Lessons In Life

First quarter of the year 2014 - where did time go? Rest assured, I have been pretty occupied with various events, hence the lack of blogging.  Or maybe I just need a slight glitch in the way things unfold daily to inspire me to write. You guessed it? It happened.

Last week, I met up with a good friend in the city for drinks, and we got into the topic of where we are at the moment in terms of our career. Now, let's call her J. She asked me about my progress in the dance industry in Melbourne, which I would say I have been pretty blessed that things are going quite smoothly at the moment. After one-too-many drinks, she told me that a mutual friend of ours (well, more like someone I'm acquainted to) came for BDC's Depart III show last year, and told J that "Sasha can't dance". That person then continued criticising in various areas, to which J responded, "But she's been getting jobs".

Let's call her, L, and these are some of her remarks:

"She can't dance .. so stiff... don't feel anything." (and every single thing you can pin-point on a dancer)

In my defense, these two ladies have undergone classical dance training since they were young. Personally, I would not even compare myself to them as:

1. I only started taking classes seriously three years ago.
2. I am still learning and developing, with much room for progress.
3. And I admit, I lack the Foundations as I have never gone through basic training.

L also commented on my pointe work (from photos), pointing out how bad it is. Well, news break, I have only started doing pointe early last year for a few months before I moved here. She has been doing it for years, yet, when I looked at her photos, she ain't got a perfect pointe either.

After meeting with J, I can't deny that I felt really sour about it and was doubting myself. Until I really contemplated on what L said, I ought not to feel so bad about it because fact is, I lack the training that they've received. Nevertheless, I have pushed myself to where I am today, making use of what I have, and have been getting constant work - Eat that!

Moral of the story is: Before you start criticising/judging someone, evaluate yourself and get to know the other person's story first. Don't give hollow remarks, provide constructive criticism.

I may lack the foundations, though it is something that I can work and improve on in time. J told me she noticed I do not have very good lines (from my photos), and provided me with some exercises I can do to build and strengthen my core and foundation. To be honest, I really appreciated that. In fact, I know myself, and I am not in-denial. I do not go around telling people I am 'such a great dancer'. No. When asked, I always reveal the truth (how much training I've done in the past, etc). It's only when you identify your weakness, then will you be able to improve.

Will I give up? Nope. I'm gonna bring it on, even harder than before.

Then again, I am at this stage where I am prioritising long-term goals. If I am in L's position, instead of voicing out in such a manner, I would offer guidance instead. Share what you've learn, and the Universe will offer you many returns.

Everyday We're Shuffling

Early this month, I shot my second TV Commercial for Melbourne's Cheapest Cars - seriously, the cars are dirt cheap!! No kidding. Not because I am in the commercial. I spent the whole day at the garage in Moorabbin and was quite surprised myself at the low prices.

Anyway, here is the advertisement for their Rocking Summer Sale!! Trust me, shuffling in corporate wear and heels under the hot basking sun was not an easy task. Nevertheless, it was great fun working with the whole team from Brave Films. Extremely organised !! If you are looking for a highly reliable and organised production crew, they are your people. I have worked with quite a number of people in the industry to know that.

Sweet Like Lemons

Christmas is next week!! Can you believe how fast time flew by this year?? It is the time of the month/year where I normally sit myself down and reminisce over my accomplishments *crosses fingers* of the year and the numerous things I have to be grateful for, which I really am. It is also that time where I tick off goals I set for this year, and ponder about what I want to achieve in the new year. I will have to get back to you on that as I have not found the time to do so -excuses- though I will definitely get working on them this week.

My body is recuperating at the moment after the end-year fundraiser show with Bounczn Dance Company. I woke up this morning longing to dance, knowing that this is the last week for classes before every school closes for the holiday season. However, my right ankle is still in pain and I know I ought to let it rest after the weeks of rehearsals we had. On the other hand, my knees are feeling a bit weak too. I do not fancy these limitations occurring within my body. Times like this where I think being bionic serves its purpose - just oil 'em limbs and be ready to go again. 

