My Silver Arts Award at
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
WHAT IS ARTS AWARD?
To understand the purpose of this range of qualifications, I had to go back to the very beginning, exploring and carefully gathering as much information online as I could.
"Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents.''
I am young, and I love arts.
''Grow your own talents, explore the arts, be a creative leader and get yourself a qualification.''
I practice and learn methods to develop my art skills, and I always love to do something creative or constructive.
''You can do an Arts Award in any area of the arts from fashion to poetry, rapping to dancing, sculpture to film.''
I dance, I perform on stage as an actress, I am a young filmmaker. It seems that there are open doors for everything that I love to do.
Ballet Boyz Dance Studios 2017
Arts Educational Schools, London 2008
''You can be the creator or performer of your own work, or develop your skills in essential roles like marketing or stage management.''
These words could follow the path of anyone's epiphany if indeed you realise or understand as I already have.
These words sound in my ear not just as an opportunity but as a perfect motivational speech needed when you expect probably nothing.
Photo by O. Alexandru
And what it is even better,
''there are no entry requirements and no time limit for completing the awards, and no set rules on how to present final work''.
It sounds more than perfect.
For me, it was too good to be true: I've learned about Arts Awards recently, and I have already a deadline to deliver my work for the Silver Arts Awards.
But it's fine. Hope I will handle it.
Although I've heard for the first time about the Silver Arts Award, not so long ago, (when recently I've joined the Trinity Laban Dance Ambassadors programme), the good news is that instead of panic, I had to find an immediate balance in a well-structured plan first.
No time to waste when weekly I need to prepare something for the Silver Arts Awards and the first deadline is on 6th of December 2017.
So I had to reboot my schedule and try to find a way that it works for me.
It is good to know that such qualifications exist, to create a recognisable persona as an artist or an arts leader when often my young age doesn't give me much credibility in the real world.
My Dance Silver Award Presentation - Unit One
Name: Octavia Selena Alexandru
Age: 15 years old
I'm going to keep this simple, (talking about the record of my progress) even though it's tough work to achieve what I'm about to do in "a flash" and knowing that English is my second language.
Unit 1: art practice and pathways
Part A: arts challenge
My art challenge tells the story of everything I've achieved so far as a performer, combined with a study of Maurice Bejart's Boléro choreography.
I will follow the original dance structure; I will borrow Ravel's Boléro musical piece, and I will bring some new dance movements.
I've found it amusing the similarity of this challenge with the must-have bride's myth: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed.
My main strengths in dance are improvisation, my confidence in trying new things and my expression (creating a story to the song/choreography I'm doing).
My main weaknesses in dance is ballet technique. I know it sounds funny but its true. I don't look like your everyday ballerina or even dance like one unless I'm trained too.
This is the plan I've put together.
No. 1: The Schedule
I've started with identifying my routine tasks that I often perform, (daily / weekly) and I've made a plan how to use time-saving tools or ways when appropriate or allowed.
I've merged many of my needs, knowing my daily routine and my priorities.
I've rescheduled the difficult tasks when my energy levels are high, leaving the routine works for my low energy periods.
My homeschooling programme is busy and challenging itself so no room for wasting time.
And besides of the academical tuitions,
I study the GCSE Dance at Royal Academy of Dance (Saturdays);
Drama at Rose Youth Theatre Company (Sundays)
and contemporary dance at Rambert (Thursdays).
If the intended time for the already booked events works, mixed with a new agenda, it means (that even the pressure is still on), I will manage to carry on with my challenge.
The challange I'm doing is perfect to practice my weakness. So I will be learning more ballet techniques but of course, I will be adding my own twist to it.
Rambert, Rose Theatre & Royal Academy of Dance
Home studying with my assistant Nini :)
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance 2017
The next step, I've managed to receive the confirmation to use the Trinity Laban Library on Wednesdays before the Dance Ambassadors class starts.
Extremely useful is also the Royal Academy's Library where I was lucky enough to find the book LABANOTATION - The System of Analyzing and Recording Movement.
