Carol Ann Duffy
A Poetic Message

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Art can be expressed within so many ways through dance, music, paintings, stories, designs. One of the things these art forms all have in common is the purpose to express, to explore and to imagine.

I want to enlighten all my young dancers with the many ways you can express and perform as a person, as this all enhances your clarity and depth as a dancer. As to become a top ballerina, you have to be above and beyond the rest. You have to be unique.

One of the ways art can be so powerfully revealed is through poetry. Poetry is a creative form of literature which is appreciated for its rhythmic and expressive language. Just like ballet, poetry reveals intense emotions and creates powerful moments.

A significant quote, that can be so easily translated into dance, is -

"Poetry, above all, is a series of intense moments - its power is not in the narrative. I'm not dealing with facts. I'm dealing with emotion." - Carol Ann Duffy

Carol Ann Duffy's powerful quote is a major message that can be shared with all aspiring dancers. Ballet too is is an expressive art form where dancers are able to communicate their emotions through the beauty of movement.

Duffy is a major influence on the younger generation of English dancers coming through. For example, I met and interviewed leading young English dancer Olivia Holland who talked about the influence of Duffy on her attitude to dance

Carol Ann Duffy is a writer who has a unique voice, a clear purpose. At 14, she became determined to be a poet and is now a leading light in literature. Duffy has made it to the top of her field and her poetry is appreciated all over the world.

Duffy was born in Glasgow and is a diverse artist. She is an admired poet, playwright and freelance writer, becoming the United Kingom's first female poet Laureate in 2009. She has written for both children and adults, and she has received many awards for her poetry.

Her poem, "Education for Leisure", sends many powerful messages, but one I feel is essential to our training. The desire to learn, enjoy and engage in our education. The poem expresses how this youngster “did” a subject at school, rather than studied or learnt about it. The poem stimulates my belief that young ones need to really absorb and take in the pleasure of learning, as oppose to doing it just because they have to.

When we join any group or sport, it should involve a lot of fun to build up your interest in learning. School must be for the fun, otherwise you loose most people along the way. We have to want to learn, to find our passion and pursue it.

I believe we must delight in the beauty and art for its own sake. Art brings beauty, enjoyment and passion for everyone around us. Duffy is an example of celebrating the pleasure of poetry, as she is Professor of Contemporary Poetry at the Manchester Metropolitan University and continues to encourage fellow poets. Duffy has a passion for poetry and clearly shows the enjoyment to bring it to the heart of British life.

Let us continue to celebrate art and explore our own creative talents.

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