Happy New Year, its gonna be a busy one!

Happy New Year to all of you lovely people who are reading my blogs.  The end of last year was extremely busy with lots of deadlines at college, the end of year show and trying to organize all the exciting changes which are happening at Dance Pointe Academy. Hence, the lack of blogging!  

So a wee run down of what has been going on:

The deadlines were met (thank goodness)

21st Century Choreography - Artists in Turmoil

Before the end of term we had our 21st Century choreography assessment.  It was the first time I have choreographed a contemporary piece using creative tasks and was an amazing learning experience. It has changed the way I think about choreographing for the rest of my career. The girls who were in the choreography worked so hard and I was really pleased with the end process. You can watch it on the link below......

Dancers before the assessment looking fab!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMmI2hP_H8U&feature=g-upl&context=G2a681e4AUAAAAAAAAAA

Pre show picture

PASS Christmas Show 2011

The show went really well, however, I had injured my hamstring which was quite painful. I did get through it though which is an added bonus and the DPA Christmas party was a huge success.  We all had a great time.

This year is going to be a challenge,  I am currently in the middle of making my self up a study time table for the little time that I have between teaching and dancing. Saturday nights will be filled with books and google scholar and not with wine and giggles. (My boyfriend is ever so excited) It will all be worth it in the long run!!!

However,  we are all heading down to London in March to Move It, the dance convention, can;t wait.  It's gonna be fun, fun, fun.  Better hop off as I need to get to my wee Zumba class in an hour.  xxx

6 weeks in.........

So,  we are now in our sixth week of the degree course, the past 5 weeks have been really intense, in a good way.  Weeks one, two and three were really challenging physically and emotionally. This hasn't changed but I feel that my technique is coming together slowly but surely and I am understanding and learning more about myself each day.

It is good to put yourself out of your comfort zone (especially if you have been doing the same style of dance and dance classes for over ten years),  I come into class every day excited about learning new things and challenging my mind and body, where as, I used to be scared to do class with a tutor I didn't know.

This is going to be the year for going for it, putting myself out there, getting as much experience, learning as much as I can and dancing as hard as my body will allow........... Watch out guys

Professional Dance Introduction

My name is Julie McInally, I  started dancing at the age of 3 and haven't stopped since!!!! Gaining entrance to Dance For All Theatre School's full time professional Dance Course in Edinburgh I trained for three years studying ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and musical theatre, at the same time getting a taste of other styles within this time including flamenco, singing and national.

I graduated with an HND in Professional Stage Dance and an Associate Teaching qualification with the ISTD (the world's leading dance examination board). For the past 7 years I  have performed in and choreographed many productions both singing and dancing, I  have been teaching throughout Edinburgh and Lothians in many well known and established dance schools, clubs and organisations including Dance Base, Dance For All, Edinburgh City Council, Edinburgh University, Buckstone Youth Dance, Midlothian Active Schools, North Edinburgh Arts and much more. I now run a dance school in Penicuik called Dance Pointe Academy which offers a wide range of classes for it's students ensuring there is something for every one, whether they are come just for fun and exercise or are looking to pursue a career in the industry.

  

I left Scotland for a year and traveled through out North America, South East Asia, Australasia and the Pacific Islands; throughout this time I attended numerous classes gaining valuable experience along the way (most notably on Broadway, New York). I am currently studying to complete my BA Honours Dance at Telford college which I feel will help enhance my teaching and choreography skills.