Sources of Information: TASK 3c

Employers and Work Colleagues

As a free-lance dance teacher I work for a number of different employers. As I have built up good relationships with them they will often pass on extra work my way or recommend me to others who are looking for a dance teacher. This has taken time as at first I was unknown in the area, but by working hard and getting on well with others I have built up a good reputation for myself and so people are happy to recommend me. 

I also learn a great deal from the people I work with, they have more experience than me and I love being able to ask them questions, watch them in action, and get their opinion and their feedback on what I have done. One of my employers in particular has a similar background to me so I can really look up to her; ask her for advice knowing that she has been in my position.

At one school I work closely with the singing and drama teachers who have both passed on my details to others in the area and recommended me for work.

My employers and colleagues have been in the business and the area for much longer then myself and so they already have well established networks. It’s great that I get the opportunity to be filtered into these networks and start to build up my own list of contacts. 

Courses and Training

I like to take part in training courses to broaden my knowledge and understanding of teaching dance and the many different aspects it can involve. It is also a great place to meet likeminded individuals .

I actually met a girl last year on a course and we were chatting as we had both just got married, then a couple of weeks ago I went for an interview for a job coming up and when I got there she was taking it. We had been emailing beforehand but it never occurred to either of us that we had already met. This made me think about Joanna's idea of keeping a ‘contacts book’ of people you meet in the industry. If I had done this and taken note of her name I would have been aware of whom I was emailing from the start. It was a good thing that I recognised her as it broke the ice straight away and I felt very comfortable talking to her and answering her questions.

Next year I have already signed up to do a course in working with mixed abilities and another for dance and disability which is something that I have no experience in but would be interested in finding out more and seeing whether it is an area I would like to work in.

Talking to People

Twice this year I have gained work through talking to a family member and a family friend who knew of opportunities in my area. Neither of them is in the industry but through their networks they knew of dance work opportunities that they passed on to me.

I live very close to a primary school and through talking to the receptionist there I was able to set up a meeting with their PE teacher and gain some work doing dance workshops for them last term. If you don’t ask you don’t get!

Both of these prove that it’s important not to have a closed mind about your networks as you never know when an opportunity may arise.

Events

I try to go to the theatre regularly whether it to see professional shows or amateurs ones in my area. I go because I enjoy going to the theatre and sometimes it is to support students i teach or people I know involved in a performance but on top of these it is to keep up to date with what is going on and to socialise with others in the industry.

 There are a number of acquaintances that I see at such events and it gives me the opportunity to catch up with them. It’s a great way of networking as you never know who may be there and I often get introduced to new people or re-establish old connections therefore building up my network.

I also enjoy watching dance performances as it re-energises me, gives me inspiration and new ideas that I can then take back and develop in my class or choreography. Stephie says: “..artists are encouraged not to work in a vacuum they must be influenced by what is going on around them and what other artists are experimenting with”, this is very true of dance too.

Internet

The internet is an invaluable tool in gaining information.

• ·         I use sites such as Dancers Pro and The Stage to look for both teaching and performing work.

• ·         I stay in touch with employers and deal with contracts, queries and work opportunities via email.  

• ·         The internet has been a really useful tool for me in researching dance schools and organisations in my area. I have then been able to get in contact with them and pass on my details should there be any teaching opportunities now or in the future. It’s been a great way to advertise myself and what I do, I often get cover work by being proactive like this and once you are in with an organisation then you never know what opportunities or permanent positions may arise.

• ·         As part of social networking sites like Facebook you can join various groups such as Dance UK and Dancers Career Development which keep you informed in what is happening in the dancing world.