No. 2: Arts Challenge - Boléro Choreography with a twist.
My first ever training was in classical ballet, and my dearest performer to watch on TV was Sylvie Guillem.
I was not just inspired but captivated by her dance abilities, and the incredible athletic performances delivered by such delicate posture.
My Fairy was not a fictional character but Sylvie. I was spellbound and intrigued whatever dance she would perform; I think she was filling me with the urge of learning dance, to do something creative.
I did not have the chance to witness any of her performance, but I follow her dance in any composition with the same emotions.
Royal Academy of Dance
My ballet photo-album since I was just a toddler is a beautiful proof of loving the dance art.
Here there are some Mini-Me in a ballerina posture trying to follow my Muse Sylvie Guillem.
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*Young Ballet Academy
*Arts Educational Schools, London
*Pineapple Dance Studios, Covent Garden
*Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
*DanceForce, School of Dance, London
*The Fantasio Theatre
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Maurice Ravel's Boléro was Sylvie's last dance performed.
She brought Bejart's choreography to the highest level.
I'm willing to learn and understand this triple way combined masterpiece, designed and delivered by these three astonishing artists: Ravel, Bejart, Guillem.
Something old - Ravel's orchestral piece.
Something borrowed - Bejart's choreography.
Something new - Guillem's unique performance and touch.
REASON
Boléro embodies natural aptitudes, strength, brilliance, artistry, technique and virtuosity.
I am a dancer but not a ballerina.
I was told that I am a gifted child, but I'm so far from Sylvie's outstanding performance and experience; this is why I need to push myself out of my comfort zone and work on my ballet technique to learn the proper method and execution of movement.
I need to accustom not just my body but my brain with the core techniques of ballet.
Exercising at a barre is not my strength anymore for many years.
And is a must to study and train about all following elements:
Aplomb
Arabesque
Ballon
Battement
Chaînés
Chassé
Dégagé
Dessous
Élevé
Fouetté
Pas de bourrée
Pointe technique
Positions of the arms
Renversé
Rond de jambe
Split
Tendu
Turnout
Variation.
My strength comes from my positive attitude mixed up with my constant dance training. There are two significant contributors to my dance performance that I will mention too: my acting training and my performing experience. I feel confident to work under pressure, and I love Improvisation.
Thinking that improvisation is my strength, I have to admit that probably is also a cause for my weakness.
Now I realise how easy I've neglected the principles of body movement and form used in ballet and the must-have training routine, as an effect of too much confidence in my mind in what "I can handle" when a dance is happening.
Photo by O. Alexandru
What I have decided to do with my art challenge and who is my adviser
The decision is already clear in my mind.
Still, the realistic outcome feels far away from the final results, which is why I need an adviser—or perhaps several professional opinions.
Nowadays, it is easy to find an overwhelming amount of information online; however, I cannot allow myself to be delusional and think I entirely know what I am doing.
That is why I recognise the need for guidance. The Trinity Laban Dance Ambassadors teachers and coordinators were the first to encourage my wish to pursue this idea. I feel supported, helped, and advised, which means I already have the opportunity, the foundation, and the necessary guidance in place.
Identify and plan
I decided to dedicate Wednesdays specifically to my Arts Award work, creating a functional and efficient timetable to study, train, and develop my art product.
For the rest of the week, without exception, I designed a scheme covering all the video dance choreographies I could find related to the creation of Bolero. This was followed by historical research, reading articles, exploring training methods, and gathering valuable resources that connect both the dance and musical aspects of the Bolero genre.
To keep track of my progress, I recorded my daily journey in the form of a light-hearted, humorous diary.
Of course, nothing turned out as smooth or flawless as I expected. My reflections were not always satisfying, often shaped by circumstances beyond my control. I had planned everything in detail, but we do not live in a perfect world, so there was no guarantee that good intentions would unfold without obstacles.
Delays in traffic, the unexpected selfish behaviour of older fellow student dancers, noisy migraines, muscle aches, even forgetting to remove the lens cap just when I finally decided to record my performance—all these distracting and unpleasant situations interfered with my effort, faith, and time.
