Dancer Dana Wilson Talks to JigTV.com About Working on Cirque du Soleil, Teaching, and Having Goals
Dana Wilson is a regular on social dance site JigTV.com. She teaches hip hop dance classes, performs dances and has even hosted dancer video blogs on JigTV.com. Dana was recently interviewed on JigTV.com, and the first big news for Dana is that her occupation has changed. Formerly a backup dancer for Justin Timberlake, she is now an assistant choreographer for Cirque du Soliel's new show "Believe." She said the job is much different: it doesn't require any actual dancing, rather she spends her time taking notes, instructing dancers and conferring with the director of the show. She said one of the great things about being involved in the show was working with Wade Robson, the lead choreographer for the show. "[Wade's] movement is unlike anyone else's I've been exposed to," Dana said, a contrast with the hip hop style she's used to. Dancer Dana Wilson enjoyed working with the dancers in the show, a group who comes from all over the world including Japan, the United States and Canada. Dana said she had to get used to having a translator for the dancers who didn't understand English. The rehearsals last 9 ? hours a day and are held six days a week, leading to a very busy schedule. Somehow Dana still manages to find time to give dance lessons for the New York City Dance Alliance, an experience which she says is one of her favorite things in the world. She says she's learned a lot about teaching, namely that being a good dancer doesn't necessarily make you a good dance teacher. Although she has taught for years, NYCDA gives her the opportunity to teach as many as 300 people in one class, or be as focused as having two children at a time. Dana's final words of wisdom finds her encouraging those who want to learn how to become a professional dancer is to make a list of goals for them selves, being specific about what they want to accomplish in their careers. "Before I became a 'professional' dancer, I made a list of goals for myself, and it's really hard for me to believe but I keep crossing them off. I keep accomplishing them and I think it's because I was so specific in what I wanted to do." To view the entire interview, visit JigTV.com. For more information on JigTV, contact Michelle Latimer at info@jigtv.com.
Dana Wilson is a regular on social dance site JigTV.com. She teaches hip hop dance classes, performs dances and has even hosted dancer video blogs on JigTV.com. Dana was recently interviewed on JigTV.com, and the first big news for Dana is that her occupation has changed. Formerly a backup dancer for Justin Timberlake, she is now an assistant choreographer for Cirque du Soliel's new show "Believe." She said the job is much different: it doesn't require any actual dancing, rather she spends her time taking notes, instructing dancers and conferring with the director of the show. She said one of the great things about being involved in the show was working with Wade Robson, the lead choreographer for the show. "[Wade's] movement is unlike anyone else's I've been exposed to," Dana said, a contrast with the hip hop style she's used to. Dancer Dana Wilson enjoyed working with the dancers in the show, a group who comes from all over the world including Japan, the United States and Canada. Dana said she had to get used to having a translator for the dancers who didn't understand English. The rehearsals last 9 ? hours a day and are held six days a week, leading to a very busy schedule. Somehow Dana still manages to find time to give dance lessons for the New York City Dance Alliance, an experience which she says is one of her favorite things in the world. She says she's learned a lot about teaching, namely that being a good dancer doesn't necessarily make you a good dance teacher. Although she has taught for years, NYCDA gives her the opportunity to teach as many as 300 people in one class, or be as focused as having two children at a time. Dana's final words of wisdom finds her encouraging those who want to learn how to become a professional dancer is to make a list of goals for them selves, being specific about what they want to accomplish in their careers. "Before I became a 'professional' dancer, I made a list of goals for myself, and it's really hard for me to believe but I keep crossing them off. I keep accomplishing them and I think it's because I was so specific in what I wanted to do." To view the entire interview, visit JigTV.com. For more information on JigTV, contact Michelle Latimer at info@jigtv.com.