Eh...

I recently discovered a poster, which got my mind wondering…

The “earth” without “art” is just “eh” by “The Ink Society”

Without art, the world would have very little culture and be a very bland, boring place.  We would have no sense of style, fashion and personality.  Thanks to art, the world is a diverse, creative and innovative.

I am thankful to the world for art, as we wouldn’t have developed dance.  This got me thinking…

Where would the world be without dance?

Where would dance be without technique?

Unity

This last week has been very hard on myself and on my colleagues.


I admire their strength and courage during a time like this and pulling together shows their unified bond, I find them greatly inspiring.


We lost a treasure with a bright future.

Task 4a Continued…

I feel that as my inquiry goes on, I keep coming back to the same subject, technique.

Technique is something I feel is very important to a dancer, as without technique, how can we avoid injury, clarify styles of dance and use it to advance the way our body’s work.

I want to look at how technique is used to avoid injury, the different styles of technique, why each practitioner differs in opinion and how technique has developed to create new dance forms.

I feel it is important to understand technique in dance, as without it, we can cause serious harm to our body and make dance terrible to watch from a spectators point of view!

I have formed a new SIG about technique which I feel can fall into the category of education, as I think it is important for young people to fully understand what is correct in dance in order for the dance form to develop.

Understanding and Development of Technique in Dance

The Messiah – Pennsylvania Ballet

On Sunday 11th March 2012, I went to see Pennsylvania Ballet in their production of  “The Messiah” in the Academy of Music, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Choreographed by Robert Weiss, set to the timeless music of Handel, the production tells the biblical story Jesus Christ through classical ballet in Three Acts.

I would first like to mention the sophisticated venue, the Academy of Music, with is gas lit, torch like lanterns that surround the theatre, you get an air of class, which is also echoed internally.  One of its main features, is an immense chandelier that is suspended above a mixture of scarlet velvet seats and stunning gold leaf pillars, surrounded by three rows of balconies.  The curtain, also deep red and flamboyant gold, features a decedent fleur de lis pattern hides the vast stage, causing eager anticipation for the show.

The show started by announcing that some dancers were injured and who was covering them, unfortunately the fire alarm decided to wildly shriek.  After a minute or so, the fire alarm stopped and another announcement was made telling us we were to see shortly what caused the problem, lets say whoever was in charge of the dry ice, could not contain themselves.

The dancers displayed their immense dance ability through passion and performance.  All the members of the company have very able bodies, that Balanchine would have approved of, with everyone having long skinny legs that go on for days.

"[Pennsylvania Ballet] has never lost its all-American look of clean, strong body lines and simplicity of attack."

Jennifer Dunning, The New York Times

I think that telling the story took a little long and wondered off course, rather than sticking to the story.  Also, I expected a more neo classical style of dance from looking at the advertisement.  There was a lot of Corps de Ballet work and at some points too many people on stage. 

Photo: Alexander Iziliaev

I would like to mention Jong Suk Park, who played a soloist role in the ballet, did an excellent job, showing his range of ability through out the ballet.  Furthermore, Jermel Johnson, did very well in the role of Jesus, really showing the emotions Jesus would have felt through out the ballet.

"[Pennsylvania Ballet] brought special maturity of style and rapturous absorption."

Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times

I feel the costumes were a bit strange as the entire ensemble wore white unitards that appeared to be yellow due to the lighting.  The unitards on the ladies featured a short skirt, also white, that helped to separate them from the boys, yet I feel that the combination of unitard and skirt was a little odd and almost seemed to cut the line of the dancer.

In conclusion, I feel that the show was a little too long, yet I feel the level of dance talent more than made up for that!  I would look forward to seeing future productions by this company.

Photo: Alexander Iziliaev

“Want” and “Need”

The other day I heard a saying that George Balanchine used to say, “You don’t want what you don’t need”.

This is true on so many levels.  Do you need a new pair of shoes?  Do you need that new Nigela Lawson cookery book?  Do you need that lonely cream filled donut sat in the corner of the bakery, begging to be eaten?

There are lots of things that we don’t need, however we want it, but is it really what we want?

In auditions, if you have been asked to dance a triple pirouette, you dance a triple pirouette, not a double, not four, but a clean triple pirouette.  The panel do not want to see less or more, they have requested a particular number for a reason.  It may be to fit to the music or because they need dancers that are able to do more that a double pirouette.  You don’t need to show that you can do multiple turns if they haven't been asked for.

Task 5a: Ethics in My Professional Community

Ethics is a strange subject.  The term “Ethic” refers to “a set of moral principles, esp. ones relating to or affirming a specified group, field, or form of conduct” [New Oxford American Dictionary].

Moral principles all depend on the individual, some people may see particular subjects to be fine, where as others may view it as being extremely inappropriate.