Dancing around Bolero studies:
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Spanish Bolero
Ravel's Boléro
Béjart’s Boléro
Guillem's Boléro
My Boléro time
Ravel's Boléro
Boléro premiered at the Paris Opéra on 22 November 1928, is (a one-movement orchestral piece based on the Spanish art music and dance called bolero) the most famous musical composition by the French composer, pianist and conductor Joseph Maurice Ravel.
Ravel’s music, was commissioned by the famous Belle Époque figure and da Ida Rubenstein
The composition and rhythm are designed to impersonate the Spanish bolero.
Ravel's explanation:
“My Boléro has to stick in one’s head!”
And it does indeed.
Béjart’s Boléro
The Boléro (1961) choreographed by Maurice Bejart is a Masterpiece of the modern ballet, created in 1960 for the Serbian ballerina, Dušanka Sifnios.
The dance features the Principal on a tabletop surrounded by seated men. Bejart's choreography begins in a simple yet intriguing single spotlight aimed at the right arm of the principal, followed by the second spotlight on the left arm; then both of her arms are in the spotlight following, and next, the entire stage is illuminated.
Gradually from the beginning, the principle movements build up the dance, adding complexity to the dance core in the orchestration, culminating in a climactic union of the dancers atop the table.
Surrounded by a large number of men who sit at the edges of the stage.
It premiered on January 10, 1961, featuring Dušanka Sifnios dancing on the tabletop, first stepping to the tune's simplicity, surrounded by seated men, who, in turn, slowly participate in the dance, adding complexity to the building in the orchestration, culminating in a climactic union of the dancers atop the table.
The choreography begins with a single spotlight aimed at the arm of the principle. The second time the theme sounds, there is the second spotlight on both of her arms.
Next, the stage is entirely lit.
Also, the movement the principle begins by simply moving from one bare foot to another, continuing with more intense motion as the music becomes louder.
At first, the men around move along minimally, but one by one they join principle’s tempting dance.
There is constant, elastic motion; Principles’ arms are supple as wings, and the men make sensual movements with their hips. The piece slowly builds up along a stretched crescendo to an inevitable climax, and one cannot help but give in and go along with it.
The drums, getting stronger and stronger, along with the Spanish melody will hypnotise even the spectator in the highest gallery seat. When the music suddenly stops, this unchains an immense applause from the audience that feels like a release.
Among the dancers, who performed Béjart's interpretation of "Bolero", was Sylvie Guillem.
Classical ballet and concert dance.
Training
Performance
Trinity Laban Young Dance Ambassadors
Challenge Night,
with the lovely dance teacher and choreographer Bethan Peters
I prepared intensively for my two performances, and I’m glad I managed to stay focused on incorporating more ballet technique movements.
First Video
The feedback I got was better than I thought!
I appreciate how everyone is also so supportive.
Second Video
Feed Back
Karl Morgan
Karl Morgan trained at Birds College, where he specialised in ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. He went on to build a varied and highly successful career, which included the extraordinary experience of touring with the legendary Sylvie Guillem in Bolero.
Meeting him at the BalletBoyz Studios was not just a fortunate coincidence—it was a true joy. Karl is a humble, talented, and passionate dancer and choreographer whose professionalism shines through in everything he does.
I feel incredibly lucky to have had the privilege of speaking with him about Sylvie and Bolero.
What an unbelievable experience!
Mrs. Anastasia Sosnovskaya Girolamo
School Principal
Anastasia – Ballet and Theatre Craft Teacher
A highly qualified Ballet and Theatre Craft teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience across Belarus, Europe, and the UK.
Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Anastasia earned her B.A. in Dance Teaching and Choreography, followed by a second Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology. She later completed an MBA in the UK and further advanced her expertise by studying the English method of ballet training with the IDTA (International Dance Teachers’ Association).