Back in July this year, I was surfing the internet for possible work while getting to know the industry in Melbourne before I moved here. It was indeed a huge leap of faith, having to let go what I have attained back in KL, though a part of me still felt unsatisfied and was longing for bigger means. It was then that I chanced upon Michelle aka Mamma B's post on Facebook and shot her a message expressing my interest to be a part of the Bounczers. 

Unknowingly, I was welcomed with open arms and everyone in the company is so down-to-earth, talented and inspiring in their own ways. I met most of the dancers when I participated in BDC's Open Community Classes. It was a great initiative bringing such great choreographers each week to teach a one-hour class, at an affordable price! 

Through the open community classes and our first few sessions with Depart 3 choreographers, Jonathan and Gilbert, I rekindled my love for dance. It has been a pretty rough ride on-and-off, with me questioning my path in this line of work. At one point, I even thought of giving up, until I was reminded why I chose to dance.

BDC's got a pretty intensive warm-up, unlike the regular mild stretching/cardio sessions you get in other dance classes. Within the nine weeks of rehearsing for this show, I saw changes in my physique, and even have the strength to plank for no less than 3-minutes (well, exclude the occasional 'I-Can't-Do-This' moments).

Training with the group, especially the choreographers for the show, pushed me beyond my boundaries. I can sense major improvement throughout the training. Mentally, I have learned not to surrender to my slothfulness, knowing that I am stronger than what I think I am. Trust me, there were more than one evening during our routine run-through where I just want to cry and not dance anymore, because my body was exhausted and my legs/feet were aching. Hey! Hard work pays off, I guess.

BOUNCZN Represent with my girl, Beatrice!

Depart 3 - Bounczn Dance Company

SHOWTIME!

Bounczers Chillin' Before Show

A part of our routine got changed the day before our show. I was working on it continuously during rehearsals that the skin on my middle right toe split while doing so. It does not hurt a lot, though it is extremely uncomfortable while dancing. Hence I had to wrap it up during our performance with band aid and surgical tape to make sure it stays intact. Jacob fractured his toe on the first night too. We put our best foot forward and braved through the pain for the love of dance!

Stretching out

It has been a holistic journey participating in Depart 3. The last time I did a full dance performance was during Short+Sweet Dance 2012. Personally, these are the little things that keep that flame within me ignited, and to have people supporting us (me) throughout the process(es). I am blessed to have found my new dance family in Melbourne and can't wait to see what the new year brings for us!

BTS - Depart 3 Teaser

Keep in touch with Bounczn:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BouncznDanceCompany

Website - http://www.bounczn.com
Twitter - @Bounczn

INTERWEBS!!

We are FINALLY connected to the world at our new apartment. Excuse the lack of updates. Even so, I am finding it hard to write, trying to pack my days with productivity - hah! *excuses*

True in a way...

Life has been great thus far. Over the weekend, I booked my second commercial gig here - on my own. Yeshh!! I will reveal more deeds when the commercial is out. We were shuffling under the sweltering heat the whole of Saturday. I might have scored myself a tan too! Here is a behind-the-scene shot I found on Brave TV's twitter page (follow them @BraveAustralia):

Photo credit: Brave TV

On another note, I have been rehearsing for BDC's end-year show - THIS WEEKEND - for the past few weeks. My body is constantly sore, in a nice way (ask any dancer and she/he will tell you how good that feels, kinda). Depart 3 is a product of weeks of blood, sweat, and (almost) tears. There were days where I got so frustrated because I seem to be stuffing up the moves. There were also moments where I felt like giving up because my body was beyond exhausted, though mentally, I kept telling myself that I can push through it, and feel good after.

Planking Challenge

I am so excited for our show. I have not done a full dance piece since S+S Dance Malaysia last year. This is my first Contemporary/African piece too. So if you are in Melbourne on the 13th & 14th December, come check us out at Dancehouse. Tickets are almost sold out, get them online HERE>>

Ballet Tea

Body aches to the core.

I am on break from work this week, though not resting from everything else. This week is all for dancing - Contemporary to be exact. 

