[Perform-Talk] Need Some Advice

Mon Jul 26 20:30:13 UTC 2021

I'm the same way.  I was never "taught" how to handle rejection, except through experience.  The first time I auditioned for a musical freshman year of high school and didn't make it at all, I was shocked!  When it keeps happening, sometimes it feels like awaste of time, even though you know the right opportunity will come your way, you just don't know when.

-----Original Message-----
From: Perform-Talk <perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jana Jackson via Perform-Talk
Sent: Monday, July 26, 2021 11:59 AM
To: 'Performing Arts Division list' <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jana Jackson <jana at janajackson.com>
Subject: Re: [Perform-Talk] Need Some Advice

Hi, Julie! That's such great advice! I know, I'm not a fan of rejection either! I've been known to eat way too much chocolate to drown such sorrows! LOL! Have a great week!

Jana

-----Original Message-----
From: Perform-Talk <perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Julie McGinnity via Perform-Talk
Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 9:59 PM
To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Julie McGinnity <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Perform-Talk] Need Some Advice

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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--
Julie A. McGinnity
MM Vocal Performance, 2015; American University Washington College of Law, JD Candidate 2023

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