Yesterday morning we had our very first group Skype session in order to introduce ourselves to our co-students and tutors. It was really interesting chatting to other people with similar interests and backgrounds but who are also very different in regards to the paths in which dance has led us. When discussing why we were choosing to do this course various things were mentioned, a big one being teaching and another because dancing has a limited life span, both of which sparked a lot of thought.
"Dance isn't a long career"
Now what exactly does one mean by this? I believe when 'dancers' say this they are generally referring to the performing aspect of dance, acknowledging that our bodies can give up on us after years of wear and tear or strain. If they are referring to this then the above statement could be considered pretty valid. However surely if you're teaching dance, then that is still maintaining a career in dance; even though you may not be doing it physically - right? For many people, being on the West End etc is the ultimate goal and teaching is considered a side career in order to pay the bills - something that passionate educators could easily be insulted by. Often if people aren't sure what do post performing or should their career not go quite as planned, they narrow mindedly turn to teaching; something that could also be seen as a cop out and a way of remaining in dance rather than doing it because they have a passion for it. This then led to the questioning of the quality and standard of teaching going on in the industry. Saying that, I also know several people who have decided to become a teacher after obtaining a degree irregardless of subject, which also suggests the quality of teaching across the board could potentially be rather disappointing. This because they've chosen to study something they're interested in generally and then don't know what to do with their degree afterwards, perhaps because it isn't aimed at a particular career and teaching seems like an obvious option. Unfortunately having a qualification on paper doesn't make you a great teacher and if you don't have the passion for it, students will sense that. As a result they are less likely to show you respect, less likely to learn from you and be totally un inspired - and after all, isn't that what teaching is about? Inspiring the next generation?
So what does inspire a student of dance? If you are an ex/current performer and do have a genuine love for passing on your skills and knowledge, then who better to teach your children? I remember being in complete awe, striving to impress and taking advice as gospel when certain members of staff came in to take class at college - they've been there, they know first hand what it's like!
All of the above made me look again at why I wanted to do this course but it certainly did not make me question it, if anything only confirm it. Yes it would be nice to be employed rather than self-employed, to have some stability in the future; and yes it may seem the most natural or easy transition to obtain a degree and then go into teaching but for me it's about more than that. Personal growth through continued learning and development is massively important to me. In regards to the teaching, I've enjoyed passing on the love and skills I have in dance from being in my early teens, this by voluntarily assisting in lessons on a Saturday. It then developed into covering and running my own classes. In between jobs or even whilst working, I've set up musical theatre workshops around the local area focussing on warm ups, repertoire, and question and answer sessions to give young students a taste of further training, professional musicals and to find out what auditions etc are really like. It's a great feeling watching students grow and improve, sometimes in the space of one lesson alone. At the beginning of this year I proudly covered a maternity leave at an academic post 16 establishment teaching BTEC level 3 in Dance. This role was given to me purely on my experience and outstanding delivery during a lesson observation by the principle and head of departments. I must admit that it was one of my proudest moments to date, being technically unqualified with no academic teacher training. It was hugely rewarding to gain such positive feedback from both the students and from the management team. They all said how impressed they were with the respect and rapport I'd built up in such a short space of time, as well as how much the pupils had learned. It was amazing to have created such an impact amongst a group of young, aspiring adults.
Unfortunately performing can sometimes be put on a pedestal above other professions in the same industry but I also find that it is the performers who create this pedestal for theirselves. So many people have a huge love for dance, the arts, theatre etc but they don't all want to be in the 'lime light'. The jobs related are endless! Besides teaching we have roles amongst the backstage crew, company managers, agents, wardrobe, designers, reviewers, casting directors, producers, community workers any many more.
A career in dance can last a lifetime but what I'm trying to say is that you should still have the drive for it. Don't conform to what you think you should do. Don't be afraid to explore and find new interests in life. Don't consider yourself a failure if after all the years of training, auditions and hard work you decide to change paths completely. If you heart isn't in it then why do it to yourself, find something else that inspires you and provides you the happiness dancing has done but in a different way -something that is equally rewarding.
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