3c. Current Sources of information.

            I found this so difficult to establish what my main 5 sources of information were. Then I thought to myself how privileged i was to have all this information so easily at my grasp. It also made me think how differently I would have look at this task 5 years ago. This has all changed due to the dramatic evolution of technology.  After much consideration my main 5 sources of information were from:

My First source of information the internet.

The internet has changed the way the world operates from communicating to finding sources of information. Before the internet if I wanted to talk to someone, I would pick up the phone or even write them a letter. But these days I can connect them on a social networking site or send them an email. Some people may argue that the internet has spoiled the way we affiliate and communicate. Networking sites such as Facebook allow me to contact anyone conveniently, this allows me to be able to seek information off them easily and be connected to others sources of information.

My main source of information on the web is Google this site allows me to enter in anything I could think of and then be connected to a string of sites about this topic. This website makes it so easy to gain access to any information needed. Due to this convenience I feel I use this site the most.  I tend to use these types of sites when trying to find research as recently my Upton Btec course did a contemporary piece based on Isadora Duncan. I used the internet to source all the information I needed instead of having to go to a public library and sourcing the information manually.

The internet has also changed the way I even teach my dance classes as before the internet was widely available I sourced my music from cds. Now I download any music I need off the internet and then transfer it onto my IPod. For me and my students this is easier as I can have my music all in one place because of the internet. For me personally I have found the internet to be my main source of information.

 My Second source of information through My IPhone

            I recently bought the new IPhone 4, since I have had this piece of technology it has change the way I source information. I see my IPhone as a mini laptop, as It has all the facilities a laptop would have. I am able to phone and message contacts easily and I am also able to “ping” other smart phone users. I have synced my IPhone so I have my emails delivered to me like a message. This is extremely advantageous to me, as it means if an important email is sent normally I may not check my mail for a few days but this way I am aware of it straight away. It also enables me to send emails quickly and efficiently whilst on the go. My IPhone also connects me with social networking sites so It is even more convenient to be networking and affiliating socially and professionally.

            One of the benefits of IPhones phones is that they have Apple apps. These are applications you can download onto your phone which can be extremely useful to source information. The app I use the most to excess these sources is EBooks. This is an application that allows me to download any book or source of information onto my phone. I will be using this app more often as we go through the BAPP course.

            My smart phone also has a camera, video and voice recorder facilities this makes it extremely easy for me to take and store information on my phone then easily upload it into networking tools such as Facebook or even onto my Blog. I would highly recommend smart phones as they make sources of information even more accessible.  

 My Third source of information Networked Friends.

            I often relay on some sources of information to come from friends I have met along the line. For example at an audition. It is always beneficial to talk to others that are in your own position as it can often aid you and provide you with advice. I found it extremely interesting reading Jess Hunts Blog on this topic;

“This reminds me of task 3b, theories, relating to networks, the concept cooperation. If we cooperate with each other, in sharing information about auditions, offering accommodation, etc, in turn we can each gain beneficially from the situation.”(Task 3c Sources of Information )

I agree with Jess on this as it is the Tit for tat theory from the reader on the networked professional. Networking and sourcing information is all about cooperation as if you tell one person about an event they are more likely to inform you of the next audition or provide you with a favour. I feel it is extremely important to keep a strong network as it can help you to source valuable information.

My fourth Source of information is through Colleagues/pervious employers and teachers.

I feel I get a lot of information through talking to colleagues and past teachers. In the past it has been the best source of information I could find as it was coming first hand. I always try and talk to work colleagues to gain there advice or opinion on a certain topic. More often than not they will give me advice or a good link to source the information from. I also feel it is vitally important to make a lasting impression on a professional as you don’t know when in the future you will need a source information from them for example a reference. I always try and use the information given to me from colleagues and past professional’s as they have been in your situation and the advice and information they are providing has been tried and tested.

My Fifth source of information comes from Newspapers/magazines.  

            I personally get a lot of information from reading newspapers and magazines. The best sources of information I get about my practice are in the stage newspaper and the dancing times monthly magazine. I am always interested to look into what is happening in the industry and read articles on teaching. When I am reading through these sources I normally come across valuable links to another source of information which often very beneficial. I personally always read through these magazines and newspapers and I never know where they are going to lead me to. Even though the internet may have taken over the sourcing information I will still always use the stage and dancing times as they also have valuable links I wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere.

