Have you achieved success in your eyes? If not, tell us why not.
Success in the arts is a very hard thing to achieve. So much of it seems to depend on LUCK - being in the right place at the right time. Just being talented isn't enough, unfortunately. How many times have you felt that someone who had MADE IT was not any better, or maybe not even half as good as you?
It's frustrating when you set out to accomplish your goals and something out of your control like the recession slams the door in your face. At the same time "ktbird," I'm impressed with your obvious determination to excel after your dance career by getting a college degree and pursuing various options. My hunch is that you could use some emotional support, networking, and professional guidance. For example, perhaps a higher degree plus a letter of recommendation from a well-connected friend might help you get that coveted job teaching dance at a university. My advice is to check out Career Transition for Dancers on the Resource page of this website. All the services are free and their only goal is to help you in any way then can.
Success certainly is relative. Interestingly, I had a 16-year dance career that did allow me to pay the bills, travel the U.S. and the world, and finish a BA degree (not in dance). However, I do not feel successful, because I never danced in major ballet company, and I never acheived my goal of being an arts writer and critic after earning a journalism degree. I was divorced after only two years of marriage and never had the opportunity to have children during that short marriage. Although I've achieved many things, none of those things were what I set out to achieve. This had lead to a sense of not being successful. Even now, I work in an industry where I was lucky enough to get on-the-job-training. It's a dead-end job. I'm making the same money I made 10 years ago when I entered the industry. I am not using any of my dance or writing skills. My dream job would be to teach dance at a university (which I did at one time for 3 semesters) or direct a ballet school. Although I moonlight by teaching dance classes about 7 hours a week -- these deams have also proved elusive. It's tough out there. I do not envy trying to find dance work in this economy. I recommend being creative in your search. Wrap your dance soul around anything that keeps you creative, dancing, and performing!
I feel successful and happy. I have had many amazing opportunities and am very proud of what I have worked hard for and achieved. That said, I am not anywhere near my ultimate goals. In fact, I don't know if I will ever will be. And, throughout my life, those goals have been constantly changing! I try to make decisions for my future based on my strengths, passions, and past accomplishments. But I think success is all relative to how you view it. Sam and catface- instead of comparing yourself to others, try to focus on YOUR success. I'm sure you both have accomplishments that you are proud of. Also, the success of those around us does not take away from what you have done or are capable of. You each have unique gifts and talents that no one else can offer the world. So bring it!!
I feel the same way as Sam. Performing is what I love to do most, but it doesn't pay my bills. In that way I don't feel I am a success in my dance career or my life in general. It's very discouraging because I know that there are many areas of my life which are a great success, but dance seems to be the one thing that defines whether I am a success or not. I also need to change my attitude toward this.....
I feel most of my life has been successful - not that I got everything I wanted. But I got a great deal of the things that were most important to me. I'm still playing - alright it's not the Philharmonic but they often play as soloists with us; I've traveled over a large part of the world; I had an interesting job (selling advertising), which paid my bills; & I had 2 children, which I wanted. I'm also very healthy - what more could you ask ?
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