[Perform-Talk] Need Some Advice

Sun Jul 25 02:58:46 UTC 2021

Hi Shelly,

It is also a good idea to see if your trainer can help make
connections for you. If you come recommended by someone, you're more
likely to get in the door, blindness or not. Any connection you can
leverage is a good thing.

I am not a fan of rejection and tend to take it hard, so I've tried to
skirt my way around it when I can. Networking is a good way to get to
know people before you have that audition or make that ask. If you
have a website, portfolio, sample lesson, something, it will be good
to have that available to send to studios or individual instructors
you meet.

Sandra is right. Rejection is part of the job, and having a good
support system, including your trainer, will help boost your
confidence until you land that great opportunity. But making yourself
known in the world of dance studios, whatever that looks like, can
only help.

Julie

On 7/23/21, Shelly Kane via Perform-Talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Thank you so much for your advice.  Yes, it does get discouraging but I
> will keep trying.  I just need to email these companies to see if they
> are looking for a teacher and go from there.  i don't even know if they
> are looking but my trainer told me to put myself out there.  Do you
> think I should tell them I'm blind right away when I contact them or
> would you wait?  The last time I applied for this kind of job was many
> years ago and I didn't tell them I was blind and when I went for the
> interview, they acted like we didn't have anything scheduled and I
> definitely don't want to go through that again.  Thanks in advance.
>
> Shelly
>
> On 7/23/2021 5:03 AM, Sandra Gayer via Perform-Talk wrote:
>> Hello Shelly,
>> I'm a Soprano Singer, Braille Music Teacher, Radio Broadcast Presenter
>> and Actor. Rejection is, unfortunately, an integral part of a career
>> in the performing arts. Lots of able bodied people struggle with
>> rejection as well. Persevere and you'll succeed! My strategy with
>> auditions is to do them and move on as quickly as possible. I know
>> it's easier said than done. If you do a lot of them in a short space
>> of time, it gets easier. Getting jobs helps forget the negative
>> results of silence after an audition or a rejection letter. There will
>> be companies out there who will want to take you on. The more you put
>> yourself out there, not just auditions but performing and releasing
>> videos on the Internet, charities will want performers especially as
>> industry opens more. You don't know who is watching these things.
>>
>> Hopefully some of this is helpful to you.
>>
>> Very best wishes,
>> Sandra.
>>
>> www.sandragayer.com
>>
>> On 7/22/21, Leslie Hamric via Perform-Talk <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>> 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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>>>
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>>
>
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-- 
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; American University Washington College of
Law, JD Candidate 2023