Task 3c Sources of Information

After much consideration, I eventually decided on my top 5 most important sources of information. In order to choose these, I decided to look back and reflect on my most recent activities and trace them back to the very beginning. When I really thought about it, I was surprised how much I used each source of information, and in which context I tended to use it in the most.

My first source of information is the Internet
The internet is vital for me to have in the profession I work in. I rely on it so much, without it id be lost. I use the internet to connect with people, through Facebook and other social networking sites. It allows me to keep in touch in an easy and hassle free way, and lets me connect with old friends to see what they’re doing in the industry at the moment.
I also use the internet to download music for my lessons. Before I knew how to download music I used to rely fully on CD’s. Although CD’s are useful to have,. Some music is sometimes harder to get hold of, especially in Musical Theatre. I am always able to find the tracks I need through downloading, and I am, also able to find sheet music for my singing lessons that I can easily print off.

I’m not always able to go to the shops constantly to get the equipment/ sources that I need for my lessons. For example, if I am in need of new jazz shoes, and I know exactly what size I need, I simply order a new pair off Dance Direct, and a new pair will be delivered to my door within the next few days.
As a dance teacher there are many different styles which I have to cover for my students. The next one we are studying is "African Dance". I have done projects on this style before, but I really want to get to grips with the way the dancers move. I decided to go straight to you tube so I could watch experienced dancers and study their movements.
After reading Natalie Less’s blog on this source of information, it occurred to me how much I use the internet to find directions/ journey details to locations for work or auditions.

The second source of information is through my Blackberry.

I use my blackberry to connect with others who I’m in close contact with, such as work colleagues, friends I was in training with, connections from any previous employment, etc.
I also use my Blackberry to send any video clips, photos or voice notes to any contacts. I usually do this through BBM (Blackberry Messenger), as it is quick, efficient, reliable, and allows me to see if the other contacts has received and read my message.
I have also managed to add my email addresses to my Blackberry so I can receive and send emails directly from it. This is ideal as it is impossible for me to check my laptop every day, and because it’s a fairly old model, it takes a while to set up, and loads information fairly slowly.
I also have Blackberry App World on my phone, which allows me to download Apps that might appear useful to me. For example, I currently have the following Apps which relate to my line of work:

Ask anything (for when I wish to seek any information)
Gym Technik NextGen (which allows me to keep my workout routines under control)
Tube Map (for when I go to London)
Calorie Counter (to keep track of my diet)


I also use my Blackberry to record any video footage or take photos. Sometimes I do not always have my camera handy, so I then rely on my Blackberry. Once I have recorded what I need, I simply hook it up to my computer to download footage, or I can upload photos directly to my Facebook page.

The third source of information I use is through Teachers/ Previous Employers.

I’ve learnt from experience that if you make a good lasting impression on your previous teachers/ employers, then it will be beneficial to you later on in life. This could lead to a previous teacher recommending you to someone for a job, or putting you up for a closed audition, etc. I have also discovered recently, that for one job I am auditioning for, they required a reference, they contacted me previous Employer, and he promised to write me a brilliant recommendation.
If you have worked for someone in the past and they are choreographing a show/ performance, they will want reliable dancers, who can pick up thw choreography. A friend of mine recently was just offered a job because the choreographer needed an extra dancer, and because that girl made a lasting impression on her, she phoned her up.
I also find it interesting to go to previous teachers to seek their advice on which companies are good, and which agencies are best to apply for, etc. I recently asked my old teacher how I could find out about jobs working abroad. She then gave me a website which was displaying exactly what I was looking for.

The next source of information is through Friends in the Network.

I have come to discover that I am able to find out about upcoming auditions through word of mouth from friends. The majority of my friends in this business are usually happy to share information about auditions and jobs, etc, because we’re all going through the same thing, so in a way, we all want to help each other out. It is good to ask a friends a advice on any job situations. They understand what it feels like and usually are able to help you find the answer you’re looking for when it comes to accepting a job or not.
If I find out I am going to the same audition as a friend, I always try and organise that we go together. Travelling with others means you have the support of your friends and tends to make me less nervous. Once I am in an audition, I do not communicate, as we are from then on, competing against each other. However after, its helpful to reflect on the audition process together to find out other peoples opinions and thoughts on it.
If I am travelling a long way to an audition, which requires staying overnight, it is helpful to travel with another. This way, it saves money on accommodation. Or even better, if you know people living in that area, you can ask to stay with them, that way you don’t have to pay a thing.
This reminds me of task 3b, theories, relating to networks, the concept cooperation. If we cooperate with each other, in sharing information about auditions, offering accommodation, etc, in turn we can each gain beneficially from the situation.

The final source of information is through Dancers Pro.

This website I only discovered in the past few months. It is ideal for me as it allows me to search directly for the kind of job I am looking for. All I have to do is choose what type of job description I’m looking for, e.g. backing singer, teacher, theatre, music video, etc. I can even state how much money I am looking for in my pay, and what location I am looking to work in.

At the moment I am looking to work overseas next year, this is why this website is suited for my needs as instead of looking through thousands of auditions, I can narrow the search down to exactly what I’m looking for.
This website also allows you to look at auditions in more detail. It displays the main facts about the job, then if you click onto "more details", you can find out even more information and it provides contact details so you can apply for the position.
After reading through other blogs, I noticed that Hayley Bence also uses this source of information. She commented on how they send her new information directly to her email address. I agree with Hayely that this site is a great source of information for performers today.