Tara Robertson
Hobart,NSW
Summary
As an experienced professional senior dancer and teacher of dance, I have developed the belief that ‘dance
as a concept of self-understanding’ is a successful tool for learning.
I believe that creating a safe learning environment is paramount and integral in developing students’ confidence and that students tend to improve best with positive reinforcement and constructive criticism.
This style of teaching enables students to keep improving their physicality and skill base within dance,
whilst also developing their individual style. I endeavour to ensure that each student, irrespective of
individual skill level has an equitable amount of input into their learning.
I believe that having ownership of, and taking responsibility for their own learning, leads to more
successful information retention and increased engagement and interest for the student.
I am currently consumed by awakening new insights to create growth and stimulus for artistic pathways
needed to enhance a richer understanding of self. I have a burning desire for continual growth and
creativity. I am self-driven in my pursuit in finding a truer authentic self in integrity of movement/Dance
language. I have a strong belief that teaching is learning and have a passion to pass down knowledge for the
next generation, and to nurture their talent and creativity.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Dance Teacher
Methodist Ladies College
07.2019 - Current
- Delivered Classes for a range of ages. Pre-k to year 12.
- Delivered group lectures and hands-on demonstrations to instruct students.
- Assessed student needs in context of qualifications, limitations, abilities and interests.
- Planned classes focusing on instruction, demonstration and work time.
- Evaluated student progress and adjusted learning plans to foster progress.
- Selected age-appropriate music and maintained up-to-date knowledge of students' favorite music to incorporate into lessons.
- Prepared and delivered carefully-crafted lessons to introduce students to proper dance techniques and positions while building ballet knowledge.
- Planned choreography for group performances and recitals.
- Encouraged students to explore individual learning opportunities to expand knowledge of subject areas.
- Adapted teaching style for students of different ages and experience, ranging from beginner to advanced skill levels.
- Upheld studio guidelines and legal requirements for dancer and staff protection.
- Managed student behavior in classroom by establishing and enforcing rules and procedures.
- Monitored student performance and offered feedback to support goal achievement.
- Accommodated students with special needs by using different teaching styles, encouraging each to learn at appropriate pace.
Dancer/Collaborator
Punktional
11.2022 - 12.2023
- Build rapport with at-risk youth in order for them to start engaging in a collaborative process.
- Smart problem-solving skills and being able to quickly adapt to ever-evolving situations and environments that would arise. A good example would be when I was put on the spot to teach the Boys at Frank Baxter. They had seen complex contemporary choreography that they wanted to learn. I had to quickly adapt movement and then teach people who had no dance experience, and keep them engaged.
- Redirect negative behaviours to positive behaviours. Utilising
- Working collaboratively as a team. In this project, the environments required us to be highly in tune with each other, find each other's strengths and be able to swap leadership when required.
- Interpret and translate directions from the Youth directing, consistently catering to their instructions and vision.
- Completing task work under pressure.
- When working with the youth, maintaining a level head, and calmness under pressure.
Dancer/Collaborator
Vicki Van Hout under Legs on the Wall
10.2022 - 10.2022
- Dancer in Choreographic development
- Developing basic Harness/Aerial skills
Dancer/Collaborator
Henrietta Baird, Plant a Promise
07.2022 - 08.2022
- Dancer/collaborator in Creative development and showing
Dancer/Paricipant
Countertechnique Workshop- Anouk Van Dyke
Amsterdam
07.2019 - 07.2019
- An in-depth dive through various workshops, in Contertecnique principals.
- Daily Countertechnique classes
- Learning Alexander technique
- Workshops with Anouk delving into Choreographic tools
- Understanding Anatomy, how it relates to your dance practice and the technique.
Dance Teacher
Brent Street
02.2019 - 04.2019
- Devising a term with Brent Street for their Classical Contemporary course, focusing on Indigenous contemporary dance 2019
Choreographer/Teacher
Ev & Bow
03.2019 - 03.2019
- Facilitated Choreographic Intensive with EV & BOW Full time second year students.
Dancer/Participant
MAKE Tasdance Choreographic workshopJo Lloyd
, Tasmania
12.2018 - 12.2018
- Participated in a week long choreographic
intensive with the renowned Jo Lloyd. This was an inspiring process awakening a burning desire to keep growing and creating.
Dancer
Bangarra Dance Theatre
01.2011 - 12.2018
- Being a senior dancer, responsible for the care-taking of passing down knowledge of past works to younger dancers. This includes detail of movement, idiosyncratic motifs, and passing down the unique style of the movement and the history of stories of Banagrra’s repertoire.
- Having a Lead role in the work BROLGA which toured extensively around Australia in 2014/15 SKILLS. And was nominated in Dance Australia Critics' Survey for her performance in the lead role in Brolga.
- Self-driven analysis initiative towards daily class, body, task work.
- Working cohesively within the group, problem solving
- Leading and devising community workshops and Master classes throughout Australia and Internationally. Of all ages and cultures. Key importance of creating a workshop is to create a class that is unique to Bangarra with the company’s values.
- Teaching company class on regional tours and for Main Stage, And Leading warm up suited to the companies needs for touring/at home studio time.
- Can excel in performing and problem solving duets. A personal favourite is partner work.
- Experience with Character driven work
- Improvisational experience on Performance stage
- Cultivating a strong work ethic based around safe dance practices. Having the knowledge on what techniques to use dependent on your work load and style of dance to enhance you dance practice as well as facilitate improvement of skill and support of your skeletal and muscular structure
in a safe manner.
Dance Teacher
PPY Sydney Dance Company
2016 - 2017
- Providing Contemporary Dance technique classes
Dancer
Gary Lang, NT dance Company
- As a young person, under the direction of and dancing/performing with Gary Lang.
- In Darwin between 2008-2010 working extensively with Gary Lang NT Dance Company.
- Professional performances in the Darwin festival, a highlight was collaborating with Erth Visual and Physical Theatre in Goose Lagoon.
Dance Teacher
Bangarra Dance Theatre
- Teaching company class on regional tours and for Main Stage, And Leading warm up suited to the companies needs for touring/at home studio time.
Artist/Performer
Jason Lam
- Performed in the dance film by Jason Lam, What Remains, which screened at the
Berlin 2009 Zebra Poetry Film Awards and Moving Poems in 2011
Education
Bachelor of Dance Performance -
TAFE SA - Adelaide College of The Arts
Adelaide, SA12.2007
Skills
- Technique Improvement
- Critical thinking
- Lesson Preparation
- Safe dance practice
- Modern and Contemporary Dance
- Collaborating with colleagues and students
Timeline
Dancer/Collaborator
Punktional
11.2022 - 12.2023
Dancer/Collaborator
Vicki Van Hout under Legs on the Wall
10.2022 - 10.2022
Dancer/Collaborator
Henrietta Baird, Plant a Promise
07.2022 - 08.2022
Dance Teacher
Methodist Ladies College
07.2019 - Current
Dancer/Paricipant
Countertechnique Workshop- Anouk Van Dyke
07.2019 - 07.2019
Choreographer/Teacher
Ev & Bow
03.2019 - 03.2019
Dance Teacher
Brent Street
02.2019 - 04.2019
Dancer/Participant
MAKE Tasdance Choreographic workshopJo Lloyd
12.2018 - 12.2018
Dancer
Bangarra Dance Theatre
01.2011 - 12.2018
Dance Teacher
PPY Sydney Dance Company
2016 - 2017
Dancer
Gary Lang, NT dance Company
Dance Teacher
Bangarra Dance Theatre
Artist/Performer
Jason Lam
Bachelor of Dance Performance -
TAFE SA - Adelaide College of The Arts
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