3b. Networked professional.

            When I first thought about networking and a networked professional I wasn’t aware of all the theories and thoughts, that have been evolved around this topic. I found it extremely interesting to find out about the contrasting theories in this paper.

The definition of cooperation is – process of working or acting together, which can be accomplished by both intentional and non-intentional agents. At first I didn’t think that cooperation had a huge link to networking, but it turns out I am mistaken. The Extract from Axelrod, R. (1984 pp xi – xiv) was extremely interesting, results from his game the Prisoner’s Dilemma’ shows that as in human behaviour we use the toll “TIT FOR TAT”  this seemed to be the best approach to the “game”. I feel this is also the best way to use cooperation in everyday life. The use or “art” of cooperation can really help professionals broaden their network just through this theory.

I personally feel that affiliation is a crucial part of everyday life, as helps in our personal and professional lives. Since the internet has become widely available affiliation has become more of a priority with the help of such sites as twitter and Facebook. I agree with the Extract from Crisp, J & Turner, R. (2007 pp266 – 268): “Teenagers were happier, more alert, and more excited when in the company of others than when alone. In contrast, a lack of affiliation may have a lasting negative impact. In research among children raised in orphanages a lack of social and physical contact adversely affected the ability of the brain and the hormonal system to cope with stress” I fell it is every important to feel involved and have a strong social network, I agree with the findings as research has shown that individuals lacking social interaction can have brain and mental issues. This demonstrates how important affiliation is, not only in a professional aspect but also in a health prospective too.

Constructionism or to construct is to build something in this case an idea. I was extremely interested in Merleau‐Pontys idea that we “How, such thinkers ask, can there be meaning without a mind?” I was rather confused at this until I read further. Constructionism started to fall into place when I read about the tree theory. Knowing that it was a tree but what is it really? Man gave it that name but what was it before? How long has it been there? This got me thinking about other objects such as water we know it’s there I take it “for granted” but what if I were to take to someone who had never seen it before would they think of it differently. This idea has excited me and I am going to research further into it and use constructionism in my thought process in critical reflection and networking.

Connectivism has completely changed the way we learn. Sources such as web2.0 have taken over the traditional ways of teaching. Research has shown that the recent change of teaching techniques has only befitted students. I personally feel that being in the education practice using the technology that is widely available today has aided students, and the courses they are studying. It has been proven that pupils are more engaged when watching a power point than watching a teacher write on a white board. Using connectivism especially in schools has dramatically improved some student’s behaviours as those who learn in visually and kinaesthetically. Being a teacher myself I have used the new connectivism way of teaching as I have set up a web group for the students of my Upton Btec Dance course and they are reaping the befits as it is easy to access work and get feedback from myself and other students. I feel this new theory is extremely advantageous and I defiantly will be using it in my professional networking.

Any comments are welcome; please let me know your thoughts on the networking professional theories.

3a. Current Networks.

As soon as I started thinking about networks the famous saying popped into my head “it’s all about who you know”.  In my professional network I couldn’t agree more. I have always been extremely lucky and had a strong network surrounding me. Although since I have graduated I have had to find new means to contact and keep in touch with others.  To do this I have had to discover new networking tools. I have always used the well-known networking site Facebook to keep in contact with friends but it is only recently that I have used the site as a networking professional tool. Since I have been taking full advantage of Facebook I have only had a positive experience. I have been able to join professional group of dance teachers, on this small network of professionals we share experiences and teaching techniques this has been extremely beneficial for me. I have also been extremely interested in the new site Twitter although I am not a member of this network, in the future I hope to use this site also as a networking tool.

Whilst I was researching current networks on most sites I entered was the phrase “it’s a small world”. I asked a few of my colleagues about this phrase and they all responded with “well it’s so easy to contact anyone these days and everybody seems to know someone I do”. I feel this is true and is becoming easier with all of their various networking tools that are available not only on the net but in communities and through friends. This picture gives an idea of how this networking chain may look.  I am really hoping to expand my professional network and I’m hoping that by my knew found knowledge of blogs, and with the connections I have started to create through this BAPP course it will start to broaden and get stronger.

