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SEPTEMBER 2018

HOW TO CREATE THE PERFECT DANCE BUSINESS

ADVICE FROM CONSULTANT KIM PAYNE

GENEE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION HONG KONG

AUSSIE JOSHUA GREEN AWARDED WITH GOLD MEDAL

MICHAEL DAMESKI DANCEWRITER.COM.AU

CATAPULTING U.S TV SERIES WORLD OF DANCE

CONTENTS

Editor Sub Editor Contributors Jessica Poulter Ruth Letch Jessica Poulter, Ruth Letch, Sian Corrigan, Emma Cheeseman

14 High hopes for emerging choreographer Cassandra Merwood ADF Top 8 Finalist NEXT Choreographer Competition

3 Editor's Note 4 Michael Dameski on World of Dance 7 Joshua Green on winning streak Genée International Ballet competition in Hong Kong. 9 Entering Entrepreneurship: Is it a battle worth finding for? Business consultant Kim Payne gives her advice on start ups in dance. 12 Colossus at Melbourne Fringe Festival The Arts Centre Melbourne brings Colossus performed by the Stephanie Lake Company. 14 Cassandra Merwood Top 8 contenders for Australian Dance Festival’s NEXT Choreographer competition this September. 16 Alexandra George Dancer turned film producer. 20 Break The Barre: Unique spark in Classical by Emma Cheeseman 22 No Standing Only Dancing: Be your own boss by Sian Corrigan 24 Jump Dance Challenge: Brigid Ewing 25 Ambassador chat

EDITOR'S NOTE Follow us on social media! Instagram: @thedancewriter

Jessica Poulter Dance Writer Founder and Writer

What a month it has been for Dance Writer. It was such an honour to host the Dance Writer Charity Gala 'HER' proudly supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Bringing together dancers from all walks of life and seeing them interact and learn from one another made me feel incredibly humbled. We raised more than $6,000 to the non-for-profit organisation, which receives zero government funding. This edition has an interweaving thread, focusing on business and personal brand. How important is it to know how to market yourself? Talent is something that is very difficult to achieve, but without the proper marketing skills, talent is seen by no one. It is reality that we must face and embrace, and implement into our daily lives. We can start by changing the way we use social media. If we are authentic to ourselves and proud to post about our goals and passions then we are unstoppable. This month, Dance Writer launched an incredible initiative to improve the amount of performance opportunities for young talented dancers. We launched the Dance Writer Youth Company, which will feature 20 impressive dancers performing in two production seasons. Stay tuned for our updates on socials. I'm proud to announce a new contributor for this edition. Emma Cheeseman from the blog Break The Barre is an elite classical coach for youth and will be reporting on dance techniques and health tips. We are excited to nurture her writing journey. Thank you to our readers for all your support. We hope to see some of our young dancers at the Dance Writer Youth Company auditions on January 12 at Toorak College Mount Eliza. Jessica Poulter Editor-in-chief

COLOSSUS AT MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL BY STEPHANIE LAKE COMPANY Throughout Lake’s career, she has been blessed with accolades for her work, including the Helpmann Award (2014), Green Room Award (2011) and Australian Dance Award (2014) for Best Choreography and in 2013 was appointed inaugural Resident Director of Lucy Guerin Inc. “I honestly never expect any award. My highest wish is to basically not embarrass myself! The awards are amazing as it is a massive affirmation to keep going and get that recognition alongside big companies,” she said. The Stephanie Lake Company with the support of Victorian College of the Arts and Transit Dance present Colossus at the Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre Melbourne from September 26-30.

Colossus by Stephanie Lake Company Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio September 26-30, 2018 Ticket prices $28-35 www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

CASSANDRA MERWOOD Dancer and choreographer Cassandra Merwood has been selected as a finalist in the Australian Dance Festival N.E.X.T Choreographer Competition, which will take place on September 14-16. The winner receives a $5,000 grant to help produce a professional choreographic showreel with video crew included. Last year’s winner Cat Santos produced a rendition of Michael Jackson’s dangerous, fusing Latin American, hip hop and jazz styles with a cast of roughly 30 dancers.

Student feedback It is important for teachers to listen to their students. Student feedback is equally as important as the knowledge a teacher has to offer. A great teacher would give corrections based on what makes the most sense for each individual dancer, and if that does not work, offer alternative suggestions. They would choreograph to showcase the strengths of the dancer (which ultimately makes the choreography look better anyway), and they should share their experiences if and when it is relevant and beneficial for the student.

Coaching should be a two-way learning opportunity. Although teachers are striving to pass on knowledge to their students each lesson, students also allow the teacher to keep learning new things everyday because of their uniqueness. I am grateful for the opportunity to pass on my knowledge, and I am perhaps even more grateful for the knowledge and insight I’ve gained from every student I’ve taught since the beginning of my teaching career.

By Emma Cheeseman, Elite Youth Classical Coaching and blogger of Break The Barre.

BE YOUR OWN DIRECTOR

BY SIAN CORRIGAN

When you finish full-time study, you become your own boss. There’s no director telling you which class to do or where you need to improve. It’s all up to you. I found this terrifying when I graduated in 2014. So, what happened? Nothing! I wasn’t offered any work and rarely heard back from auditions. It was shocking, not at all what happened in dance movies. (‘Step Up’ franchise, I’m looking at you!) Then, I realised I couldn’t rely on anyone else to kick start my career. I had to make it happen. And, just like that, I became my own boss, director, dance teacher and motivator.

"BE A SMART DANCER AND LEARN BASIC BUSINESS SKILLS," SAID SIAN.

I made a show reel, organised my portfolio, and did my research. I emailed casting directors, company owners and any dancer with influence who might listen to me. I put myself out there simply by introducing myself as a recently graduated dancer. Slowly but surely, offers started to roll in and, after a couple of months, I landed my first cruise ship contract. The most valuable advice I can give any young performer is to focus on being a smart dancer and learn basic business skills. Networking or creating a personal brand could be the difference between a successful career and one that gradually dwindles to nothing. Start networking immediately. People need to know you’re available to work, so contact every potential employer in your area. Simply telling a director that you admire what they do and would love to be considered for future work puts you ahead of other dancers who have not made contact. Although they may only hire from live auditions, they will recognise you as someone with initiative when you next audition. Depending on your chosen field of dance, there are many other beneficial tactics you can employ. The best way to find out is to ask. It’s flattering for a successful dancer to receive a Facebook message saying ‘How are you doing what you're doing? I want to be where you are.’ Don’t be afraid to ask, most dancers are willing to help someone beginning their career. A freelance dance career is hard, but educating yourself about finding work will make it much easier. Sometimes the rollercoaster will pause, but it will quickly speed up again. So, be a smart dancer. Enjoy the stillness while it lasts, remember that good things will come your way, and await the twists and turns that lie ahead. Happy Dancing! xx