How Web 2.0 Can Help You Learn To Dance
Dance classes are traditionally taught in the studio, with mirrors, an instructor and some pumping music. We’re not going to suggest that classes are taught any differently at the moment, but savvy dancers are using the internet to find classes and teachers that suit them better. This in turn is putting pressure on dance schools to wise up and embrace internet marketing and technology to entice students to their classes.
Not so long ago, to find a class you had to commit to turning up in person, to a room full of more experienced dancers, and to trialling a class to find out if you liked it or not. Then there was trying to decide which style: hip hop, or street (what’s the difference?), street jazz, or jazz funk. It was all so confusing, time consuming and expensive.
Now many teachers will regularly post their classes online on YouTube for example. This not only acts as a great advert, it gives the students a chance to review the class and remember routines for the next week.
Creation Dance, a dance class provider based in London and with classes in Oxford and Brighton exclusively markets and sells its classes online for a number of reasons. Speaking of the model, founder Elle Kealy says,” This is a great platform for consumers. Not only can they access our national classes from their home or office, they can view each teacher’s class online, decide which style they like best and sign up without having to spend time and effort coming to the classes. For a company such as ours, which started out with a simple website and one class, this enables us to reach out nationally. Starting dance classes in Oxford and Brighton would not have been possible using the traditional dance school approach. Students still come along to classes each week, but they know what they are getting.
Creation Dance plans to take this evolution further. With a new website launching in November 2008, Creation hope to have online dance classes for students to follow live as well as community portals and jobsites, where dancers can subscribe to rss feeds alerting them to the latest news and views.
For now the new site is committed to providing information and booking services for enthusiastic dancers, but the hope is that by mid 2009 the dance world will have truly caught up with technology.
Dancers can visit the site at http://www.creationdance.co.uk and give their feedback and ideas.
Creation Dance is a specialist adult beginners dance school with dance classes in London, Oxford and Brighton. Contact elle.kealy@creationdance.co.uk or 0870 140 3234 for more information. www.creationdance.co.uk
Friday, October 31, 2008
Dance and Fitness Jobs
Good news this week, the jobsite linked to Creation Dance www.danceandfitnessjobs.com has been featured on the hit website abc-of-fitness.com. You can check out the site and see what you think. Any feedback is always appreciated. We've had a lot of dance teacher applications this week and I think it's a great way to source people for our classes. We always need good teachers!
And not so good news, Julie Jade, who has been taking our classes for a while now will be in panto in Edinburgh this Christmas, which means that her classes will come to an end in November. I know her students will miss her lots!
Good luck in panto Julie!
Our new website is going to be live next week, we've been waiting for a while for this one. Once it's up you'll be able to check it out again at www.creationdance.co.uk and let us know what you think!
And not so good news, Julie Jade, who has been taking our classes for a while now will be in panto in Edinburgh this Christmas, which means that her classes will come to an end in November. I know her students will miss her lots!
Good luck in panto Julie!
Our new website is going to be live next week, we've been waiting for a while for this one. Once it's up you'll be able to check it out again at www.creationdance.co.uk and let us know what you think!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Running your own dance business - what does it take to Moonlight?
I found this article from Citeman.com and thought it was a good summary of what it took to set up Creation. At the time I was an entertainment lawyer working nights, evenings and weekends on my passion:dance classes. If you think this is something you could do, get in touch with us about a Creation Franchise. The business can be run parttime, full time or on moonlighting time, but you've got to be committed. More info is at http://www.creationdance.co.uk.
Ever heard about the doctor who occasionally dons the hat of a DJ or and actor who runs an ad agency? In today’s swift-paced world, there are many people who successfully pursue dual professions. The act of working dual or handling multiple jobs, aptly termed as moonlighting is a trend that’s surely catching up. What prompts one to moonlight and what skills are needed to pursue a second career? Let’s try to find the answers.