2d: Line of inquiry.

            I was really struggling to think of a line of inquiry to research that that I was truly passionate about until I realised it was starring me in the face.

            I teach at Upton by Chester High school teaching Btec in applying contemporary dance, in one of my sessions I notice a girl was looking in through the window as I looked I noticed she was in a wheel chair and I thought I wish she was a student of mine this sparked an idea to look further into integrated dance, and to find ways to invite able and non -able dancers into the course and the world of dance. I have decided to make integrated dance my line of inquiry and look inward into this inspiring background. This YouTube video really inspired me to look inward into this professional practice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLe9ZSwU4aQ

            Integrated dance has always been a passion of mine as I have worked alongside integrated community companies such as LIVE, and independence both projects in Cheshire. I have always been inspired by companies like Candoco. This company was founded in 1991 by Celeste Dandeker and Adam Benjamin. The company developed from workshops led by Celeste and Adam at the Aspire center, and grew quickly into the first company of its kind in the UK – a professional dance company specializing in the integration of disabled and non-disabled dancers. When I personally watch Candoco it inspires me that anyone can enjoy dance and to be grateful for what I have.

One of my favorite pieces by Candoco is “the Journey” it was performed in 2005 and was the first piece of integrated dance I had seen and truly inspired me.  It was choreographed by Fin Walker and got rave reviews; one review evaluates the piece perfectly  

Walker’s subtle moves have the potential to change how we look at others and think about ourselves.

The Times on WalkerDanceParkMusic’s Silence of the Soul

Here I have linked a promo video of the season of 2005/2006 I feel this video expresses integrated dance. http://www.candoco.co.uk/videos/200506-season-pro.

After looking inward into integrated dance and rejuvenating my passion for if it really want to try and bring it into the schools and organisations I work for. And make my students realise that anyone can dance no matter what physical impediment. To do this I may use some of the workshop ideas that Candoco Company use and invite non able dancers of the school or community to join in a workshop later in the year after researching and learning more about this professional practice.  I hope to widen my own and others’ knowledge of integrated dance.

2c. Reflective theory.

 Personally I feel that Refection is a very personal thing, and before researching and studying the course reader I didn’t realise how much reflecting on actions really affects our lives and learning process. All the different theories explained in this reader has really inspired me to look into how I learn reflect and take from everyday experiences.

            Many thinkers in this reader such as Kurt Lewis and David Kolb have researched into the way we turn experiences into learning and written about all the various tools we already have in place in our everyday lives to do this and help us reflect. In My professional practice I have to reflect a lot but I am never quite conscious that I am doing it .During teaching I have to reflect on what works what doesn’t and how people respond to a certain events such as a new teaching method or even a new exercise, and learn from how they responded. Personally I reflect on events by thinking interpersonally over what happened in my own thoughts usually I don’t notice that I have reflected on them until the next time I come to the same event and I act on it differently. All of a sudden I realise that I must have not only reflected on what took place but learnt from that experience. I frequently say to myself I learnt from that experience. Up until researching reflective practice have I thought about what that really meant, and the thought process I must have been though to get to that point. One incident that really stood out for me was a teaching experience. During a class I used a different type of teaching technique that really worked on the students taking part. At the end of each exercise I asked half the class to watch the other half and give out corrections and praise to their fellow students. This really succeeded as not only did the pupils getting the corrections learn, the students giving them were more actively aware of what they themselves should being in there own work. Personally I learnt from the experience and so did my students.

