I received my BA in dance. Now what?

Photo by William Frederking

I remember when I had to make the big life decision on what I was going to do for the rest of my life (at the ripe age of 18). "Where will you go to college?" "What will you study?" "What do you want to be?" I remember answering "all I want to do is dance". To this day I'm not quite sure what I meant by that, but at the same time I know precisely. I didn't know how I would make money or if I even could. I proceeded (at the last minute) filling out college applications and before I knew it, I made it across the big stage with my diploma. I received my BA in dance. Now what?

I picked up a small teaching job towards the end of college and found myself completely loving it. I found a way to give my joy to others. I saw the way the kids lit up from week to week. This was exactly what I was meant to do. After graduation I acquired more teaching jobs around the city. Some classes I enjoyed teaching more than others, but ultimately, after each day, my soul felt good.

It takes more than a trained dancer to teach dance. Needed requirements would be: patience, mental and physical energy, a firm tone of voice, and an accessible personality.
It's important to be giving of everything. I know that when I go into a class, for the next 30-90 minutes, these bodies need everything I can give them. I know I can't slack. They need instruction, critique, enthusiasm, patience, investment, and motivation. The hardest part about teaching is never letting them down no matter what. I have to be the example of perseverance. If I'm tired and let it show, they are allowed to do the same. If I watch the clock, they do, too. I expect top notch students and they expect that of me.

At the same time, maybe that's why I'm deeply passionate about teaching. I stay motivated through teaching my students. If I get one smile per class, I know I made a difference. When a two year old can finally find her own first position, I dance a little inside. When a teen finally discovers the life altering way of dancing from her core, I am one happy lady. These are moments I celebrate, because I remember how hard it was for me.

Looking back ten years, I smile remembering how easy it was to know I wanted to dance forever. I didn't know where I was going and frankly, I still don't. But one thing I know is the absolute joy of passing on passion that runs so deeply.

Submitted by TDC Dancer Shannon Edwards, September 29, 2014.  

Year Two at Mongan Dance Academy

 Year Two:

A year and a half ago, my mom and I co-opened a dance studio in Evergreen Park, IL. Our vision was to develop an artful and educational dance program. We never dreamed that in year two our enrollment would sky rocket and collaborations with the area school district would be in full swing. We, as a duo, could not be more proud.

Over the summer we successfully ran a dance program at the Evergreen Park Elementary summer program. This led to further interest in a continuing collaboration throughout the school year. On top of our in studio summer class and camp program, we collaborated with A Fairytale Ballet for an extra special and exclusive one day camp that the students were ecstatic about. Overall, the growth of Mongan Dance Academy has exceeded our expectations and has been so fulfilling.

From here our dreams only get bigger. We are excited to start working more with the Evergreen Park School District. My vision of creating a performance group with our older students seems more of a reality now than ever. We have dedicated and committed students who are eager to grow as dancers and artists at our studio. We are looking forward to fully realizing our vision and really molding our program into what has been a longtime dream.  

Submitted by TDC dancer Shannon Edwards, Thursday, September 25, 2014.

Five years forward or Five years back?

 

Photo by Eric Olson

Where will I be in five years? It seems a popular question to ask.  But for me, the opposite question gives me more opportunity to assess my current state.  Five years ago, where did I think I would be today?

Allow me to start at the beginning. After graduating with a BFA in Dance, Performance & Choreography, I moved to Chicago to pursue dancing with The Dance COLEctive.  Four years later, I am now the Manager of a small children's dance studio here in Chicago, the owner of which lives out of state. Like most people, whatever I thought I would be doing five years ago is not what has happened or even will eventually happen. I had never dreamed of owning a dance studio, and I certainly never thought I would find myself running one for someone else. So here I am, making a career out of my passion (and the degree that I will be working to pay off for the next 15 years) and taking every opportunity I can to squeeze the juice out of this life in order to make a living. 

