Blog 1: Week One
What did you learn from your first week at your internship?
My first week at Your Soul’s Movement was hard and I learned that my sponsor Alyse West has a very big task to handle at the studio than everyone else. She is like the glue that holds down the what’s happening, what everyone should be doing, keeping the studio busy, etc. I didn’t realize how much she has to handle especially since it’s such a cute little studio.
Did anything surprise you?
Nothing surprised me as much since I was already hanging around the studio over the summer for their summer intensive. However, what stuck out as the days went by was how nice and sweet the employees are because they are goofy, fun, and hilarious to hang around with. I really thought that they were going to be hard since professional dance is taken very seriously over there, but they know how to make you enjoy yourself and have fun also.
Who did you meet and what did they do? Did you engage in any order in any code switching?
I met with Rebecca Wright, Winifred R. Harris, Scott Merchant, and Renesha Berry. They all seemed very uptight and together whenever I would first go to the studio. Which made me use code-switching to act very formal or uptight. Yet, they changed that mood with me as soon as I saw that they are actually a loving family. I saw this especially when Renesha and Rebecca both goofed around with each other in a very formal way. It just made me feel comfortable and okay in my skin as I started testing the waters at the studio. I’m just learning to love the studio as my second home.
Blog 2: Week Three
What was the best thing that happened this week at your internship?
This week I think the best thing about being in my internship was really making connections with the employees. I learned how to enjoy myself in their environment and how they learn to have fun once and a while. It’s just something I never thought I would learn to be as comfortable as I was before in the studio cause I thought I would have to be professional but being silly is make makes the studio have spirit and soul. The other aspect that brings the studio to life other than just administration.
How did it make you feel?
It made feel so close and connected with the staff, because of their enjoyment to love what they do. I can tell that they love their job because they smile and play around with not only the staff but also the people that walk in through the door. Which is making me feel happy that I can lead into a career just like their’s in my life. I feel like I’m leading into a path just like their’s and I can’t believe that I’m starting to see how this can be part of my life.
What else makes you excited about your internship?
What makes me excited about my internship is that I get to see what’s happening in the studio, I get to meet people that come by, and I get to work with probably the most bright-hearted people. They’re pushing to be the best person that I can be and that I can challenge myself to tasks that I haven’t dealt with before. My growth has shown slightly, but more can be done and that’s what my internship is doing for me.
Blog 3: Week Five
How do your actions affect your workplace?
I can say that whenever I am exhausted from school, overwhelmed, and stressed out, my actions are slow and quiet. I think this affects my workplace because it makes it so out of the ordinary because we are a dance studio and we have to have energy. So I, really try to eat before my internship so that I’m coming in with a sag on my face. It really helps me stay focused and prepared before I come in the studio. If I’m upset my co-workers notice it and ask me if I’m okay, and it helps notice if I’m not being myself.
Do you contribute positively?
When I get there I always ask what my sponsor would she like me to do. She usually has a list of what I should do when I get there. However, whenever there isn’t anything to do, my co-worker makes me go through this checklist to make sure the studio is organized and clean. So I pretty much always have something to do. So I would say that I’m contributing in a way that helps keep the studio in line.
How do your co-workers’ actions affect your internship?
My co-workers are full of energy and spirit. Whenever I’m around then they make me feel so happy and connected, like I’m with another family. They teach me so much about like life and the reality of it., They are strong individuals that I pretty much like up to for having so much positivity in their lives. Because of that, they make my internship so much more enjoyable and surreal.
Which co-workers are you connecting with?
I’m mainly connecting with Rebecca Wright, just because she is always around the studio dealing with the front desk. She always has a smile and she is always someone I can go up to whenever I have drama. It makes me happy that I and she are connecting because I now know who I can go to whenever I need advice or an opinion.
Blog 4: Week Seven
What are you responsible for at your workplace?
I am responsible for the majority of the time to keep the studio organized and clean. I work the front desk on Thursday’s and it’s probably the longest hours I have at my workplace. At the front desk, I have to welcome everyone that comes in and help do administrative work. So that means I have to place files in the correct area, clean the counter, and make either document for inventory or merchandise. If there isn’t anything to else do I go through this checklist for the studio to make sure that the floor is clean, plants are watered, etc. What do you think is your main contribution to your work site?
What do you think is your main contribution to your work site?
I think my main contribution to the work site is really keeping the organization and flow of the studio moving. I clean the majority of the time or help put things in order because I have to go through this checklist of things to do and because of that I really I have to do it like almost every single time I come in the studio. Which is beneficial to the studio since it keeps things in order
What do your day to day duties look like?
I have to make sure the bathrooms are fine and organized with either paper towels and soap. Then I have to take out the trash and recycling bin so that they aren’t overfilled, vacuum the floors, water the plants and clean the small little kitchen that we have. If there is something else that I have to do it usually consists of making documents, looking up information, or making being at the front desk.
