When did you start performing?

lizaj · 11-25-2009, 11:58 AM

Inspired by a thread on Bhuz and the worst photo one here, thought I'd ask ODers the same question.
I joined in the back row of an informal group dance at a hafla after 6 months and prompted by the fact my teacher had a lovely bedlah she had made ,and been let down by the purchaser,that fitted me I did a solo after a year. Talk about looking back at the photos and the film and being embarassed

I no longer a choreography until the end of a course with students ie 3 months so they don't get to perform until then and unless this times right with haflas, it could be 6 months. I want them to be confident with basic steps and some stagecraft..am I being too harsh?
I spend a lot of time in lessons getting folks to listen to the music and putting stpes together so they can bop comfortably (basic improv. ) at parties or whenever.And eventually become confident to put solo togther should they wish. Kharis always impressed the importance of ease improv. and I have cleft to that!
I am not talking pro performers here of course. Anyone who wants to dance professionally I shove towards other teachers of longer standing and workshops.

Kharis · 11-25-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizaj

Inspired by a thread on Bhuz and the worst photo one here, thought I'd ask ODers the same question.
I joined in the back row of an informal group dance at a hafla after 6 months and prompted by the fact my teacher had a lovely bedlah she had made ,and been let down by the purchaser,that fitted me I did a solo after a year. Talk about looking back at the photos and the film and being embarassed

I no longer a choreography until the end of a course with students ie 3 months so they don't get to perform until then and unless this times right with haflas, it could be 6 months. I want them to be confident with basic steps and some stagecraft..am I being too harsh?
I spend a lot of time in lessons getting folks to listen to the music and putting stpes together so they can bop comfortably (basic improv. ) at parties or whenever.And eventually become confident to put solo togther should they wish. Kharis always impressed the importance of ease improv. and I have cleft to that!
I am not talking pro performers here of course. Anyone who wants to dance professionally I shove towards other teachers of longer standing and workshops.

Remember that gig at the Floral Hall....ah, we did have fun!!

I started performing when I felt I was ready... not when somebody else thought I was. And all the pro dancers I know did the same.

Mosaic · 11-25-2009, 01:27 PM

My first performance was only after 4 months lessons, at a very small local hafla, it went OK. The next time was about 6 to 8mths after that at a women's evening. That was a great night with a great audience.

I don't think you are too harsh Liz, I don't think most students are ready to perform for at least 3 months, some even longer. One of the studio's I am with doesn't offer performance at the new beginner level until they have been with the studio for at least 3 terms (a term is about 10 weeks). At the end of their first year they can choose to move up to beginner level or if they wish they can stay at new beginner level for a bit longer if they don't feel ready, but most move up. Intermediates and advanced are encouraged to perform at various venues, but no one is forced. The beginner and beyond beginner levels generally have a couple of opportunities sometimes 3 depending on what is going on during the year.
~Mosaic

Emma_Williams · 11-25-2009, 03:28 PM

hehe i have been dancing for 18 months and only just doing my first tribal dance at a hafla in 3 weeks time and the words petrified dont even come close lol

maria_harlequin · 11-25-2009, 04:00 PM

I was misled into thinking I was going to be performing around maybe six months after I started out - one teacher said that I was going to be performing and then another teacher told me that I wasn't ready...I was REALLY disappointed but looking back, I'm glad that it was a year later when I got on stage.

Shanazel · 11-25-2009, 04:06 PM

My public appearance was in 1978 after maybe eight months of 2-3 times weekly lessons and hours (HOURS) of practice every night of my life. I picked it up quickly, thanks perhaps to other dance training, and had regular gigs by the time I'd been dancing a year. I'd been dancing twenty years before I ever danced with an ensemble- it was a nightmare. I was used to improvisation and having to learn a choreography was horrific- I was constantly afraid I'd miss a step and crack into someone.

lizaj · 11-25-2009, 11:16 PM

Of course there is nothing to stop an individual student going off to dance anywhere whenever they feel like it.
I just don't want to put a choreo. together for a group until they have enough moves to make it interesting enough for others to watch.

CottonAnatomy · 11-27-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizaj

Of course there is nothing to stop an individual student going off to dance anywhere whenever they feel like it.
I just don't want to put a choreo. together for a group until they have enough moves to make it interesting enough for others to watch.

My instructor puts together "choreography" for beginners, not as performance pieces but for us to get familiar with piecing moves together and putting moves together to a specific song and what not. It actually helps alot. I do them just as a review/warm up before practicing the performance choreography I'm currently learning from her.

lizaj · 11-27-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CottonAnatomy

My instructor puts together "choreography" for beginners, not as performance pieces but for us to get familiar with piecing moves together and putting moves together to a specific song and what not. It actually helps alot. I do them just as a review/warm up before practicing the performance choreography I'm currently learning from her.