Ups and downs come with any job and just because I am working in a career field that also happens to be my passion does not eliminate those struggles. It DOES force me  to evaluate my life and my "passion" on a daily basis. I often ask myself " Do I really know what I am doing?" or " Is this going to work?" When it comes to studio business decisions, I go with my gut; to be honest, most of what I have done is completely trial and error. Luckily, it has worked out so far and I have helped to grow the business through what I would call 'Personal Force'. Being the only Manager, teaching most of the classes, and being responsible for all the administration and housekeeping, I am literally doing it  ALL. However, at the same time I am responsible for it ALL. Do we want to increase enrollment numbers by adding classes in the morning? Sure! Olivia will teach those. Do we want to encourage community togetherness with Friday night dance parties? Yes! Olivia will teach those. More dancers equals more phone calls, of which Olivia will answer. Should we make a shift to being paperless in our communication? Of course! That means more emails for Olivia to answer. I have found that with growth comes more "opportunity", but when you are the all-in-one manager/teacher/maid/administrator that means more work for YOU. 

Quite literally, I have opened the door for this growth and then accepted the consequences by taking on more responsibilities. Of course it is rewarding to see that what I am doing is working, but I often wonder if this work I am doing (for someone else's business) is the best path for me.  Should I reevaluate what part of the dance world my passion lies?  Where do I think I will be in 5 years? I really don't know, so be sure to check back in with me in 2019, and I will let you know how these next five years pan out.

Submitted by TDC dancer Olivia May, on Tuesday, March 13, 2014. 

The Path I Traveled

Photo by Eric Olson

Years ago, I thought long and hard on the big decision of where I wanted to go to college and what I'd be doing for the rest of my life. The only thing I knew and kept reverting back to, the place where I felt most comfortable and like myself, was when I was dancing. I am truly thankful my parents supported my ultimate dream, no matter the cost. (Trust me, I’m definitely paying for it.) Sometimes I wonder why they didn’t avert my ambitious 17-year-old-self from attending a school in which I could sustain a job that allowed me to support myself financially. What did I know? And then again, would I listen anyway? But, in writing this blog, I’m really glad they didn’t. I fully enjoyed my college experience once I stopped being a homesick baby. I wore sweatpants to class, I went to dance performances and dinners, I danced every day for four years while learning to stand on my own. Sometimes it was brutal and exhausting, but well worth the exploration. Not to mention, I met a lot of great people who are a huge part of the Chicago dance scene, and my life.

I worked part-time through college at a dancewear store a few blocks from my dorm in the city. After graduation, that job turned into a full-time opportunity, so I stayed. The first year after graduation, I went to numerous auditions- the pickings were slim and like all auditions, competition was intense. I am not a highfalutin dancer, probably the least flexible dancer in the history of the universe, but I found where my quirks and creativity were acceptable. This occurred a year later when I was asked to be an apprentice with The Dance COLEctive. Though the apprenticeship was an unpaid position, I was able to put my BA in dance to good use, and luckily I had a job that supported me and two roommates to help share the costs of living.

Along my way, I strangely stumbled into the field of law. I think I got lucky considering the fact that I now work full-time as a legal assistant downtown. I never dreamed of this when I was younger, ever. Dancer? Yes. Teacher? Maybe. Legal assistant??? No. Never even a question. But I feel really grateful that I understand and am pretty good at what I do, as it pays the bills. It’s one of those things that definitely happened for a reason. Working a 9:00am to 5:00pm is convenient and sometimes redundant. And redundancy is well, redundant. I'd like to know what job isn't. I’m glad that my schedule allows "me" time to even have a source – an outlet granting me the opportunity to take an uppercut to my routine – rehearsing, teaching, creating work, performing, and taking class year round.

I have come to find that it is tough to find a dance career that pays the bills, even now as a company member, and in this teetering economy. I am happy that I get to do what I love on nights and weekends and have the monetary support I need working during the day. Grant it, most of my days are technically 12 hour workdays and on occasion there is sacrifice for fun, family, and time, I get to do what I love which definitely keeps me sane. Most people can't say that and maybe some people don’t even get the chance.

Dance and TDC has been a major constant during the most important time of my life while finding myself and evolving as an adult. It’s always been the one thing I can rely on. It’s hard to count on and trust people, but every Tuesday and Thursday night, I know my team is there, and I know I can find myself there too.

Submitted by TDC dancer Katie Petrunich on January 26, 2014.

