DANCE
Ethos
My dance practice has developed from the beauty of the raw and unscripted improvisational movement. The authenticity from this spontaneity allows for creativity in the moment, for the purpose of being in the moment, regardless of aesthetics, techniques and meaning in every move. Through community based projects, we can discover the massive variety of human creativity from both dancers and non-dancers. Through these human connections, we are offering empowering experiences via artistic expression, encouraging a return to the body, and investigating our physical connection to it. Reflecting on our place and space within community opens the opportunity for innovative and culturally diverse expression.
My current trajectory is guided by the present moment, serving as a constant source of inspiration, as fleeting and as stagnant as it can be at any given time. The very fact that everything is contemporary for it time and therefore nothing is contemporary means that everything has value. It is our world, our situations and environments that influence mental, physical and emotional shape. I am committed to exploring the myriad ways in which the now translates into my dance vocabulary, to then be shared and understood by myself and my participants/audiences.
In movement, we find the genuine embodiment and activation of our connection to our bodies, ourselves, our stories and our community. My dance practice expands from an exploration of movement, to a reflection of life: the power of the present and to celebrate the infinite possibilities from every moment we are here, alive and creating connections.
Performer
VCA New Works
‘Home’ 2023 by Alleyne Dance
‘Gesturing, Weaving, Unfolding’ 2023 by James Batchelor
‘Digital Life Tracker’ 2022 by Bethany Ha, Anastasia Lonsdale & Emilia Kyprianou
VCA In Development
‘Trevor (Another Glorious Day In The Colony)’ by Joel Bray
Photo Cred. Gregory Lorenzutti & Carol Brown
Videography by NON Studio
Teaching
Experience
2023 - Masterclass workshop at Korowa Anglican Girls’ School
2022 - Dance intern for GUTS Dance: ‘Alice Can Dance’ & Brave Bodies projects
Cred. GUTS Dance
Class Description/Workshop Example
Warm up
Through visualisation & imagery based movement including light stretching. This develops based on participants’ skill level and capabilities.
Children/youth: This includes a ‘daggy dance’ where they mirror movement shown to them. Dance games further encourage children to participate.
Improvisation
Tasks to further encourage movement. Born from visualisation, this progresses to studio crossings where participants embody a variety of qualities, textures and dynamics.
Children/youth: This is followed by ‘School of Fish’ where participants are invited to move like their peers and explore improvised movement together.
Phrase work
Typically, 3 phrases are taught. These include floor work, standing phrases that detail foot articulation and plies, and travelling around the room. This phrase work combines various techniques including Ballet, Counter technique and Graham with the goal of improving coordination, balance, flexibility and strength.
Phrases can also include repertoire from VCA 2023 new works.
Through teaching , Bethany aims to involve people from diverse backgrounds and abilities, regardless of age. This is done through sharing her contemporary dance practice with an emphasis on improvisation rooted in imagery, to ignite creativity. This approach fosters individual expression within a non-judgemental and inclusive environment.