I will be working on: 

• Keeping my hips square 

I have chosen this element to work to prevent injury, promote longevity and add a pleasing look to how I dance. As you can see my hip placement in the video above is very off and it is causing my to overcompensate with other muscles. 

Video 2 

The method I will be using is an exercise and stretch plan. I feel that this method will help me the most because I can target many different muscles and achieve all round strength within my hips. As well as strengthening the area, i will be stretching to also improve mobility, improving my mobility along with strength in my hips will directly translate to dance. The exercise plan that I have decided to commit a couple of extra times a week to is taken from (nourishmovelove, 2024): 

• Internal rotation knee drops 

• Pigeon pose 

• Rear knee/ heel lifts 

• Tabletop hip CARS 

• Frog rocks 

• V- sit leg lifts over dumbbell 

• Cossack squats 

I have chosen this workout exercise as it hits all the point that I would like to for expanding strength while prioritizing movement throughout. Before each of these workouts I will ensure to thoroughly warm up and stretch afterwards, as I am ensuring I prevent injury during this process. 

Video 3 

One of my main inspirations within ballet is Kylie Jefferson, she has an effortlessness to the way that she dances the style. Her performances can be very tranquil to watch as she presents herself with so much ease even when showcasing some of the most difficult skills within ballet. Culturally, I am inspired by her in my practice, as she is the lead black woman in a ‘Netflix hit show’, ‘Tiny pretty things’ that follows life in an elite ballet school despite the challenges of ‘racism’ (Khera, 2020). I feel that her role and her talent will impact the lives of many young black women in the industry. 

Video 4  

In this final video, not only has my alignment improved but I have gained consideration for longevity in my career as an emerging performer. Correcting my hip placement has made me put less strain on other muscles such as my glute, quads and hamstrings as they are not working as hard to get my legs in the correct places. By making this change it has made my process in ballet easier and more aesthetically pleasing to watch, while also positively effecting my ‘long-term health and well-being' (Ballerina Gallery, 2025).  

I will be working on: 

• Arm strength  

As you can see in this video, I am doing the 10 por de bras, I feel that my arms look extremely deflated at times during the video and often not in the correct place. If my arms were stronger I would exert less energy trying to get in the correct place.  

Video 2 

The methods I will be using is to sit with my arms out and complete a series of different variations of exercises. My aim is to do this 3 times a week. I have chosen this method instead of lifting weights as I want to ensure that the strength translates with mobility and still being able to move. I feel that this method is effective because it isn't bound to any one specific place and I do not need to be in the gym or a studio to ensure that i get it done. 

Video 3 

I think that historically jazz impacted the industry as it originated as ‘African and Caribbean dance traditions’, as well as European dance styles like ‘ballet’ and folk dancing (Costella, 2023) and then quite daringly moved into more modernity. Inspirationally jazz survived many hardships and criticism within its time as it was straying away from a classical style.  As jazz originated with black traditional dance the criticism faced in them dancing and singing was in the ‘Slave act 1740’ when they were ‘prohibited’ from doing so. (Nalett, 2005) I believe that the story of jazz and how it survived throughout many different times and although there have been many adaptations made to the style it impacts many other dance styles and is used as reference for many other styles. 

Video 4 

In this final video I feel that I showcase massive improvement, fixing the strength in my arms has allowed me to focus more on my levels and contraction. Therefore, as a dancer overall it has really bettered the way that I dance. Cleanliness is a very valuable skill in the dance industry. This translates for any part of the industry and any type of ensemble dance choreographers and companies appreciate togetherness and unison within a performance. I feel like having the skill of cleanliness provides a choreographer with the feeling of reliability for a dancer and makes you more likely to be frequently used.   

I will be working on: 

• Improvisation 

As you can see in this video, I very quickly run out of things to do with my body, and it can often have no root or substance to it. I feel that my freestyle often lacks story and story within improvisation holds value to me. 

Video 2 

The methods I will be using are: 

• To practice improvisation 

I will practice my improvisation in my own setting, I will do this by taking different stimuli and seeing how best I can emulate it with my body and movement. I feel that doing this with a variety of different themes will help me in future take from at least one of them depending on the brief of the work I will be doing. These prompts that I will be using are: 

• Having something heavy attached to my hands 

• Growing old 

• Choosing a flower to pick  

• Pretend your legs are like honey  

• Dance in a zig zag 

(GALEN ∙ HOOKS, n.d.) 

Video 3

My inspiration for contemporary is Ainsley Ricketts the way that he can use textures throughout his movement is very beautiful to watch. Most of the times when he is dancing there is a narrative that you can grasp from it depending on how you view it. His movement put together with his facial expressions really pull you in as an audience. When he dances to specific lyrics, he doesn't dance to the word itself he moves to how that word makes him feel. This feeling I believe is what directly translate to creating an emotional response in other people. 

Video 4  

In this last video, I feel there is minimal improvement, yet you can tell that I have much more calculated movement now more than before. I believe that as an emerging dancer this skill could improve the more, I am in an environment that it is used more often. I would like to be reliable for a choreographer as there are many times within the industry that they could ask you to make your own choices and that they would like to see some slight individuality.  

I will be working on: 

• Stamina 

In the video I am doing set choreography that I have been taught previously. As you can see I start off by hitting all my shapes, thinking about my dynamics, levels and textures. However, throughout the section of choreography the quality of how I am dancing starts to decline. 

Video 2 

The methods I will be using are: 

• Go on the treadmill or go for a run twice a week.  

I have chosen this method as i believe that running is extremely beneficial for general life not just to gain stamina even though it builds that too. Running is a ‘cardiovascular exercise’ that improves your body's ability to ‘deliver oxygen to working muscles’ by ‘strengthening’ the heart and lungs. (www.asics.com, n.d.) 

Video 3 

My inspiration in commercial dance is Taja Riley, this is because she has a very versatile career, covering many of the things young dancers dream to do. I believe she is an amazing role model for emerging dancers. Her ability to work effortlessly in many different forms of dance: on stage, in tv shows, music videos and even adverts. Not only is she a consistent dancer in the industry but she also impacts the up-and-coming industry by sticking up for them in cases where dancers are not paid for their hard work or dancers that take on jobs that have ‘no real benefits other than exposure’. (Smith, 2022) 

Video 4  

In this last video, as you can see, working on my stamina has really helped my quality of dance. I feel that progressing in this skill, and overall, this style has given me more security and confidence in the competitive commercial industry. I feel that this opens up my opportunities in the industry to go into different roles that have longer shows such as theatre or on tour. After working on this skill, as a dancer i will be able to take on these opportunities without doubt that i am capable and hopefully this will be felt in the choreographer.