Photo by Peter C
Disclaimer: The images and videos chosen by the artists were uploaded through M-Intensive MIU's streaming account due to technical and legal reasons. We do not have any rights to them, the choreography, or the music. While some members of the MIU community responded to the call and are entitled to freedom of speech, the material used in this blog, including photos and videos, is not intended to promote M-Intensive MIU and is used solely to showcase the artists' work and self-expression. As a courtesy, please contact the artists directly for professional opportunities or to obtain permission to share their work.
This blog will address dancers and artists. However, it applies entirely to anyone using social media to achieve positive career results.
For the first time since I started this blog at M-Intensive, I won't be sharing my opinion, insights, or experience on the subject. Instead, I conducted interviews with many dancers, actors, and singers. They answered some questions to help you understand how they use social media to boost their careers.
The artists come from Germany, Canada, the US, France, Japan, Nigeria, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Italy, and more. They have diverse backgrounds and work in professional dance companies on land or at sea, musical theatre, theatre, or dance studios. They have various occupations such as doctors of philosophy, business owners, teachers, and students. They all participated with the same goal: to help you navigate the ups and downs of using social media.
I am filled with joy and excitement as I write this. Their words have truly moved me, and I believe in their power.
Participants were able to join voluntarily. I collected the responses from those who replied to my message, wanted to share their comments, and submitted some answers. No one was influenced in any way. In the same spirit, it's important to note that some artists may choose to contribute anonymously. All of them will be presented in the order they were received, and any photos or videos will be included as the artists intended in their interviews.
The responses in this article are authentic and are based on the personal experiences of the artists and dancers involved. Positive and negative feedback is included to gain better insights from the subject. Non-dancers also provided answers to help us understand why they love following dancers online.
This article strives to assist dancers in overcoming challenges with transparency, free from political or technical biases. The unwavering mission of this blog is to empower dancers and artists to advance their careers using the tools available in a positive and healthy manner, bringing joy, happiness, and fulfilment to their professional lives.
In our quest for personal truth, let's not forget that the most important questions often centre around finding our own path in a world waiting to be transformed. This blog aims to guide those seeking empowerment through social media, helping them enhance their lives and careers.
The intended result is to motivate everyone to view social media more positively, to sense the support of others on a similar path, and to summon the courage each day to pursue their passions using social media to magnify their work with love and commitment for their art.
Participants will share inspiring stories about their experiences with social media. They will also discuss the potential for better online support within our community and the positive changes they have noticed since engaging with social media.
I think social media is a great place to show my personality. I almost treat my Instagram like a CV, where I can post reels and have them nicely laid out for people to watch. I also like to use my TikTok to post my own choreography and find new music to explore.
I think that it's also a good place to connect with new people and have a boost of confidence when it comes to people commenting and sharing.
I can't say that I have felt a huge difference yet, but I can feel myself growing as an artist because social media is exposing me to more people and ideas.
Julia Tidmas Goodall
Instagram: @juliatidmasgoodall
I've never been one to use social media as much as the people around me, as it felt unnatural and unnecessary for me to present myself artistically through these platforms. A few months ago, I sent Patrice Moniz a short video of me doing a graham combination I really loved from class! After MUCH support and persuasion from him, that video ended up on my profile. I honestly would have never thought I'd have the courage to showcase myself, as I believe the work is “not good enough” yet. I was so pleasantly surprised to see the amount of people who had left a kind response to the video, and I have no regrets about having posted it!
I most certainly feel that the dance community created on social media can be competitive and tough. Nowadays, social media has become a literal tool for artists to find opportunities and meet new people! And while I think that is truly great, I still believe it can have a harmful effect on our self-esteem and ability to recognize our self-worth, as comparison kicks in.
Posting on social media has been a challenge for me this past year, as it has come more from a place of responsibility than the joy of sharing my work. However, I have definitely experienced a positive change in my career, with people reaching out to me for work opportunities! I have also felt appreciated as an artist, which has made me want to share more material that is dear to my heart.
Nora Stancu
Instagram: @noritoss
Nora is performing choreography by Blakeley White McGuire at the Martha Graham School in NYC, with music by Stahv Danker and filmed by Sharon Zulay.
My experiences with social media have been a great lesson learned over the years. Mind you, I've been using social media since my secondary school years “Facebook”. Then, after some years, I learned about Instagram from my friends and I decided to open it “just for fun”. I never had the mindset of using social media to grow what I do or let people know what I do. Yes, I do upload videos but nothing too serious!
