The hip hop dancer

All my work and income has just stopped in lockdown. And I have no sign of when I can start again. 

I’m a hip hop dancer, choreographer and teacher, I work in the UK and internationally. I can’t work remotely so my business has stopped. I was supposed to travel to three different countries during this time to teach and to judge. All cancelled. So professionally, what do I do?

I have done some virtual teaching online, but it’s very different to being with someone. With dance you have demonstrate in person, sometimes you have to help someone move their body in a certain way. Dance is a physical art which doesn’t work virtually. I really miss interacting with people in the studio.

Humans are social beings. It’s hard if you can’t go and see friends and family. We don’t even know how to pass each other in the street. Interaction is strange. It’s been an up and down experience. 

Personally, dance and physical activity help me with not just my physical health, but also mental health. In general, physical exercise is very important for people’s mental health. I live on my own. Coming to the park for my daily exercise is essential, I can’t sit indoors every day. I need this for my sanity, and to get my body moving.

It was supposed to be three weeks. Then three weeks again. Then there were conditions to satisfy. It goes on, and I can’t plan; it’s playing with my work and my income. I would like to think there was a plan in place before our businesses were stopped, but I don’t think there was.

I’m fortunate that I have a little bit of money on the side for a rainy day. It’s not going to last long though. I have to make it last as long as possible.

I want clarity. Something needs to give. We need direction. We’re not all on full pay, or furlough, we can’t just take this as it comes.