Dynamix Dance
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127540638@N03/sets/72157649636691985/
Here is a link to a set of images in Flickr showing promotional pictures taken during the launch of my dance school in 2012, some of the images were from our first ever Christmas recital in December 2013.
In order to use these images online I had to comply with ethical practice by ensuring written parental and student consent was gained allowing images of my students to appear on my website for promotional purposes.
Saturday, 6 December 2014
Audio Visual Task 1c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzG96oISTcc
One of the hardest tasks I have come across so far has to be this one, I have spent considerable time procrastinating as a result of being unsure how to undergo the brief of creating my own YouTube channel clip titled 'Starting Out On BAPP'. During this process I recorded my feelings in my reflective journal in order to look back at how I solved issues of uncertainty. To achieve this task I gained inspiration from my peers audio visual presentations and considered how I wanted to approach mine. I was dubious about sitting in front of a camera and talking as I am rather self conscious and I had already written an online profile for my blog and did not want to repeat myself in verbal form. One of the other students had made a slide show of her pictures, including text and a song, I was inspired by the creative approach and it showed a really personal take on the required task. I decided to do this myself and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed digging out old snaps and reliving those early memories, I often doubt myself and what I do, I think that like my blog profile, this exercise has not only allowed me to explore further areas of online communication, but enabled me to see how far I have come and feel proud of what I have achieved. I did not find this easy, I have never made a slide show or video before and had to follow online tutorials and through much trial and error achieved the final result.
One of the hardest tasks I have come across so far has to be this one, I have spent considerable time procrastinating as a result of being unsure how to undergo the brief of creating my own YouTube channel clip titled 'Starting Out On BAPP'. During this process I recorded my feelings in my reflective journal in order to look back at how I solved issues of uncertainty. To achieve this task I gained inspiration from my peers audio visual presentations and considered how I wanted to approach mine. I was dubious about sitting in front of a camera and talking as I am rather self conscious and I had already written an online profile for my blog and did not want to repeat myself in verbal form. One of the other students had made a slide show of her pictures, including text and a song, I was inspired by the creative approach and it showed a really personal take on the required task. I decided to do this myself and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed digging out old snaps and reliving those early memories, I often doubt myself and what I do, I think that like my blog profile, this exercise has not only allowed me to explore further areas of online communication, but enabled me to see how far I have come and feel proud of what I have achieved. I did not find this easy, I have never made a slide show or video before and had to follow online tutorials and through much trial and error achieved the final result.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Professional Communication Technologies: Thoughts On Web 2.0
Task
1 b
Upon research of web 2.0 I have discovered how online
interaction continues to evolve in our professional practice and
social lives. As social media is so commonly used every day for
various purposes, it is easy to take for granted the amount we rely
on it for daily tasks. I feel the web 2.0 movement hugely benefits my
practice as an arts professional, however there are many factors for
us to consider in ethical use of this. I feel that web 2.0 in some
cases can prove detrimental in that there is a capacity for
dishonesty in some cases, I plan to explore aspects of ethical use of
web 2.0 within my further research.
My research lead me to consider all of the many forms of
web 2.0 that I use on a daily basis to enhance my work as a Dance
Teacher. I have recently joined several online networking groups
relating to dance that have fed my own interest as well as proved
beneficial to my work. Online hubs allow teachers to share ideas and
gain solution to issues arising in the work place. It is reassuring
to have a support network of like minded professionals experiencing
similar, teaching dance is such a specialised profession I often feel
limited with who I can call upon for advice. The discovery of these
hubs and forums came about through suggested interest on Face Book
and Linked In.
As students we are able to connect with our peers and
tutors via our blogs, allowing us to share our experiences and
broaden perspectives regarding our studies. For instance, through my
blog I am able to share my findings and gain inspiration for further
research from my tutors and peers in order to improve my
understanding from their input via comments.
Ethical use of web 2.0 must be considered in
professional practice, this is something I have studied as part of my
teacher training and am fully aware of the legislations and measures
in place for the protection of ourselves and others. Factors to
consider are: copyright, authenticity, confidentiality boundaries of
personal and professional in terms of reputation. It is necessary to
comply with the legislations within the Data Protection Act 1998,
Protection of Children Act 1999 and Copyright Act 2012.
Separation of personal and professional online profiles
are imperative when using Face Book and Twitter, I have therefore
created two separate pages for each of these aspects of life. Used in
the correct manner, web 2.0 allows us to communicate on more levels
than ever before allowing various forms of interaction from one to
many, my current module encourages the use of many varying forms of
web 2.0 to enhance my profession and further educational research.