Being on social media, I've gotten a bit depressed and sad most times when I see that I do much but my algorithm doesn't count. It decreases after some time and increases after some time. I stopped posting or creating because I allowed peer pressure to overshadow my insights. Time goes by, I decided not to focus on that but on what I am trying to put out there as a market. Then I started again and never looked back. And it worked! Because I've been on 1k plus followers since secondary school and now it's 3k plus. Because I never took that as a priority.
It's helping my career. Right now, social media looks like a resume where most clients want to see how far you've gone and explore other potentials you have, and how you can help their brands. Most casting calls in Nigeria I've attended require you to drop your social media handles - "Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn," etc. - so they can check you out. So it really does help my career.
I saw a change since using social media, and I still see it. I can't second-guess the community's content in helping dancers.
Amisu Moremi Bbyjay
Instagram: @official_dancemi
"I am happy to connect with people all over the world through social media. Different times have different tools, but I hope that we will continue to have relationships that cherish common ideas throughout the ages."
Anonymous
My experience with social media is mostly positive, having gone through my whole training with these apps it has become apart of my growing career. However, I have only just learnt in the past year how to effectively use these platforms as a tool for networking and marketing my work. I seek benefit from these platforms as I am on the state of mind of being inspired rather than comparing. I feel confident in my art and what I offer, so I can separate myself from others, but also appreciate their art too!
Maybe ones ego can sometimes get in the way of using social media as a way to stay connected and make new contacts, while you get consumed by the view count of your reels or posts. I make it a goal to at least connect with 1 new person I have felt inspired by in class each week. This is building a strong community for me both in auditions and other classes.
Of course, the advertisement of open calls allows us to attend auditions more frequently, and the presence of casting directors & other creatives can also have an impact (although not always obvious straight away). I have been able to stay in contact with choreographers on social media who have played a big part in my artistic development. This relationship has only been maintained because of the instagram handle, but I am sure seeing positive results through maintaining this connection.
It is imperative that we do not find ourselves sucked into this black hole of ‘filming for the gram' for those who are familiar with the phrase. Let's remind ourselves to take class for the enjoyment, passion & training sometimes. If you happen to get some great footage, then what a bonus, but we cannot let this element lead the motivation to our career long continuous training. I only ever posted videos of my own creations in training and took all classes for myself and to enjoy working with those around me. The training without cameras instills strong ensemble work which can be lost with overpowering individuality as soon as the lens makes an appearance.
Overall, social media is a tool we want to utilize, but we must be in the right mindset and have suitable intentions for it to enhance our career instead of damaging it. Let's build strong communities of artists to showcase our work. After all, a song doesn't exist unless it's sung and choreography is invisible until it's danced!
Kyle Stevens
Instagram: @kyle_stevens2313
I feel, in terms of seeing what is going on and what is being talked about, it is helpful!
It hasn't had a direct correlation with benefiting my personal career as of yet, but I can see how it could. I see a lot of open auditions or discover things about new shows and workshops through people re-sharing stories, etc.
I definitely think something that would guide us online would be helpful! I feel there is a different online etiquette than in person that could ultimately benefit people if they knew about it.
I have always had it since graduating, so can't comment on a difference!
Georgia Goodey - Instagram: @georgiagoodeyx
Emmanuel Osahor
Instagram: @emmanuelosahor
I began with Facebook and Instagram in 2013 or so. Many people in the early days of social media seemed, like me, to mix their personal and business lives on their feeds. I began Instagram when my dog was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and wanted to have footage of our last days together. For the next two months, we would go to a different location and record a little video for a post. I called her “Coach" and she would give me tips on whatever little yoga or dance sequence that I recorded. There was no mention of her illness as I wanted the posts to celebrate our last days together. I continued with my posts after she passed away, viewing my involvement with social media from then on as solely a way to expand my opportunities as a teacher and, at the time, performer.
Despite a lifetime dedicated to dance, I was at that time all about Ashtanga Yoga. I gravitated to all the Insta accounts of the notables in the field for inspiration. I also began to learn about other ways of moving and began to connect with people all over the world. I became interested in Ido Portal's movement culture, hand balancing and contortion, which then led to virtual study with coaches whom I found via social media. They clearly demonstrated the skills and abilities that I was interested in within their accounts, so happily signed up for their courses. I am doing the same now with my involvement in the Graham Certification at MIU.