Blog 5: Week Nine
Banneker Letter To Jefferson
I feel like my internship is going very well. I’m making the best memories over there with my co-workers, the instructors in the studio, and the dancers that go over there as well. I’m just loving how I get to experience some of the best classes that I know and I get to also see the behind the scenes work with helping create the winter showcase and also in being in the showcase. So I feel great every time I walk into the studio ready to help or attend one of the classes.
What are the “highlights” and the “lowlights”?
The highlights of being at my studio are really being able to comprehend how a studio is organized and how to take care of either the front desk doing administrative work. Not only that but also taking some of the classes at the studio to help improve me as an individual and as a dancer. Every time a take a class it helps me grow just a little bit, but it’s a big step into starting my passion early. The lowlights of the studio are really how cold it is because of the weather outside. So when it’s cold outside, it’s cold inside. However, once you take a class, your body gets heated up and you start to lose focus on the temperature and more on what’s happening.
Do you feel like you are making connections with your co-workers?
Yes most definitely. I learn a lot from my co-workers because they really help me out on tasks that I’ve never done before. Like Rebecca Wright who is in charge of the front desk most of the time, she has taught me how to research so much about dancewear, inventory, and how the studio is kept organized. Since my sponsor isn’t around as much, my co-workers always have something for me to do no matter what the case. Which is good, since I got something to look forward to during my hours
What can you do to improve your experience?
To help improve my experience I think I would sorta wish to take more in charge of the social media page since it’s not utilized at it’s best that it needs to be. I really think that the media accounts aren’t as updated frequently as they need to be, because if they are they really help people see what’s happening at that time and if they wish to come to the studio or not. Along with being able to see some samples of the classes to see if they like that class or not. I think that’s all improvement in the studio needs to help get things flowing better.
Blog 6: Week 10
How do people at work treat you?
They treat me with amazing care as they enjoy having everyone around. I’ve never faced any negativity in the studio, it’s just amazing how everyone in the studio is because they really keep people happy and holy. That’s sorta what they do because they really are trying to make people inspired and welcomed in the studio. Not only that but they are amazing people outside of the workplace because they’ve been honest with me before and they’ve made me feel like I was a part of there family.
How does it make you feel?
It made me feel like I am a part of this bonding family whenever I’m there studio because they really make me happy and welcomed every time I walk in. I’m just surprised how I grew such a strong connection with everyone at the studio because I never thought that I would be with such an amazing workplace. I work hard and they work me at the pace that I should be working at, which is great because not only that but they really help me understand what I should be doing. That’s why I really love what I am doing over there and I’m glad that I got to be an intern at a great studio.
If you have in intern one day will you treat them the same?
If I had an intern and we were working at a dance studio, I think I would treat them as equal as I’m being treated at the studio. For example work front desk, do file work, do some research, clean the studio, and help them understand themselves as an individual who wished to become an artist. It’s just so helpful how an internship can help someone grow so far in so little time.
What have you learned so far from your co-workers and sponsor?
I learned that there is never a wrong path to take in life and that only you know what is right even if it doesn’t feel right sometimes. You have to make things right for you and no matter what, you will always have the correct choice. Not only that but that I should focus on myself, for things will pass me by quick. For being an artist isn’t about publicity, fame, or wealth….it’s about your passion, your time to grow, and the ability to be taught. For things can go far as long as you believe that they do and they will.
This is one of my hilarious co-workers Renesha Berry and she has helped me improve so much as an individual to have courage, passion, and being so joyful of being in the dance studio. She is influential in making me feel like I can go far in life, and I hope that I can go far one day and I would say that she was part of helping me get there. She means the most to me and I am glad that I got to meet her for being the most amazing and free person in the world.
Blog 7: Week 11
What is the difference between working on personal art projects and working in a creative business?
I think there is definitely a difference between a personal art project and a working in a creative dance business. Firstly, a creative art business has things planned ahead of time of due date or show date. They have that set up so that things are ready when the show begins. It also warns dancers and other performers that they are planning this so that their schedule is cleared up for that day. Other than that, when it is a personal art project, I tend to do things when my mind is ready and set to be creative. It takes me a while to see what I want to envision, and in the creative business, you sorta have to pull that concept out of the ground quickly. Not only that but you have to be more professional in the creative business, you can’t just create something and expect it to be popular. No, you have to spread the word of what you are doing so that people know that you have this grand project and you want it to be recognized.
What have you learned about working in a creative business?
