We came back, slightly disappointed from the results in the most recent dance competition we participated in. Despite not getting placed in the event, we were extremely satisfied with our own performance seeing how we only had five hours of rehearsals and the judges have generally commended our expressions during the dances which was the primary aspect that we were working on.
Looking past it, we had a night out at the student bar to celebrate the end of yet another competition. While mingling around, the president casually brought up the suggestion of having me to attempt choreographing some time. It was an extremely laid back mention, but it somehow struck me quite hard. One of my resolutions for 2011 is to bring my dancing experience a step further.
I thought about it quite seriously and started considering the possibilities of doing it in the future. Grabbed my phone and started browsing through random music while moving my limbs instinctively to hopefully capture some interesting movements. It is usually not too successful, which eventually made me resort to getting inspirations from dance routines posted on Youtube.
And then came the next competition: Sunderland, 12th March 2011. I went to the first contemporary rehearsal and was told that nothing was choreographed. Somehow, I started suggesting a lot of ideas and ended up volunteering to choreograph it. How in the world did I get the courage to take on this huge responsibility? I have no idea. I basically threw myself into the deep end, something I thought would be a long term goal than an immediate resolution. What now? I just had to suck it up and push myself like I never did.
The next few weeks were hurdles after hurdles. There were members pulling out due to other commitments, which led to tedious modifications in the routine. Following after, I experienced challenges most choreographers would have, to level the difficulty of the routines based on the dancers’ abilities. It was occasionally tough as I am a rather abstract person when it comes to ideas and usually, everyone looked puzzled whenever I tried to explain the concept of the dance to them, making them dance in a slightly peculiar manner.
Slowly, as the dance began to form a piece, parts of the piece looked odd or simply did not turn out as ideally as I have imagined it to be, leading to more and more changes. There were so many changes to the extent that I could not even remember my own steps! Thankfully, my dancers were diligent enough to aid me and support me through these untimely mind blocks!
In time, I eventually earned their trust and they earned mine similarly. We kept working hard, dancing through bruises and injuries (partly my fault due to the rather physically demanding routine). We worked on portraying our emotions in the piece, which was rather easy as it was frustration and confusion. I just told them to imagine their tutors throwing them three assignments to be handed in by the next hour. Piece of cake.
Competition day arrived again, this time though, I was absolutely terrified. Will people like the dance? Will I end up making the dancers embarrass themselves on stage? So many thoughts were running through my mind! The time literally flew by and then it was our turn. We took a deep breath and started performing, channeling the most of our emotions to the crowd. The music ended and a thunderous applause was given. I beamed, looking at all the other dancers with a nod of appraisal, then bowed to the judges and the crowd before exiting the stage.
By the end of competition, I felt tonnes lighter that everything was over. I watched the recording of my own piece and was immensely proud of it. I could not help watching it again and again. Never would I have imagined I would be able to choreograph a dance routine. This whole chapter of 2011 made me realise that it is never too early for anything. Or too inexperienced to do something. Just give it a go, with much effort and nothing will be impossible. Another resolution of the year ticked!
More of my university life coming soon!

Thank you for reading! :)
David studied Engineering Foundation at Bellerbys College, a university preparation college for international students
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