Tuesday Discussion Group

25th September 2018

The first discussion group of the term and what an eye opener it was! By speaking to people from all three modules I felt as though I was able to advise others as well as learn from them. As Adesola said; we are not trying to answer each others questions or solve someone else's problem but to give our input and thoughts to develop this further and offer alternative thought processes / methods.

The first topic discussed was networks of ideas and in your community. Charlie mentioned after going through the three different lenses when she came to networks she was not clear between networks and communication. Her networks felt very small, here it is important to not only consider verbal networks but to think outside the box as to different forms of networks. Not just people she has worked with in her youth and more professional career (other teachers) as they're all very similar and the topic remains very black and white. Here the idea to think about any other jobs she has done that do not involve teaching to avoid her inquiry being one sided and to create other routes was suggested. For example looking deeper into web 2.0 as we now have social media; facebook etc. Also the idea that we are a professional network the BAPP community and to consider how we connect and learn from each other as well.

Spotlight was discussed; an online CV which is a way of presenting yourself on the internet. Casting directors do see this so it is another way to be seen. It's outside of the social media side of things. This led onto the idea that as a dance teacher / professional dancer there are many networks not only your personal ones but also larger networks and organisations such as facebook groups. This brings in ethical consideration as often larger networks have ethical codes of conduct. Not only are there other dancers but also other casting directors. I brought up the hustle a facebook forum linked to your personal facebook so its not only your friends and family you have on there but also potential employers, choreographers and colleges will be able to see you on there.

Expanding my thoughts on codes of conducts, who decides what is correct and incorrect? We have safe guarding when teaching classes but when you are online how does this come into accordance? Charlotte mentioned during the Skype session to take into consideration as to how much the web has developed, not only safe guarding for yourself or your own business but online there is so much more. Now you have to think about commenting writing etc there's more things out there in place for it to be correct. For example negative comments or controversial comments can have detrimental effects on your own practice whether its dance, drama related or life in general. A lot of general rules apply but its about tailoring that to your own practice and constantly being aware.

So much has changed ethically especially from being a young dancer and teachers pushing us down into the splits. Nowadays that is strictly prohibited and from now where is it going to go? Are we going to be able to correct students by touching their arms? How are we going to correct them effectively if we can't touch them? Not just from a teaching point of view but as a professional dancer, choreographer, director. Whilst training at a vocational ballet school when they had ofsted in to inspect this topic was brought to our attention. As a vocational student we are used to being moved around and almost appreciate it as you are able to feel what is the correct placement. Where as if you are a child dancing as a hobby it is much more unusual. As a teacher taking a child's hand and walking them to a spot is something normally you would think nothing about. Nowadays children are educated not to hold that persons hand, they look as if to say why did you just touch me? Teaching in schools there is a lot of paperwork to fill out now and you must be so much more considerate as to how you act and how you treat your pupils. Dance ethics come into play here and there is a lot of literature about hands on and hands off approaches when teaching which I am looking forward to researching further into.

The topic which resonated with myself the most was that idea that as a dancer we have spent our whole journey into the professional world from training to professional working we are always told what to do. Mark gave the example; "we are told this is a plie and this is how you do it but you're not told how to perform the plie that's completely individual. A certain step is black and white and that is how you do it and how it is technically accurate but we put the finishing touches on ourselves and that's what is individual to us as performers". When you work in a company or you're working professionally you're told by the choreographer or casting director exactly where to stand how to do it. When you come out of that cycle and you've suddenly been told you have free reign it's all on you. The scary unknown now comes into play because you have never had that much freedom.

Concluding, at the beginning of the discussion I mentioned that I had not yet chosen my inquiry and I now know why that is the case. I was almost waiting for an answer that I will not get. It is important to have a main point in your inquiry and a main question but I now am aware to not be worried if it goes off different paths. I have to discover for myself what I will get the most out of. There is no right or wrong, there is more than one answer its about professional practice there is no one to tell you how to be you.