BEings: The Importance of Support

Emily Bufferd | Sep 15, 2008 | 0

Philip and Elise - BEings

Support: there are so many different kinds of support that you need as a person/artist.  We need financial support, moral support, etc etc.  Finding that support can sometimes be very difficult.  Financial support, especially, is often very hard to come by.  Moral support, while still often difficult to find, is incredibly beneficial as we step into our chosen roles.  

Dance New Amsterdam

So far as a company, we have found great support (not as much financial as moral, but we will get there).  I think that even though financial support is obviously a very important aspect of being able to sustain a company, that having the support of your friends, family, and teachers is equally, if not more important.  BEings, as a company, is fortunate to have the support from a lot of people.  I, as a choreographer, am fortunate to have the support of an established teacher/choreographer.  

This brings me to my next thought; the importance of having a mentor type person who supports you.  We do not have to use that term, because that is not necessarily what you want or need, but having someone who has been there and done that. You know what I am saying.  Having someone who has the experience you lack.  I lack a lot of experience!  My 19 year old self will grow into a lot of things, I have a ton of life yet to experience.  So anyway, yea, I think you have to find someone who is willing and able to step into that role.  Luckily for me, and my dancers, I have G. G is Ginger Cox, a faculty member atBroadway Dance Center and MMAC, if you do not know who she is, you should! She is crazy in the best way possible, and has infinite amounts of knowledge about dance (and life and stuff too, but for our purposes now, dance). Find someone like her, and just let them talk.  There is so much that you can take in by just listening to them.  Pay attention, they can give you invaluable amounts of knowledge!

The last type of support I would like to talk about is the mutual support you have for each other as being part of a company.  My dancers support each other, I support them, they support me.  If you are going to be a part of a company; support each other.  It is very much similar (although I am sure some people in the world would disagree) to growing up as part of a competition dance team.  You spend a great deal of time with these people; you can either support each other or not, but it is much easier to work together knowing that there is mutual respect.

If you are free, come out and support us at Dance New Amsterdams Works in Progress Series this coming Saturday, September 20th, at 5:30pm.  It is sure to be a great time!

I leave you today with a giant thank you from the BEings dancers, and myself.  Thank you for YOUR support so far on our journey, we appreciate it more than you know.

Always feel free to email me at emilybufferd@danceruniverse.com. We love to hear from you!

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Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, Broadway, Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Retailer, Studio, Competitions & Conventions, Performance, Summer Study, BEings, company, new york (all tags)