In my opinion, morals are all about respect.  What comes to mind is the old saying, “treat others as you would wish to be treated”, however this is not the case for some people.

Fortunately, in my personal, professional community I am surrounded by some very respectful people.  Yet even in some professional communities people may take advantage of your good will.  Ethically this is incorrect; nevertheless you may feel obliged to carry out duties that you are not contracted to do.

There are many reasons why you may be taken advantage of or discriminated in any professional community, such as relationships, gender, sexual orientation, blackmail, peer pressure, working conditions, ethnic origin etc.

I have heard stories of these situations from peers and colleges, luckily its not true in my personal professional community. 

In the dance community, there is a lot of criticism in many forms.  For example dance ability, performance ability, technique, body shape, height, weight, attitude just to name a few.

Although it is not ethically correct to criticize people, as a dancer, we knowingly put ourselves up for the criticism.  If you can't hack it, your not ready for the real dance world.

Task 4d - Award Title Rationale

I find it very strange how we (the student) get to name the title of the award we are to receive, however, it allows the student to add a more personal note to the award also permitting the student to create a more specific/specialized title.

After considering what would best describe what I have done so far on the course, I feel this is an appropriate award title as I have been looking into technique and performance.

BA (Hons) in Professional Practice in Classical Dance Technical Excellence with Performance Innovation

What’s your opinion?

Photograph: Jacob Hughes taken by Tim Cross

Photograph displaying technical excellence.

Twitter – Auditioning Tool

Although this story is not dance based, I feel it is highly relevant.

A family friend told me of her son, who recently returned from a trip to New York after graduating with an architecture degree.  But while in America he found out about a job opening in an architecture firm, and that they were hiring.  As he was in America he could not make the interview, so he Emailed the company with his details, expressing he would be very interested if they had any future openings.

The company got back to this young man through a Tweet on Twitter, asking him to come for an interview as soon as he was available in the UK.  Shortly after this, another major architecture company spotted the first company's interest in the young man and also sent him a tweet, asking him to come along for an interview.

After thinking that he was unable to make the original first interview, the young man had gained an interview with the company he intended to apply for, and got another interview with a company that had expressed great interest in him.

The young man had put Twitter on to his list of contacts for the firm he was applying for, and that is how the found him on Twitter.  The second company, had been following the first company on Twitter, and seen the Tweet to this young man and became interested in him.

Even as this story is not dance based, it proves that Twitter can be used as an auditioning tool for dancers.  Perhaps adding you Twitter address to your CV may increase your chances of being spotted by other dance companies or agents.


Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @JacobHughes100

Task 4a – Deeper Thoughts and More Questions

After thinking about my inquiry and discussing it with Jane Koorts, my professional associate, I have discovered deeper questions into the audition process subject.

What do I need for an audition?

How can I prepare?

How do I get the audition?

What should I wear?

What colour should I wear?

How should I do my hair?

What do I put on my CV?

What photographs should I send?

Where should I get auditions photos?

What companied should I apply for?

How should I behave during the audition?

When will I find out the panels decision?

What can I do to help get the audition?

What do the panel look for?

Who should I be performing to in the audition?

When should we contact a company about feedback?

What should I do if the director tells me to relax?

These are just a few questions rolling around in my mind that I feel I should answer along the path of my inquiry.

LinkedIn Discussion Group – Audition Process

Hey Guys, I’ve just created a group on LinkIn for The Audition Process and Related Topics.  Check it out, add me as a contact and join in the discussion!  I would love to hear your opinions, experiences and ideas!

Chinese Acupressure Massage

So it’s the first time I had ever had a massage, apart from several sports massages in the past.  Now I really do fee sports massage working and loosening the muscle, so I was skeptical about other types of massage.

Chinese Acupressure also known as “Tuina Chinese Massage Technique”, uses trigger points in order to release and relax the muscle. Using different rhythms and pressures create various styles of acupressure.

All I can say was that the therapist found every trigger point which was painful, yet calming (in a masochistic way that only dancers think in).  I felt so much more relaxed and at ease after the massage.  I would highly recommend acupressure massage to anyone who was considering it, plus it was really good value too!

I did however find it hilarious that in the middle of the massage, the music for Black Swan started playing from the sound system, but with a Chinese twang!

“Empowered Me” Launch Party

“First Friday” is a term given to a time of the month when art galleries open late for the public, to wonder around for a social night of culture.  I visited practiced dance photographer Brian Mengini’s launch of his new works, entitled “Empowered Me”.

“Empowered Me” is a range of works inspired by “Dancers Against Cancer” who has had an immense influence on Mr. Mengini.  His colection feature many notable dancers including Ballet Fleming's Jane Koorts (Professional Associate), Adrianna de Svastich, Holly Curran, Gina Battista and not to mention American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland.

