For young dancers who aspire to become professionals, it is important to stay inspired by, and educated about, the dance world. This can often feel daunting, considering the mammoth competition in the world of dance, so how can you make your dreams a reality? How can you gain access to the world of dance? Mentorship by another member of the dance community is the best way to answer those questions and gain guidance about your next steps.
A mentor is someone who can guide you on your journey and be your very own personal life coach for dance. They will have experience and expertise in dance and can therefore help you progress towards your goals by uncovering opportunities on the way. Offering solutions to perceived problems can be a real turning point for a young dancer, gaining insight into the best way to achieve. A mentor can help you learn about key people and companies in the arts, and how they fit into your learning. Most importantly, they can help shape your dance experience through giving you confidence, which is paramount.
Finding a mentor for dance does not have to be difficult: it can be as easy as writing an email to someone you admire or a teacher you think suits your way of learning about dance. It takes just one person to shift you onto the correct path, give you that pep talk or find you that new technique class. Do your research and think about what you want to achieve, so you can find someone who has similar career path. Be proactive in your search and remain dedicated to your cause – you are serious about your career and your mentor will see that by the fact you are continuing your dance education, attending classes, auditions and seminars.
Whilst having a mentor is highly valuable, be sure you don’t rely on their expertise to propel you – it can be easy to take the relationship for granted and wait for your mentor to solve all your problems. Ask questions and pick their brains, but remain at the forefront of your learning.