In addition to my development as a mover, my posts began to form a sort of visual CV of my progress, which led me to teach as a guest instructor internationally. While a demo reel may showcase previous work over the past five years, it may not be reflective of one's current ability. A written CV may be enough when applying for a dance teaching position, but not often as an Ashtanga Yoga teacher. Yoga implies that one maintains a consistent practice that grows and evolves throughout one's lifetime. Ashtangis do not develop the ability to perform handstands, for example, in their teen years and then only coach the skill from thereon in. Teaching requires dedication to practice, and social media can offer some degree of accountability.
Dancers, of course, also need to demonstrate current ability for auditions or to book events. Adult dance classes have become increasingly popular over the past 10 years, heels dance in particular. I, as well as many of my peers, showcase choreos for upcoming classes via social media and gain students through that strategy.
Currently, almost all of the instruction that I offer is virtual, which is largely due to my relocation to a smaller city. Outside of word-of-mouth marketing, I rely heavily on social media as the primary form of advertising to drive traffic to live streams and on-demand videos on my membership platform. I have not always been so keen, however, to post on social media. I took quite a long break during Covid, when, in all honesty, I should have been doubling down on online programs and social media marketing. I made strides to shift my career into tech, so I focused more on my studies than on expanding my business. I likely missed out on an opportunity to increase my followers during that time. I am in the process of building my platform and my client base and intend to make more use of social media marketing within the coming months to do so.
I believe that anything we can do to encourage a visible art form to be more visible is worth exploring. So often, I visit a company's social media platform or a professional dancer's account and find only stills or heavily edited clips of their work. I have no interest in stealing their choreography; I just want to see them move. I sincerely appreciate when any dancer shares their work on social media. It gives all of us an idea of their training and development. Many companies do offer online resources and for those, I am grateful. MIU, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Dance Masterclass, Gaga, and many other coaches offer education via their platforms, and I do make use of them.
I do believe we have to mention, however, the potential risks of social media to physical and mental health for some users, notably young dancers. Some may feel inspired to try things that they are not physically ready for or feel deterred by the skill level of others who have training opportunities that, for a variety of reasons, they do not. Making training accessible at affordable rates via virtual platforms is certainly one way to help those who do want to learn but lack the resources of time, geographical location, or finances to do so. MIU does a wonderful job of making tutorials available via social media.
To tie in with the first question, I do feel that social media has certainly helped my career. There is added pressure to meet the criteria of platforms like Insta, which often seem shrouded in mystery, to get into the favor of their algorithms. I also feel the pressure to put more of myself out there than I feel comfortable with, namely tutorials and editorial posts. The balance for me is to post material that I will not regret when I look back 20 years from now, as it will likely still be visible.
All in all, yes, I personally have felt a positive change in both my career and general ability since the use of social media.
Anonymous
I used to hate social media. It took me years to start a Facebook account. But it was before I started a career in dance.
When I moved to the UK, I realized there were lots of ads for dance classes, performances, etc., on Facebook, and it was somewhat useful to make myself known as I started to be invited to cover classes and be part of performances.
When I moved to Canada and really decided to become a full-time artist, I got more involved on Facebook. I created a public Page only dedicated to my professional activities as I did not want to make my private life accessible to everybody. It was during the pandemic, so most of the dance classes were happening online, and so did the advertisement. I advertised for my first Graham workshop on Facebook and it was a big success!
Then my husband told me I should go on Instagram. Because its main aim is to share pictures, it seemed like a natural step for a dancer. I was reluctant but took the plunge. It did help my career a bit as I started to get noticed by local dancers, dance schools, and companies. I got a few little gig opportunities thanks to my visibility on Instagram. As you once told me, people don't always like or comment on your posts, but they do look at them. And a few months ago, I even ended up opening a TikTok account, on the advice of a Graham accompanist. He thought I would do great, and he was right. I am not sure I will get any work through TikTok, but I can still show what I am doing. I found that being on different social media platforms, even if exhausting, is useful. People use different platforms depending on their age group, so I can touch a broader audience if I am on several social media.
I would say that having our own community could help. Lots of people have preconceived ideas about dancers and the dance world. You can already see the Instagram accounts of professionals or former professionals debunking some myths.
As you might have noticed, I strive for my part to debunk some of the received ideas about the Graham technique in some of my posts. :-)
As mentioned earlier, I got a few job opportunities thanks to my presence on social media (mainly Instagram, I would say).
I was able to connect with different artists in my area and around the world, such as other dancers, musicians, photographers, and visual artists. I have already collaborated with some of them and plan to collaborate with others.