Photograph: Gina Battista taken by Brian Mengini

Brian Mengini’s work has featured in many notable publications including Pointe Magazine, Dance Magazine, Dancing Times (Great Britain) and many more.  He has also photographed many prominent dance companies, such as the Mariinsky Ballet (Kirov), The Royal Ballet, Boston Ballet, and Ballet Fleming to name a few.

Recently, Dance Spirit Magazine featured one of Mr. Mengini’s works from the Empowered Me collection.  The article, Dancers: The Best Models, depicts a photograph on Misty Copeland wearing a full length, free flowing, corral pink summer dress, shot by Brian Mengini.

Photograph: Misty Copeland taken by Brian Mengini

I was mightily impressed with Mr. Mengini’s work, and would love to be photographed by him myself!  His camera work highlights the beauty of dance through line and graceful poise.  I was overwhelmed with his Empowered Me collection, and look forward to seeing more of his work.

Photograph: Jane Koorts taken by Brian Mengini

Task 4c – Professional Associate, Jane Koorts

Professional associate, Jane Koorts, has agreed to remain by my side through out the rest of the BAPP course, to give her opinions and thoughts using her expertise and experiences.

Jane Koorts is an intellectual, well-traveled, incredibly talented dancer, currently a Performer and Ballet Mistress with Ballet Fleming.

Jane Koorts has recently been heavily featured in, professional dance photographer, Brian Mengini’s photography, with particular prominence in the Empowered Me advertisements, in support of cancer awareness.

Photograph: Jane Koorts taken by Brian Mengini

The Chiropractor

A couple of days ago, I went to the chiropractor for the first time.  Recently I have been having some trouble with my back, and thought it would be a good idea to make a quick trip to see Dr. Rick Dunlap.

Dr. Rick Dunlap had been recommended by Samantha Barczak a dancer with Pennsylvania Ballet who had been to see him the week before about a neck and back problem.

First I received a warm damp towel to help the muscles in my back relax, before giving my lower back muscles a quick pummel with a massager.  This aided in the loosening of the muscles.  Before the “adjustment”, Dr. Dunlap then placed blocks under my hips while I was laying face down to assist the muscles in releasing my back.

Dr. Dunlap then performed an “adjustment” on my back.  It was a very interesting experience.  I was not expecting my back to click so many times!  In all honesty, I felt both scared and excited when he repeated the adjustment on the second side, afraid he would snap me in half, but enjoying the stretch and the clicking at the same time!

After the “adjustment” I felt my back was unconstrained, however, I am still experiencing a pain.  Another visit may be in order!

Task 4b – Special Interest Group

After thinking about the questions I have already posted, I feel that the one that is most important to me at this point in time is…

How do you go about getting and organizing auditions?

(The audition process)

There are lots of areas to look at within this topic and I also feel that my research into preparations for an audition could be beneficial to students who have not yet looked into auditioning and are very nervous about the matter.

I have been looking at some Blogs and so far I feel that I can relate to the following peoples SIG groups/finals questions… (Some SIG's are more vague than others in connection to my inquiry)

Jo Bradley – Professional training for children

I feel that children could benefit from learning how to audition for their future in dance.

Lilly Corrigan, Liam Conman, Sarah Pearson – Education

Audition technique is an education that I feel the pre professional could take advantage of.

Alicia Beck – Budget cuts

When budgets are cut, there are less dance jobs, but what should those auditioning do to maintain there level of chance of getting that job.

Lisa Whyte – Setting up a company

Auditions would be a vital part to a companies set up, as without performers, there is no company to run.

Eithne Bryan – Getting jobs

Auditions are a vital part to getting jobs.

Hannah Kenneally-Muir – Bridging the gap between student and professional

When a dancer starts to audition they need to learn and understand how auditions work in order to succeed.  This is the step between being a student at a school and becoming a professional in a company.

I feel that I can mostly relate to Hannah Kenneally-Muir as she is looking how a dancer develops from a student to a professional.  This is where a student auditions to become a professional, and I would like to also look at this process.

If anyone else feels that we could be in the same SIG, please don't hesitate to contact me! =]

The Brain and Dance

Just seen this post on Facebook and found it fascinating!  I cant wait to see what results they find from these tests.  Check it out ...

How the Brain Perceives Dancing

Task 4a – Professional Inquiry Questions

After thinking about possible professional inquiry questions, I have come up with the following set of questions, which I have a high interest in.

1. Different styles of techniques within dance, and which, if any, are correct?

2. How do you go about getting and organizing auditions? (The audition process).

3. What inspires a dancer to dance?

4. What is the meaning behind movement within choreography and what effect it has on your emotions?

5. Why is the male dancer a vital part to the artistic world?

These questions highlight a broad range of direction in which my inquiry may go.  The main aspect of the questions listed, emphasizes the route of higher education with a focus on the mature student and the cross over between student and professional.