Many people with full time jobs and high energy are keen to follow their passion without giving up their present job. People who are in one profession but know where their deeper interest lies are usually the ones to moonlight. Most people pursue a second career, which is usually a passion or a hobby, or it may be financially driven. Besides a full time job, many people yearn to do something else. Moonlighting or working part time offers the ideal way out. Usually the first career choice in most cases is the result of academic qualification or opportunities and second is one’s hobby. It goes without saying that apart from monetary returns, pursuing two professions gives you greater job satisfaction.
For instance, MD in gynecology and obstetrics who has her private practice in Mumbai doubles up as a DJ, She states: Music has always been her passion however medicine was an ideal career choice as she was good at studies. A doctor by profession derives great pleasure in swinging different tunes for film stars parties, consulates and corporate shows. She has also played at a number of night clubs across the nation and in Dubai and London.
A Bollywood actor who successfully runs an advertising agency confesses, he loves facing the camera but knows acting is a short term career. He enjoys the career highs and lows of being an actor and also the field of advertising where he attends client meetings. A member of the board of directors juggles between his office and client meetings and with his Bollywood assignments. He has to really sweat it out. It takes a lot of multitasking and proper planning to pursue two careers.
Moonlighting requires a multi tasking time management and flawless balancing act and time management. Giving justice to both the professions is not a cakewalk. It not just about managing two careers but balancing your personal and professional life as well. And to be able to do that effectively, the biggest challenge is time management.
He is selective about the assignments he takes for DJ-ing. He doesn’t go out of station too often. He is clear about DJ-ing being secondary profession. Identifying your primary profession and allocating time for different activities is the key to success. He has to have priorities in place. Multitasking comes easy if you are passionate about something. A Doctor has discovered that both scalpel and spindle can exist side by side. What matters is your level of commitment undying enthusiasm and sincere efforts.
Knowing your priorities and effective delegation of activities surely helps. Seek to delegate where possible and cooperate with your colleagues by redistributing specialized tasks. Delegation of work and trust is necessary when you know you can’t be present at all the places at the same time. Trust your support team’s decision and avoid questioning them. One needs to look at the long term objectives and take charge of things to achieve what you plan.
It isn’t as tough as it seems though there are times when it takes its toll. But if you enjoy the thrill of managing two extremely diverse jobs, everything will fall in place. A switching mechanism is quite helpful. The key is to take everything in your stride.
Any one who wants to dabble in two fields should focus on one thing at a time. When you are doing one job you should be able to give it your hundred percent. Being focused and organized help you to run things smoothly. Make one job your priority. Decide one is more important, whether for financial or personal reasons, and don’t let the second job interfere with your performance on the first.
Pursuing a career of choice is a meditation in itself if you put sincere efforts. Planning and organizing is of utmost important.
Many individuals moonlight not just for extra money but for inner satisfaction. Doing voluntary work with NGO’s is an example. It fulfills their urge to do something that they always wanted to. —
Get in touch with us about dance classes in your area at www.creationdance.co.uk or 0870 140 3234 or info@creationdance.co.uk
Ever heard about the doctor who occasionally dons the hat of a DJ or and actor who runs an ad agency? In today’s swift-paced world, there are many people who successfully pursue dual professions. The act of working dual or handling multiple jobs, aptly termed as moonlighting is a trend that’s surely catching up. What prompts one to moonlight and what skills are needed to pursue a second career? Let’s try to find the answers.
Many people with full time jobs and high energy are keen to follow their passion without giving up their present job. People who are in one profession but know where their deeper interest lies are usually the ones to moonlight. Most people pursue a second career, which is usually a passion or a hobby, or it may be financially driven. Besides a full time job, many people yearn to do something else. Moonlighting or working part time offers the ideal way out. Usually the first career choice in most cases is the result of academic qualification or opportunities and second is one’s hobby. It goes without saying that apart from monetary returns, pursuing two professions gives you greater job satisfaction.
For instance, MD in gynecology and obstetrics who has her private practice in Mumbai doubles up as a DJ, She states: Music has always been her passion however medicine was an ideal career choice as she was good at studies. A doctor by profession derives great pleasure in swinging different tunes for film stars parties, consulates and corporate shows. She has also played at a number of night clubs across the nation and in Dubai and London.
