Thursday, March 21, 2013
Embrace New Skills, and Open New Doors
NYTimes.com: I’M a classically trained professional dancer, and I have three different jobs. My main one is performing with a group named Evidence, A Dance Company, which is based in Brooklyn. I’m also a co-choreographer and dancer in a three-person musical comedy group, Adira Amram and the Experience. On Saturdays, if not on the road with one of those groups, I teach dance at the Ailey School.
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3 comments:
I absolutely agree with the importance of learning new skills. Such endeavors keeps a fresh spin on life and every new piece of knowledge allows us to see the world a little differently. And it's true, looking at similar things and doing your research takes some of the scare from the new and unknown, and asking for help is incredibly important. That is definitely something I need to work on; not being afraid to show that my knowledge is not limitless, because who's is? And I'm constantly surrounded by people who know so much more than me, I just have to be open enough to learn from them.
I think the artist went about learning a new discipline in a very intelligent, efficient way. Getting information that you cannot obtain or create yourself from people and things surrounding you is a valuable lesson. The thing that stuck out the most to me about her process was her open-minded attitude about the whole project, which I think is the most important thing when it comes to being successful: without the right attitude, there's no point in even trying. I also think that what she said about working to create a reputation with her fellow artist and establishing connections is something that every artist should keep in mind when choosing their work.
"...don’t be afraid to ask for help-- never shy away from learning a new skill." Ms. Olsen hits the nail on the head with this advice, you can never have enough tricks in bag and you should pursue every avenue possible when developing them. Pride isn't a bad thing but you shouldn't let it get in the way of developing new skills.
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