Thoughts on Teaching

There is no better way to understand the dancer in you than teaching a classroom full of young dancers. The bonus - understanding the human in you, as well.

In teaching dance we emphasize our personal interests and goals with a dollop of personal flair. But in teaching dance to the youngest of dancers, we have to find a way to break down important principles and relay it to them in a way they can understand. It would be simple to teach a mature person how to stand in first position. But try asking a three year old to "find their first." It is a timely task in which half the class stares intently at their feet trying their hardest to just make them touch. Half of the class stares blankly at me, eagerly awaiting further instruction. In my classroom it is the sound of a kiss that instantly reminds them to put their heels together ("kissing") with hardly any conscious effort. My job in teaching young dancers is communicating simple principles in ways they can both understand and enjoy. If one student can not achieve a concept, it is difficult for the group to move on. How do I communicate in ways they can understand? I have to answer this uniquely for each group of students I have. The answer is almost always different. I have to deeply investigate myself. Sometimes I find the answers down memory lane and sometimes I use simple imagery that has always helped me in class. Then I translate my understandings in ways in which they can understand. It seems simple enough, but the challenge is in keeping the young dancer interested. They come because they want to have fun. Some come because they want to someday be a prima ballerina. I have to give them a good time while instilling discipline, poise, and technique. If they don't understand something, they become uninterested. If they are not enjoying the class, they become uninterested. I am responsible for keeping their inner fire ablaze.

Discipline is another challenge. What one child learns at home another may not. Having patience in a classroom full of young dancers is key. It takes a lot of self control, inner dialogue, and openness to the student. This is where my human reflection stares me in my face. I can lose my cool and later drown in self doubt. Or I can bite the grit, pull it together, and in my very gentle "Miss Shannon voice" let the little ones know how very inappropriate they are being. I usually opt for the gentle (yet very firm) "Miss Shannon voice". And as always, I want the student to walk away having learned something, rather than having had a negative experience.

I love teaching children through adults. It is a calm and smooth environment in a room full of older children, teenagers, and adults learning dance. I usually feel at ease from the start of class to the end, unlike the young classes where my experience can range from one extreme to the other. The young children are the most challenging, most exhausting, most adorable, and loving little dancers. They inspire me just as much as the mature dancers. The frustration I sometimes feel leaves immediately when I see the smiles on their faces. It is most gratifying to have little dancers that leave the studio with a love for dance. I just have to find new, fun, and creative ways to enlighten the little bundles of awesomeness. It all comes from a little digging and finding the answers from deep within.


Submitted by TDC dancer Shannon Edwards on December 5, 2013.

On starting her own business

 

Photo by Eric Olson

Mongan Dance Academy opened in June of 2013. It was a long time coming. As beautiful as the studio is, it first started as just a thought.

My mom and I have worked together before. We had several conversations about how awesome it would be to bring our two passions together and create our own business. I am a lifelong dancer with a passion for teaching, and my mother is a brilliant business woman with a love for the youth. An opportunity arose and we took it, knowing that we were risking a lot. However, it was a risk we were more than willing to take.

The easy part was our creative collaborations. Finding a space on the southwest side of Chicago seemed logical. Deciding on a name for our business was a thoughtful process, but we soon agreed to use the name of the street my sisters and I grew up on. It was a place where the whole family grew together. Soon enough, we found a quaint space that would most definitely serve wonderfully as Mongan Dance Academy. My mother put her extraordinary talent of crafting, woodwork, and designing to work. Soon the space was a beautiful dance studio, complete with mirrors, hand-crafted ballet barres, and dance floors.

The biggest challenge wasn't putting our minds together, it was pulling in clientele. We were off to a slow start. Our student body was minimal and our means of marketing were reliant on the two of us. We were interviewed for news articles, posted flyers, and even walked door to door throughout Evergreen Park, IL. We decided to have a five week summer camp promotion instead of just normal classes. We developed a Facebook page, joined a text marketing program, had booths at local vendor fairs, and walked up and down the lined streets at the Fourth of July parade. Somewhere between the Facebook setup and the parade, we hit a boom. Calls flooded our phone lines and soon we had to open another day of camp just to accommodate our pre-school kids. The program went wonderfully and soon we started our Fall Program.

