Maria Clara Talebi - unit 10

Dancebox - sixth form year 2

Maria Clara Talebi

Unit 10

Dance has always been my greatest passion and my profound love for it has inspired me to pursue a degree in this subject. I long to immerse myself in a course that will expand my knowledge in the subject and support me achieving my dream of eventually becoming a professional dancer and performer.During my academic life, I have shown myself to be a hard-working student, even though I have had to relocate quite often back in my country (Brazil). After finishing secondary school in Brazil, I studied performing arts at Milton Keynes College for one year - completing my GCSEs in Mathematics and English Language and getting a level 2 diploma in Performing and Production Arts. Now I am studying dance and musical theatre at Dancebox Studios and Theatre Works in their sixth form. From primary all the way to secondary school (2013-2021) I took dance classes at Fleur (located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil) and participated in their dance performances every year. I mostly did jazz and contemporary, but also studied some ballet and belly dance. From the age of 13 until the age of 15, I also did assistant teaching for baby ballet which was useful towards my training and gave me some teaching experience at a very young age. I have been acting for 5 years now, both on stage and on screen, played a wide range of characters and did multiple performances: from playing "Zazu" from the Lion King to playing "Nick Bottom" from Midsummer Night's Dream.More recently, I had done some work experience at Milton Keynes College, tutoring some students. I was given this opportunity by my former tutors who recognised my commitment and effort from my year as a level 2 performing arts student. I believe this represents my continuing desire to work collaboratively with others in a creative environment - which would benefit me going into a degree course.I have lived in the UK for over two years now and I intend to continue my education here in order to gain more skills in this genre, and I believe I can positively contribute to my chosen university. I am hoping to interact with students through a mutual passion and am excited to embark on this journey. My ultimate goal for the future is to share my passion for art with the world and inspire future generations of dancers.

Personal statement

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is a website that provides educational support for students seeking to get into an undergraduate or post graduate program. To acess UCAS, you first start by setting up an account. You will need your basic information (name, email, phone number).In the "hub" section of the website, you are able to access tips to complete your application and how to use UCAS. In the "favourites" section, you can to add your favourite universities (similar to a wishlist).To be able to apply for universities, you will need to fill out an extensive application form, that requires personal and professional details (employment history, education history and more). A personal statement is required in your application, as a way to tell your chosen universities why they should consider you for the course they offer. Personal statements are a big part of your application, and UCAS has a lot of examples available to support students when writing their own's.After completing your application form and choosing up to 5 universities, you have to pay a fee (£27 or £27.5 pounds) and submit it. UCAS will then forward your application to the universities that you have chosen.UCAS is not only helpful for universities and colleges but alsofor employment. You can find sections in the website tosupport you when creating a CV, cover letter and how toprepare for potential interviews.The website is very detailed and easy to access.

UCAS: exploring the website

Examples of useful information on the UCAS website

3 year programme of vocational training for aspiring professional performers through a delivery of detailed technical training. Dancebox also offers a Commercial Dance and Performance course, focused in the commercial industry.Qualification: BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.Entry requirement: between 88 and 122 UCAS points and an in-person audition.Audition requirements: ballet, jazz and commercial class + 1 minute dance solo + 1 minute singing solo + interview.Pros: covers multiple dance styles, I know the teachers and the structure of the courses as I attend their sixth form and I also know the graduates and what career they chose + some teachers are still in the industry.Cons: heavily focused on showgirls, full face of makeup every day and I am not interested in singing and musical theatre at the moment.Final career goal: Dancebox Studios could support me becoming a well-rounded performer, ready for the industry and with profound dance knowledge, opening doors to multiple career choices.

University research - Dancebox

3 year undergraduate programme that prepare dancers for a career in contemporary dance by developing creative, technical and performance skills. Trinity Laban also offers music courses and their main focus when it comes to dance courses is contemporary.Qualification: BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance.Entry requirements: 112 UCAS points (minimum) and an in-person audition.Audition: contemporary, ballet and creative class + interview.Pros: very low acceptance rate, I am very interested in contemporary dance and could see myself working with it after graduating.Cons: Trinity Laban’s course would not make me a well-rounded performer, and could restrict my career options in the future as it is very focused on 3 dance styles only (contemporary, ballet and hip-hop).Final career goal: Trinity Laban could support me achieve one of my dream goals: becoming a professional contemporary dancer, and support me on learning how to create and develop my own choreographies.

University research - Trinity Laban

A course led by industry professionals that provides a solid grounding in all major styles and techniques to prepare dancers for a professional career. LMA - love music, love media, love arts - is an university that offers a range of courses, such as: dance, music, acting, fashion, media and business for film industry.Qualification: BA (Hons) in Dance Performane.Entry requirements: 96 UCAS points (minimum) + online audition.Audition: 2 contrasting solos of 1 minute each.Pros: covers multiple dance styles, staff and students are very friendly, the building is very well structured and the dance studios are very big, teachers are still in the industry and they have media students in the building as well - they could be helpful when the course requires a filmed project.Cons: acceptance rate is very high, it is a “new” university, it is not a dance focused university, there are negative reviews online.Final career goal: LMA could also support me becoming a well-rounded dancer and offer contacts with the industry for future jobs.

University research - LMA London

These are pictures from my skills audit. I used them to help me writing my self assesment by picking topics that need improvement going forward into training.

