Module 2 Preparations (Skype meeting 16/09/16)

Friday 16^th of September , just a week ago we had our induction day via Skype with all my colleagues and tutors, introducing the long awaited Module 2, after our well deserved summer break. Now, ‘back to school’ we are all reminded for some basic expectations which we very commonly tend to forget or unconsciously ignore with the passing of time.

Keeping up with deadlines, is a topic to be kept into consideration, especially for some of us who revolve around a busy schedule every week. So as always, time management skills are key in succeeding. Managing your time will not only help hand in work on time, but will also help in working more efficiently therefore offering more quality in your work. Starting this new season in my new workplace, I have bought myself a new notebook where I can organise my priorities during the day. This will involve making of many ‘check’ lists of this I have to do eg: Laundry, food shopping, spontaneous errands, and most importantly, BLOGGING!  I am quite a traditional person when it comes to writing. If we could bring back the good old typing machine, I would be the first to have it in use, right next to the vintage cameras I would love to collect one day in the future. My notebook will be carried with me everywhere at all times, where I can drop down any ideas for my blog, any interesting conversations shared with friends and colleagues. So I guess I will be mind mapping my way throughout this season, raising questions and ideologies in order to help me develop what I would like to explore in my second and third Module of my BAPP! I have also reviewed my schedule and it seems that I have about 3 hours between ballet class and rehearsal, so I can’t wait to actually dedicate this time to reading my handbooks and readers without stressing out about late tiring nights anymore!

 

Another topic we expanded on during our Skype meeting was the importance of connecting with people. This involves reading and commenting on people’s blogs, aiding us to eventually discover new common interests with others taking the course, which opens up doors to new ideas. It was interesting having a member of Module 3 in our Skype call meeting that day, as she explained to us the importance of networking, and the creation of common interest group, as these will soon contribute to our 3^rd Module as well. This way, we learn from each other and we focus on a more all rounded foundation for our final module.

What has captured my interest the most though was what Module 2 is all about. I have been finding it very hard to find one topic to focus on during the course. I had too many ideas which all seem like a cloud to me at the moment. However, I have learnt that that is the purpose of Module 2. Discovery. It is the practical process of raising questions in order to discover what you feel passionate enough to find out more about, and I am hoping to achieve that through blogging weekly and connecting with or my colleagues going through the same process as me.  It is also important that these are real questions that you can later on find answers/solutions for in the last Module.

It all sounds pretty daunting, but by setting the right mindset, goals, and keeping up to scratch with dealines, it can turn out to be quite fun, especially if you feel passionate about your work! I hope everyone is looking forward to beginning Module 2 this coming week! Best of luck and good discovery!!

Back to School

Monday! First day of the week. The day when everything starts whether it's work, that diet you said you would start last Monday, running that errand you forgot about; a day of new beginnings anyway. But this Monday is a special one. It is the first Monday of September, which means a whole new beginning of a new season, and this time in a new city, and new company, where goals start becoming reality! First step, with the Royal Ballet of Flanders, working on their big new production of Spartacus, celebrating Yuri Grigorovich's 90th birthday. 

Due to some unfortunate events concerning the ballet company I worked with in Romania, I have decided to make a step into finding another job. The last few months of the season, I had not been at the best states of mind, which had brought down a great deal of my confidence levels. Dancing wise, I had been able to invest any emotion I held in, any anger, sadness or even happiness-that of the joy of dance- into my dancing itself. When it came to dancing William Forsythe's 'In the Middle Somewhat Elevated', that exuberant feeling when the first Crash hits the music is powerful like no other. The studio and stage had been the only moments I forgot about reality and could escape to a world of my own, turning any troubles into tools of motivation. However, what I hadn't realized at the time is that I had also turned the anger in to a weapon when leaving the studio, killing off every bit of hope and trust I had in myself, crippled by a negative energy I was not proud of.

I must clarify, my position at work had not been threatened. I had always received respect as a professional which I really appreciate. But what had troubled me was the decision I had to make, after seeing that the company may not be healthy environment for me to present my work honestly anymore. This has proved to me how vital a good communication among your peers and co-workers are within a working environment. Going back to what I have learnt in Reader 2 about the importance of networking and the connections you have at work, in order to create an efficient working team in the aim to grow and develop as artists and as a company itself. 

Of course, this could be a very big risk leaving full time job, with -maybe minimal yet- stable income, continuing your performance experience and having a studio to train daily. Perhaps, had I not found a new contract, I would have gone back, which could have been one option. It could have turned out to be better than what I had expected. But I feel a step had to be made on my account. 

During the summer I had time to really clear my mind and reflect back on the year that passed. I had spent a month writing down pages and pages of options, and plans of what the next step was for my career. Every decision I made was vital as it would determine what was to happen next in my life, which is something we, as humans, cannot have control over. What we do have control of is the way we approach our decision and they way we adapt and grow.

The turning point of my attitude towards life decisions had started after spending a month in the beautiful  Basque city of San Sebastian, located in the north coast of Spain. I was given the opportunity by dancer/choreographer/inspiring woman figure Iratxe Ansa, to be a part of a contemporary dance workshop that encouraged creativity and healthy team spiritual involvement in the studio. Ironically enough it was called Metamorphosis. Unlike the 'world of ballet' , there was a very human approach towards the connection between the dancers as well as the teachers with their dancers. By sharing ideas with each other (often after Improvisation session) we had created trust among us, which later contributed in our dancing and bonding as a group. About 30 dancers had gathered to this city, from all around the world -Mexico, Spain, Canada, Australia, America, Italy... all with the same aim and determination. We had also been given the opportunity to perform in different venues in the north of Spain, like the famous Church of San Telmo to traditional live music of the Basque country, called the Txalaparta, and the famous Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which had left us all very inspired.A very special experience it had been for plenty of the dancers, including myself. 

Having met these amazing dancers and friends, and challenging my mind and body with a technique I am not usually used to every day, I have discovered many things, like the exquisite possibilities that one body can do and how you can go much further than you believe your mind allows you. What I have also reflected back on afterwards, is how your mood and feeling can affect the others around you. The positive energy and work ethic in the studio as well as the kind and genuine people I have been so lucky to meet, have given me left me inspired with healthy outlook in life and dance. 

I had arrived home after this trip more motivated than ever to continue dancing during the summer, keep in shape and match my goals. I had organised auditions, taught ballet at home to young students, and trained by myself with minimal facilities, making the most of what I had learnt within the past year, including Patrick Rumps Training program, Stephane Dale's Floor Barre and a class I created myself following methods I had learnt in Spain this summer, by Iratxe and her husband Igor. All this while spending quality time with my family which I love so much. I am so grateful to have their support and guidance in every step I take.

I look forward to starting materializing goals in my career and BAPP in this new study year, and really discovering what I would like to base my final dissertation through the second Module of my studies. I wish everyone the best of luck!!