Yes, the series of this title is called "Career Applications" These lessons and skills that I aquired from the MECDA Professional Dance Conference and Retreat
As you have seen in my last entry, I promoted it and even applied for a scholarship. As part of it, you need to be a MECDA member and have a letter of recommendation from your teachers/peers. Although I was not selected as a scholarship member, I was selected to be part of the volunteer staff. Aside from all the behind the scenes work, setup, hospitality and such, I was able to sit in all the conference classes I was volunteering for. The experience I had was beyond words. This is exactly what I wanted and needed very badly - to apply it to my dance, to apply it to my studio, and most of all, to apply it to my students so they can grow. It was five fun-filled, hard working days of little sleep and plenty of love from the sisterhood of bellydancers from all over the country. The caliber of talent, professionalism is beyond what I have ever encountered anywhere to this point.
I posted some pictures on my social network page and most of the pics people saw ws all the fun activities we were engaging in....one of my friends said,"doesn't look like you really learned anything because I hardly see any pictures taken before, during, or after class....that's just it - there was so much learning you really could not step away to take a pic for fear that you will miss a piece of precious information from our honored instructors.
Yes....everything I am doing at this point is highly risky. My family thinks I'm crazy and my dreams are just dreams. I already know I don't want to go back to my last career...going back would be like signing a death sentence. I knew what I did then was not a good factor in my health. I found that I was not compatible with it....but like every dark cloud, the silver lining of that job was my enjoyment in patient or family education before the patient was discharged....I always looked forward to that....and that's where I discovered my love for teaching was in me all along. Above it all, teaching dance has been the best therapy ever!
So far, I have spent the past two weeks since the conference, I have been organizing what I want to do in my new chosen career. I am also plannning the opening of my studio which has proven it's challenges. Lest not forget that I still need a part time job since being laid off last year. Odd jobs and teaching has kept me alfoat on a shoestring in this horrible economy.
I must admit, I feel like I am not accomplishing much because of the studio thing. So much to learn, so much to do, so much to keep in check, so much headache, so much money, and so much time passing with each delay. (I will write a separate blog on that subject) I just want to be in it now.
Of what I learned in the conference I have been sharing it with my fellow directors and students. I did manage to get my business partner to open a twitter account and how to make a QR code. She is putting the brochures and flyers together for distribution and has got us booked for the next harvest fair. I am managing to finish two choreographies - one for class, one for audition, a mission statement for the troupe, and outlining what we are going to do for our next video....somehow I feel it's not enough, but I have to take things in good stride. I'll update more later....promise.
