Kolbs Learning Cycle

Concrete Experience

Doing/ having the experience

 When I was seventeen and coming to the end of my last school year I had my first audition for “Performers College” in Essex. I had never attended any auditions previous to this, for any other colleges or courses. I had received my letter telling me to be prepared for a ballet class, a jazz class, to have prepared a short acting piece and to have a song ready to sing. I knew I would handle the dance classes’ fine but singing was not yet something I was comfortable with. I have always been aware I could sing but never had lessons. I took a few lessons leading up to my audition and had a song chosen by my teacher to sing. I wasn’t too familiar with it but my new singing teacher assured me it was suitable for the audition.

I sang in front of the colleges singing department and I knew immediately it was going badly, I couldn’t find the timing with the pianist and because I wasn’t that familiar with the song I skipped out a verse. I did not enjoy the experience at all and felt I had let myself down as the rest of the day had gone well and I really liked the college and the staff.

I received a letter in the following few weeks from Performers telling me of my strengths in Ballet and Jazz, but they would like me to attend a second audition to help them make up their mind. I saw this as my second chance!

 

Reflective Observation

Reviewing/reflecting on the experience

 After the audition was finished I knew I hadn’t done my best, I felt under confident singing a song I did not know inside out and it did not sit well in my range or show me off at all. The whole day had been a success so I was upset to have done badly just in the singing. I knew the singing department had high hopes for me as on my information sheet it mentioned my background in Music and instrumental study. This is something I wanted to show them through my singing but my song choice didn’t allow me to. I thought back to the few singing lessons I had taken leading up to the audition and of how beneficial they were. Technically my teacher helped me with my singing and showed me how to use my voice correctly, however when it came to choosing songs I really wish I had trusted myself to find one more suited to my voice and my style. 

Receiving the letter from the college informing me I had a second audition gave me the confidence I needed to prepare for it on my own.

 

Abstract conceptualisation

concluding/ learning from the experience

Overall I knew what I had to do. I had to go back for my second audition, be full of confidence and sing a song I knew suited me and that could show me off in 16 bars. I chose “On my Own” from Fame. It has always been one of those songs I would sing a long to in my bedroom but never take seriously. After searching through countless songs, I chose this as I knew it so well and it showed off my high belting range towards the end. I got a hold of the sheet music and a backing track and practiced everyday leading up to my second audition. I didn’t go back to my singing teacher, though I continued to use the techniques she had shown me I had learned from my first audition that confidence and a good strong delivery were more important at this stage than trying anything too technical. I knew I was ready for my recall.

 

Active experimentation

Planning/trying out what you have learnt

 Being back at Performers College for the second time only reminded me how much I had warmed to it the first time round and how desperately I wanted to go there. I had to do the full audition day again, dancing acting and finally singing. The day had gone just as well as last time, if not better. When it came to my singing I walked into the room where the singing department were waiting with my head high. They remembered me so the welcome was warm and put me at ease. I gave the pianist my sheet music and checked the tempo with him. I sang without nerves this time and even performed it. I knew it had gone well and I could tell the department was happily surprised and impressed by my improvement since last time. I am so thankful for my second audition and feel this is the perfect example of how Kolb’s learning cycle can apply in any situation and that the benefits come from learning and building on your experiences.

 

 

My personal Interests:What gets me Motivated/Excited

Piano

When I was younger, age 12-16, I took piano lessons at school. I remember enjoying it but i also remember asking my mum if I could give it up. When you turn 16 your social life tends to over rule the daily inconvenience piano practice! So that was that and I didn't think anything of it, until i was 20. I had such a strong urge to play again and learn and compose. for my 21st birthday my dad bought me a piano as I assured him it was exactly what i wanted to do and it would be well used. 

Since graduating college and aquiring much more free time, teaching myself piano has become something that definitely gets me excited and I am self motivated to achieving personal goals through playing. I love the feeling of learning a new song, I always learn songs that I can sing along to so I'm benefitting from vocal practice as well and its such a buzz when you learn a new song! I have aims to learn about 3 songs a week, sometimes i have time to do more, sometimes less, either way it is always a pleasure and never a chore and once I sit down I can be there for hours. I intend to keep learning at my own pace and gradually learn the skills to write my own songs. I have composed a few, but nothing I'm happy with, and the great thing about this passion is there is no time limit on it, i can still play my piano when i'm retired!

