circus theme, which should be interesting to see.

If anyone is in the Sarasota area, you should check it out!

Image: Taken from Sarasota Ballet's website