            I was really interested about Graham Mcfee’s theory on knowing something before you realise what it means. He said “And that means knowing it before getting a definition”. pg18 (McFee 1992). From reading his extract on this in the course reader it lead me to think about I ever experienced that and the answer was yes. My experience of this was on a recent tour of Germany with the performing company Taudevein.  I had never before learnt the German Language but in my time out there I learnt what many simple German words meant without knowing there definition. For example “Gutentag” in German means hello, and in my time surrounded in the language I started to understand what it meant by peoples gestures and response to the word without knowing it definition. From reading Grahams Mcfee’s theory on this topic it has made me reflect on my own experiences and look into the thought process I went through to learn from that event

 From Reading John Dewey’s theory on reflective thought and Kurt Lewis on action and research it really made me reflect on how I personally learn what which I learning style I fall into.  Kolb developed a learning cycle (seen to the right) this really helped me understand the different ways of learning and pushed me to investigate were I entered the cycle. I feel I my learning style is best suited to the “concrete Experience” this involves doing and having the experience. To come to this personal conclusion I looked into the way I created my BAPP Blog to help me understand where I entered the cycle. To start the blog I just “got on stuck in” as I find it easier to learn if I experience it myself this would fall under Concrete learning. Although I did use a hint of active experimentation as I found myself making mistakes as I was going along so I started to plan what I was going to do next. One on my colleges on the BAPP course enters the cycle in the reflective observation I feel this complements my Concrete learning style. This is due to as I go ahead and get started with a project if we are working to together she will stop me and say “ I think this works this doesn’t work” and together it makes a very well balanced effort. I feel that Concrete and reflective observation complement each other greatly and form studying this cycle I hope to use more reflective observation in my professional practice.

            After reading Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligence it started my process of looking deeper into other ways of learning. I can personally really learn from Gardeners theory as it can really aid me in my professional practice knowledge of teaching. It can also help me understand different ways my students personally learn.  I unconsciously use all of the learning skills that Gardener describes. I use intrapersonal intelligence a lot in my day to day life from teaching or just walking through a busy street. I feel intrapersonal intelligence is a professional and very useful skill as it can only aid you in a situation. Intrapersonal intelligence means that you are able to reflect on other people’s reactions or emotions. For example if someone is irate and acting aggressively you can be aware of it and act to protect your own safety. Or in a teaching environment by someone’s body language you can react in the appropriate way by either comforting the student or dealing with behaviour. I feel that you need to have multiple inelegances for any professional practice.

            Gardener Talked about VAK this is three different styles of learning Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic he also describes these three ideas as multiple lenses. Garden said that his theories are like looking through lenses. Although everyone has a comfortable way of learning you should not limit yourself to just looking through one lenses i.e. being one type of learner. I personally use all three styles of learning for different things Visual for academic subjects Auditory for intrapersonal skills but Kinaesthetic for learning sequences of movement and everyday new activates. For me personally I use kinetic learning for most things as it the style I am most comfortable with and the one that work best for me. To try and widen my knowledge of VAK I decided to try and use Gardeners Visual and Auditory lenses for one day to see how affected me. Unfortunately these both made me feel extremely uncomfortable and i couldn’t learn in these styles. I found myself having to go back to the Kinaesthetic to complete the learning tasks. To try and use Both Auditory and visual more in my day to day reflection and I am going to try and take photos to help me and I’m going to start recording some of my lessons to help me reflect using different lenses.

           

            Now I have realised I am a kinaesthetic learner I was interested to read Twyla Tharp’s theory on Muscle memory. I as I dancer rely on my muscle memory and I agree with his statement in the reader.

“muscle memory. Automatic. Precise. A little scary. The second time

through, however, or trying to explain the steps and patterns to the

dancers, she will hesitate, second-guess herself, question her muscles,

and forget. That’s because she’s thinking about it, using language to

interpret something she knows nonverbally. Her memory of movement

doesn’t need to be accessed through conscious effort” (Tharp and

Reiter, 2006)

When I first went into teaching I found myself hesitating as I have never had to verbally express or explain what my body was doing as I had to express something I knew “nonverbally”. This was a really interesting topic for me personally and by understanding it more I can enhance my professional practice.  

Journal writing is a way of reflection and form reading David Boud chapter on Using Journal Writing to Enhance Reflective Practice writing it has really opened my eyes to this type of reflection. He expresses all the different uses people may use there journal for and this really inspired me to research into journals more. From reading this article I am going to research all the different uses of a journal and post another blog purely on this topic.

Please feel free to comment on this blog with your critical reflection.

Movement in Terms of Flow.