Connecting with dancers, especially thanks to MIU, is also a mental boost for me. We encourage, inspire, and lift each other up. Finally, it did help me to feel more confident and to let go of reaching perfection. I see myself differently. Trying to find a picture or a video of myself to post on social media could be depressing. I was never satisfied, I needed a lot of retakes and only focused on what was wrong. I know that's the case for lots of artists, even the ones that look perfect to me. Now I still want my pics/videos to look professional, but flaws are a part of a dance career and they can be shown as well.
I also changed my views of others. Of course, I will never look like a dancer from the Graham company (e.g.), but instead of letting that pull me down, I use it as an inspiration. I believe I have become a bit more mature about my image and the image of others, and I also believe this helped me to improve as a dancer.
A few people have told me (to my surprise) that some of my posts inspired them. Either because I was sharing my difficulties about being a dancer that they could relate to and it comforted them, or because I was sharing an accomplishment, and they felt inspired and felt that they should also take risks and go for what they really wanted to do.
Audrey Lanoux
Instagram: @grahamdancer.ottawa
Intertwined with the ever-evolving landscape of social media. From early beginnings experimenting with various platforms to now, where each post holds the potential to shape my career trajectory, social media has become an indispensable tool.
Reflecting on my experience, social media has been more than just a platform for self-expression; it's been a gateway to a network of industry professionals and fellow artists who inspire and challenge me to push my boundaries further. It's a virtual stage where artists like me can showcase our craft, connect with like-minded individuals, and glean insights from a vast pool of knowledge and resources. But beyond personal gain, I believe social media holds immense potential to foster a sense of community and understanding.
While nothing can fully replace the energy of face-to-face interactions, online spaces offer a unique opportunity for individuals with shared passions and values to come together, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural barriers. In an increasingly interconnected world, these virtual communities serve as hubs of collaboration, support, and empowerment.
The impact of this digital camaraderie extends beyond mere numbers of followers or likes; it's about feeling seen, heard, and understood. Whether through a heartfelt message or a shared piece of art, the ability to connect on a human level is what truly enriches our online experiences. And as we cultivate these bonds, I've witnessed firsthand the positive ripple effects it has on our careers and personal growth.
For me, social media isn't just a platform—it's a catalyst for change and a springboard for future endeavors. As I continue honing my craft and envisioning the path ahead, I see social media as a powerful tool for building my brand, attracting audiences to live performances, and eventually, sharing my knowledge through teaching.
In the digital age, the lines between art, community, and social media blur, creating a dynamic landscape ripe with opportunities for those willing to navigate its intricacies. And as we harness the power of technology to amplify our voices and forge meaningful connections, we pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for the arts community and beyond.
Robert Stoner
Instagram: @rob_1995_08
In some circumstances, the idea of postgraduate dancers creating their own websites has been largely replaced by Instagram as a form of ‘portfolio'. I believe this speaks volumes to the importance some creatives within the industry place on Instagram specifically.
Personally, I enjoy Instagram and think it's a wonderful way to connect with other artists. However, I believe some may use it for the wrong reasons.
I feel as though some people use the figures on someone's profile as an ‘easy' metric to determine if that dancer is ‘of value' to them.
Sometimes, you can tell when people are friendly for personal gain—and unfortunately, in many cases, you can observe a link to social media.
On a positive note, observing this tendency in others has helped me to quickly distinguish between dancers who possess genuine qualities and the ones who value creating a facade instead. It's easier to discover and surround yourself with genuine and soulful people this way. I wonder if social media has changed the way we view ‘networking' within the industry. I feel as though amid the pursuit of finding a connection, many forget that it's not about getting a ‘follow back' on Instagram or taking a picture with someone. Sure, that may be exciting if it's someone you admire within the industry- but finding connection should fundamentally come down to aligning with someone through movement in person when you find that dynamic energy, it's magic! I have found many wonderful connections this way.
I believe that social media has promoted a lack of true connection. After all, we are artists- and the soul looks for other souls. It's hard to estimate whether it has helped, as many of these experiences occur in person. However, social media is the method used to promote the classes, auditions, and workshops in which these positive experiences or connections take place.
I believe that social media is a great way to see what others are up to and keep in contact. In the dance world, the time you spend with others on a job or in open class may be short. When paths cross, you may be working with others for a very limited or extensive period of time. Therefore, social media is a lovely way to keep in contact with such people.
I feel like a dedicated space for dancers could be a great place for choreographers or creatives to share auditions or open calls for freelance artists.
On a personal note, it is tricky to perceive, as I have had a ‘dance account' since my very early teenage years.
