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Joanne Daquigan

Introducing Myself: A Life of a Performer

An Introduction

Hello. I'm Joanne, or Jo for short.


If you haven't explored my website (or if I haven't bombarded you everyday to look at my website and compliment me on its digital design because I thrive off of words of affirmation), allow me to introduce myself. I am a current senior in Pace University's BFA Commercial Dance program, and I am approaching my last semester. Although my focus is on performing arts, I have other interests such as social media marketing and digital design. Unknowingly to a lot of people, I also have an interest in journalism.


I love writing and used to have dreams of becoming a travel blogger when I was younger. I even had a blog back in high school that was so excruciatingly bad. When I was creating a new site through Wix, I saw some posts that I wrote during my senior year. They were absolutely awful, and I am so thankful that no one cared enough to read them back then. Through the years, I always had a desire to blog again but didn't have a reason or drive to return.


But I'm back! I am currently taking a Social Media course as university credit. A part of our assignments is updating a weekly blog through Blogger. Although Blogger is efficient enough, I already had my Wix website established with my dance content and social media portfolio. Why not keep everything onto one cohesive spot, you know?


My New Year's Resolution for 2022 was to romanticize and document my life more. I find blogs and articles so interesting, but I have yet to find someone who has my desired career path and shares their life story. With that, I am going to proceed to copy and paste what I sent in as an assignment just to get the ball rolling and show you my new reason for re-starting a blog. Although this was created with an academic purpose, this is still a piece of my heart that I am looking forward to sharing with you all. Sit back and relax. I hope you enjoy the read.

Pace Commercial Dance: DanceSpace 2021 Rehearsal
Photo credits: Paulie Bedus (@pauliebedusphotography)

A Life of a Performer

Pursuing a performing arts career is absolutely terrifying and pursuing a performing arts career in NYC is absolutely more terrifying. You have to audition for every job you obtain or somehow have the correct networking connections. Benefits such as health or dental insurance are also not provided unless you book a certain amount of performance jobs or marry wealthy. The most stable dance careers are based in New York City such as Broadway or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, but even these jobs are sometimes not enough to cover the cost of living in New York. These jobs are also not ensured yearly as performers have to re-audition for their spot every year or are potentially subject to injury that could take a performer off the market for long months. (Also, the additional interest of student debt if a dancer decided to go to college as well.)


During today's rehearsal on February 3rd, 2021, I had the opportunity to work with a well-known choreographer in Manhattan who now manages a non-profit organization for professional dancers. Although this company is very reputable in the city, the choreographer was explaining how his dance career went through so many trials and tribulations. He described the life of a performer as a consistent roller coaster of ups and downs and how some of the "most booked" dancers in the industry also struggle often to maintain a stable income.


I crave stability and sometimes envy my friends who are already obtaining full-time job offers with steady salaries. But although these facts are absolutely daunting, I wouldn't have my life any other way. The people I have met, the places I have traveled to, and the memories I have gotten to make are all experiences that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. With this new year, I am trying to be more confident in my ability and be more positive through the uncertainty. I also am trying to understand behind-the-scenes work such as social media marketing and artist management to expand my skill set and gain a better appreciation for all those involved within the performing arts. My goal for my last semester of college is to trust the power of manifestation and to work towards my dreams rather than be scared of them. Yes, the performer's life is crazy and unpredictable, but that's what also makes it exciting! Every day is different, and I'm looking forward to being able to document those events through this blog. Welcome to the roller coaster that is my life, and I hope you enjoy the ride.


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