Reflecting upon level 4 I feel I was unaware of what safe dance practice meant due to individual warm ups in level 3 and not having lectures based on this topic, resulting in minor injuries and a major confidence setback. My understanding of safe dance practice grew in level 4 because ignoring a minor injury could lead into a long-term muscle tear (Fraboni, 2022), therefore running to lesson became crucial for my suppleness and muscle engagement so that I could dance everyday. Dancing with stiff muscles can restrict a dancers movement and make them feel more challenged than others within the space, which can develop a fixed mindset and prevent self-development (Franklin, 2004). Because of my lack in confidence I feared learning new techniques and manifested in watching my peers dance without taking part, which made me believe I had to dance a certain way to achieve the same as them. Our lecturer Stephen Mason (2022) stated that ‘being present in the space and acknowledgment of others is the key to freedom of expression and effective communication’, therefore I decided to learn how to dance at my own pace by requesting help from the mentors and turn big problems into lots of small ones. 

creating successful pieces (Aujla, 2020). This built upon my interchangeable skills to transfer to each module because I had the capability to be open minded and be inspired by my peers, therefore I could provide thoughtful responses and gain new ideas from each experience. An emotionally supportive environment is to respect each others choices and progress through abilities, by emphasising effort in spite of talent and form mutual relationships to prevent judgement (Clarke, 2020). I feel that I have achieved my leadership goal that I set myself in level 4 for October 2022 because breaking emotional barriers helped me to teach my peers as well as learn from them, which involved warm up routines and breaking down movement to collaborate sufficiently and make new friends. I found it challenging to always turn up on time due to these emotional barriers, however having my peers dependant on me also maximised my time management skills as I did not want to let people down. 

 

Target 1: to build a social media platform and utilise it as a dance portfolio to target new audiences and people in the dance industry. Digital portfolios are beneficial as it is a way of showcasing potential and sets a dancer apart from their competition (Rosilynnoon, 2023). Using this strategy will capture the desired audience with the right amount of content and eye-catching visuals.

Target 2: I want to immerse myself in more live productions because dancing onstage disciplines a dancers body and emotion to the music in front of a crowd which can improve self-presentation skills (Nyfa, 2022), which will help me confidently long-term when choreographing for dance and camera. By September 2023, I want to take part in 5 live pieces in preparation for nervousness before a performance in level 6.

Target 3: to continue persevering with my tendinitis in my big toe, however this limits my ability on my left side and to overcome that I need to build strength in my tendon again with 

personalised exercises. Physiotherapy is more effective than surgery as it can refocus a dancer and help them to avoid future injuries whilst increasing their quality of life (Stephens and Brodrick, 2012).

Target 2: Using the ‘SWOT’ analysis can help a dancer identify any specific initiatives that need to be taken place (Kenton, 2022). with my performance video from the dance techniques and cultures module I can analyse how well I executed the movement to see if I embodied the emotion outwards enough for the audience to. 

Target 3: I have a resistance band that will enable me to practice plantar flexion of the foot whilst watching a foot strengthening program (Sam Spinelli, 2020) that prompts me to do the exercises in a safe and comfortable manner. This will improve my mobility and lessen swelling when dancing.

Target 2: once I have assessed my SWOT plan I want to try auditioning for my peers creating dance pieces in level 6 and utilise my level 5 time management skills to work harder by rehearsing in the evenings on top of my own creative works. A starting point for progression will be dancing in ‘Shadows’ in May 2023. 

Target 3: to maximise strength in my foot I need to perform these exercises everyday as advised by Jean Pierre (2023) in dance techniques and cultures. Consistency will decrease stiffness throughout dancing, in consequence three times a day with breakfast, lunch and dinner can keep me on track. 

Target 2: I am going to request constructive feedback for dancing live in ‘Shadows’ from the creating dance module and apply that within voluntary dance jobs in May – September 2023. I will seek further guidance from my peers on my auditioning skills when taking part in their own pieces that will be presented either in the studios or studio theatre. 

Target 3: I will write on my whiteboard in April 2023 to increase the amount of resistance presses I do by ten each day to familiarise my foot with the movements and help me self-assess how effective the exercises are if the pain or swelling reduces. Delaying a treatment and overuse of the tendon may result in dangerous health affects such as chronic tendinitis (Spinelli, 2020) which could end a dancers career if they are not careful. 

 

Smith , J. (2023) Dance like there’s no one watching . Canary Wharf . Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrBjCjCMxh6/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=. 

 

(2020) YouTube. Sam Spinelli. Available at: https://youtu.be/6WF4KHZBriA (Accessed: April 11, 2023).

 

Rosilynnyoon (2023) 3 reasons why everyone needs a digital portfolio, bulb. Available at: https://my.bulbapp.com/college-and-career-readiness/3-reasons-why-everyone-needs-a-digital-portfolio/ (Accessed: April 12, 2023). 

 

Kenton, W. (2022) SWOT analysis: How to with table and example, Investopedia. Investopedia. Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/swot.asp (Accessed: April 11, 2023). 

 

Stephens , N. and Brodrick, A. (2012) 3 warming up and cooling down - One dance UK, Dancers’ physiotherapy questions answered . Available at: https://www.onedanceuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/DUK-Info-Sheet-3-Warming-up-and-cooling-down.pdf (Accessed: April 10, 2023). 

 

Nyfa (2022) Stage vs. screen: What's the big difference?, NYFA. Available at: https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/stage-vs-screen-whats-the-big-difference/ (Accessed: April 11, 2023). 

 

A complete guide to goal setting (2018) YouTube. The Art of improvement . Available at: https://youtu.be/XpKvs-apvOs (Accessed: April 14, 2023). 

 

Freedman , M. (2023) How to use Instagram for business, Business News Daily. Available at: https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7662-instagram-business-guide.html (Accessed: April 13, 2023). 

 

Smith, S.A., Woodhead, E. and Chin-Newman, C. (2019) “Disclosing accommodation needs: Exploring experiences of higher education students with disabilities,” International Journal of Inclusive Education, 25(12), pp. 1358–1374. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2019.1610087. 

 

Twiner, A., Lucassen, M. and Tatlow-Golden, M. (2022) “Learning, culture and social interaction ,” Supporting children's understanding around emotions through creative, dance-based movement: A pilot study [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S2210656122000605?token=7BA2C3795E64DF395CC8E47B300798F0A17188F741F306F63E81831348B5E23642DC17B4ED3B45C8ECC66384F94DF6F4&originRegion=eu-west-1&originCreation=20230417080833.

 

 Aujla , I. (2020) One dance UK | 5 top tips for wellbeing - one dance UK. Available at: https://www.onedanceuk.org/top-5-for-wellbeing/ (Accessed: April 13, 2023). 

 

Clarke, G. (2020) Why can’t they get it? overcoming barriers & prejudices. Available at: https://www.onedanceuk.org/why-cant-they-get-it-overcoming-barriers-prejudices/ (Accessed: April 11, 2023). 

 

Franklin, E. (2004) Conditioning for dance. Human kinetics . 

 

Muscle strains why do they happen and what can they do (2022) YouTube . Jen Fraboni . Available at: https://youtu.be/7t0CeE25lBo (Accessed: April 12, 2023). 

 

The GROW model of coaching and Mentoring (2022) MindTools. Emerald works . Available at: https://www.mindtools.com/an0fzpz/the-grow-model-of-coaching-and-mentoring (Accessed: April 11, 2023). 

 

Admin (2021) Teach yourself to succeed, Develop The Edge. Available at: https://www.developtheedge.com/get-up-and-go-with-the-grow-model/ (Accessed: April 13, 2023).