As we mark a year since the UK went into its first Covid-19 lockdown, we are running a series of interviews with dance industry professionals and dancers
Here we talk to Precious Adams, Junior Soloist at the English National Ballet and the impact this last year has had on her with regards to dance.
Tell us a bit about what you do in the UK dance sector?
So, primarily, I am a junior soloist ballet dancer with the English National Ballet. I have been working for them for nearly 7 years now. I am a dance advocate and role model for diversity in the arts and dance. I’m also a freelance model and dancer, where other projects work well the ENB schedule. I am also occassionally a dance teacher and mentor for young aspiring dancers and performing artists.
As we mark a year since the UK went into its first lockdown, we would like to reflect and gain your insights into how this last year has impacted you personally with regards to dancing
So this past year has been so wild, and unpredictable! To be honest with you I was in complete denial initially. I didn't think we would be in lockdown for more than 2-4 weeks. But quite quickly I came to the realisation that things would be like this for the next 18 months, at least, which was difficult to come to terms with at first. I had a lot of hidden anxiety about what would happen with the arts sector. And some days still, my mind goes into fear mode.
I started spending a lot of time focusing on other things. I would do dance and fitness for about 2 hours in the morning, then I would spend the rest of each day working on other projects. I did a few courses, some through online learning platforms. Then starting in April of 2020, I registered for a university course in computer programming. So I have spent the past 8 months really focused on that. I think it was important for me to feel as though I was making the most of this newly available time while the English National Ballet was on lockdown with the rest of the country. I think it is so, so important to have a life outside dance. This profession is short, so developing who I was with less ballet in my life was important.
I miss performing to a live audience; human connection and energy transfer can’t be replicated virtually. The English National Ballet returned to the studios in July of 2020, which was a godsend. So luckily, we have been able to keep up our training in Covid secure small groups and produce some online content for the ballet on demand platform. We also produced some cool dance films that are available online as well on ballet.org.uk. I feel really grateful to have been able to keep working as a dancer over the past year.
Over the past year as a whole, how has Covid affected your day-to-day life with regards to dance?
Over the past year, I have had to adapt to the Covid guidelines. It has had a huge impact on the way that I maintain a certain level of physical fitness, and the high level of dance ability. However, I welcome change when it comes. I believe in leaning into the change instead of fitting it. So straight away within the first week of lockdown I called a friend who I knew had some vinyl dance flooring. Plus the weather was nice last March, April and May, and the sun hits my balcony really nicely so I was able to carry on training as much as I could on my balcony in the mornings.
Luckily, we came back to the ENB building in July and began a return to a fitness program to get back to as close to full fitness as possible. Now, in 2021, in order to keep training and working as much as possible, the company has kept working in small groups. So at the moment I’m dancing about half the amount of hours I was prior to Covid. I then spend the rest of the day studying working on my degree course.
What ways have you stayed connected to the world of dance?
I have stayed connected to dance mainly online and especially Instagram. That’s the main place where I keep up to date with what is going on and what is being produced by other dancers and professionals. Keeping connected online has allowed me to remain relevant. I am not anywhere near the end of my career and still have so much more dancing to do, so many more roles to play and so much further I want to get with my technique. Each day that can I keep that desire alive, is another day that I worked at my craft during Covid.
How have the UK lockdowns benefited you as a dancer?
It has given me time to reflect and reassess my technique and dancing. It has definitely tested my self motivation and resilience.
What advice would you give yourself one year-ago today?
I would have told myself to remain calm. Don't stress so much because it won't do you any good. And just have more fun, work smarter and be safe and sensible. Don't allow a change of circumstances to change your spirit. Welcome change.
What would you like to be doing this time next year?
I would like to be dancing on stage, hopefully working on creating the new William Forsythe ballet that was postponed. I'd like to be making big moves in the dance world, nationally and internationally. I would like to be dancing to sold out theatres again and dancing better than ever.
With regards to dance, what are you most looking forward to from 21st June 2021?
I hope that there is an outpouring of demand for living experiences and dance and music and I hope to see lots of outdoor theatres and stages!
