Reflections and Lessons Learned in 2013

My view on the first day of 2013

On January 1^st 2013, I stood at the top of the Space Needle in Seattle looking over the glistening lights of the skyscrapers and getting giddy from the brisk fresh air I was inhaling. Looking over a city, where the people below look so small, your senses working overtime 520 feet up in the air, it’s difficult not to have some kind of life assessment up that high (especially if you’re scared of heights!). I remember clearly what I thought on the first day of 2013 – I’m happy to be alive, I’m a very lucky person, and 2013 is gonna be a good year. Many people say 13 is unlucky, but I don’t believe them. I’d seen the new year in at the Beats Antique gig, spent the day sightseeing with my favourite person, took a private lesson with my favourite dancer, and conquered my fear of heights (well... for about 15 minutes I did...). All in all I’d say it was a pretty good first day. I wish 2014 was gonna open with such a bang!

2013 did turn out to be a good year, in many ways. I feel like I really, truly progressed as an artist and as a person. I achieved a lot of things that I wanted to get done, and as the year is drawing to a close I’ve got my mind on new projects that are as a result of my experiences this year. I’m super excited about what 2014 holds, and I have 2013 to thank for that.

I achieved a lot of personal goals in 2013, including many training goals – passing the UNMATA ITS certification, passing Jamila Level 1 certification, getting to do a lot of training with people that have really fed my soul and made an unrivalled impact on my dancing – Zoe, Mira and Amy for example. I’ve been lucky to be able to continue to travel and to train, thanks to sheer luck of being able to scrape money together at the right time (i.e. doing enough temping that it pays it off!).  I feel like this year I’ve laid the groundwork for 2014 for transitioning to dance being my full time profession – which is both exciting and scary. I still feel the pull of a steady job (and I’ve tried working them, unsuccessfully!), but I’m trying to be brave and just go for it! If I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it, and I’ll always regret it.

ITS makes me happy, clearly!

The biggest turning point for me in 2013 was finding myself in my dance. Rediscovering the joy, and why I love dance so much, and this all happened during a week of intense, sweaty and fun training in ITS with 24 other amazing women. Finding out that I was actually sucking my own enjoyment out of my dancing and not allowing myself to just live in the moment and love what I was doing, was a big eye-opener for me, and created an instant change not only in my life but also on stage. I also came out of my shell a lot more in 2013 – I tried to learn my lessons – I’m shy, but maybe I come across as anti-social? I don’t want to be that person, so I’ll try to be more open and talkative!

Having this change of dynamic in my behaviour gave me a lot more confidence to do things I had wanted to do for a long time. The major thing it gave me confidence to do was to direct a group. I’ve wanted to work with a group for sooo long. I’ve worked in tons of groups, but I’ve never had an opportunity to choreograph and direct a group. This year I created the Juniper Project, which got a great response both from the dancers that wanted to be involved to the reactions of the audience when we performed at Infusion Emporium this year. I was very fortunate to get to work with some of our most talented dancers on this performance, and audience members were raving about the performance. It was definitely a highlight of my year. It is an experience that I have not only learned a great deal from, but also see as being a permanent fixture in my future. I would love to do more work with Juniper Project and I’m currently formulating plans and looking into ways to make those plans happen.

Talking of Infusion Emporium, what a great year we have had – two successful events with April Rose, Kami Liddle, Giuliana Angelini and Heather Labonte all teaching. Two amazing theatre shows, and great support from the community in coming out to see the highly talented performers we attract from all over the world. And 2014... what can we say? An intimate intensive weekend with Tjarda Van Straten in May, and none other than RACHEL BRICE for October and November, joined by Ashley Lopez, Samantha Emanuel and Lamia Barbara... could we ask for a better line up?!

As the year ends, I feel like my focus is taking a new direction. I have spent years as an improv dancer – and I feel like I was pretty good at that. These days, I’m really getting into making choreographies, and I have ideas buzzing around my head like never before – the renewed love and passion for dance is really getting the creative juices flowing, as well as the opportunities I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone (Skinner Release, physical theatre....). I’m excited for all the opportunities 2014 may bring (I'm hoping more of the same - travelling, learning, time with friends and teaching!) and to see if I can tick off any of the goals and achievements I’ll write on my list for next year.

What are you excited about for next year? 

A x