Here are a few sites I use to teach myself.

http://www.looknohands.com/chordhouse/piano/

http://www.8notes.com/piano_chord_chart/

http://tabnabber.com/view_Tab.asp?tabID=4483&sArtist=Jeff+Buckley&sName=Hallelujah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaVCuek5c1k

Fashion

Although fashion may seem a trivial interest, appearance and the way you dress is important in the entertainment industry. Having personal style and being up to date with fashion trends can show off your personality as well as contribute to the way people view you for the first time. In audition situations, first impressions can sometimes be the make or break for you, so I'm proud to be motivated by my personal appearance.

I have numerous amounts of clothes, shoes, bags and makeup, it doesn't have to be expensive to look good, and infact half the fun of putting outfits together as a student was doing it on a budget.

I often buy style magazines, but i would never just wear something because it's in fashion if i didn't like it! I like to mix and match, going to charity and vintage stores to hunt out bargains, and shopping in high street stores, and designer if I have extra cash! 

Shopping online is exciting too, waiting for it to arrive and hoping it fits perfect!

I love seeing what new styles come out within the commercial dance industry, going to class at pineapple and attending commercial auditions can be more like a fashion show sometimes! It's fun to spend that little bit of extra time on your appearance, and its important to know what suits you. It could mean the difference between getting cut or getting the job!

http://www.asos.com/

http://www.look.co.uk/

http://www.camdenguide.co.uk/fashion/vintage.htm

http://www.net-a-porter.com/?cm_mmc=Google-_-Brands-_-Net-A-Porter-_-Net-A-Porter&bbcid=2625

 

People Who Inspire Me

Kerry Ellis

http://www.kerryellis.co.uk/

I first became aware of Kerry Ellis in 2002 when i was 15. I had come to London with my family for a holiday weekend and we had tickets to see the brand new show "We Will Rock You." I have always loved Queen so was mega excited to see the show, but at 15 I wasn't particularly interested in who were playing the parts, more just in the music.

I remember how high energy some of the numbers were and the audience buzzing with excitement. Then, when Kerry Ellis took centre stage as her character Meat to sing her solo ballad "Only the Good Die Young" the atmosphere changed and my mood changed from upbeat, to completely awestruck and whole heartedly absorbed by every word and note she sung.

 It was the first time i'd ever hear that song, and the arrangement with Kerry hitting phenomenal high belts and breath taking emotional lyrics, i couldn't help but cry. It was the first time i'd ever been so moved in a theatre and it was the final push I needed at that age to know that singing and performing was what i wanted to do.

Kerry Ellis has also played Fantine in Les Misarables, Ellen in Miss Saigon and of course Elphaba in Wicked in the Westend and on Broadway. Her career is a clear inspiration to any aspiring British female singers, and her voice is now  globally appreciated and one of the finest in Musical Theatre history. To me, Kerry Ellis will always be Meat and when I listen to the original cast recording of Rock You, I still get the same goosebumps and watery eyes I did when I was 15. 

Jason Robert Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GHa-doxUfg

Jason Robert Brown is a New York based composer and lyricist. His work, both theatrical and personal albums, are now world renowned and has been dubbed as the modern day Sondheim. The works of his that i am familiar with include "Songs for a new World", "Parade" and "The last Five Years". His composition style is rhythmically and unconventional. I have a few of his songs in my repertoire and  I recall my singing teachers face of concentration as he mildly successfully sight read the complex piano score. The singing melodies are by no means simple either. The lyrics are writing in a conversational style, strongly noticeable in "I'm climbing uphill" from his show "The last five years". When I first heard this song I knew i had to give it a go, for a female singer with a strong belt i it a perfect sing, with challenges in breathing and in character portrayal. His lyrics cover everyday life and relationships is such a raw and realistic way it's like nothing i've ever heard before.

Brown's most famous composition and now a broadway standard is "Stars and the Moon" which again offers a female performer a new challenge of reality acting and vocal ability.

I will continue to sing and appreciate Brown's music and style, however as far as using his songs for audition purposes, it is highly recommended never to take a JRB piece as the pianist will definitely not thank you for doing so!!

 

Dame Julie Andrews

http://www.julieandrewsonline.com/

As much as my preferred theatrical taste and personal singing style are both reflective of the more modern, americanized works current today, I am also in admiration and love watching the early, quintessentially British classic performances, most clearly represented by the works of Dame Julie Andrews. 