Skills audit

I regard myself as a committed and passionate student, with a very good work ethic - from studio to stage. As well as having good spatial awareness and being very flexible, I am a quick learner, and am always trying to support my colleagues when needed. I feel very confident when dancing contemporary, considering it is my favourite style, and I love to risk myself at improv. Being confident at improvising can be very useful during an audition process, as it is a way for the panel to see your ability to generate new ideas on the spot and test your creativity under pressure.Additionally, acting is one of my many passions. I take great pleasure in acting not only for stage but also for screen. Going forward to take part in auditions, acting will be essential as it is the perfect way to convey meaning and make me stand out from other dancers that might not have this skill.I am not my stronger self when doing tap as I started to learn it very recently, but both me and my current tutor have noticed improvement. Despite never considering myself a commercial dancer, with a lot dedication and practice over the last year I have developed more confidence at it, even to improvise, do solos and take part in performances with live audience.I am still yet to become a confident solo singer, while singing as a part of a group is more appealing to me. Today, it is very important for a dancer to be able to sing and act and I want to make sure I can confidently sing in auditions as being a "triple threat" can make me more employable and give me more chances of getting accepted at the universities that I strive to.With focus and determination, I believe I can develop more skills in order to become a stronger performer and achieve my goals.

Self assessment

How did you feel prior to the audition?Auditions can be very nerve-racking, but I see them as an opportunity to show my best skills and my passion for dance. Prior to it, I kept a positive mindset and was very excited to have theopportunity to take part in it.Did you pick up the content quickly?Even though the choreography was quite quick, I managed to pick it up and do it without looking at the choreographer (after a few tries).Did you find the content difficult or easy? Explain why.Initially, I did find the content a bit difficult, but I managed to pick it up after the choreographer broke it down and I practised a few times. I am not my stronger self when dancing commercial, but the adrenaline of having a panel and being at an audition has definitely helped.Did you get the style that the choreographer intended?I did not receive personal feedback, but by watching myself in the mirror I believe that I did get the style that the choreographer intended.Did you performed the content exactly as taught?One of my main struggles as a dancer is to replicate the movements exactly as taught. I tend to add a bit of my own style to it, which is a pro and a con at the same time. I believe my performance was close to how it was taught, but not the exact same.

Auditions - Dancebox mock

Did you perform in the audition?Yes. I find it easier to perform under pressure and I believe I performed throughout theaudition.How did you feel afterwards?After it ended, I felt really pleased with myself and with what I did. It was a very enjoyable experience to be in a room full of strong dancers and showing their best skills.What did you learn from the experience in preparation for future auditions?I learned that wearing colourful clothes are always a good idea if you want to stand out during an audition of any kind. I have also learned to enjoy the process and trust myself. Seeing it as an opportunity to show my best and have fun was very important for me during that day.What would you do different if anything given the opportunity again?If given the opportunity to do the same audition again, I would make sure to immediately put myself in the first line. The panel and the choreographer are still able to see all the dancers in every corner of the room, but sending myself to the first line should show confidence and eagerness.

Auditions - Dancebox mock

What is a trade union?A group of people that support each other getting better pay and better work conditions.Can I join Equity?According to their website, to join as a full member you need to: prove that you have earned £750 or more from professional work in the entertainment and performing arts industry.Membership benefits:Insurance covered, free legal advice and 24 hour helpline, discounts, workplace support, range of finalcial benefits and pensions.

Equity is a trade union made up of more than 50,000 artists and performers that have been pushing for better pay and better job conditions for over 100 years now. Through their website, you can join a network to become a member and meet a local branch. One of their latest website update is #AbortAuditonFees, a campaign that seeks to abolish fees and hidden course costs for performing arts students.

Equity

Some of Spotlight's partners:- Equity;- Directors UK;- Agents of young performers association.Spotlight membership:According to their website, their membership criteria includes at least one one featured role with an Equity or equivalent union contract.

Spotlight is a platform that supports performers startng their professional career. Casting directors use Spotlight to find the next generation of leading performers/actors/singers.Spotlight was created in 1927 by Keith Moss with the intention of connecting theatre and casting directors with actors. Today, it has become global network for talent discovery.

Spotlight

Dance agency created in 2005 by Paolo Pecoraro & Aicha McKenzie

Agency: AMCK

How to join AMCK?In order to join, you have to go through their website and fill in a form with your details, measurements and pictures such as headshot, mid length, profile and full length.What are the benefits of joining?They are committed to diversity, inclusion, and have a reputation for providing very good services for dance events, music videos and campaigns.Location:AMCK Dance is located in London, with a variety of public transports around.Extra information:AMCK will only represent dancers that have a complete professional training and hack been working in the industry for at least 3 years.

AMCK is an international dance agency, known for its works with celebrities such as Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Rihanna and Ariana Grande. They describe themselves as an agency that provides “the most elite selection of dancers, choreographers and creative directors”. AMCK also has a wide range of dancers in their books (from street dance to ballet).

Agency: AMCK

Equity. (n.d.). About Us. [online] Available at: https://www.equity.org.uk/about-us.Accessed 21/10/2024.Spotlight. (n.d.). Reserve Studio Facilities for Casting Interviews. [online] Available at: https://www.spotlight.com/rooms-and-studios/studios/. Accessed 21/10/2024.‌UCAS. (n.d.). Dashboard. [online] Available at: https://www.ucas.com/dashboard#/. Accessed 06/11/2024.‌Danceboxstudios.co.uk. (2016). Dance Box Studios. [online] Available at: https://www.danceboxstudios.co.uk. Accessed 06/11/2024.‌LMA. (n.d.). Home. [online] Available at: https://lma.ac.uk. Accessed 06/11/2024.‌www.trinitylaban.ac.uk. (n.d.). Home | Trinity Laban. [online] Available at: https://www.trinitylaban.ac.uk. Accessed 06/11/2024.‌‌

Bibliography