I learned that there is a lot of work behind it all that I didn’t think was required. In the dance business you have to let the company be known, so you have to be constantly making events and flyers so that people can come through. If not that your company will have little to no business in the real world. You have to make it grow in some way. Not only that but you have to professional and that doesn’t mean to be ready for dance class. It means you have to be dressed properly and you have to have manners. It’s like eating at a dinner table when you finish eating or need to be dismissed you have to say excuse me. Same goes for dance, men have to be in the back of the line in across the floor and they have to put the ballet bar away. There is so much small stuff that makes it more than just a “dance”. That’s why a creative business needs to be on top of things and sending event plans so that everything can move easier. That’s is what I’ve been learning so far and I hope to see something new next week.
Blog 8: Week 12
How is your internship project going?
It is going great! I and my sponsor have a great idea or concept for the end of the semester project. However, I first have to use iMovie to get the ball rolling on this project. I really think this is going to be a great and inspirational journey with not only with my sponsor but as myself. To open new opportunities for new paths are coming ahead.
How did the conversation about your project go with your sponsor?
I think it went well, I can’t wait to soon have a final project because I really believe that it is going to be amazing. For my sponsor is very spontaneous and creative. Not only that but she really knows how to help me have an organized plan for this project because she wants me to use that as a component in creating my inspired project. She has me testing out different songs and storylines in my project and I believe I will soon have a clear mind when I figure out what song I wanna use.
Did they have good insights into how to improve or expand the project?
I think some good ideas that can help expand my project is that I have a storyline behind my project and I also think that captions or explanations would be useful when I’m presenting the videos and images that I took. Not only that but also have movements that have some type of meaning or at least some type of style that was incorporated in the project.
How does your project bridge what you do at your internship and what you like to create for yourself?
I think the fact that I can incorporate different styles relates to my internship or the things that I learned from there because it shows improvement in understanding the variety of dances in the world of dance. It means that I can point or pick out the movement from any dance and explain how that movement is this type of style or that type of style. This is very useful since now I understand what my strengths are in this type of dance or my weaknesses in another type of dance.
Has your relationship with your sponsor evolved as you have engaged in a creative dialogue about your project?
Yes, I do believe that my relationship had evolved with my sponsor cause now I get to see the creative aspect of her work life and see how she sets up dances in her own style or way. This really helps me because now I can be able to use that whenever I have to create my own dance piece or project. Which means a lot because I never have seen her creative side other than just the administration at the studio.
Are there any challenges you are experiencing planning or doing your project?
I think the challenge is so far is that I have to think of a relatable song that has some type of connection to my internship because now I prove what I learned from the studio through this project and I think there is a lot of information. Which makes it hard to pick out what stuff means more to me in my journey in becoming a dancer.
Blog 9: Week 13
What have you seen or experienced in your internship that has inspired
you the most on your own artistic journey?
What I think I have seen at my internship that really has inspired me as a dancer was taking the classes and meeting the other dancers. They are really amazing with what they can do with there bodies and how fast they can pick up movement. It really sets up this idea or goal that I can soon accomplish in my dance career. I also get inspired by the stories behind some of the dancers at the studio because of how long they have been doing dance and what path they took to get to where they are now. I eventually hope soon I can find my story and my individual path that leads me something great in my lifetime.
Has this experience changed your artistic ambitions? How?
Yes, because I never expected there to be so much more factors behind being a dancer. You have to understand the technique, dancer etiquette, and really the biggest factor motivation. Without technique you have no foundation, without etiquette, you have no manners, and without motivation, you have no meaning. I learned all of this through my time at my internship and I hope that it will help me go far one day. It has affected me in a way that makes me work harder every time I walk through the studio because I know that I can grow if I have these values in my head. It shows a lot when you feel proud of how far you go.
Blog 10: Week 14
Has this experience been a rewarding one for you? Why?
Yes, most definitely because I’ve grown so far more then I have when I’m just at school. I’ve been figuring myself out as an individual and I have been gaining more skills for real life than in school. Like how to be organized, how to be set to have things due, how to do research, etc. Not only that, but I’ve grown far in understanding how other dance instructors teach so that I can incorporate some of the there styles into myself so that when I grow up and decide to have my own studio, I can be prepared and set to teach others.
How has the reality of your internship matched or contrasted with your expectations?
I think a lot of it has met my expectations so far because I wanted to come in to understand how to improve my teaching skills and to improve on the understanding of running a studio and Alyse and my co-workers have shown me a lot on how that works. There is definitely a lot more work behind it than expected but it just shows that running a company isn’t as easy as shown.
What is the most important learning you did during your internship?
I think the most important learning I did was understanding myself as an individual because I lot of what I do at my internship makes me question myself. Like do I think school is more important than dance? How can I make my brand grow like this? What makes me filled with passion? Etc. Yet it makes me feel proud that I am starting early on creating myself as an artist then later. It really helps bring earlier questions then later.