jobolden - Dance Life

Dear Dance Parents …

Health & Wellbeing 17 Nov, 2017

Raising dancers A letter to my dance parents by Jo Bolden Dancers, the dance world, our relationship to dance and how we learn to move through it all informs how we ‘human’ (not a real verb but works in this case) as an adult. I’m not a parent so I don’t know what it’s like to be one to a dancer. But … Read Article

The Problem with Winning at Dance Comps

Health & Wellbeing 11 Aug, 2017

Could Second Place be better for you than First? by Jo Bolden We’re taught to strive for first place. Almost as soon as we learn that a ‘First Place’ exists and see the glory, congratulations and applause that rides shotgun with it, we develop the understanding that First Place is where it’… Read Article

Nerves v Fears

Health & Wellbeing 9 Mar, 2017

Nerves versus fear. As a dancer you MUST know the difference. by Jo Bolden When I chat with dancers about nerves it generally boils down to a discussion about them wanting and hoping to do well. It’s about the physical sensation and butterflies before going onstage and the anticipation be… Read Article

How to Deal with Rejection

Health & Wellbeing 8 Feb, 2017

Rejection. Dealing with it and making it work for you. by Jo Bolden When you don’t get picked, don’t get the job or don’t get the moment you wanted – it feels like rejection. Because it IS rejection. It’s easy to consider not putting yourself out there anymore. But then, there’s this w… Read Article

Is loving dance enough?

Health & Wellbeing 13 Jul, 2016

Loving it. A reflection by Jo Bolden on what it means to ‘love’ dance When I ask dancers (from beginner to advanced, and teachers and choreographers too) why they dance, the answer “because I love it” usually shows up. Often. This is fantastic but ‘loving it’ is… Read Article

Now versus Not | Dance Trends

Somebody else’s success.

And… Refresh.

Dance 11 Dec, 2012

When teaching continuous dances classes, as opposed to open classes or workshops, I sometimes find that students (or I!!) slip into the slump at some point. You know, this slump: the novelty has started to wear off, combinations/routines that were so shiny and new now feel a little like… Read Article

That Moment … Pick Me!!

Dance 29 Nov, 2012

THAT moment. There are definitely moments for hesitating, for thinking it through and waiting for your gut to give you some solid gold reasoning. Unfortunately there are also moments when hesitating really means that your mind talks you out of something that your heart is bursting to do… Read Article