Monday 21st September 2015

RAMBERT DANCE COMPANY WORKSHOP

This week we were fortunate enough to have a guest in from Rambert Dance company to lead us in a workshop.

The workshop was a practical session for three hours. The first hour was spent working on technique with simple exercises trying to work on adding a sense of style and performance. I always struggle to pick up routines quickly so I am normally working out the steps so it was great to be able to add some personal style straight away. I found the exercises then become more natural and enjoyable.

We then moved on to learning a small section from one of our works. The Rooster. She told us about how all the sections are danced beside Rolling Stones Music. The dance we were learning was to the Rolling Stones "Ruby Tuesday". I had not heard this track before so I didn't know what to expect from it. She straight away gave us some context to help us bring our own character and sense of style.

I felt that she taught at quite a quick pace so there was no time to rest (which is a good thing). She really encouraged us to use our breath and keep the movements flowing so that there were no gaps.

I am slowly understanding about letting loose and using breath to help the movements link.

It was also interesting to listen to the Q and A at the end of the session. I can apply this knowledge to when I see the show in November and when studying the work.

Thursday 16th September 2015

This lesson we worked on and added a small section to the dance "Lions, tigers and bears". For next week I am going to work on going to each side with confidence.

We then started trying out a few things for our group choreography. I found this a difficult task as a lot of the moves I had not performed before so it was out of my confidence zone so I will need to try and fit in some extra rehearsals before next lesson.

For the exercises at the start of the lesson I need to work on my facial expressions now I am more confident with the steps.

Monday 14th September 2015

This lesson we had more of a cardio and general fitness lesson.

We completed 4 exercises.

Exercise 1:
Running around the room until the leader shouts a number.
1=Touch the floor
2=Jump
3=Turn
4= Change direction

Exercise 2:
Hold plank

Exercise 3:
Passing the ball to your partner coming up from a sit up

Exercise 4:
Hold V shape and pass ball

We discussed these exercises. Talking about progressive overload meaning gradually building. For example on the plank I struggled to hold for 1 minute so it is something I need to work on ideally daily. We discussed how exercise 1 is improving cardiovascular in durance where as Exercises 2,3 and 4 are working on muscular indurance and core strength.
I also learned what FITT stood for.
F-Frequency
I-intensity
T-Type
T-time

For next week I am going to work on my plank to hopefully increase the time I can hold it for.

First Lesson- Thursday 11th September 2015

It was great to start AS Dance. I wasn’t sure what to expect as it was the first lesson but I really enjoyed working on contemporary technique as I haven’t had much experience in this style other than during GCSE Dance.

At first I was a bit panicked at the pace we were learning the exercises but it was great to test myself with picking things up quickly and looking at the details such as wether the knees are bent or wear the head is facing.

My favourite exercise was the one swaying side to side. It helped me learn to loosen up and let go of any tension. Especially on the first sways I had to loosen my head to help the movements flow and get more in to the flow making each movement connect a lot more.

I need to work on my high release and contractions throughout this week. Making sure I don’t loose my posture and stick my chest out. Throughout the lesson i was trying to loosen up and not keep my head facing the front the whole time as it ruined the lines.