[Perform-Talk] Need Some Advice

[Leslie Hamric]

Hi Shelly. I suggest apply wherever you can. keep trying until you get someone who is receptive enough to at least give you a try. Whatever you do, don't give up. I can speak from personal experience because I tried to audition for two different orchestras before I found a third one that would take me. What I did When I auditions for the Elmhurst Sympwhen I audition for the Elmhurst Symphony was wa play my cello  first,   and then, i   answered questions from the conductor. I don't remember all of them but the two main questions I remember our: how do you know when to come in? How will you keep up with the orchestra? With the other two orchestras, the first conductor was not willing to even try and with the second orchestra, I got as far as the principal cellist who claimed this was just not going to work. All you can do is the best you can in an interview or audition and whatever happens after that is out of your hands. That's true for anyone, blind or cited. It always feels like we are blind performers have double the amount of pressure because not only do we have to know our stuff, but we also have to convince the person auditioning us that our blindness isn't going to get in the way. i'm sure others on here can relate. Feel free to email me privately if you would like to chat more. Good luck and remember, do not give up.
Leslie
 

Leslie Hamric
Cello and Braille Music Teacher
Board member of National Federation of the Blind Performing Arts Division
Graduate Council Member of Guiding Eyes for the Blind

> On Jul 22, 2021, at 2:15 AM, Shelly Kane via Perform-Talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
>         Hi Group:
> 
> 
> I don't post much here but I joined because I wanted to be in contact with other blind performers.  I have been a dancer for many years.  At the present time, my trainer and I talked about me possibly becoming a teacher.  It would be more of a pop dance class so I wouldn't be performing.  I would be teaching a dance workout with choreography to each song.  I love my class and would love even more to teach.  My question is how would I go about this?  Many years ago, I did apply to be a teacher assistant at a dance studio and it was a nightmare.  When I went for the interview, they acted like I wasn't even scheduled to come in.  It was a very humiliating experience and I definitely don't want to do that again.  We have 2 dance studios for the disabled and I thought of starting there but how would you go about it?  My trainer told me to reach out to other studios as well and she even thought community education through the school would be a good thing.  I just don't want to get the door slammed in my face again.  I was wondering what you thought?  If this isn't the right place to post this, I apologize in advance.
> 
> Shelly
> 
> 
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