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Love to move and want a job that lets you express your creativity? Dancing for a living might be for you! We talk to nzgirl Julie van Renen about her life as a pro dancer and how you can follow in her footsteps…
Name: Julie van Renen
Age: 27
Employer/company: Spinning Sun Dance Company
Position: Dancer
Can you give us a brief job description? This is a short term project which I have been working on part time and full time for four months. My daily work consists of dance rehearsals towards the show Left and Right choreographed by Ann Dewey.
How did you get this job? I had worked with Ann Dewey, the choreographer, on other projects in the past.
What inspired you to get into this field? I have always loved contemporary dance, I love the physicality and creativity of it.
What is a typical week at work like for you? We usually start at 9am and do a dance class for an hour to warm up, then the rest of the day is spent rehearsing till 5pm, with lots of tea and coffee breaks of course!
What do you enjoy about your job most of all? I love the fact that I am moving most of the day and listening to great music, and having some creative involvement.
Best perks of the job? Getting to go to interesting places.
What things do you think make your job different or fun? Although we work very hard we have a really fun time doing it; lots of laughs.
What personality traits/skills/attributes help a person get a job like yours? Being open minded, creative, willing to step outside your comfort zone and energetic.
Most memorable moment of your job so far? Getting to dance in a big circus tent in New Caledonia last week!!
Any advice for nzgirls wanting to get into this field? Make sure it’s what you really want to do because its not all glamour and fun, it’s hard work and you will face many set backs, but it’s all worth it if it makes you happy and keeps you stimulated!
Where would you like to go from here? I would like to keep performing as much as I can and in as many different places as I can. I want to keep dancing till Im 80!
Want to know more? You can check out Julie live in action when she performs in Left and Right in June 2009. The performance is a collaboration between award-winning choreographer Ann Dewey, writer Jo Randerson, musician/composer Charlotte Rose, and dancers Liz Kirk, Julie van Renen, Geoff Gilson and Sarah Baron. Catch Julie live at:
Leigh Hall June 11th – 14th at 7.30pm (bookings 09 422 6560)
Tapac June 17th – 21st at 8:00pm (bookings 09 845 0295 or tapac.org.nz)
