Ok so lots happening just now. Had Jazz filmings on Friday, we had to perform a variety of different styles including ones choreographer by Becky Cameron a lyrical, technical/cheesy, and fosse style. We also filmed some hip-hop routines choregrapher by Ashley Jack. All the routines were really fun to perform even though I did find some of the 'funky' stuff a bit challenging! Ballet filming on Monday..... I say no more! Really not looking forward to that. Also filming a fast, dynamic conteporary solo on Tuesday! I have also been kept busy finishing our final essay for RP which is due on Friday as well as researching for my Independant Dance Project (IDP). I have chosen to so a written project as I am happy to go away in my own time and work on it, not having to worry about dancers with doing a practical project. I have decided on a question, now lots of writing to get on with... Here's a look at my question...
“Globalised popular dances prevalent in mass media culture, consisting of eclectic styles and decontextualised ethnic hybridity, may seem to be the most pervasive dance language at present; certainly the most visible”.
(Burridge, 2001)
Looking at dance in the 21st Century has the prolific appearance of dance as a form of ‘reality TV’ become the catalyst in diluting the essence of the art form?
Exciting news today! I heard back from theThomas Telford Trust (a funding body that offers help to students). I applied last week to see if they were able to help us out with the costs of our New York Trip. We are lucky enough to receive £1,000!! I am sooo pleased with this as I really wasn't expecting to receive any help from the college. This money will go towards the cost of dance classes, workshops, shows and any other dance related opportunities we come across. The New York dance scene has so many new dance techniques for us to experience and there are many that I am interested in trying, most of which I have never seen over here in Scotland.
Gaga Movement Technique
It was developed over 20 years ago by choreographer/dancer Ohad Naharin. He suffered from a back injury that restricted his movemet, this lead him to create Gaga technique as he aimed to used other individual body parts to move. Gaga is based on the use of imagery to encourage the dancer to explore isolated body sensations. It needs a lot of focus and really opens up your mind and imagination. "As a dancer, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to be technically perfect and always in control of your body..you can’t take it so seriously. Connect the effort to the pleasure, the joy and the passion of dancing” (Holmes, 2007).
The class sounds a lot of fun, maybe it can teach me to let go and just enjoy my passion for dance, instead of worrying about the steps. Have a wee look at the video below and see what you think. Will keep you posted of any other classes I find... 3 weeks and counting!
So the tour is over, until our final show which is on 5th April in the PASS theatre. It is hard getting back into technique classes and focus for our up and coming progressive filmings that are happening in two weeks time. I am slowly trying to ease my body back into class and really concentrate on the material we need to perform. Slightly nervous for this as we have not one, but three ballet solos to peforrm. Ballet is a weak area for me as my body is definitely not made for ballet. I'm hoping my contemporary and jazz filmings will make up for my ballet one as both these styles are my strengths. I am really enjoying having choreographer Ashley Jack in each week, giving us plenty of experince in Hip Hop! This is great fun and challenging at the same time. I hope this will help me to become a more versatile dancer and give me the opportunity to perform in many different ways. Lots of hard work to come in the next few weeks and hopefully I have progressed since my first filming a few months ago. Being a dancer is never easy, we are constantly learning new skills each day and that's why I love it! :)
Well today was the fifth and final day of the tour. Everyone was exhausted but had to push through the fatigue to get some energy for another two performances. We travelled to St. Augustine's High School and Broughton High School, some of my friends had previously studied at these schools so it was nice for them to share what they have been up to since leaving. I think the cast were slightly nervous about performing to High School students, as we all know how mean teenagers can be! However we received great feedback from both schools who have asked for us to come back and teach some of the numerous styles we learn here at Performing Arts Studio Scotland. This is a great opportunity as we will all be graduating in the Summer and will be hopeing to gain as much teaching and performing experience as we can. Safe to say the final day of the tour was left on a high... Now off to relax and celebrate Kim's birthday with a Britney Spears themed party, will be nice to rest our bodies.:)
Today was the day I had been dreading, simply due to the fact we had to meet outside college at 6.45am to get the bus to Glagow. We were all a bit drained and we ha to prepare ourselves for two shows in two different colleges. I must adimit I was really nervous as we would be performing for dance students who I know would be quite critical! Once we arrived at Reid Kerr college we were led by Zoe and Yasmin in another warm up and then we had to get ready for the perfromance. The performance took place in their dance studio and this was really off putting for me as I had been so used to performing without any mirrors for so long. Also the students sat right in front of us so we had to try and aim our performance at them, but ignore the mirrors which was really difficult! We had a question and answer session led by Chris and Petal which allowed the students to ask any questions about the pieces or any questions relating to audition for the course. As a lot of the students were in the process of leaving their HND, of course all the questions were aimed at the BA course instead of the pieces. After the Q+A session Yasmin and Sean lead a workshop, while the rest of us had a short lunch break then it was back on the tour bus to head to Anniesland College...
