1. How well do I contribute positively to the class?

I always aim to participate fully and be encouraging to classmates.  I do offer positive feedback, but I could make a concerted effort to do this more often. I try to be positive in general, which can be difficult when things are on your mind outside of university. However, if I’m feeling low or negative due to difficult circumstances, I try to use that emotion in the dance. I feel that my personal best moment of improvisation was a day when I was feeling overwhelmed due to personal circumstances. I lost myself in the improvisation and got deeper into it than I have done previously.

2. Did I meet any of my personal goals?

My personal goals were to improve my general dancing skills/techniques, agility, flexibility and confidence. I have developed in all these areas and I have learnt a variety of techniques and vocabulary around dance. I have gained confidence, as previously I would have been far too anxious to perform a solo piece in front of people!

3. What are my strengths? What are my main areas for improvement?

I feel my strengths are core strength and I’m quite flexible and athletic. My main areas of improvement are developing my technique, following dance routines and retaining each move. Some moves I see, then do. However, with some movements and particularly sequences of movements, I experience a mental block. I watch, but I don’t retain and/or I find it difficult to replicate the movement. Routines are a key area I want to continue to work on.

4. What moments was I most proud of myself?

There was one session where I was severely mentally drained and emotional. However, I had the best improvisation experience, as it became a form of escapism. Also, in that session I held a plank for over 2 minutes without much difficulty. Despite my mindset, I was able to channel my negative emotions into a positive outlet and I became ultra- focused and it gave me extra endurance. I’m proud of this because I pushed myself physically, but also remembered my own mental resilience.

5. How will I use what I’ve learned in the future?

All the skills I have learnt are transferable in my field as a triple threat performer. For example, the Laban theory I have learnt can be implemented in acting when thinking about movement for characterisation. Also, when learning new dance movements, I can consciously consider the Laban movements I am incorporating or if it would be beneficial to inject more defined Laban efforts. The ability to improvise is important for all performers and is a skill I will continue to explore in singing, acting and dancing. I have developed my confidence in dance and movement, and I can carry this confidence across to other avenues of performance. Also, I have learnt dance is about so much more than technique and it is possible for anyone to dance. Acting and characterisation are important in dance, to tell a story and invoke an emotional response in the audience.