Last month, I signed up for a membership with Dance House, which is barely a ten minute walk down from where I live. As a new member, I get to do all the classes and workshops during this Tertiary Dance Week for free! My first class was yesterday morning with Russell Dumas. He spoke mainly on the fundamentals, the body, with very little/no dancing, which frustrated some participants as they were expecting a session that will make them move, not a lecture. I, on the other hand, find it really informative, and have been trying to apply it on my body. The most difficult thing about doing Contemporary Dance again after so long is having to break my ballet posture (also mentioned in Russell's talk as he was a professional ballet dancer).

Following the morning class, I stayed on for the workshop session with Steph Hutchinson, having no clue what I was about to receive from those two hours. Well, I briefly read the workshop details but did not plan to participate, hence did not have much of a thought about it. She started off with a bootcamp - great way to wake up my lazy ass and start my week, followed by .. TUMBLING!! It was my first time tumbling, and man, it is addictive!! I always have this fear of doing a handstand, though I just kicked up and flopped onto the mat (not gracefully, yet, unfortunately). Maybe it's because I knew I was in good hands, or maybe I felt pressured that the four other participants were actively going at it. Either way, I had to suppress my 'fear' and just went for it. No regrets! Then she gave us two highly advanced (for me) choreography, which I tried my best to catch up though my mind felt like mush at that time. Overall, it was a great session.

This morning, I did a class with Becky Hilton. She is HILARIOUS!! I wonder if she teaches regularly, I would love to do her class. I shall look on that in a bit. Google has been my best friend since I got here, that's how I discover all these workshops/classes. No doubt, I find it so much easier to move when I 'let go'. However, I am so used to having this sense of control over my upper body (especially), like what we were trained to do in ballet. I still lack coordination, though I am definitely improving (a lot!) from before.

In addition to Tertiary Dance Week, I am also rehearsing for Bounczn Dance Company's end of the year show, Depart 3. Last night, I opened up to the group on some struggles I am facing, having to literally drop everything I had back in Malaysia to move here with so much uncertainty. As highlighted briefly in my previous post, I have developed more than I did in the first half of 2013, which is pretty amazing, if I may say so myself. We are working with two great choreographers for the show. I admit, I lack the stamina needed and have to continue building my strength. Nevertheless, I am glad these guys pushed us beyond our limits. Did I tell you they are extremely welcoming and encouraging? It feels like being in a big family of dancers from different backgrounds.

That pretty much sums up my dance journey for the past two months. I am trying to upload some photos, but the internet connection in the library is pretty sucky at times (when some inconsiderate person watches Youtube or does something that requires heavy bandwidth).

Till then, I will continue updating about Depart 3 in weeks to come. 

If you are in Melbourne on the 13th and 14th December, you should come watch us. Pre-sale tix will be released soon, and there is only a limited number of tickets due to seating. Guess where it's gonna be held? Dance House!!  :)

From Inside Out

Unknown to many, I undertook dance training at quite a 'late' stage in my life, in my early 20's. It is considered late judging from the numerous young talent who started off at the tender age of three or four. Mother enrolled my sister and I into Ballet classes when I was around eight. We did RAD graded ballet for a few years before we stopped, due to some personal matters.

I vividly recall earlier memories when I first fell in-love with dancing. My parents took me to a charity dinner/dance event featuring international ballroom dancers sashaying their way across the dance floor in their glorious ballroom dancing gowns. I was enthralled by all of it. I remember positioning myself next to the dance floor, engrossed with the fluidity in their moves, not taking my eyes off them the whole night. 

Soon, through various performing exposures in pre-school and music school, I got bitten my the performing bug.

Looking back, it was a lot of hard work to catch up from where I stopped. Upon graduating from university and securing a full-time job, I signed up for dance classes again to revive my techniques, or whatever I had through years of amateur after-school dance rehearsal training. I lost the flexibility I had when I was younger, and it took me two years to be where I am today.

I realised that I could not progress any further in my craft back in Malaysia. Most classes are catered to the younger generation. Unlike the opportunities laid out before me over here in Melbourne, there are very few adult classes that focus on equally on technique and choreography.