I have noticed, however, that there has been significant change for friends that I have known a long while, having had time to reflect on their journey, start to present. One wonderful example used their Instagram platform as a way to promote other media formats like YouTube where they share content to garner a wider audience and become well known that way in the industry; and it's beautiful to observe their positive and unique impact on the industry in this format. For example, they have evolved into a figure that younger dancers admire; and they promote positive and healthy messages for the next generation to look up to and listen to.
One of my friends used social media to turn a dream of becoming a dance teacher into a career. It's a wonderful way for dancers to find out about classes, and so they gained a wonderful reputation through sharing their movement and classes online and teaching full-time at some wonderful studios teaching dance and gymnastics.
I think that one commonly overlooked positive change that I have definitely benefited from since the use of social media is discovering exercises that I now couldn't live without.
Many dance/gym accounts share valuable exercises and tips for free on their platforms, and some of them have honestly changed the way I exercise. If it wasn't for social media, I wouldn't have had the knowledge of what to do within a gym setting to keep me consistent with it. Now, going to the gym to supplement my dance practice is enjoyable and one of my favourite parts of the day- enabling me to dance safely and refocus on the intrinsic technique required to make the most out of my classes.
This discovery may not have happened without social media, and certainly not to the extent of learning about the dancer-gym crossover. Social media has also helped me overcome fears over common misconceptions due to the lack of scientific research within the dance industry, proving that weight training is nothing to fear for dancers like me who worried that attending the gym would result in a loss of aesthetic competence specific to ballet dancers.
Indeed, many personal discoveries made through social media have helped shape the trajectory of my career so far. I just wish we could all see social media as a tool to learn and grow intrinsically as individuals instead of a competitive metric to garner external validation.
Jessie Cotgrove - Instagram: @jessie_cotgrove
I've always loved social media. It's a great way for me to stay connected to people I've met along my journey through training and into the beginning of my career performing. Even if we don't communicate often, we keep in touch by following each other's lives through visual content.
Another benefit to my career is being able to post accomplishments and share dance videos to showcase my talents. This has allowed people to recognize me and even reach out with performance opportunities.
While currently working abroad on a performing contract, social media helps me stay in the loop of what's happening in the dance scene in London: new dance studios, auditions, upcoming performers and choreographers, what work is happening, and who's being hired. While social media has many benefits for performers, it can also ruin careers if not used professionally.
You can also compare yourself to others, and this has many negative effects on mental health. However, when I see other performers achieving and training, I let this inspire me to be better and train more rather than compare myself and end up feeling less worthy.
Having a safe place for performers online that is made for understanding us would be brilliant and have a positive outcome for our community.
Elisha Bilimoria
Instagram: @elishabilimoria
I believe social media has helped quite a lot as a performer. By posting clips of me singing and my everyday life, it's easy access for Casting Directors and Producers to check my craft in an informal way before inviting me for an audition. With my link to Spotlight posted on my IG bio, my CV is just one click away. I've been invited several times by DM to audition for certain cruises and projects. Social media is definitely a tool which a performer has to strongly use daily.
I believe it has helped create an open community for discourse and interaction where you can give praise to your colleagues who are able to book work but also challenge the ideas and practices of some professionals. Calling out certain work or projects openly online has helped many performers feel safe and obtain a trustworthy and supportive environment.
I have been able to sign with two of my agents due to the power of social media. I've been flown out to NY to audition for bigger projects just by showcasing my craft. Could I use the extent of social media every day? Probably not, but so far, it has been a quick informal tool to get in touch with other colleagues and professionals in our industry.
Franco Alvaro
Instagram: @_franco_alvaro_
For as long as I can remember, my intention in getting on Social Media was to stay connected with my friends, families, classmates, and new friends. I never had the intention of bringing my dance career to my socials because I guess I was too shy and didn't want all of me to be virtually seen but this took a different turn when I uploaded a dance picture - the love, comments, likes and messages I got changed my mind and up till date the likes I get on my dance photos compare to my regular photos shows that my followers, friends and families want more of my artistic contents. Honestly speaking, social media has really helped my career.
We ought to have a place online for us just like we have places online for the latest dance auditions, news and all I think having a place that is made for better understanding of us and a place that welcomes topics related to issues bothering us individually and as a community would help our community positively.
Besides the virtual display of my artistic contents and works, social media has also been a source of inspiration (Seeing inspiring contents from works left by artists that came before me and current works from companies, choreographers and dancers is really a gift)
As a Nigerian Dancer who is hungry for more artistic training, opportunities and artistic expressions, during the pandemic social media positively provided me with virtual scholarships, intensives and workshops with Alonzo King Lines Ballet, Kristine Elliott online classes, Eric Scott Underwood Online Summer intensive, Nederlands Dans Theater Online Summer intensive, Gaga online classes, Shahar Binyamini Online Creature workshop and Ballet Together of which I am forever grateful of.