Through my writing in my journal I have found it extremely difficult to write on paper what I am feeling. In my first blog I published about my journal I I expressed the difficultly I was having, Paula Nottingham commented and suggested that I looked into the dancers way of thinking. So I am going to do exactly that. I have created a short exercise for my Btec course students. In this exercise I want them to see what movements flow and what they feel when they do them.  I also want them to try and express what they are feeling through dance just like a journal. I am going to do this exercise in a session tomorrow on the 23 November.  So I will be posting what happened shortly after that. I am interested to see the outcome and hopefully it will help me with my journal.

2b. Journal writing experience.

 2b. Journal writing experience.

To start this writing task I did exactly what was recommended I put a pin in my dairy and saw were it landed. It just so happened to fall on Wednesday the 10^th of November. This day was no ordinary day it was one that was highly awaited by not just myself but also those of my Btec Dance course as it was the day of their first Practical assessment. At First I thought this wouldn’t be an ideal day to use but thinking through it I realised it was the perfect event to write about as there was so many emotions and events taking place. I also thought it was an ideal way for me to in detail study every aspect of the day and learn for future experiences.

            On the 10^th on November at Upton-By-Chester high School 12 Girls eagerly awaited there first assessment for their Btec National certificate. The assessment was to take place at 5.00pm. During this assessment they were to show there development in Jazz and contemporary technique. For the Jazz assessment they were to perform a whole rehearsed class to a panel which consisted of Myself Jessica Hunt (jazz tutor) Jade green and Wendy Peirce (external dance tutor). They were also to perform a contemporary piece inspired by Isadora Duncan to the panel to show there level of performance and technical ability.

            5.00am was long awaited as the Btec Group had been working towards this in there 2 three hour a week sessions. Although the students taking part were anxious I was also as I had been working closely with the group to get them prepared for their contemporary assessment. I woke up that morning with a flutter of nervousness and excitement in my stomach. I wasn’t expecting to feel the way I did as time grew on that day as I found myself getting more and more anxious about the afternoon’s events. As I pulled into the school gates that fluttered had turned into a little tornado inside me as the reality of these girls getting assessed on what I had taught them sank in. I couldn’t help but think had thought them enough had I explained the intension of the piece they were about to perform properly. My main worry was that were the girls going to perform to the best of their ability like I knew they could! My mood was extremely erratic that day due to my emotions being so high one moment id be down whilst I was doubting myself but then it would completely change as I thought   about how much these 12 girls had accomplished. This lead me to think more detail about does what we think affect our moods and actions? After this event think it does. As the 12 girls nervously came into the studio at the long awaited 5.00pm a huge sense of pride came over me as the 12 girls looked immaculate and performed better than I ever could have imagined. As this emotion came over I felt my mood completely transform and it effected my actions and also my body language. I don’t normally study my body language but as we were in a dance studio I was surrounded by mirrors and noticed that my posture and   way of moving had changed all due to what I was thinking and what emotion I was experiencing.  In the guidebook it said“ did anything unexpected happened” and I thought to myself no nothing happened that had a huge effect on the event, but one thing unexpected did happened for one of my students taking part. Throughout the course one of the girls taking part has been extremely under confident and myself and others were worried of her chance to pass the course. Although throughout the assessment she seemed to blossom and transform into someone I had never seen before she was confident and her whole body lines seemed to have just changed. It reminded me of the process of when a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly and everything about that thing about that living thing changes. This was unexpected but it was extremely positive and I feel has completely changed on persons confidence and ability to perform.  

I’ve decided to create a list of what I thought felt in that day so it will be easier for me to evaluate and learn from. It will also be interesting to see the process of what I felt and were it lead to.

Things I saw.

My own body language change.

One dancer completely transforms

12 girls perform to the best of their ability.

All my teaching work came together.

Things I felt.

Anxiousness

Nervous

Excitement

A great sense of pride

Relief.  

It was really interesting for me to look at that list of what I felt as  it went on its own journey and I think that if someone were to look at that list they would be able to see the event that took place.

I think that the day was a complete success I think that the whole assessment was a great learning experience not only for myself but for the students taking part. The biggest thing I have learnt from this is that if I want to get the best out of a student I need to be aware of what they are thinking and what mood they are in. This has also made me aware that if a student in overly nervous of has a negative mental attitude it doesn’t only effect there way of thinking but it also effects there performance. This writing exercise has really brought to light that a prep confidence talk or building someone’s self-esteem really effects there overall progress and performance and to stay well clear of piling on unnecessary pressure.

