Red Flag Journal 3-27-14

How much time did you spend on your project?

This week I spent a total of 5 hours on my project. I spent my time choreographing my dance while I listened to the music trying to figure out different parts of the choreography. 

What did you do that was hands-on?

This week, I went to the YMCA to go to the dance studio. I spent a while in the studio making up a dance for my dancers

What research did you do?

Again, I looked up different dances on youtube trying to bring some creativity into my dance.

Did you meet your mentor? What did you talk about?

I met with Cheryl briefly at the end of 6th period. I have her my blog URL so she can start reading my process! 

Did you have at least 3 journal entries this week? Did they include recording, planning activities, and reflecting? 

 This week I had 5 journal entries that involved different stretches, poses, and emotion throughout dancing. I tried to explain how to express emotion through dancing!

Where were you in class on this week? Did you have and use your journal?

This week when we had class I used that time to choreograph my dance. I blogged while I looked up info for my project.

Did you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was: Inadequate? Adequate? Good? Excellent? Explain.

This week I thought my work pushed me more to get my project done. After reflecting in the WISE project barnsong, I realized how little time I actually have to do what I love.

What are your plans for next week?

Next week I plan on teaching the dance to my dancers at the High schools dance studio! 

Stretching

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U095ywaVxuk

This video demonstrates the art of becoming flexible. The human body was ment really for the purpose to walk and move in one fluid motion. Flexibility requires a lot of hard work, and also takes a while to master. I have been dancing for 15 years and I'm still not where I need to be! Drink lots of water, and let's get flexible! 

Balance

My performance of "Broken Promise" choreographed by my cousin Sarah Fazio. This piece meant a lot to me. It told the hardships of a divorced bride as she must find the courage to move on and realize no woman needs a man to complete her. This dance was special because it told the story of my cousin and her divorce. Being able to tell a story through motions is a beautiful work of art. No matter what style of dance you are portraying, you always tell a story. The beauty of dance lays beneath our emotions. While teaching the girls my up-coming number, I can teach them that lyrical is not the only style to be emotion, but jazz can also tell a story through your facials and characterization of the piece.  

Partnering

This is a modern partner weight sharing pose done by the beautiful Delaney Dupuy and Lucas Lyons. Wow, that's gotta take some strength!

Recognition

The space is still not to my availability, but I hope soon I can be in the studio working with my dancers! I have also gained more dancers who want to participate! This makes me very excitement. A woman and her daughter came up to me as I was at work at Regal Cinemas. They introduced themselves, but I sort of knew who the girl was. She attends Ithaca and she is a Junior I believe. She told me that the word was spreading about my dance project and everyone was so excited to see what I would come up with! She kindly asked if she could be a part of the production. Of course I said yes! One more dancer means more more more! Her mother seemed excited for her daughter to be a part of it as well! She dances at Ithaca Ballet, a prestigious ballet studio with incredible technique! Can't wait 

Barnsong

After watching the documentary of the WISE project barnsong, I've learned many different things about completing my project. I better understand the hard work and dedication it takes to complete your project with such detail. I understand now how little time we have to work with what we love. Barnsong truly showed the independent work of a student and how much he went through to make each element of his project to the fullest. I wonder how people really chose what they want to do. Some people chose either a skill they have practiced for a while, but some people also chose something that they have never came into contact with. In comparison to Barnsong, my work is a lot easier to me. Dance comes natural to my mind, and it's easier for me to come up with a routine on the spot then to cut wood, start up a tractor, and lift heavy objects. My goals are to complete this dance in the next 10 weeks which will be easier than building a barn for sure! 

Red Flag Journal 3-20-14

How much time did you spend on your project?
 
This weeks i spent five hours on my project. I have been meeting with different people throughout the school to use some sort of space where I can choreograph the dance and meet with dancers.

What did you do that was hands-on?

This week, I showed a couple of the dancers my plan for the dance and how I want to do it. I also let some dancers here the music by emailing them the song so that they could get a feel of what they are going to be dancing to.

What research did you do?

