Today is the perfect day to write this, as taking from my journal- 'feeling of today... Man I love what I do!'
Why do you love what you do, why do you
dance?
This is one of the cases where the only
answer I can quickly come up with is, ‘just because…’ A great example of tacit
knowledge where it is difficult to exactly express in words exactly how I feel.
The first word that pops into my
head is Passion! I guess it is something that has always stuck to me ever since
I was a little kid, never wanting to take off my little pink skirt and let go
of my fairy wand!
At the beginning I wasn’t as serious, but I
recall always having to move to any type of music/ rhythm- I could not sit
still!
I find it fascinating how we can explore
movement in so may different ways, and the collaboration of expressing body
movement with music to create an idea, thought, story or motif is a true art
form. As a dancer, I like the sheer determination and athletic part of it too.
Working towards endless goals, conastantly trying to improve and aim for
perfection is something that keeps you goin and is in a way addictive. But when
there is even a slight feeling of development from all that hard work, it is
the most rewarding feeling on earth.
My favourite place in the whole wide world is
the stage, and dancing in its space makes me feel free and in my dream world
where I can let my sole fly!
Dancing just has to be part of my life. It's a
passion inside of me that burns and without it, I would not feel whole- cheesy,
but true!
Who do you admire who also seems to
love this or is an example of what you love?
I really appreciate any dancer who
has the guts to go for one of the toughest professions and lifestyles ever!
The turning pointe of my life was
when I read an article about my first ballet idol, Angela Malan, a former
ballet dancer of Joburg Ballet (South African Ballet Theatre) now ballet
mistress. Every time I went to the ballet, we made sure that she was cast as
the principle, every time coming back feeling inspired. She captured the
audience with her amazing stage presence, with her clean lines, beautiful feet
but most of all her way of movement that was just such a pleasure to watch. She
had this aura of a true artist- expressing her love of dance!
Once in an article being asked why
she chose to dance, she replied, "Because I could never think of doing anything
else.” I turned to mom and said, “Mom, this is exactly how I feel!” From then
on, I took ballet and other dance styles a lot more serious. But thanks to
Angela Malan, one of my biggest inspirations, she helped me realize what I want
to do in life… and I have never looked back!
Interview from ballet news: http://balletnews.co.uk/cupcakes-conversation-with-angela-malan-senior-principal-dancer-ballet-mistress-and-coach-south-african-ballet-theatre/
Another example of a dancer who has inspired me to love what I do and keep working hard is the very famous and amazing Li Cunxin. His whole story is alone inspiring, but as a person, dancer, now director (Queensland Ballet), I have always looked up to him. My biggest pride and joy moment was in South Africa at an outreach program in the Township Alexandra, where the 'ballet friends' were invited to a talk by Li Cunxin. We got to meet his family, and I even got my book signed! One of my goals is to be taught by him, even just once, as it would be such a privilege!
Biography:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Cunxin
Great this is discipline/subject/sector specific research! Practitioners learn from other practitioners but also from sources that critique others work. It is useful to understand these expert practitioners using their own word (data). Has anyone critiqued their performances? Technique? Body of knowledge? communities or companies that they work with? Any academics? This is the context that can also inform thinking.
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