During the assessment I couldn’t be help think “what if”. Whilst watching them perform I could just visualise the contemporary piece being performed on a large stage. As I thought this I my mind just went away with itself i started visualising the lighting set. I would have loved for it to have had a simple black drop with just white light floor lights and spot lights to follow each dancers own dancer and mental journey throughout the piece. I found myself even imagining the costume it would have been white and tried to have complimented the era that Isadora Duncan was alive. The piece was extremely tense and I imagined what that tension would visually look I continued to do this throughout the piece finding myself trying to imagine what all the emotions that were being portrayed looked like and I really wish I could express what I see them as on paper. I really wish we had to opportunity to do what I had imagined as I think it would have been spectacular.

Throughout the day of the assessment I couldn’t help but think what the girls were thinking and feeling themselves, and what emotional journey they went on themselves. From being with the girls most of the day I got the sense that they were all extremely nervous. At one point one of the girls said she felt like her stomach was doing moving around her body. I feel that they saw they day in a different perspective to myself as this was there mark and I feel that they wanted to show how much they had developed. I am going to ask the Btec group to write a short paragraph on how they felt and see if it is what I expected.

I have taken so much from this day and more now from doing this reflective task. I have learnt some critical things about moods and body language that I have taken into my professional practice of teaching. The fact that ever student on the course blossomed throughout the assessment has made me more enthusiastic about teaching and learning new ways of confidence building. For the next assessment I will defiantly change the lead up to the assessment and not force on as much pressure as It had a negative effect on some students. This day has really effected the way I teach and really has stuck out not only to me but to the students in this month and I aim to use what I have learnt to help my in this professional practice course. I am defiantly going to look more into “does your personal mood affect performance”.

2a. Reflective journal

For me expressing my feelings through words is extremely strange. Normally if my emotions are running high or I just need to get something off my chest I shut myself away in a studio and create something that expresses exactly what I am feeling.  For many people they would find this completely strange but for my its perfectly normal and my way of getting things off my chest!  Hopefully this journal will be my new way of expressing myself and what I normally did through dance will flow itself onto paper.

Do web based Technologies enhance Professional Practice?

           

         When I first looked into this question my immediate reaction was “yes of course they do”, although through researching into the topic deeper I was surprised that some aspects of web based technologies can have negative and positive effect on professional practice.

            Web based technologies are available for everyone to access and some may argue that they have changed the way we social interact, with a staggering 500 billion minuets are spent on face book a mouth this opinion starts to seem more digestible.

            I feel that in the performing arts industry web based technologies have become a crucial aspect of the performing lifestyle. From advertising, auditions to viewing the latest critic reviews. The well know publishing site you tube has also had a great affect on professional practice as it allows anyone in the world to view any video posted  on the site and leave there own critical comment this in itself could enhance or damage professional practice just by what the viewer chooses to write. My view on you tube has to be a positive one as it allows any new talent to publish themselves and get seen. In the last few years many of our new music talent such as Justin Bieber, and Taylor Swift have become successful purely due to this web based technology. In my view it also gives a free way for young talent to be inspired by videos they may watch on this site. For example I recently taught a contemporary class and four of my students ran in saying “have you seen this on YouTube” they were so passionate about what they had viewed they wanted to do it themselves. In this case YouTube is a brilliant way to enhance professional practice as is bringing more talent and advertisement to the industry.

            Web based technologies are also a fantastic way to accesses source of information you may not be able to otherwise. Such as teaching methods articles ECT. They are also a great way for people involved in the industry to find work or for employers to find you, such as well used sites such as spotlight.

            Although It appears that web based technologies do have a positive affect on professional practice there are some damaging negatives to. These negatives were brought to my attention when I was reading the web 2.0 meme map the idea that made me explore the negatives was “trust your user”! With the average facebook account having over 150 friends it puts the account holder in view of a lot of different opinions. Not only on facebook but on a lot of web based techniques hacking, and negative comments can have a knock on effect for the user. For example a critical comment on a piece of professional practice work may knock the user’s confidence. Hacking can also have an extremely negative effect as “generally non-one editing on your content, except yourself” this does not apply when an account has been entered by another user. Although these problems have a damaging effect on the professional proctor, I feel it only has a small effect on the professional practice industry.  

