Dance Teacher Personal Statement Essay

The arts has always been an important part of my life. It has allowed me to amplify my confidence, extend my boundaries and ultimately lead me to my career choice as a Stage Manager. I have always been interested in the mechanics of the performance and the organisation and preparation required to pull together theatrical operations.

My work as an assistant dance teacher at WA Stage School allowed me to develop leadership skills, build confidence and learn how to collaborate with others. By working together with the teacher in charge, I learnt the necessary collaboration of others to run a successful class, as well as the importance of helping others. I learnt from her own experiences as a dance teacher and developed the confidence to teach the class certain aspects of technique and choreography. I learnt how to use my own initiative and how to lead in certain situations where guidance is necessary. Witnessing the

student’s personal growth was a highlight of the job, leading me to choose a career where the development of artists can be witnessed.
My previous dance experience helps me understand the pressure performers are under and the necessity of communication within a company.

As part of my school’s dance course, we had to collaborate with another student to create a dance performance to showcase at the school’s choreography night. With younger students as our dancers, we were in control of the choreography, rehearsals, lighting design, costume design, budget and the organisation of dancers. This was a great experience that allowed me to understand the organisation and collaboration required to pull off a performance. I greatly enjoyed working with my partner towards a shared goal, as well as the responsibility for the quality of the performance. The undertaking of such responsibility was greatly rewarding and working on the backstage elements of the piece was particularly interesting and engaging for me. This assignment helped me realise how satisfying and motivating I found the preparation and coordination of organising performances, and fuelled my desire to work in production and

design.