Part 1: What? So What?

 

This past year was my first year in the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. For the most part I really enjoyed my time there. There were several challenges this year for me. One of the biggest challenges I faced was throughout the entire second semester. Before I came to college I only danced about two hours a day, five days a week. During the second semester, I danced easily over thirty hours each week and did not have any rehearsal blocks off. It challenged me because it really pushed me to my limits both physically and mentally. It was difficult trying to work at full throttle everyday while trying not to hurt myself at the same time. As the semester went on, I learned that I was able to do a lot more than I thought I would be capable of doing. I realized that I am essentially a workhorse and can do it without burning out. It helped me realize that I can be worked very hard and still enjoy what I am doing as a dancer.

 

I have also learned one main thing this year that I plan to carry with me for the rest of my career as a dancer. I learned how to really take care of my body as a dancer and how to actually live as a dancer. I had to balance dance with working out with dieting properly. I learned a balance of self-monitoring myself when things start to hurt and when it is time to actually go see a physical therapist so that I don’t get injured. Learning how to live and work as a dancer has really helped me start to think that I am ready to have a career in this field.

 

 

Part 2: Now What?

 

This last year I found that I really enjoy more contemporary works and that contemporary looks better on me than ballet does. Learning this will allow me to look more into contemporary companies this next year and audition for them during the audition season. I think I am almost at the point where I am able to hold my own in a company and  I look forward to what this next year will hold for me with that knowledge.

 

 

I am really looking forward to this next year. The advice that I would give to myself for the upcoming semesters is something that was told to me this summer. I want to tell myself to be selfish with my dancing. As bad as that sounds right now, I want to clarify what I mean. All it means is that I want to focus on myself. I want to dance and improve for myself and not for someone else telling me what to do. I am dancing because I want to. I want to focus on myself and not what other people are doing. I don’t want to try and compete with other people in the department. The goal I have for myself this next year is to work more on the dynamics of my dancing. During the end of year conferences, I was told that I need to be more dynamic. That is what my goal is for this next year.