Of all the marketing we tried, our clients reported that Facebook posts and re-posts caught their eye and prompted them to call. Word of mouth tipped and soon friends and family were joining. As the students consistently trickle in, we are excitedly waiting for our next boom.

Dance students have showed eager interest in the program. Yet, somehow, adults are still unwilling to join in with our incredible fitness classes. It seems that the workout world on the southwest side of Chicago stays popular in gyms. We have a small group of devoted attendees, but our newest challenge is bringing in an even larger adult student body.

Mongan Dance Academy has truly been a dream come true thus far. It is so great (contrary to popular belief) to be working so closely with my mother. Challenges are super common in this journey. However, I believe these challenges only exist to better our program in the long run. I have learned so much about myself, my dancing, my teaching ethics, and team building. Ultimately, Mongan Dance is worth every bit of the hard work it has taken.

Submitted by TDC dancer Shannon Edwards on November 12, 2013.

Written in Sand

 

Photo by Eric Olson

When presented with the task of creating a year-long curriculum from scratch, I first had to sit down and re-acquaint myself with my teaching philosophy. I made sure I reflected on what was important to me, and that I still felt that way. Not much had changed since its birth, so moving on I had to assess what my goals were for the year. Since my school is "an academy," we include 7th and 8th grade. Therefore, setting goals that were appropriate for each grade level was extremely important to the program's success, besides the fact that it was co-ed. To be honest, I wasn't sure about how I was going to sell a creative movement class to 8th grade boys on the South Side of Chicago...
 
I attacked this project as I would anything else; I researched everything I had that said "Dance" on it, met with multiple Dance Education teachers in the area to pick their brains, and emailed just about everyone I knew that would have any insight to gather more information. I still did not feel adequately prepared to start creating something and really had no idea how to start putting things down on paper. But the clock was ticking so I had no choice but to dive right in. The exciting thing about Lindblom is that their dance program is part of the Fine Arts Department, so I knew I could practice creativity with a project-based curriculum (which definitely aligned with my philosophy). I organized the concepts that were most important to me in a clear and sequential pattern, an order that made the most sense throughout the year. I then made sure that each concept had objectives, aligned with National and State Standards, had appropriate assessments, essential questions, and enduring understandings. Our Fine Arts Department is very interested in the students' ability to ask questions about concepts for use in other settings, not just in school. So I made sure that my objectives and goals gave my students the opportunity to extract certain experiences from our units and use them to answer bigger questions.

The fear of being ill-prepared to create something successful and substantial that lurked inside of me only subsided when I started. I have found that the hardest, and most rewarding, part about building a curriculum is that it is constantly growing. One of our philosophies at LMSA is that we "write in sand," so application of that theory allows for the curriculum to be changing, adapting, and building itself over again, every step of the way. We take the responsibility of always updating and providing the freshest material to our students so that we can give them the best practice possible. It is something that I will refer back to forever. I will constantly add and subtract elements. It is alive, and although the task of completing a year-long scope and sequence left me indoors for the last month of my summer vacation, I am extremely grateful for the chance to say I have done it.  

Submitted by TDC Dancer Madelyn Doyle, Tuesday, October 29, 2013. 

From Some-time to Full-time

Photo by Eric Olson

As things normally go in the teaching world, my most recent position came at me with little to no warning and started almost immediately. Before I could organize my fall plans and gather my other teaching gigs together into a nice pile, Lindblom Math and Science Academy violently trashed all of those neat little piles into a giant mess; in a good way.

