NAISDA Certificate IV Developing Artist Amy Flannery has just returned from a trip to the USA where she was lucky enough to participate in Broadway Dance Centre’s International Student Visa Program.
We asked Amy about her experiences abroad and threw in some NYC travel tips along the way! Here’s what she had to say.
Why did you travel to the USA? Tell us a bit about the classes you took while you were there.
I travelled to New York City to participate in the world-famous Broadway Dance Centre’s International Student Visa Program. They have so many different classes on offer and I was able to choose which ones I took, so I tried to have a go at as many different styles possible.
From your mainstream Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Tap to Salsa, Vogue, Stilettos, Dance Hall and African. I think my favourite classes, if I had to pick two, were Jumps & Turns and Street Jazz. Both were super challenging but highly enjoyable.
What was the most valuable lesson you took away from the experience?
I learnt so many things during my program but I think that the biggest lesson I have taken away is persistence, consistency and work ethic.
Every class I went to, everyone was present and ready to work and the teachers expected nothing less. Dance is hard. You have to hard work to become your best and that requires consistency in all classes, no matter what might be going on in your life outside the classroom.
How do you think the experience has helped your dancing?
I’ve realised It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. This was a big game changer for me.
These days everyone can get their legs to touch their ears so there’s nothing special about that, but how you got your leg up there is! How did the audience relate to that, how did it make them feel?
The way I approach and think about my dancing has changed, which has helped shape my performance.
Any must-see attractions or travel tips that you want to share from your time over there?
Ooh so many things! My top few would be:
- Go see a show! Broadway, Off-Broadway, Dance, Drama, Music, Vogue Ball, ANYTHING. There are so many theatres and so much on all the time.
- Top of the Rock. Such a great way to see Manhattan from a height and it’s super beautiful.
- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan so that you see the Manhattan sky line.
- World Trade Centre Memorial. Super eerie but a must see.
- Experiencing some type of crazy extreme food. It’s super easy to find! From crazy milkshakes at Buns Bar and Black Tap, rainbow bagels with every type of cream cheese possible at The Bagel Store, to massive donuts or massive pizzas…You name it, there’s an extreme version in New York!
- I suppose Times Square, Grand Central, the Empire State Building, and The Statue of Liberty are worth a look too!
What advice do you have for any young dancers considering auditioning for NAISDA?
You can do anything you put your mind to! I really believe that. What you think, you attract, so make sure that what you’re thinking about is what you want.
There were many (MANY) obstacles for my trip from the financial side, to my Visa application and then accommodation and all sorts of other little things but doing this course was something I really wanted to do so I pushed through and kept working towards it.
Anything is possible. There’s people who will help you along the way as well. NAISDA has been a really great base place for me, kind of like a launching pad.
If you are looking to come to NAISDA but you’re not sure if you’re good enough or anything like that remember that you’ll never know if you don’t try. Anything is possible.