Apprenticeships- Are they worth it or not?

EDD’s monthly newsletter designed to
share our 29 years of EXPERTISE, ADVICE
and RESOURCES with dancers &
parents of ALL ages!

 

PROTIP # 8

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR APPRENTICESHIP

Eisenhower Dance Detroit company members, who were first hired as apprentices, answered questions about their apprenticeship experiences to give insight and advice to those ready to take their next career steps.

What did you learn the most from your apprenticeship with EDD?

Michael Teasley III-

“…respect and trust, not just in myself but also in my Directors and the Organization. You must give respect in order to receive it and having someone’s trust is an important responsibility to hold.”  

Kelsey Lewinski-

“…personal accountability. Being an apprentice is a hard job! It is time consuming and doesn't always show immediate reward, but that is where personal growth and professionalism start to flourish. I was truly put in a position where I was surrounded by professional talent and various styles in the creative process which allowed me to grow as an artist, while also understanding what it would take to get a company position.”

Alex Hlavaty-

“…the importance of work ethic in a professional setting. As an apprentice, it is crucial to understudy many roles in case it is necessary to fill in for a dancer for a performance on short notice. Not only was I performing in many pieces and touring regularly with the company as an apprentice, but I was also expected to be able to jump onstage for a work that I was not cast. It pushed me beyond what I could have ever imagined being capable of. I developed a new level of work ethic during that year.”

Emy Bezbatchenko-

“…how to prepare myself for anything. I learned that you always should be prepared and ready to step in the space for someone. I worked on learning multiple parts no matter the position I was told to learn, so come time of trouble, I was ready and prepared to step into the work without hesitation.”

If you could go back and repeat your apprenticeship, would you do anything different?

Michael Teasley III-

“I would force myself to be more hands on in the space with other Company Members. I would've asked more questions and switched in and out of roles with the people I understudied. Yes, you may know the movement and timing, but it is a completely different feeling from practicing in a corner than performing front and center.”

Kelsey Lewinski-

“I would learn everything. There is so much that can happen in a small company and being completely ready to jump into anything is so important.”

Alex Hlavaty-

“I only wish that I would have asked more questions. For any work that had been done in the past, I challenged myself to figure it out mostly on my own. I think it would have been smart to reach out and ask more questions about the repertory we were rehearsing so that I would have had a better understanding of what I was trying to communicate to my audience.” 

Emy Bezbatchenko-

“I would have told myself to keep working hard, and that I was progressing, even if I couldn’t see it. I got down on myself often and had thoughts of giving up, but told myself to keep pushing and working hard for my dreams. I wish I didn’t put as much pressure on myself and enjoy the moments more. I learned so much from watching the company members, I wish I had appreciated that more.” 

 Did your apprenticeship make you appreciate your company position more? If yes, how?

Michael Teasley III-

“I can say with confidence that being offered a Company Contract was one of the best days of my life as an artist. Getting a company position made me ecstatic! It proved to me that the two seasons of hard work and dedication to my artistry paid off. I was honored to be offered a Company position with the same Company I apprenticed for.” 

Kelsey Lewinski-

Absolutely. Being in the company now, I also respect and appreciate the hard work that the apprentices put in every day in the space. I was an apprentice for one season and it taught me so much more than I would have imagined, in and out of the rehearsal space. I definitely feel appreciative of the opportunity to have a company position after working through the physical and mental moments it took to get there.”

Alex Hlavaty-

“My apprentice year prepared me for my current senior company member position with EDD. Not only did it push me to expand my work ethic, but it also gave me the opportunity to more closely understand the philosophy behind the technique of the company and the expectations of the dancers.” 

Emy Bezbatchenko-

“I no longer see the stage as just another performance, I see it as an opportunity to share my passion and hard work with the audience. I never know what will happen or when my last time on stage could be, so I try to soak in every moment. My apprenticeship made me appreciate the opportunity to receive incredible training and have amazing performance experiences.” 

What advice would you give dancers in currently in an apprenticeship position?

Michael Teasley III-

“Continue to be open-minded and absorb all the information given to you to better yourself as an artist. Whether your career continues with the company you're apprenticing for or it takes you elsewhere, it is an opportunity you shouldn't take for granted. Work hard, stay strong and be true yourself.” 

Kelsey Lewinski-

Stay hungry! To get even as far as apprenticing in our profession is hard. Be grateful you get to do what you love everyday. You are making art in a world that is full of so much hardship. Take advantage of all of the learning tools your apprenticeship provides.”

Alex Hlavaty-

Focus on developing your artistry and life skills to a level that you maybe have not obtained yet. Hold yourself accountable for all of your actions, expect yourself to maintain a certain amount of responsibility, have perseverance and integrity when the odds are stacked against you. These qualities will help you to remain an essential member of a professional company.” 

Emy Bezbatchenko-

“Remember how lucky you are to be here! The dance world is hard and you already made it this far, stay motivated and eager to learn!”

 

Join us next month to learn about
The Importance of REST

 

ProTip Advisors-

Alex Hlavaty-
Senior company member

Michael Teasley III- Senior company member

Emy Bezbatchenko- Touring company member

Kelsey Lewinski- Touring company member