A Bollywood actor who successfully runs an advertising agency confesses, he loves facing the camera but knows acting is a short term career. He enjoys the career highs and lows of being an actor and also the field of advertising where he attends client meetings. A member of the board of directors juggles between his office and client meetings and with his Bollywood assignments. He has to really sweat it out. It takes a lot of multitasking and proper planning to pursue two careers.
Moonlighting requires a multi tasking time management and flawless balancing act and time management. Giving justice to both the professions is not a cakewalk. It not just about managing two careers but balancing your personal and professional life as well. And to be able to do that effectively, the biggest challenge is time management.
He is selective about the assignments he takes for DJ-ing. He doesn’t go out of station too often. He is clear about DJ-ing being secondary profession. Identifying your primary profession and allocating time for different activities is the key to success. He has to have priorities in place. Multitasking comes easy if you are passionate about something. A Doctor has discovered that both scalpel and spindle can exist side by side. What matters is your level of commitment undying enthusiasm and sincere efforts.
Knowing your priorities and effective delegation of activities surely helps. Seek to delegate where possible and cooperate with your colleagues by redistributing specialized tasks. Delegation of work and trust is necessary when you know you can’t be present at all the places at the same time. Trust your support team’s decision and avoid questioning them. One needs to look at the long term objectives and take charge of things to achieve what you plan.
It isn’t as tough as it seems though there are times when it takes its toll. But if you enjoy the thrill of managing two extremely diverse jobs, everything will fall in place. A switching mechanism is quite helpful. The key is to take everything in your stride.
Any one who wants to dabble in two fields should focus on one thing at a time. When you are doing one job you should be able to give it your hundred percent. Being focused and organized help you to run things smoothly. Make one job your priority. Decide one is more important, whether for financial or personal reasons, and don’t let the second job interfere with your performance on the first.
Pursuing a career of choice is a meditation in itself if you put sincere efforts. Planning and organizing is of utmost important.
Many individuals moonlight not just for extra money but for inner satisfaction. Doing voluntary work with NGO’s is an example. It fulfills their urge to do something that they always wanted to. —
Get in touch with us about dance classes in your area at www.creationdance.co.uk or 0870 140 3234 or info@creationdance.co.uk
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Looking for a dance job?
So we're always looking for talented dance teachers, and outside of London this is especially hard. In order to try and give teachers a chance to find us, and dancers a chance to find work I've set up http://www.danceandfitnessjobs.com which is a website dedicated to the dance and fitness industry in the UK.
Check it out and then tell me what you think? It's a new site, so any ideas are helpful!
For all the details on Creation Dance you can also head to http://www.creationdance.co.uk
Check it out and then tell me what you think? It's a new site, so any ideas are helpful!
For all the details on Creation Dance you can also head to http://www.creationdance.co.uk
Sunday, October 12, 2008
New Oxford street dance classes
This month has been crazy - so many classes got off to a good start (and then we had a drama with a studio double booking, so perhaps NOT such a good start) but that's all behind us now with the new term well and truly underway.
We've got a couple of new venues having trial sessions in the second half of this term and my favourite is Oxford. I taught here last summer and the classes were great, so I'm really pleased we've managed to find a fab teacher for Oxford classes again, Gem, who's taught and danced with Dance2XS in London (Pineapple Studios) and has a great style.
Classes in Oxford start on 13th November and are on Thu nights 8.30-9.30pm in OFS. Book online at http://www.creationdance.co.uk or call 0870 140 3234 for more info.
We've got a couple of new venues having trial sessions in the second half of this term and my favourite is Oxford. I taught here last summer and the classes were great, so I'm really pleased we've managed to find a fab teacher for Oxford classes again, Gem, who's taught and danced with Dance2XS in London (Pineapple Studios) and has a great style.
Classes in Oxford start on 13th November and are on Thu nights 8.30-9.30pm in OFS. Book online at http://www.creationdance.co.uk or call 0870 140 3234 for more info.
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