Yes me too. I use an old perf. piece after we have got going on basics.

Julie · 11-29-2009, 04:05 PM

I have been taking dance classes one hour a week for three months, and I am 'performing' at a very small christmas-thingy next week.
I train almost every day, and I made a choreography that is very easy, so that I feel secure. It still looks good though - I have tried it with a parents and siblings audience, and they were impressed

. I also asked my teacher if I were ready first, and if I had enough moves, and she said 'go for it'.
What I think I am trying to say is: Perform whenever you feel ready. It does not have to be the biggest show, the first time you perform. I imagine that a performance with a small audience where you feel comfortable is ideal.

11-25-2009, 11:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
lizaj Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 3,603	When did you start performing? Inspired by a thread on Bhuz and the worst photo one here, thought I'd ask ODers the same question. I joined in the back row of an informal group dance at a hafla after 6 months and prompted by the fact my teacher had a lovely bedlah she had made ,and been let down by the purchaser,that fitted me I did a solo after a year. Talk about looking back at the photos and the film and being embarassed I no longer a choreography until the end of a course with students ie 3 months so they don't get to perform until then and unless this times right with haflas, it could be 6 months. I want them to be confident with basic steps and some stagecraft..am I being too harsh? I spend a lot of time in lessons getting folks to listen to the music and putting stpes together so they can bop comfortably (basic improv. ) at parties or whenever.And eventually become confident to put solo togther should they wish. Kharis always impressed the importance of ease improv. and I have cleft to that! I am not talking pro performers here of course. Anyone who wants to dance professionally I shove towards other teachers of longer standing and workshops.

11-25-2009, 01:27 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mosaic Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne Australia, but a Kiwi Posts: 2,827	My first performance was only after 4 months lessons, at a very small local hafla, it went OK. The next time was about 6 to 8mths after that at a women's evening. That was a great night with a great audience. I don't think you are too harsh Liz, I don't think most students are ready to perform for at least 3 months, some even longer. One of the studio's I am with doesn't offer performance at the new beginner level until they have been with the studio for at least 3 terms (a term is about 10 weeks). At the end of their first year they can choose to move up to beginner level or if they wish they can stay at new beginner level for a bit longer if they don't feel ready, but most move up. Intermediates and advanced are encouraged to perform at various venues, but no one is forced. The beginner and beyond beginner levels generally have a couple of opportunities sometimes 3 depending on what is going on during the year. ~Mosaic __________________ When your soles rest on the floor and you balance your weight on both of them, then you can rest in yourself, you are in your centre. With every step, you renew contact and the connection to the earth, to matter, to Mater the Mother. ~ Rosina Fawzia Al - Rawi

11-25-2009, 04:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
maria_harlequin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 723	I was misled into thinking I was going to be performing around maybe six months after I started out - one teacher said that I was going to be performing and then another teacher told me that I wasn't ready...I was REALLY disappointed but looking back, I'm glad that it was a year later when I got on stage. __________________ ~Muse of the Harlequin Belly Dance Store~

11-25-2009, 03:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Emma_Williams Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Liverpool Posts: 174	hehe i have been dancing for 18 months and only just doing my first tribal dance at a hafla in 3 weeks time and the words petrified dont even come close lol

11-25-2009, 04:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Shanazel Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rocky Mountains USA Posts: 7,562	My public appearance was in 1978 after maybe eight months of 2-3 times weekly lessons and hours (HOURS) of practice every night of my life. I picked it up quickly, thanks perhaps to other dance training, and had regular gigs by the time I'd been dancing a year. I'd been dancing twenty years before I ever danced with an ensemble- it was a nightmare. I was used to improvisation and having to learn a choreography was horrific- I was constantly afraid I'd miss a step and crack into someone.

11-25-2009, 11:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
lizaj Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK Posts: 3,603	Of course there is nothing to stop an individual student going off to dance anywhere whenever they feel like it. I just don't want to put a choreo. together for a group until they have enough moves to make it interesting enough for others to watch.

11-29-2009, 04:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Julie Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Denmark Posts: 6	I have been taking dance classes one hour a week for three months, and I am 'performing' at a very small christmas-thingy next week. I train almost every day, and I made a choreography that is very easy, so that I feel secure. It still looks good though - I have tried it with a parents and siblings audience, and they were impressed . I also asked my teacher if I were ready first, and if I had enough moves, and she said 'go for it'. What I think I am trying to say is: Perform whenever you feel ready. It does not have to be the biggest show, the first time you perform. I imagine that a performance with a small audience where you feel comfortable is ideal.