Also social media has positively helped me to connect with diverse artists, companies, choreographers and people from different countries without having to be with them physically.
Profit Lucky
Instagram: @plucky.lucky
My experience on social media gives me an opportunity to showcase myself as a dancer, with my aesthetic and personality trying to shine through. It's something that's harder to see on paper. It has given me opportunities for photoshoots and small bits of work, as well as teaching opportunities, so it is an aspect of myself as an artist that helps my career.
Our community feels tighter and easier to follow through seeing others on social media, and the chance to just share a person's Instagram is so easy and accessible.
I have seen more exposure, however, I did feel like I can't share longer pieces of work, as the demographic and insights suggest my followers don't stay engaged. So as much as I do feel it's helped me, I've had to change my ideas or creativity to suit an algorithm.
Matthew Potulski
Instagram: @matthew.potulski
When you ask me this question, the first thought that comes to my head is that I find a lot of inspiration on Instagram from watching dance videos, thinking “oh, they're so good, I want to be like them!” or “I want to try that!”. However, now as I'm writing this, I think when it actually comes down to it, I'm finding that maybe it can be the opposite.
For me, I always check a teacher's account before I attend their class. This helps me to see the level of dancers who participate, along with the style and vibe of the class. However, these amazing dancers that I am “inspired” by in all the videos I am seeing, probably more often than not actually subconsciously drive me away from going to the class. I end up talking myself out of going in fear of being the worst. If I hadn't seen these videos, it is much more likely that I would train more frequently and progress further because I'm not constantly comparing what I would be like next to others in the class. For that reason, I have stopped checking teachers' Instagram before I go. Instead, I throw myself into it and give it my best, “what you don't know can't hurt you,” and I have found this to be way more effective for me, although I know everyone is different.
I also believe a lot of people get caught up in getting a good video for the gram (which, okay, is always a plus), but I just find this added pressure takes away the enjoyment from learning and being in the present at the moment for me.
I definitely think a platform made for us could potentially improve our community. By having a space to share and encourage rather than primarily promote seems to be a lot healthier option. Although, I do believe that as with any industry, there are always “cliquey” parts, so no matter what kind of platform you are on, things could always appear intimidating to those who aren't AS involved in the circle. I believe it is mainly down to mindset - since I have changed my approach, I am feeling a lot more open to using the platforms out there.
For me personally, I haven't strictly used my personal social media for career purposes. However, I have definitely noticed people who have been greatly successful with it, and I think that is hugely admirable. Right now, I am just at the start of promoting my new business on social media, so perhaps this is something I could come back to in a year's time and reflect on. So far, I've noticed that paying even just a small amount for the ads can be quite beneficial, and aside from Instagram… TIKTOK! It seems that TikTok can be a great avenue for exposure.
This is something I am looking forward to experimenting with more from a business perspective as opposed to a personal one.
Alice Brewer
Instagram: @ldndanceco
My experience with social media has been an interesting journey. My Instagram page is solely professional and it gave me the opportunity to promote myself freely. I didn't find it so easy to build an audience. I'm no influencer, and there's a part of me that is still connected to the era of no social media. I've never been someone who posts every day; it's a lot of work, so it needs time. So I merged the two worlds, being present in social media but keeping it real, and continuing to be myself. It definitely helped me increase visibility and clients; it's like a website, really. And I have fun now being creative, portraying my work through reels.
We are in a historical period of recession, and the arts are struggling like never before. Ideally, social media could help bring us closer, for sure, but this depends on us, too, because all I see at the moment is artists fighting against each other for peanuts. We should stick together and claim change, and social media is the tool to make our voices louder.
Also, there are misconceptions about social media where your followers' number defines your ability; that's absolutely wrong, and often, it tends to give us pressure, anxiety, or lower our self-esteem because we compare ourselves to others. My advice is to keep on doing your thing and use social media as a tool to connect/promote, that's all. Then go out and socialize!
Michela Di Felice
Instagram: @michela_di_felice
For me personally, I have seen many benefits of social media for my career. I like to use social media as a way of finding inspiration from other performers, from new skills to different performances. I also feel that social media is a great way to showcase my talents and to help inspire others.
I think that having a place online for performers would have a positive impact within the community, as it would be a way for everyone to inspire and share things positively with each other.
I have seen a positive change in my career from social media, as I've used it as a way of being inspired by other performers and striving to better myself in my career.
