Reviews of tasks 4...question development

Before I publish the continuing findings within module two I thought best to recapp and touch base with my blog ensuring I keep my reflections up to date on here too.

I originally created a set of questions that were aimed at looking into how people are to make the initial move in to the career transition from performer to teacher, with certain reference to financial difficulties.( blog- Initial export of ideas and questions) I have since realised that as this could be a rather specific/restrictive look of the 'transitional professional' (and somewhat biased as it was what I am currently experiencing within my own practice) I have decided to broaden the investigation. I am to aim my surveys to not just individuals who are in the bracket of 'dancer/performer to teachers', but to 'dancer/performer to general career change'.
Also, after further thought, I would like to discover what possible support systems/organisations that are out there whos intention and purpose is to be at the dancers disposal for help with their change of career paths. I know that it is something that is worth looking into as there are lots issues (psychological, physical, educational and financial) that are invaluable areas needing supporting, thus paramount to ease the transitions.
Hopefully I can identify how some dancers may have already benefited from such organisations, and their experiences post transition. My aim is to accumulate information that I can cross refernece in the reults section of the inquiry and discover how these career transitions support companies help and focus their advice...and if at all if there is a gap in the market, where there are ways to offer improved services to the dancing community as a whole.

I think the questions I am to develop will look further in to

1. What main reason initiated the transition?
2. Was there time for pre transitional preparation.? (looking at the timeline/age of the dancer).
3. What was the length of time taken to become adjusted, whether it be pre-during-post transition
4. Is the individual aware of any support that is offered (either within employment or as an organisation not directly related to the company that can aid freelance workers too?)
5. Has the individual recieved support, on what level was this and in what area, from where?
6. What are their thoughts, could there be more available...is what is out there sufficient in their experience?
7. Maybe look into questionning the founders or advisors in such companies to take another perspective on their work and how they facilitate such bands of support.

As I am not too sure what is available I have taken into looking into this further. I have identified a few services online, yet I wish to discover more what is available in the UK

My original ideas have lead me to look into the support systems, so are still useful questions that I aim to develop with my new directions in mind.
I do hope that for some of you, this has sparked interest and i look forward to communicating along this train of thought in the SIGs.

Revisiting my past for a little more insight

Last night I found myself re-reading through an old diary from a period where I was going through a difficult time within the beginning of my professional career, in a hope to trigger memories and emotions that I went through. Here I found an entry, within week 6 of the professional graduate dance company 'Transitions Dance co', the title was DISASTER! I had suffered a torn aductor in a Horton based class, I was confused as I was unable to put weight on my left leg half way through class, but there was no pain... for about 15 mins at least! Adrenalyn was most definitely present, as it wasn't unitl I was sent directly to the physician that I had realised the possible extent of my injury. I don't want to sound dramatic, but whilst I was getting the diagnostic review, my career flashed before my eyes leaving me with fear and devestation as my mind jumped to so many conclusions.
I was in the most important stage of my career so far and the thought of having to sit out during the creation of the first piece we were to tour hit me hard like a train. I was lost and left with a huge amount of fear that my career could be on the way out before it actually hit anywhere near its peak! I lost all enthusiasm to even go to the studio as every minute I observed felt like a year that I was missing out on. The choreographer and the teachers at the time didn't have an awful lot of input or words of wisdom that I felt could be put to use...but then again, why in their view should they be bothered with one 'lame' dancer when they had 11 others to play with :-(
I found that keeping a diary in this time helped me address the grief of being physically held back. Looking back on it this was the only support I had (other than family of course). I tried hard to keep ideas and creativity flowing whilst carrying out my rehabilitaion fitness, trying tirelessly to keep my presence in the studio and creative process known in order to have some control on the future of my role in the performance. All I needed was a little acknowlegdement and maybe for the director to appreciate my tenasity towards the sad situation I found myself in. As this was not there Istruggled through, luckily it was only a recommended 6 week time out ( of which I could only bear 3 before graually imposing myself  back 'in' the space) but it did get me thinking of the future career and the potenial factors that can add up to termination/retiremant of performance and the inevitable 'real world and real jobs' where my identity would most definitely have to take on a different face.
The emotional impact having an injury has on a dancer, psychologically, is immense. That with the added fear of 'another career', finacial hardship, loss of identity, to name a few got me to thinking about support systems that could be available for dancers during the perfroming career and those who are reaching the end, leading to a directional transition.

I hope to discover possible support systems for dancers within the UK, and identify what they offer to company dancers and freelance dance artists. What organisations are out there that can help dancers come face to face with the transition they face, and give the helping hand/words to make the circumstantial move (or transition of choice) easier to bear?


...So within more of my scribbles in a later diary (funnily enough when this particular injury raised its ugly head once more) was a name of a journalist and article that I must have read. Not sure as to why I had noted it down I searched archives and the internet hoping that it would offer extra input in to my investigation. I came across it a few weeks ago.