Through my academic journey so far, I have discovered more platforms
of web 2.0 I'm sure I will continue to discover more.
Monday, 27 October 2014
Professional Profile
Professional Profile
My
journey so far...
I
began dancing at the age of four following a Christmas outing to the
theatre with my primary school to watch The Royal Ballet's production
of The Nutcracker, I remember falling in love with dance at that very
moment. The Sugar Plum Fairy in particular caught my eye and from
then on, just like many girls of my age, that was what I aspired to
become.
I
showed an aptitude for dance and other related activities including
gymnastics and various sports so it made sense for me explore these
further outside of school. I took lessons in Ballet and Modern at
Hereford Ballet School and moved through my grades quickly, I also
joined a local gymnastics club and it was difficult for me to decide
which activity I wanted to focus on more. I went on to win county and
regional championship titles in gymnastics with dance still on the
scene but taking a bit of a back seat for a while.
When
approaching sixteen, the decisions of potential careers were looming
and I had various ideas of acting, coaching, dancing and perhaps
physiotherapy. My dance teachers called me and my mum in for a
meeting to discuss my future in pursuing a dance career, which came
as a surprise to me as I had no idea I was any good! It all seemed
rather daunting but I thought, why not give it a go and audition for
some full time dance schools? I was only fifteen at the time,
choosing a career seemed so grown up, I recall feeling like a wanted
to be a kid for just a bit longer!
My
auditions were a success, I was offered places at Northern Ballet
School and The Hammond School and what a great feeling it was to be
chosen over so many other students hoping for a place, but this was
just the beginning. I accepted a place at The Hammond School as
living in Chester seemed a little less scary than living in central
Manchester on my own, coming from such a rural background.
Unfortunately
an accident at gymnastics almost destroyed my dance career before my
training had barely begun. I shattered part of my knee cap, resulting
in two operations, months of physiotherapy, a huge knock to my
confidence and a thoroughly depressing time out from dance. I moved
home and attended a course at the art college studying performing
arts which I found rather uninspiring. I explored various career
paths over the next two years but nothing interested me enough and
upon deciding I was up to it, I would give dance another go despite
being a little older than other dance students. I attended a full
time dance course in the Midlands, Bojangles College, which was
rather small but I felt it was the right place for me having met some
great teachers and students on the audition day. The teachers really
built up my self confidence, technique and performance, they were
really supportive and I enjoyed my time here.
Upon
leaving I was thrown into the competitive cut throat world that is
the dance industry and after many auditions I was offered a job as
part of a performance company at a holiday village in Devon. This
gave me a first taste as a regular performer and although it was
never my ambition to work in holiday entertainment I gained some
valuable experience and provided an opening to further performing
opportunities. After this I joined a production company in Menorca
that toured around with two productions, in which I assisted with the
choreography. I found a real passion for creating my own choreography
and satisfaction in teaching it to others. I had always liked the
idea of being a dance teacher but felt I lacked the confidence to do
it.
Upon
returning home from Spain I enquired about local teaching courses and
despite being offered a job with a dance company in the UK, I decided
to enrol at Janet Marshall Dance Studios, Cheltenham. Here, I studied
for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Foundation In Dance
Instruction and Certificate In Dance Education in the genres of
Imperial Ballet, Tap and Modern Theatre. I feel that this was,
without doubt, the best thing I have ever done as it provided a gate
way into a rewarding career as a teacher.
During
my time teaching so far, I have worked for various schools across
Herefordshire as well as Shropshire and Worcestershire. For the past
five years I have taught classical ballet at a local school in North
Herefordshire, Aspire Dance Studios. It's a privilege to be part of
such a vibrant school, producing excellent results through high
standards amidst a friendly atmosphere. I have found it most
fulfilling watching my students grow, progress and achieve.
Two
years ago I decided to branch out and set up my own classes, 'Dynamix
Dance' this had always been an ambition of mine. It was a completely
new challenge, having to carry out extensive research into business
requirements as well as broaden my skills in I.T and marketing. It
has enabled me to view the dance industry from a different
perspective.
Which
leads me to my most recent venture, studying for a BA in Professional
Practice of the Arts with Middlesex University, a work based study
programme, through which I hope to develop and progress my skills as
an arts practitioner. During this course I hope to improve my
practice and broaden my career prospects as well as fulfilling a
personal goal of gaining a degree. Through my blog I hope to share my
research, experiences and findings as well as learn from others. I look forward to receiving your comments.
Ruth
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