Abbie Gomersall - Instagram: @abbie.gomersall
"My experience on social media is great. I'm just here to enjoy it. I follow dancers on Instagram because they are beautiful beings."
Anonymous
I started using social media as just a tool to communicate with my friends. It has become more and more relevant in the industry, and as a dancer, you leave and wish to explore new horizons, leaving friends and family to go learn and dance on the other side of the globe. A few years later, it became clear to me that social media became more of a direct tool to learn and share with other artists. And even though I knew it was now a necessity, I never had the regularity and patience to use it properly.
The few times I tried just got me frustrated that the time invested in editing, creating, or otherwise didn't get as much attention as I wished for. So, I recently went back to basics and stopped trying to look for more than what I came for in the first place. I'm just sharing with anyone who wants to learn.
Dance is a hard industry. People often misunderstand what it requires from you to be one. And for you to be able to have one more platform to share and communicate with your audience is a gift. Having the chance to show it the way you want it (shoot, edit, cut…) is a privilege.
Unfortunately, this also raises the expectations on the other end. After seeing everything, is "just" dance still good enough?
Geoffroy Poplawski
Instagram: @geoffroypoplawski
Social media has had a huge impact on my dance career. Not only have I been able to connect with dancers and choreographers outside my region, but I have also been able to secure jobs via my social media handles.
I do think that having a community of dancers online would be of great benefit. Dancers have been mostly misinterpreted as unserious people over the years, but since the existence of social media, a lot of people have been able to access the in-depth creativity and work that dancers put into their craft; therefore, creating a place where more people would be able to access, in order for them to understand the community, would be a huge blessing.
I must say there has been a lot of improvement in my dance knowledge, network, and workspace since my engagement with the media. Although I have also carefully invested myself in it because it can also have its negative side, but in all, social media has been a huge help to my dance career.
Dracey Bakare
Instagram: @i_am_dracey
I use Instagram mostly, and I feel like it's one of the best platforms for progress in any sphere, but I also had a bad experience when the system removed my page.
I was shooting videos and photos, especially for my page, posting new things a few times a week, and paying for promotion, and it was working perfectly. I was gaining many followers, and many of my students came from IG. Dance studios saw my videos and followers, so I never had problems getting a job.
Of course, you have to do a lot of work. You have to create different things all the time, learn dance challenges, make training videos, pay for a good camera, have a dancing area with good lighting, post things at the right time, and shoot stories every day. You must always be with your phone camera and show people your life. If you do that, you'll succeed, and social media will help you a hundred per cent.
Unfortunately, Instagram removed all that work one day, and that was very sad. I wrote letters to administrators many times and didn't get an answer, and my new page needs a lot of time to reach my previous point.
I do believe in a dance community online. There was a time when the whole world met online, and that time opened many doors for people. For example, staying in Russia, I could attend classes in LA, and that was an amazing opportunity. Now, you can even graduate from university online, so…
Online communities are bringing people together. Dancers can meet new friends, exchange experiences, get inspiration, take classes from choreographers all over the world, improve their skills, and show their own talents.
Online is a huge world that could change your life, and it definitely helps our dance community.
Alena Koleno
Instagram: @koleno_alena
Firstly, I think the line between dancing and expressing and other things like tricks and acrobatics has been blurred. There are too high expectations to look and be like everybody else rather than be ourselves and for our own artistry to be accepted and enjoyed.
My experience with social media has been mixed. I feel there is pressure for our work to be polished. People don't often show the downtime of dancing and the failures and videos that aren't "perfect." Often, I see many downplaying their great work out of fear it's not going to be categorized as "good," and I find myself comparing technique and flexibility as a dancer with others. It's hard sometimes to put that aside.
Despite this, I do feel that social media can be such an asset, not just for our work but for promoting ourselves, finding friends within the industry, gaining contacts, and networking for opportunities. I feel social media is helping people, but I think sometimes that help isn't direct; it's exposure, but there is no way of telling if it's having the effect you want until someone messages or offers you an opportunity!
I think being online can help our communities; however, there needs to be a shift in focus to just being present, not being afraid to make mistakes, and for the social expectations to be perfect, legs at 180 degrees, etc., to be replaced with the simplicity of creating and moving, and for people to be okay with showing the process and not just the finish line, so then it would make others okay. I feel anxious a lot to get better at my craft, and it can delay me from doing it because of the pressures of seeing everybody at the end goal. I think if people were to show the process and be more realistic and help each other, it can be more of a safe and positive space for our minds and being able to get on and be creative and improve ourselves as performers and as people.