Weeks, even months, before I finally decided to make my move over here, I did a thorough research on where I could further my training without putting too much strain on my bank account. 

It has been almost two months since I got here, and I have gone to a few classes. My main focus is to continue strengthening my ballet technique. And my major concern is to go under the tutelage of not only a good teacher, a school that is welcoming to students of all forms and ages. 

Few weeks ago, I had one of my most discouraging experience in one of the schools closer to where I am staying right now. Another few weeks prior to that, I attended a casual Beginner's class to determine my 'level' as the school focuses on Russian technique (something I have been gradually catching up on since I got here). I enjoyed the class, though the teacher was employed casually by the school and could not answer most of my questions. She suggested I should drop by some other day in the evening and speak to the school's principal, which I did. And it was not a very pleasant experience.

Thankfully, that was just an alternative option as I found another place to continue my ballet, and I really love it there - City Dance Centre in Armadale. Sakura, the instructor, teaches one of the best adult ballet classes I have ever been to. Not only is she observant and patient (and all the qualities a great teacher possesses), she makes the classes really welcoming to everyone, regardless of age, background or whether they have previous dance experience. If I am not mistaken, it is also the only studio that offers an adult pointe work class.

After my experience with the other school and being away from ballet for a few weeks as I was preoccupied with moving, one can not fathom how happy I am to be back in class at CDC. Since my first class with Sakura in early September, I knew that's where I want to be. It feels like home and everyone in the class is like family. She also takes time to talk to everyone, and that communication part is vital.

Personally, I think it is important to  do something you love in an environment that does not demotivate you. There was a brief period when I was reconsidering my goals in performing arts. I was wondering if I should have just gone corporate, knowing I can pretty much excel in that area with my work experience. However, this week, I fell in-love again with dancing. I may not be a professional dancer, however one wants to interpret the meaning of 'professional' in this context, yet I can not see my life without dancing and performing. Which is why, when asked, I prefer to tell someone that I am a 'performing artist' instead of categorizing my craft in a certain area. As performing artists, we find the joy in performing, not be razzle-and-dazzled by the limelight. 

Before I got here, I managed to get hold of the founder of Bounczn Dance Company and have been in constant communication with her via Facebook. It might seem odd to some that there is this exchange going on between us even before I reach the soils of this country. Michelle is a really good role model for younger people and I am glad she founded the dance company. She has invited some really great choreographers in Melbourne to conduct masterclasses at affordable prices (a standard 60-minute drop-in class here is $20). I think it is a blessing in disguise, that the Universe has allowed our paths to cross. At the moment, I am attending rehearsals with the dance company for their year-end show. I have to say, every rehearsal is always inspiring. The dancers are extremely friendly and talented in their own ways. 

Thanks to Bounczn, I also had the privilege to attend a masterclass by one of the world's leading choreographers, Dave Scott, over the weekend. I think after that spiral downwards in my creative growth, that was the boost I needed. Albeit, hip hop ain't exactly my style, I had fun learning from him.

With Mr Dave Scott

So, that is just about the extend of my dance journey here in Melbourne. In weeks to come, I will share my progress and also write about Depart 3, which, if you are in Melbourne on December 13th & 14th, you should definitely come check it out as the whole group has been working really hard to piece it together.

I guess I need to let out this ball of emotion in regards to my dance journey. I have had many people asking me if it is 'too late to start enrolling into classes'. The answer is, "No". It is never too late. It differs from one person to the other. It may seem easy for some, and to the rest of us, we have to put in that extra effort in order to excel and make up for the lost time. Nevertheless, with sheer endurance and determination, nothing is impossible. For example, one can't expect to be flexible overnight; it takes regular stretching and lots of sweat and tears - literally.

As the year comes to an end, I can proudly say that I have seen major improvements and have reached most of the goals I set out for this year. This learning curve will never cease to grow and I hope it will inspire others too.

Thanks for reading thus far ... 

This post is reflected on my Dancing Tales journal too.

Hello!

So, you might be wondering, "Another blog?"

