Module One Zoom Call

 Yesterday evening we had a Zoom call with Helen to discuss our practice and how we would define it. We also discussed our thoughts on parts of the Module handbook and Learning Areas. 

As an introduction we each introduced ourselves and spoke about our disciplines and then delved further into what we felt our practice was. I found this very daunting as students began to answer with such intellectual, well thought answers and all I could think was... I don't know. Despite mind mapping my practice and really thinking about it that day I find it so hard to put my thoughts into words. Dance is definitely my choice of expression as through vocalising my thoughts I rarely make any sense. However, I managed to communicate my thoughts on my practice (kind of) and after listening to everyone else it made a lot more sense. I found it very interesting to hear what other dancers felt their practice was as we all felt differently despite having the same discipline. 

Throughout the discussion Helen made some really valid points on our practice such as;

.The importance of pushing against our lost expression and not allowing ourselves to lose our creativity and passion during what is a very difficult time for all performers.

.How important influences are in our practice and the importance of recognising and reflecting on those 

.How we need to stop positioning the Arts as something other than education - It is education.

.Resilience - to not put our career on hold for the sake of the pandemic but learn to realise what we can do and through our own creativity learn how to thrive.

.To not be defined by a negative experience even if it was unethical but to use that as an opportunity for reflection and self development.

I have been guilty of nearly all these things. As soon as the weather turned and I could no longer use my garden as a dance studio, I felt my passion and creativity go out the window. I've always been so highly motivated but for the first time in my life I didn't want to dance or exercise or push myself. However with encouragement from family and my Mums voice in my head I no longer feel that way. This course and the reading I've done so far have really inspired me. Other students, supervisors, your blogs and idea have all inspired me so much and with the work we are doing I feel as driven as I did during training.

We had a long discussion about the importance of Interpersonal skills and how that related to our practice. It may be hard to see initially how they link but I think it's a vital skill to have not just as a performer but in life in general. Interpersonal skills have helped me form Professional Networks and therefore further my learning. In my career communication with cast members and other staff have been vital for a happy contract with good relations. Interpersonal skills have also helped me with communicating with guests whether is be in my language or not. Having these skills have been a huge part of my success in my career and have led to making many friends and getting job/re-employed. 

Although this course can be tricky and having so much freedom is not something as performers we're use to, I felt more positive after the call that this was something I can really do. After reading the handbooks and the Coretext (my vocabulary isn't advance enough to read this book like any other, the struggle was real) all I could think was 'what have I got myself into?' but now after dissecting the handbooks and making sense of everything in my own way I'm starting to feel confident that I and we all can do this x