Katie Duck

On Saturday I had the opportunity to take part in a pro-level workshop with Katie, part of Janis Claxton’s program of Improvisation, Composition and Movement Awareness. It was a great experience, not just from a dance point of view but also because she takes care to explain the reasoning behind what she teaches. It involved forgetting a lot of the things that we’ve struggled to learn – so turning without spotting and freeing the eye was a somewhat disorienting experience! It’s the second of these workshops I’ve attended this year. Last month Angus Balbirnie held a composition workshop. This was pretty energetic and challenging, working on trios both as a dancer and director. I always feel inferior at these sessions, partly because I’m my own worst critic and know my own limitations, and partly because I was aware of the considerable experience of most of the other participants. I think though I’ve reached a stage in my dancing where I need to come out of the ‘safe zone’ and challenge myself before it’s too late.

www.katieduck.com