In her teaching, Anastasia blends the precision and discipline of the Russian ballet style with the supportive and motivational approach of the English education system, creating a unique balance that takes the best of both worlds. While the Russian style emphasises results and discipline, the English style fosters encouragement and confidence in every student.
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Dance School Principal at Lyric Dance School
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Studied at Belarusian University of Culture and Arts
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Studied at Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical University
My Channel
The video above is a montage of extended shots from my training sessions for the challenge.
As I mentioned before, the performance itself will be entirely improvised on the day, not rehearsed, as I prefer to keep the process fresh and spontaneous.
For preparation, I trained with teachers to strengthen my ballet technique and carried their guidance with me to Laban, where I often practised in the hallways—since, unfortunately, no studios were available.
Tasks, Experiences and Achievements in the Artistic World
December 2017 - April 2018
I have been fortunate to work backstage on various shows at the Laban Theatre and at The Broadway Theatre in Catford—a venue that holds special meaning for me, as I first performed there at the age of seven as the leading dancer in The Witchcraft: The Musical.
My first review of a dance performance at
Trinity Laban.
Sadler's Wells Theatre,
Rambert A Linha Curva, and other Works
My favourite Creative Dance Show so far.
I had the privilege to watch the dancers' rehearsals at Rambert and I cherish the opportunity of studying this amazing and complex choreography on both Rambert and Royal Academy of Dance. It is mesmerising.
The Choreography, The special designed Lighting, The Costumes, The Music, The Unbelievable Dancers, all these elements brought together by Itzik Galili, create an unforgettable Brazilian-inspired carnival movement.
"Witness for the Prosecution" was Christie's favourite of all her works ('It was one of
Thank you, Agatha Christie, for such enlighting experience.
I'm speechless.
My very first experience as a 'JUROR' at the Central Criminal Court, at London County Council on 1st December 2017: my plays that I like best myself,’ she recalls in her autobiography).
When my "jury summons notice" (Ticket) appeared in the mail, all I could do was breathe a sigh of panic. I knew nothing about the jury's responsibilities; all that I knew was watching courtroom drama movies. My lovely parents and my kindhearted friend Daniela Dobrin got me a ticket to the new production Agatha Christie’s 1953 play, "Witness for the Prosecution" and the location is breathtakingly real.
I've understood from the beginning that my privileged seat (as a jury panel member) is one of the best and I have to take an oath (an obligation either be “sworn” or “affirmed” before I become a juror).
So, I wrote down a plan thinking not just as a spectator of the play, but as a juror itself in real life. Later on, while "witnessing" the show I felt instantly another character on my skin... my real call as a performer watching the actors playing; I've thought I was part of the cast, and I didn't know any of my lines... AHH!! So, I've felt in one seat these three views so different: a spectator, a real juror and a performer. And I was so emotional; I had to handle my Joy and Tears and Awe. It was hard but wonderful.
Although I did my researching and read The Juror Information Booklet including the Jurors Dress Code, I decided to know nothing about The Play itself. I just wanted to test myself, my power of judgment knowing that I need to be: "Fair; Impartial; Willing to listen; and Willing to keep an open mind."
I've learned Juror's oath and affirmation by heart and performed flawlessly when asked. Small role, but honouring. :)
P.S. I love Marlene Dietrich
Main role "Charlotte" in Charlotte's Web Theatrical Adaptation, Performed at The Rose Theatre Kingston
Main role "Persephone" in collaboration with London Philharmonic Orchestra and Rambert's Generation 2, at South Bank Centre on 11th of April 2018.
Performing the 2nd time in an abstract play at The Victoria & Albert Museum, at The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre with The Rose Theatre Youth Company on 25th of March 2018.
Great Way to Start A Day!! Shakespeare, here I come!! This is my first step in an extraordinary Shakespearean Journey started in January 2018. Thanks to my awesome parents for all their support. Thanks to my Absolute Super Talented Acting and Dialect Coach Mrs Julie Austin. Thanks to all my RADA examiners and Thanks God. Looking forward to studying and achieving the next step Shakespeare Bronze Awards for both Individual and Duologue!!