Well, yes. Indeed another one. You see, I contemplated over it for two weeks before deciding to start a new blog to jot down my adventures in this new chapter in my life. Albeit, it took me three weeks to create one. Nevertheless, I have been 'somewhat' diligently hand-writing in my journal whenever I can. Kinda have to thank those long train rides to-and-from the city.

If you are reading this now, I have moved to Australia for almost a month (exactly a month in a week). There's so much going on, I don't even know where to begin. Hence, allow me to backtrack, as I retrieve some daily deeds from my memory and pen them down in this electronic space.

All right, I have to confess, I am just killing time (it's five minutes to 1am, Blimey!) while waiting for that troublesome iPhone software to update via my iTunes. Speaking of which, I upgraded my iPad's software to iOS7 and downright disliked it the moment I saw its layout. I read a few articles about its flaws and am experiencing annoying lags while typing. Pfft! Is it possible me to downgrade back to my previous iOS6-point-something version until this new version is fixed? Redundant question. 

41 minutes remaining ...

*snores*

Let's talk about my day.

It started of pretty well, and I was looking forward to my Yoga class at Kundalini House. I love it there. If you are looking for a place to practice Yoga in Melbourne, I highly recommend them. They don't have a huge space, which is great, as there can only be a limited number of people in one session. The Yoga center caters to pregnant women too and have quite a number of prenatal yoga classes, if you are looking for one. Just check their website for more information.

I submitted my resume at a nearby cafe. I need somewhere close to Kundalini as I would love to continue my yoga sessions with them after my first-trial pass expires. By the way, first-time students can purchase a one-month unlimited pass for yoga sessions for $49. Pretty good deal, no?

Spent most of my afternoon at the Fitzroy North Library, reading through an arts and craft book and borrowed two CDs off the rack. I love my library membership! I signed up for it the first week I was here. It was the sensation of a kid walking into a candy store when I stepped into the library (by chance, was on a hunt for a lavatory on Brunswick Street) and discovered that membership is FREE - Feels like I won a jackpot, not that I know how that feels, though I bet I felt even happier than that. With my temporary membership, I get to borrow two items for three weeks. With a full membership (which will be given to me once I show proof of identity/address), I can borrow up to ten items for 30 days. The items include books, audio cds, movies, access to free e-books and audio books, and a whole lot more.

26 minutes ...

*yawns*

Okay, my brain has literally shut down. Pardon any grammatical errors. My fingers are typing on its own.

I did a three-hour intensive dance training/class with Bouczn Dance Company. They are having community classes this whole month till early October. I highly recommend you to join the if you are in Melbourne and love dancing. It's been so so long since I last trained nor did an Open Class out of my comfort zone. I feel overjoyed. We had Commercial Hip Hop and Lyrical Contemporary today. I managed the former style fairly, it's not exactly my genre though I always push myself to try-and-get-it. If I don't think to much about it, I have no problems nailing the move. Lyrical Contemporary is my favorite, although my last Contemporary class was back in early 2012. Le sigh.... Need to get my groove on again. Classes are $9/each if you purchase class passes online before the class. Check out this link for more information. People there are really, really friendly. So don't worry about having to attend classes alone. You are bound to make new friends by the end of the three hours. Oh, by the way, warm-up is INTENSE!!! just the way I like it. Strengthen and tone!

19 minutes ...

Geeezzz... I am shooting tomorrow evening, so I really need to get some sleep. Of course I can sleep-in as I am unemployed the moment. However, I would love to go for Kundalini Yoga tomorrow. It's quite different from Hatha Yoga, and focuses more on ones Chakras. Me likey..

Basically, this is my day in a nutshell. I solemnly (try my best to) promise to update on a daily basis with photos, not that it really matters. Though for my own sake, I ought to record my adventures consistently and look back on them at the end of the year to see how much I have achieved, or how much time I have wasted in my life. Ahh.. very unlikely to be wasting my time as I deem every moment in life a personal learning situation.

I am going to wake up happily sore tomorrow morning. 

Three Cheers for Dancing!! It never fails to lift me up.

Love from Melbourne

xo