I looked on youtube to see if I could find some dance moves that I want to incorporate into my routine. I also looked up a couple stretches that would help the girls be more flexible and prepare when it comes to learning the dance. At the high school, we also have a dance class during 7th period. I went and checked it out and they were doing modern. It seemed really interesting and I know I have someone in the school close by to talk to about dance if I have any troubles which is really nice!

Did you meet with your mentor? What did you talk about?

I met with my mentor quick this week. We went over the basic jobs and tasks of being a mentor since Cheryl is new to this program at IHS. I gave her a folder and we talked about all the things she needs to carry out being my mentor.

Do you have at least three journal entries? Do your journals include planning, recording activities, and reflecting?

I do have at least three journal entries that include panning, recording activities, and reflecting. I discuss mostly the problems and issues I have been having with Ithaca High School, and being able to use the dance studio here for practice. Whats the point of having the studio here if no one is allowed to use it?

Were you in class on this week? Did you have and use your journal?

I was in class this week. We used our journal to do an entry about the WISE project from a couple years ago called Barn Song. Other than that, I have not used my journal because I am blogging.

Do you think your fulfillment of WISE requirements was: Inadequate? Adequate? Good? Excellent? Explain.

This week, I think that I could have done a little more hands-on work with my dance. It has been really difficult to find a spot to work. I have filled out a couple different forms that have to be approved by the school. I am also in the process of finding a supervisor to keep an eye out for us as we practice. I have been considering asking the dance teacher here at the school. I haven't had time to really discuss things with her because I didn't want to interrupt her class.

What are your plans for next week?

Next week I will start the dance and have a space ready! I'm checking every day about my form I submitted so I'm crossing my fingers!

Finding a space

Finding a space to practice can be challenging. Especially when you have young girls who can't drive yet. I was trying to hold it at the YMCA, but it cost money for all the dancers to get in. I can't ask for the girls to pay five dollars everytime we have a rehearsal. So I've tried to ask Island Fitness where my grandfather works to use to dance studio up there, but that doesn't seem like a possibility either. Ithaca high school is troubling. I have asked to use the Gym, the Multipurpose room, kulp, and the dance studio. Every space here at the high school requires a form filled out, and a superviser. Which all isn't a big deal, but the hard part is trying to find someone who will actually stay for an hour and watch over us reckless young teens. I'm trying my best! Wish me luck

Getting started

So far, scheduling times to meet with the girls has been a struggle. It's pretty challenging when everyone has a different schedule when it comes to dance, school and other extra curricular activities. We have managed to set two different times and dates for the up coming week. It has been fun trying to pick out a song to go well with the styles of dance. I went with an upbeat jazz pop song, that has a bunch of different songs mixed together. I cannot wait to start and choreograph! This is my speciality, bring it on:) 

Throughout my research, I have found a couple books that will help me along the way will choreographing this routine. The novels, Modern Dance, and an autobiography about how dance changed a persons life will help me bring creativity into my production. The autobiography will show me struggles of being a dancer and how to overcome them. I hope that during my hands on work that I can teach someone a skill they have always wanted to master. Such skill will include Flexibility. I will work on this with a dancer by giving them certain exercises like gravity splits to help them become more flexible. I will tell them how long to hold the stretch and how often a week you should do it. I also hope that I can teach the dancers to be loose and learn that dance is the majority about having fun. Sure, technique is a big part of the number, but having fun with the movements truly makes the piece come alive! In the next two weeks, I hope that I can collect a team of dancers from all the different studios in Ithaca such as IAD, Armstrong, Ithaca Ballet, and The Next Jennaration.

Journal 1

Dear reader,
       I am so excited to start my project with my interest in dance. My goals are strong in hopes to pass on my wisdom of dance to my fellow peers around me. I hope that I can recruit all the dancers in IHS to be a part of my journey to make my first production come together. I am afraid that everyone's overall skill level, and different styles of dance will affect the vision in my head. I am interested in this topic because I've danced since I was a little girl and it runs in my blood. My cousin is a professional choreographer and I've watched her choreograph a 10 min routine with 180 people in it within 3 days. If you ask me... That is near impossible with my knowledge of dance. Now I have less than 16 weeks to perfect a masterpiece, let's get started!