Studying for a Bachelor of Arts.
Nicole Jenkins has always loved to dance, so when she found out the University of Otago was offering dance papers, she knew she had to make it part of her degree.
She is now in the final stages of completing a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Theatre with minors in Dance and Tourism.
“Studying dance has built on the skills I already had, plus we go more in depth about the motivations and choreographic processes behind the different styles. There's a good balance between the teaching components and more independent-based work, which I think is extremely important for the dance industry and beyond.”
“Even if people haven't studied or done a lot of dance before, the course creates opportunities for them to perform and learn new skills while they're here. One of my highlights was doing a contemporary dance duet to a live string orchestra at the Town Hall for the University's 150th anniversary celebrations.”
Nicole has already discovered some of the opportunities that studying dance can offer. She is currently involved in a project for the Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance where she helps facilitate dance classes for low-risk youth in prison and last year she gained work experience through teaching dance and movement to children at a campus preschool as part of a Humanities internship.
“I'm now a reliever there,” she says. “I'm also a children's entertainer and a dance teacher where I teach and manage my own studio.”
“I didn't expect all the opportunities that I've experienced in my degree so far but they've really allowed me to develop my skills and make working in the industry more of a reality. I'd love to have a career in the Performing Arts and I know doing a dance minor will help with that.”