Since graduating from high school, I knew that getting my teaching certification in dance to teach in a public school was my goal. I never strayed from this path, and although it took quite a bit of time longer than expected, I am thankful for my current situation. I have a wonderful department that is extremely supportive of my aspirations and goals for the school, and I am thrilled that I get to share my knowledge and creative juices with their students. Unlike other high school dance teachers, I get to maintain my position with The Dance COLEctive because the school supports outside professional practice and does not require its teachers to produce X amount of shows per year, and stay after school for X amount of hours to make that happen. I am a part of a Fine Arts Department and NOT a Physical Education Department  which can be like finding gold for teachers who have the same philosophy as I do. Being a part of a Fine Arts Department allows me to experiment. It allows me to create projects with my students that they truly care about, even though they might have never danced a day in their life. It allows me to collaborate, create, and stumble upon new ways of doing things. P.E. Departments, for the most part usually already have a set way of doing things and awful requirements such as fitness testing (which does not align with my teaching philosophy) that I would have to administer. We all remember those, yuck! The besy benefit of all: I get to create my OWN curriculum. I don't have to follow anyone else's rules, I don't have students telling me "well, Ms. so-and-so did it this way." I made it out of thin air, which was not an easy feat, but it's mine and it is constantly changing and growing. It is something I will use forever, and I am grateful to have said I have done it, but you will hear more about that in my next post.

The hard part about being a full-time teacher, especially in my specific situation, is that I am the only dance teacher in the department so I don't have a counterpart to offer ideas or feedback. I had to create the entire curriculum alone, which I also now have to constantly adapt and update while learning all the new systems Lindblom uses at the same time. I also have to keep my other jobs under wraps (TDC and a studio in the suburbs I have worked with for years). I really have no time to stop and catch a breather because besides all of that, I have to make sure I haven't forgotten about friends and family!

I have found that no matter how much work you have to do, it's important to remain social, keep doing the things you enjoy, and there may be times you just need to quit what you're doing and go to bed at 9:30... sometimes it's for the better. Overall, I wouldn't change anything about the opportunity I have been handed. I know this will be my hardest year yet, but the learning experience I will gain, and the arsenal of knowledge I will own, will be priceless. 

Submitted by TDC Dancer Madelyn Doyle, Tuesday, October 15, 2013. 

Touring with TDC

One of my favorite past times in The Dance COLEctive has been touring.  I had the opportunity to travel to Beloit College and Knox College last season and I enjoyed every part of it, from getting our coffee and hitting the road to performing for a new crowd of curious students. Being crammed in a car, sitting still for hours together is something uncommon for us. Our main experiences together are usually on the dance floor and/or animatedly socializing in open spaces. And choosing a food place on the road can be indecisively tricky. Staying in a hotel room and trying to "keep it down" is quite difficult for a group of women and our handy crew (especially when "catchphrase" is a required nightly tradition).

It's not just the behind-the-scenes quirkiness that I love, it's the opportunity to observe Margi teaching, and students learning. Taking class with a new student body is always informative. We have a chance to pick up new things from Margi. Being one on one with students is refreshing and different. And of course, performing each night and introducing who The Dance COLEctive is to everyone. Each stage is different, each audience is different, and each response is different. It's always exciting to hear feedback and know how Margi and The Dance COLEctive impacted the students and faculty. Although I love dancing in my awesome city of Chicago, I am definitely excited to get out and tour more. I just love the all around experience. 

Submitted by TDC Dancer Shannon McGuire-Edwards on Saturday, December 29, 2012.

Asking for your support

Dear Dance COLEctive Enthusiasts,

I am writing to you today quite simply to ask for your help.

Almost 17 years ago I founded The Dance COLEctive as a way for my friends and I to produce our work. Today it is much more than that.

In addition to being a vessel for creating thoughtful new work, TDC is deeply committed to mentoring young artists to be well rounded professionals capable of succeeding independently. The ability to make & produce work, think entrepreneurially and articulate themselves as artists are all key skills imparted to our promising dancers and collaborators.

Currently the company is comprised of 8 thoughtful and sophisticated young women (you can read some of the writing about their experiences here) who are helping me to realize and fulfill my desire to mentor and make new work.  Their dedication and remarkable growth as artists - some of them for as long as ten years - inspire and energize me to keep finding ways to create performance and mentorship opportunities and to keep going when things get tough. 

For The Dance COLEctive the current economic climate is formidable. Disappearing resources on the the state and city level, as well as more limited support from local foundations has had a very real impact on TDC's ability to support itself and its artists.    This is why we need you more than ever.  Many of you have been collaborators, students and mentors.  Many of you are family, friends, peers, acquaintances, family and friends of current or past dancers, board members and audience members.  You know first hand my passion for dance and the power a positive experience can have on you!