Just before her 19th Birthday Andrews made her Broadway debut in "The Boy friend" and continued her stage career playing Eliza Dolittle in "My Fair Lady". Of course next came what Julie Andrews is world famous for, her role as Mary Poppins, Disney's 1964 classic. Her next ground breaking part was that of Maria in "The sound of Music" which made her a national treasure and a household name. These are films my mum and grandma have loved and we have watched far to many times to count. I would never want to analyze Andrews performances in these childhood favorites and her sweet sugar coated performances and stunning vocals need no higher praise. All I know is that she got me singing and dancing infront of the television from a very young age, and surely that is grounds enough for inspiration!

   

Training
2008 Graduate of ‘Performers College’ achieving a diploma in musical theatre, under the direction of Brian Rogers.

Dance
Jazz, ballet, lyrical, commercial, freestyle, contemporary, modern, tap, pas de deux

Singing
Alto, Range: low F to high A. Strong belt to high E, Very strong harmony and ensemble standard, recording experience. Main sound, pop or rock. Versatile for other styles.

Acting
Script work. Characterisation, improvisation. Accents-Standard RP, standard American, Scottish, Irish.

Experience
Backing singer/dancer for musician Remi Nicole,
Island Records, CLM Management Dec ‘08 – July ‘09
“The Doves - Winter Hill” Music Video May ‘09
Featured singer T-Mobile Advert, Partizan, Saatchi & Saatchi, April ‘09
“The Times” Newspaper Television Advertisement March ‘09
Dancer “The Lord Mayors Show”
with Trident Marketing, London Nov ‘08
Martha in “Spring Awakening” compilation
“Pushing the Limits” graduate showcase June ‘08
“Avenue Q” Ensemble in Graduation showcase June ‘08.
Dianne in “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”
Gaduate compilation show. Feb ‘08
Wendy in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” Graduate Musical May ‘08
“Daisy Ball” cabaret show, Brian Rogers, Grosvenor House April ‘08
“Candy Ball” cabaret show, Brian Rogers, Grosvenor House April ‘08
“Candy Ball” cabaret show, Brian Rogers, York Racecourse March ‘08
Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse “Valerie” music video July ‘07
“Performers Reloaded” Towngate Theatre, Basildon June‘07

Additional skills
Violinist, piano skills, basic gymnastics, FDI Modern.

5 Useful Resources for my Professional Practice

My First Post! Exciting...if anything!

1. The Stage Newspaper  

The Stage is one of the most valuable resources performers in Britain have. It advertises jobs and auditions up and down the country, focussed mainly on Theatre. It's straight forward and so useful as it provides all the info needed to apply and attend the auditions. You can have the paper delivered, but I look at it online, www.thestage.co.uk, to see all the up and coming auditions as soon as they go up.

It keeps me up to date on the UK dance scene and it also has great links and information as to what's on in theatres up and down the country. 

2. Contacts

Contacts is an annually updated book listing contact details for Agents, Casting Directors, Photographers, and Vocal Coaches that can offer invaluable help for your career. Needing only to purchase it once a year, this book is a must have for anyone working as a performer in the 

entertainment industry.

3. Dancers Pro

Dancers Pro is the online directory of professional dancers, choreographers, dance companies and dance teachers. I am registered with Dancers Pro and have my CV and pics on the site. I receive regular emails about up and coming auditions and also have access to many other performers pages and agency details.

4.Facebook

Although mainly considered a social site, Facebook offers endless groups and pages in relation to industry and working within the industry. A few of the groups i am a fan of include "Professional Commercial dancers in London" "Pout" "Now Casting Inc." "Jayne Collins Casting" and many more. They provide info on auditions taking place mainly in the London area. I also get info on up and coming masterclasses and regular dance classes from my facebook contacts. It is such a great modern day way to communicate! 

5. Spotlight

World-famous for its casting directories, today over 30,000 performers are registered including actors and actresses, presenters and dancers. Spotlight is used by most TV, Film, Radio and Theatrical companies and agents in the UK, and many worldwide. Although it is quite a large payment to join, it's a one off payment for 2 years and the amount of castings and auditions I hear about through Spotlight makes it completely worth. For any performer who wants to be taken seriously after graduating from college Spotlight is a must!