I just came back from 1 year intensive dance education at Gibney Center, in New York. I left not knowing exactly what to expect but looking for alignment to provide the structure within which I could be free. I quitted my very confortable job and flat in Copenhagen and started the adventure.
I know many people considered me insane, but other key persons in my life gave the right push, reassured me that “why now?”, and that gave me the calm to go for it. One year later I am back in Copenhagen after this amazing transforming experience. I saw my body transform, my mind got set free, I met so many inspiring persons, I felt part of an amazing community, I breathed art, danced, taught, performed, took note, grew, lived.
One of the life changing encounters has been the Simonson’s technique (see www.lynnsimonson.com for more). It is a dance technique developed by the great dancer Lynn Simonson, focused on anatomical and kinetic principles so to avoid injuries. That’s as for the content. As for the form, Lynn has created a teaching style that is highly pedagogical, based on clear and timed communication that allows both left and right brained people to follow and understand with a minimal effort.
I met some teachers that have been a model role not only on the dance floor. I will be ever grateful for their teaching, their attention, their genuine interest in making you a better dancer technically and pushing you to be artistically free. And I made some friends for life, within and outside of my dancing world.
And then there’s was New York, the world in a city. I thought I would hate the chaotic daily life in New York but that city is a surprise box full of everything that you can imagine. I felt home.
Another home. At some point I will be back, Inshallah, and I know it will feel as if I never left.
My suggestion to anybody deciding to embark in a big project is to follow this few rules:
1. Plan it, without over plan it. The planning will allow you to concentrate on carrying out the project rather than wasting time in logistics and collateral decision. Don’t overplan it so you are able to adjust your plans to new xcircumstances or changes of heart.
2. Know what you are looking for. To have some goals make it more efficient to figure out the action plan to achieve get you where you want to be.
3. Remember why you started. This is important. At some point in my education I was tired, physically and mentally, I was almost not enjoying the single classes anymore. I then reminded myself that I took that huge U turn in my life because dance made me happy. I stopped over focusing on technique, til I found the music and the joy of moving again!
Brunella Antoni
I know many people considered me insane, but other key persons in my life gave the right push, reassured me that “why now?”, and that gave me the calm to go for it. One year later I am back in Copenhagen after this amazing transforming experience. I saw my body transform, my mind got set free, I met so many inspiring persons, I felt part of an amazing community, I breathed art, danced, taught, performed, took note, grew, lived.
One of the life changing encounters has been the Simonson’s technique (see www.lynnsimonson.com for more). It is a dance technique developed by the great dancer Lynn Simonson, focused on anatomical and kinetic principles so to avoid injuries. That’s as for the content. As for the form, Lynn has created a teaching style that is highly pedagogical, based on clear and timed communication that allows both left and right brained people to follow and understand with a minimal effort.
I met some teachers that have been a model role not only on the dance floor. I will be ever grateful for their teaching, their attention, their genuine interest in making you a better dancer technically and pushing you to be artistically free. And I made some friends for life, within and outside of my dancing world.
And then there’s was New York, the world in a city. I thought I would hate the chaotic daily life in New York but that city is a surprise box full of everything that you can imagine. I felt home.
Another home. At some point I will be back, Inshallah, and I know it will feel as if I never left.
My suggestion to anybody deciding to embark in a big project is to follow this few rules:
1. Plan it, without over plan it. The planning will allow you to concentrate on carrying out the project rather than wasting time in logistics and collateral decision. Don’t overplan it so you are able to adjust your plans to new xcircumstances or changes of heart.
2. Know what you are looking for. To have some goals make it more efficient to figure out the action plan to achieve get you where you want to be.
3. Remember why you started. This is important. At some point in my education I was tired, physically and mentally, I was almost not enjoying the single classes anymore. I then reminded myself that I took that huge U turn in my life because dance made me happy. I stopped over focusing on technique, til I found the music and the joy of moving again!
Brunella Antoni