Since I have used social media, I have had lots of positive friends and connections made, especially through auditions, knowledge of more auditions, and things to go to. I do post some work, but not as much as I would like. I am very aware I am not where I want to be technique-wise and still working towards that. But I often ask myself, that just because we don't share our work, does it make it any less good? Or, just because it's not where it could be and we do share it, does it make it any less validated to be enjoyable or art?
Either way, I do think with some changes we can come together and really utilize the space online, but it will take some time! <3
Georgy Laulani Ray
Instagram: @georgylaulaniray
I think, if well used, social media can be really useful. Having made a lot of connections in person with other artists all over the world, I think social media is a way to stay in touch and up to date with what they're up to, as well as share my latest projects with them. More than once, I've met someone again after years, and they told me they felt like they had a good understanding of where I am at in my career and what my interests are right now, thanks to what I have been posting (and vice versa).
A lot of job opportunities have come up from stories or posts I have found on social media, or that some of my “followers” have forwarded me because they feel they are suitable for me. One of the downsides is that what people choose to share is always just a part of their actual experience, and it is easy to fall into comparing or believing that that's the whole story.
Also, a lot of beautiful projects fail to be fully represented just by a couple of pictures and a caption, and I have noticed how a selfie with a new haircut or a cute outfit often gets a lot more reactions, which could feel invalidating. I believe there has also been a shift in what people find impressive in performance because of what works in social media (tricks and acrobatics especially – “impressive” moves over well-thought-through and coherent choreography), and the quality of content is not always proportional to success on social media. Attention span is also a big thing that has generally been affected because of social media, and this is shifting what an audience can enjoy as well as how a rehearsal room needs to work. I believe that, especially as artists, we are very resilient and creative people, so we can easily adapt to these changes if we are aware of them.
There is so much to say about all of this, and these are just a couple of reflections; I believe social media can be very powerful as long as we're aware of how we're using it as a tool and of its strengths and limitations.
I feel having conversations about the power and downsides of social media, specifically for our community, is very important and useful.
It is hard to tell how much it helped my career, as I feel my use of social media has grown together with and in parallel to my career, so there hasn't been a clear shift at one point in time. I believe that sensible and aware use of social media if supported by great practice in person, can definitely be beneficial.
Gaia Cicolani
Instagram: @gaia_cicolani
So, I've fallen in love with the teaching and choreographing side of the industry, and having social media was 100% beneficial! Meeting other teachers and schools through Instagram means I have most of the jobs I have now! Posting content relevant to my work has given me opportunities I wouldn't have had otherwise. Also, social media is used to post upcoming jobs and makes it easier to reach out as a performer/creative.
Yes, I think social media can sometimes feel negative when you only see other people's highlights of their lives. As a performer and creative, only seeing the positives can make you feel like you're falling behind or not where you need to be. Having a place made to help us positively would make us creatives feel less alone and could also help with future pathways.
Yes, definitely! I have met wonderful people through social media, which has helped me find job opportunities! I have also found it useful for inspiration for my own work!
Anonymous
I've always found social media to be an inspirational platform, from lockdown all the way through my training and even now. I think because I am an optimist, I've used social media as my muse as opposed to something that makes me question my place in the industry. It has definitely helped me personally.
Before moving to Paris last year for a job within the industry, I managed to find a girl from the UK who was on the same contract as me! We stayed in touch through Instagram, helped each other with our visas, and even travelled on the Eurostar together! I think it's a place to stay in touch with creatives and colleagues, push your talent, and also keep tabs on those who inspire you!
I think it's really important for performers to feel understood. A large portion of our careers is the in-between 'audition x muggle job life', which can feel like you're getting nowhere. To have a safe space, knowing that you're not alone, and talking to creative and like-minded people can be a breath of fresh air and the inspiration we all need from time to time.
I think it's also very helpful to hear from people who have been in our shoes because when you're all on your own, it can make you question why you are doing this. I think it would be a very positive attribute.
Faith Whittaker
Instagram: @faithwhittakerr
WHAT DO DANCERS THINK ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA...
Well, I feel genuinely informed. These words were highly educational and transformative to me. I hope everyone will find them as enlightening as I did.
I want to express my gratitude once again to everyone for their participation and for sharing valuable experiences and thoughts on dancers' perspectives on social media. The feedback has uplifted and highlighted our community's resilience and adaptability.
Our common goal remains simple yet powerful: to share the unparalleled beauty of our art with the world, whenever we are and whatever we use.
Empowering our community will always be fueled by anything that can help us do this.
Thank you for reading. Please share this with anyone who could benefit from it.
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