Meet the graduate: Beth Appiah Cain

Trained: Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance

 Now: Professional Dancer 

What is your best memory of your full-time dance studies?

Looking back, my best memory of full-time would be towards the end of my first year during end of year showcase. I was lucky enough to be one of the few first year students who was put as a lead for one of the routines. I remember coming off stage specifically after that number with an overwhelming amount of happiness and feeling very proud of myself. I Had struggled quite early on and had considered quitting full time but thanks to my mentors at MOD I stayed. In that moment looking back on the year I had pushed through, it made me realise that I am capable of more than I was giving myself credit for in the past and fueled my drive and passion to continue trying to make this my career.

Did your original career aim change from when you started your studies to when you graduated? 

Yes! When I started full time, I had come from a recreational dance school which mainly taught me the traditional styles of  ballet, jazz, etc. Coming to full time I was introduced to commercial, hip hop, heels and pushed in all the previous styles I had learned. Learning Commercial as well as dancing in heels changed the course of my entire direction as a dancer. Learning these styles helped me become more intune with my femininity and expression as a young woman and grew my confidence immensely, not just within my dancing but within embracing my ethnicity and feeling like my authentic self.  I went into full time believing you had to be a very particular kind of dancer to make it in the industry but left full time with my whole perspective positively changed and I graduated going straight into my first contract where majority of the choreography was predominantly commercial and heels. 

 

 @beth.akua

@jcministryofdance

@shotography