Photo By William Frederking

Please consider a donation in support of TDC.  Please help me continue this important effort and please know this:  when you choose to make a donation to The Dance COLEctive it will be invested in the continued growth of TDC’s vision and my unwavering desire to creating new work and teach and mentor promising dancers.    





To make a donation of any size you can go here or you can send a check to our snail mail address.
  
Thank you so much for your continued interest in the company and have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Sincerely,


Margi Cole
Artistic Director


PS:  We are looking forward to our annual self produced concert happening at Stage 773 in January, the opportunity to perform on the stage of Jay Pritzker Pavilion in the Millennium Park April 12-14, our Summer Workshops, Company Classes and annual opportunities to mentor our dancers.  Please help us make all this possible in 2013!  Thank you!


The Dance COLEctive is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Performing to Perform

Since declaring that I would be studying dance in college when I was just barely into my Senior year of high school, I have met the question " So what will you do with a degree in dance?" more times than I care to count. I understand where the question comes from, sort of. Everyone's first thought goes toward teaching," So will you be a teacher…?" or to owning a dance studio, then they think of performing. However, I have ALWAYS wanted to be a performer, and frankly I try to find ways I can perform everyday of my life. I was born a Ham (aka a limelight lover) and will probably be living the old adage " the world is your stage" until the day that I die. I live for a good crowd, mostly a good laugh from a willing audience and don't usually find myself in social situations where I don't make my presence known. So for me, there was never a second thought as to what I would do with a BFA in Dance.

I was going to perform. I was set on it.

All the doors and windows of opportunity were open to me, and I was going to walk across that stage at graduation, promptly get my diploma, and walk my happy behind right onto the stage of dance and perform. I didn't have a timetable for how long I would be a performer but sure as the day was long, I was NOT going back to school anytime soon, and I was not waiting around saving my money while working a non-dance job until I found the performance job I wanted.

After graduation, I was on a  sort of dance tour of my own, taking my blind optimism and endless energy for rejection up and down the east coast and some of the midwest trying to find a place to perform. I soon realized that while I REALLY wanted to perform, there were a lot of dance companies that REALLY didn't want to hurt my feelings but at the same time REALLY didn't want me to perform with them. By an act of fate, I landed in Chicago before my optimism and energy for rejection ran out with two suitcases and a smile, and set up shop with The Dance COLEctive. What I then realized was that I had only just begun my quest to perform on stage.

I was in a new city with zero friends, no place to live and no job. Suddenly the idea of performing took a back seat to my survival and the goal of living somewhere other than a street corner in a cardboard box. My personal worst fear in life is to be homeless.

What I came to understand is the doors and windows of opportunity are only open as long as you force your body weight through them, stick fingers and toes into the cracks and wedge the space apart to make room for yourself and thus make opportunities for yourself. I looked into every job I thought I might be able to do:  coach swimming, teach English,  serve food, paint fences. If it was a job and I could imagine myself doing it then I applied, I called, I stopped by the office to drop off my resume. If I was hired, I took it. It didn't matter how far away it was or how few hours a week it offered, I was going to do it. Then, on Tuesday and Thursday nights, I was going to go to rehearsal with TDC and work on my performance opportunity.

Well, as it turns out, wanting to perform became more of a need to perform, because with a BFA in Dance, I have finally found my way through enough jobs to land my ideal job: teaching dance. In a small dance studio with a captive audience of seven year olds, I use my flare for performance to make them laugh and teach them to pivot and kick-ball-change and to love dance and performing just as much as I do. I think I may have tricked myself into teaching because the front of a classroom (no matter what type of class) is a sort of stage. So naturally, I feel at home. But I need to be good at my job so I can afford to keep myself afloat, and thus be able to perform with The Dance COLEctive. So here I am, 5 years out of college with my old rosy view of being a Dance Performer, and I. am. performing. on stage with the Dance COLEctive in as many chances as I can force myself into…. But I also get to perform everyday in my job as Miss Olivia, the quirky dance teacher who loves any stage and a willing audience.

Submitted by TDC Dancer Olivia May on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.