ANNIESLAND COLLEGE
A few of the dancers on tour came from Anniesland College so it was great for them to share what they have been up to at PASS. I made the tough decision not to participate in this show due to my lower back being really sore. I was able to organise everyone's costume and do the running during the show and assist with all the quick changes. This gave me a responsibility on tour that was not just a dancer, so I learnt a lot about the amount of hard work that goes on behind the scenes! We received a generous response from the students and lecturers at Anniesland and we were able to offer them a Q+A session at the end too. So after a VERY long day we all headed back to the bus to set off back to Edinburgh. Today was also a special day for my friend Kim as it was her birthday! We surprised her on the bus home with present and a cake, so this certainly cheered everyone up - especially the chocolate cake! So almost nearing the end of the tour and two shows left... roll on Friday...
Today we ventured to Howden Park Centre in Livingston. Half way through the week and we were all pretty excited to be performing in a newly refurbished theatre space. We arrived and sraight away had to do technical rehearsals with Gerron and George our lighting directors This was just a quick mark through of all the pieces to let them get a rough idea of the lighting. I had to make the decision to sit out of the dress rehearsal as my back was really sore and I wanted to rest it for the evenings performance. The theatre space was lovely and it was a great space to dance on, especially as we had proper wings and our Tour Manager Cat on hand to direct us! I had my mum and a few friends in the audience at this show which was a real moral booster and really got m to perform and get through the show with my sore back. So after a great show it's back home for some ice for my back and a hot bath :)
Well Glenrothes certainly needed a bit of livening up and us BA Dancers suceeded! Opposite is a picture of Magenta and Chris doing some site specific work to keep us entertained. A few of my classmates had workshops to teach to some groups throughout the day. However for the rest of us we had a bit of hanging about to do! The evenings perfromance took place in the Rothes Halls and we were abe to have some basic lighting to help our performance. My Dad, boyfriend Paul and also dance teacher were in the audience so that made it extra special! Performance went great and the turnout of audience was fantastic - FULL HOUSE which really helped us perform! Keep updated for Wednesdays show...
Well first day of the tour and we are all raring to go! First stop - Queensferry High School. We set of in cars, I was driving one as well as Petal, Chris and Catriona. Had to deal with a last minute costume disaster the night before as Yasmin had no ties for her choreography piece, luckily I managed to find some at home last minute to bring for the week. Once we arrived at Queesnferry High we set up all costumes in our changing area and allocated everyone with a quick change list, as we had many people who needed a quick change. The show at Queensferry High was performed to a group of female students who were interested in dance, this was a good way to begin the tour as it was an intimate audience. The show went ok... I felt a bit wobbily and that I made a few silly mistakes but nothing too drastic! It was a good chance to get used to the VERY quick changes. It's all in a days work of being a dancer... Next stop Glenrothes, will keep you posted.
REID KERR COLLEGE 
A few of the dancers on tour came from Anniesland College so it was great for them to share what they have been up to at PASS. I made the tough decision not to participate in this show due to my lower back being really sore. I was able to organise everyone's costume and do the running during the show and assist with all the quick changes. This gave me a responsibility on tour that was not just a dancer, so I learnt a lot about the amount of hard work that goes on behind the scenes! We received a generous response from the students and lecturers at Anniesland and we were able to offer them a Q+A session at the end too. So after a VERY long day we all headed back to the bus to set off back to Edinburgh. Today was also a special day for my friend Kim as it was her birthday! We surprised her on the bus home with present and a cake, so this certainly cheered everyone up - especially the chocolate cake! So almost nearing the end of the tour and two shows left... roll on Friday...
Well Glenrothes certainly needed a bit of livening up and us BA Dancers suceeded! Opposite is a picture of Magenta and Chris doing some site specific work to keep us entertained. A few of my classmates had workshops to teach to some groups throughout the day. However for the rest of us we had a bit of hanging about to do! The evenings perfromance took place in the Rothes Halls and we were abe to have some basic lighting to help our performance. My Dad, boyfriend Paul and also dance teacher were in the audience so that made it extra special! Performance went great and the turnout of audience was fantastic - FULL HOUSE which really helped us perform! Keep updated for Wednesdays show...