''Dont give up the day job- how artists make a living''

As I am thinking of taking a different route in to my line of inquiry I guess it is not as directly linked anymore, yet it illustrates that 'financial-passion-professional development' balance is a major factor for most artists.

Fine words...

"Singers, Musicians, Dancers and Actors are some of the most driven, courageous people on the face of the earth. They deal with more day-to-day rejection in one year than most people do in a lifetime. Every day, they face the finacial challenge of living a freelance lifestyle, the disrespect of people who think they should get real jobs, and their own fear that they'll never work again. Every day, they have to ignore the possibility that the vision they have dedicated their lives to is a pipe dream. With every note, they stretch themselves, emotionally, physically, risking criticism and judgement. With every passing year, many of them watch as the other people their age achieve the predicatble milestonesof normal life- the car, the family, the house, the nest egg. Why? Because Actors, Dancers, Musicians and Singers are willing to give their entire lives to a moment- to that melody, to that lyric, to that chord, or that interpretation that will stir an audiences soul. Actors Dancers, Singers, Musicians are beings who have tasted life's nectar in that crystal moment when they poured out their creative spirit and touched another's heart. In that instance, they were as close to magic, God, and perfection as anyone could ever be. And in their own hearts, they know that to dedicate oneself to that moment is worth a thousand lifetimes."

-David Ackert, LA Times

Initial export of ideas and questions

Despite all intentions of uploading and creating blogs time has a habit on running away...especially when I set aside the spare few hours I have to study I realise the reading and literature research could be a full time job. I am finding some very interesting articles and exerpts of various lines of enquiry...yet these lead to other exciting ideas that I perhaps hadnt thouhgt about. If only I could investigate all. The having to narrow all down to one specific idea has been a tricky concept for me to follow, as I dont want the choice I make to be one that I wish I look in heinsight.

As I am enduring a transition within my career, from perfromer to teacher, I thought this would be a great way to keep the investigation to run parallel to my practice. Moving my career in a new direction is taking me out of my comfort zone so understandably not always finding myself in a poitive state of mind. With converations with Jo Clarke, Paula and fellow professionals within my networks, I am confronted with a wall of doubt where my initial inquiry thoughts are in question. They have given me an outside view of how they see me and my ideas that I am aiming to challenge, and all seem to agree that as there is negativity present within my actual 'transition' that I am experiencing. I should perhaps look at it from a different angle alleviating extra stresses on myself and my work. I mean one less stress I face (that is actually a result of my own choices) is surely a bonus, right!?
As I had set my mind to the transitioning dancer and finding the balance for myself I must admit I was shaken up buy this. ...Im sure in a good way in the long run.

Originally my ideas were to look into the transitioning dancer in...

• How the balance between necessary 'survival' jobs (ad-hoc and menial jobs just to pay the bills) and the work of our passion (performing, creating new work, enhancing my professional skills etc) can be achieved with the right ratio for 'you'. How are you juggleing each line of your practice with the 'other' work you do, without excluding any further chances to keep performing, for instance?
• Seeing cuts within the arts council, and the specific 'sharing' of funds between the larger companies how has the reduction of opportunities affected you and your practice?
• Do other professionals who are seeking contracts and new dance jobs find themselves teaching to keep a grasp on their practice, as it is easy to fall away due to financial difficulties.
• Have you also noticed a rise in unpaid work? How do these 'job' opportuites make you feel, as to some it can make a mockery of the profession, yet to some it shows that to dance you have to love it in any format that it may arise?
• Does the finacial restrictions lead to a flash of new companies being created by individuals? Does this interest you into achieving something similar, a way you can be certain you are still doing what you want to do within your practice?
• Is teaching classed as the next best thing for you in this time and place within your career transition? Is it a direct career choice or is it cirumstantial outcome, fall back plan? Can you 'share' your time between keeping up with your professional skills/abilities and development, whilst creating your teaching strand to your career?
• How are teachers that have come from a professional performing background percieved in an educational teaching role? Is it better to have the experience before the academic qualifications to make a better teacher, or the vice versa...are teachers with the relevant degrees (fr instance) before the experience make for a better teacher? Does being a great dancer mean you are a great teacher?
• Why are you undergoing a transition in your career? Could it be finances, injury, personal investigations and developments, or complete change in direction?

Looking at the above it seems these questions all relate somehwere to the shift in income and struggle of balance that dancers may face. As broad as the questions are and as it is what I am 'living' right now maybe I can afford to cut down the extra ideas (to avoid going off on a tangent, or trying to cover all of these areas, hence making for a sparse set of reasoning and findings) and find a different way in...
A more positive way!!!

I would be interested in seeing whta others think about these initiail ideas.