            From reading the reader on this questions and doing my own research I feel that Web based technologies do enhance professional practice and it is not only a useful tool but it has grow to become an essential part of the professional industry. 

                           Any Comments are welcome id love to here your views on this topic so I can expand my knowledge on web based technologies.

Do web based technologies enhance professional practice?

Slide Show

Im having so much trouble trying to get my slideshow on my actual blog page but here is the link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/55559017@N08/show/ .

Professional Profile

My name is  Alice Joynson I am 19 years old and have an overwhelming passion for Dance.

I Cant remember dance ever not being involved in my life as I have been going to dance lessons since I was 3 years old.  Although when I turned 15 I started a GCSE dance course this is when I was introduced to Contemporary. I was so intrigued by the new way of moving and by creating my own choreography, this is when I realised this is what i was meant to do.

            Three years later I started my professional dance training at The Hammond School of dance, and graduated in July 2010 with a level six national diploma. Throughout my time at the Hammond school I fell in love with teaching contemporary and really started to get my own feel for choreography.  I have been extremely lucky in my professional training to have been able to work with companies such as Rambert, Candoco, Phoenix dance company and many others.    I also have a passion for performing my own work and of other choreographers. In 2009 I was a part of a touring company Taudevin which was an amazing experience and I learnt so much about the performing industry. Unfortunately During my time in Taudevin I developed a spinal injury which postponed my performing career, although it lead me to the path I am perusing now.   

Currently I am a Contemporary dance teacher for North West dance Studios, and I also teach a BTEC course in professional techniques. I am aiming to expand my knowledge of the industry by completing this BA Hours course in Professional practice. In the near future I aim to gain my PGCE qualification so I can also expand my love of teaching.

1a; Professional CV

Alice Joynson

Date of Birth: 03/08/1991        Address: 5 Morgan Close, Saxon Park, Blacon,                         

                                                                   Chester, Cheshire, England, CH1 5XH.

Email: Alicejoynson@hotmail.co.uk            

Age: 19                                   Dress Size: 6                        Hair colour: Blonde    

Height: 5ft 2                           Shoe size: 4                          Eye colour: Green

Weight: 7 ½ st

Ethnicity: White/Caucasian)                       

Training. Sept 08 – July 10

Course: Level 6 trinity national diploma in professional dance

Performance Experience

                                                    Role                          Director

Taudevin Performing company        Cast member            Alison Hughes

Debut Hammond School                  Dancer                  Sarah Durrant

Encore Hammond School                Dancer                      Sarah Durrant

Other Experience

Chester Fashion week shows – Cruise bar Chester city centre – St David’s Park

Own choreography showcased at Chester Gateway Theatre and Theatre Clwyd

Choreographed DDM drama school production of Wicked

Lead Contemporary workshops of Cheshire and Chester Youth Dance Company 

Awarded Contemporary Dancer of the year award from the Hammond School 2009

Professional Employment

Dance teacher

BTEC National Level 3 Applying Contemporary                September 2010 to current

Technique.

Dance teacher

North West Dance Studios Contemporary level 1 -2            September 2010 to current

Teacher 

Dance Teacher

North West Dance

Studios Adult Street

Teacher.                 September 2010 to current

Other Employment

Sales Assistant Coast Occasion Wear                                    June 2010 to Current

Jack Wills Visual Merchandiser                                                 2008 – June 2010

Other

Proficient in; 

Ballet Jazz                              

Contemporary                            

Street Dance                           

Choreography                         

Pilates / Yoga

Pointe Work  

Referee

Sarah Durrant - Hammond School of Performing Arts School.

                        01244 -  305382

My First Blog

Well here it goes my first Blog!!! Hello everyone im Alice Joynson and I am still trying to get used to BlogSpot. I am so excited about starting this BAPP course and getting to know everyone who is also taking part. I am really looking forward to widening my knowledge on professional Practice.