Learning Diary Entry 1

I have had great relief in reading the frequently used words ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘panic’ in many of my fellow student’s blogs as I too feel that those words suit my reaction to the huge file that I received by email for this module. I have only recently just finished my reading due to being busy rehearsing our new ballet which premieres in just over a week. I think initially the sheer amount of reading made me feel like I couldn’t possibly take in all the information and understand it fully, especially when reading it all off a computer screen, my eyes were struggling too. I was actually surprised that when I began to read the module handbook I was able to understand quite a lot of what was expected of me and I understood the general aim of the module. I read Judith Bell’s book beforehand and think this really helped because I began to recognise things such as specific research terms when reading the handbook through for the first time. The biggest problem for me now is that there just seems so much work ahead of me and I feel a bit intimidated by it. After reading the handbook I was also left feeling like I had no idea where I was supposed to start.

Luckily my advisor (Paula) managed to get hold of me over Skype during one of my breaks and I had my first phone conversation with her since I started the course. I had up until then been a bit shy about calling her since I had been unable to go to the campus and meet her in person. Though initially I felt a lack of confidence due to not being able to attend the campus sessions, I came away feeling encouraged after talking to her and with a better idea of where to start. I feel I have already learnt that the relationship between me and my advisor is really important, not only from reading about it in Bell’s book, but also from the difference it made to my confidence after only 20 minutes of conversation. I’m really looking forward to involving Paula more in my work and developing our relationship over the course of this next module.

One thing I discussed over the phone was some ideas that I had about my project topic. I mentioned that I had brainstormed in the shower and written pretty much everything down that I could think of doing. I was encouraged to include my list in my blog diary entry......so here goes;

• Eating disorders and issues in dancers

• Dance Psychology – dealing with nerves and stress, using visualisation as an aid

• Auditions and the auditioning process

• Choreographic devices – how to successfully create movement (for new and inexperienced choreographers)

• Ballet and sport i.e ballet connected with football training

• Ballet or dance and aiding physical problems/disabled people

• Ballet, dance and theatre for disadvantaged people- projects such as Ballet Hoo! by BRB

• Dance and the public - what does it mean to them - preferences to different types of dance -why?

• Ballet and different techniques - physiology - body types and abilities for different styles

• Comparison of Narrative and Abstract dance works – their effectiveness

• Old Classics and Modern dance works – difference in impact – preferences

• Ballet companies and unions – fair treatment of dancers , company etiquette

• Theatre and money issues- how to attract and keep faithful audiences – economic crisis, impact on theatres, dance and music productions

• Dance and Injury

• Dance and Physical health benefits

• Dance as an art form – accessing emotions, presentation. Artistry over technique? Physicality over quality? etc

• Ballet dancers and ‘normal life’ outside the theatre. Married to their career? Coping with families and yet sustaining technical standard, physical strain on the body as you become older (and or) have children

• Alternative careers for a dancer after retirement

• Becoming/being an artistic director – decisions, responsibilities, relationship with company

• Male dancers and prejudice, public perception that they are gay

Now I’ve really got to try and narrow the list down. I’ve learnt from my reading that it is important to choose something that you are interested in and passionate about as well as something that is relevant to you or your field of work and that others will be interested in too. I found Peter Bryant’s blog very helpful, providing some really good questions that you can ask yourself to try and select the most promising two or three topics.

So good luck to everyone on this, I’m looking forward to reading more blogs and I’ll let you know how I’m getting on soon........fingers crossed!