Sean Kelly’s Post

This was the 𝗘𝗗𝗡 𝗔𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 "𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆", where dance field and care professionals, researchers and local citizens came together to discuss the role #dance plays in society and how socially engaged dance projects begin to trigger new reflections about the #wellbeing of dance professionals themselves. https://lnkd.in/d2zNfzwR

Story of my past. When I was in my 1st year of the Bachelor Dance Teacher program in Tilburg (NL), the final performance was approaching. There would be three choreographers: two from the school and one guest choreographer. The school choreographers chose their dancers first, and I wasn’t selected. Initially, I felt rejected and bitter. But soon, I saw it as an opportunity. I got to work with the guest choreographer and learned so much from his new techniques and perspectives. I practiced diligently and embraced my role in his piece. 💡 This experience taught me to see rejection as a chance to grow. Feeling down is okay, but it’s how you respond that matters. 💡 How do you turn setbacks into opportunities? #Resilience #GrowthMindset #Dance #mindset

December is ballet, winter red, opera gloves, cacao, warmth against skin, lingering fairytale magic, the season of giving. I’ve had realisation recently that some writings within are making me uncomfortable. Uneasy. Testing my capacity to hold their subject matter without overwhelm. Necessity to write from that which I don’t desire to create, but have to create, giving voice to an ancestral / feminine territory that stirs deep trauma. Holding space for words I’m not yet ready to go into. Navigating the inner world, traversing the landscape, feeling it’s textures, haunting waves, before contemplating how I feel about writing it into the outer world. Being #artists is to be of service to that which needs to be expressed. Trying to see it as an act of giving. Giving to my self, to my ancestors, to others who might resonate / connect with the themes. Giving is the life force that breathes a thread between two or more people, & that in itself is a gift, immersive & beautiful. #creativity #writing #publishing

Have you ever thought about how much a community can shape your dance journey? Over the past 26 years as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and performer, I’ve learned that dance is so much more than movement. It’s a tool for connection, growth, and transformation. And at the heart of it all is community. During the pandemic, like so many artists, I experienced an immense loss when performances were canceled, rehearsals stopped, and the daily rituals of being with others in a dance space disappeared. It was in that quiet space, away from the studio and the stage, that I realized how much community had been shaping me all along. Studios, companies, schools… they’re not just places to move. They’re ecosystems where we share purpose, culture, and connection. Whether it’s connecting with a dance partner, creating a piece together, or simply showing up day after day to see familiar faces, community gives us something deeper to hold onto. For me, dance communities have done three powerful things: Support: They've been a space where I’ve found like-minded people who see me, hear me, and cheer me on. ✋🏾 Growth: They’ve allowed me to share, experiment, and process what I’m creating, all while learning from others. 🌱 Joy: They’ve made my dance journey so much richer, full of moments to celebrate progress and navigate challenges together. 🪩 What’s surprised me most, though, is how these connections can grow online. With Skool Dance, the free community I started earlier this year, I’ve seen strangers become friends and collaborators. Even in this digital space, we’ve built trust and shared moments that inspire me every day. I believe dancers thrive when we’re surrounded by people who understand the challenges, the highs, and the lows of this path. Whether you’re an enthusiast, a practitioner, or a professional, community makes this journey more joyful and more sustainable. What’s been your most powerful experience in a dance community? I’d love to hear your story. And if you’re looking for a space to connect with others who share your love for dance, I’d love to welcome you to Skool Dance. It’s free and open to anyone who loves to move. Come on in! 👉🏾 Watch the full video on YouTube here: https://lnkd.in/geYuadib 👉🏾 Join the Skool Dance community here: https://lnkd.in/gYZ-XAS3

Confessions of a Dance Dad I am a Dance Dad, a card carrying, fully fledged and proud member! Little is known about us, to the best of my knowledge there have been no documentaries or Netlfix/Apple TV series…yet. I am often the butt of many jokes when I state this to mates at the pub, often met with disbelief and derisory laughter, like I am taking the p*ss. I assure you, I am not! Lyrical, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Jazz, Ballet and my favourite, Hip Hop. I love it all! My 10 year old daughter is a Dance kid – a far more populated group. She and her committed team dance competitively for Pivotal Dance located in Brighton, South Australia. My daughter has not inherited any of her dance prowess from me. None. Last Friday and Saturday night, we attended her End of Year show.   As my mind often does, it went to ‘creative spaces’… is there anything more creative than Dance. The story telling, expression, music, set design, athleticism, costumes, art work, culture etc. But what I admire most about dance is the Choreography - the strategy of the Dance world. It brings together all of the above elements, and makes the dancers the hero piece. Like great strategy, it connects, it provides frameworks yet allows for creativity but most of all, it centres around the dancers, bringing their expertise to the forefront. So next time you're writing a strategy, be it business, creative, comms or brand, ask yourself - is it bringing the client to centre stage? #strategy #dance #dancedad #Netflix #AppleTV #writing #choreography #hiphop #culture #art #creativity #storytelling #brand #comms #planning #strategicplanning

Hey Fellow Dancers 👊, Tired of the same old audition grind, hustling for opportunities that barely pay off? Ever experienced one of these: - Spotting auditions too late to apply? - Wasting time & money in auditions with no real opportunities. - Asked to pay to audition. -Dealing with confusing and unfair agreements. - Juggling too much, leaving no time for your own creations. - Getting endless rejections: Wondering what choreographers really want. - Inconsistent payments and gigs that barely cover your expenses. - Feeling isolated in the dance world. Navigating the dance industry without guidance. Imagine this – We've got your back for your next auditions, like the one coming up @URGENT: BD Art Company is Looking for a Male Ballet Dancer. If you vibe with our values and think you've got the chops, hit us up here. 𝙋𝙎: Stay in the loop with auditions tailored for you. Subscribe to our Newsletter now!

When creating competition routines, the health and safety of young dancers should be a top priority. Definitions of “age-appropriate” choreography vary widely across the competitive-dance scene. It takes a concerted effort to shape pieces that push young dancers artistically and technically while avoiding steps or thematic elements that are too sensual or adult. How have you approached this issue in your own choreography? Share your experiences in the comments. Here, learn 3 keys to creating age-appropriate competition routines, as well as some tips for judges: https://lnkd.in/enjmywWj 📸 : Woodbury Dance Center Inc students in a piece choreographed by Jessie James, Katia Bode, and Faith Wlaschin. Photo by Masquerade, Courtesy James. 📝 : Haley Hilton #CompDancer #CompetitionDance #Choreography Media description: (1) Text reads: Teachers and choreographers, what measures do you take to ensure your competition routines are age-appropriate?

How much do you know about theatre and performing arts? See if you can answer these 15 theatre and performing arts trivia questions. https://lnkd.in/efuT_9ND

How much do you know about theatre and performing arts? See if you can answer these 15 theatre and performing arts trivia questions. https://lnkd.in/eAdGydU9

It is widely recognised in education today that children should be exposed to and engage with a variety of art forms as a tool for learning and not merely a separate subject. Visual arts, dance, drama, music and movement 👏 should be 👏 integrated in the learning experience. Here are five ways to start doing it in your classroom today. #edutainment #drama #dance #singing #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment