Sian's Blog

My Commercial Industry Day Experience Recently I had the opportunity to attend an industry day at Base Dance Studio in London. This day consisted of 4 commercial classes all 1.5hrs long taught by 4 different teachers. Liam Lunniss, Josh Wharmby, Lisa Spencer & Josh Pilmore. These teachers are well known for their choreography and abilities to dance and have had experience within the dance industry and still are working within the dance industry. Along with these 4 classes we also had a Q&A session at the end of the day with agency Simon & How associates, where we are able to ask questions about their agency and the industry. Upon arrival at the studio we were welcomed and needed to sign in our names and make sure we had emailed our headshots and CV to the email address stated. I thought this was such a good idea as the agency were watching our final class so it gave us the opportunity to be spotted and having our CV and headshots alre...

So, through creating my proposal and literature review I have extended on to what I can explore within my inquiry topic. I have also tried to refine my topic question to best fit what I want to research into so now it’s ‘What dance jobs and opportunities are available within the performing industry’ it may still need tweeking but that’s it for now. To help keep my work clear to me and help me plan exactly what I want to do, I have created a little list of sections I want to explore, along with the discourses that relate to my topic. This is a rough guideline to my plans but when I look at this, I can see exactly what I want to explore. My inquiry topic is the first question, then I have two other questions which follow on from the inquiry topic that I feel I need to explore as they branch off my main topic, these are my discourses so far. All 3 of these questions I feel link together and will benefit me to develop my practice and prepare me for the dance industry. ...

Before the skype call I had made a list of possible inquiry topics for module 2 by using my mind maps from the first module and finding out what areas were bare and what I had an interest in finding out more about, that could help me develop my practice. After sharing these ideas with Adesola it became apparent that my topics were all to do with the dance industry, finding a job and what to expect. With this in mind she asked me the simple question of ‘what job are you interested in and would audition for?’ which made me feel as though I don’t really know, because I will search for auditions online for hours and not apply for any because I’m not sure whether the job suits me and is what I want to do, and I suppose I think a job I want will just appear and I’ll know, but being such an indecisive person this doesn’t happen. There are certain factors that I look out for when searching for job opportunities, such as the style of dance, how long the contract is and whether it’s trave...

On 7 th Feb group skype session we discussed how we would prepare ourselves for researching, data collecting and analysis. We started the discussion with Adesola mentioning 3 types of research: -           mapping main discussions, looking into smaller elements. -           Showing something happening/problem -           Solutions and wanting change to something We were reminded that we are only looking into the first and second types of research in module 2 and 3, as we’re not necessarily looking for an answer but are comparing data and analysing information. We should be finding out ways of researching to create a valid and interesting way of collecting information about our topic of inquiry. This has made me want my next step to be a mind map of different types of researching and whether they are qualitative or quantitative, pri...

Returning from the Christmas break and having my birthday, I am now focusing on what my inquiry topic for module 2 could be about. To prepare myself for this module I have read through the module 2 handbook and noticed I have had experience in a similar task in a previous year on my level 4 & 5 Diploma course, so I am thankful I can look back on past work and create a guideline for this module, adding any extra tasks and information that I need to include. This excites me as in module 1 I felt like I had little knowledge of if I was heading in the right direction, where in module 2 I feel a bit more prepared. All I need to do now is think about my inquiry topic, so I can start setting myself tasks and create check lists for my planning. I’m still yet to receive my feedback from module 1 but I’m told it won’t be long, so over the next few days I’m planning on reading back through my module 1 work and feedback and see how I can apply it within module 2.

Sadly I was unable to attend last week’s skype session where the discussion of our professional practice had students reflecting on their practice. When being asked to write about ‘your practice’ I instantly panicked, as for me, my practice changes constantly. I definitely know dancing is what I do, it’s what I’ve trained in the majority of my life and there is no denying my love and passion for it. However, over the past 2 years I notice myself feeling mixed emotions about my practice and where I belong in it. By this I mean, I compare myself to many other dancers and performers constantly – as most people do, and I see clear distinct areas of dance they are phenomenal at. For me in the back of my mind I’m telling myself I need to know my skillset and what specific area of dance I am best in, so I can label myself as a certain type of dancer or at least know I have serious confidence in a particular style. Which I think is also why I have put off auditions for jobs wit...

Hi, my names Sian Dunmore, 22, based in Essex,  I have recently graduated from South Essex College where I gained my level 5 diploma in Performance. This blog will follow my journey this year at Middlesex University where I am currently on the BAPP ACI course to complete my degree. I am a dancer and performer who is eager to learn and develop my knowledge and skills within the creative industry, meeting new people who share my passions. My interests include dancing, choreographing, fitness, aerial hoop, silks and rope. I'm looking forward to developing my creative abilities on this course.