Julie Ski

Julie has a bachelor's degree in dance and pedagogy with a specialization in contemporary dance from the Norwegian Ballet School, and six months of postgraduate training at Dance New Amsterdam in New York. During her education, she has had several encounters with what she describes as harsh and fear-driven teachers.

– I try to be the opposite. With me, you're allowed to screw up and make mistakes. It's the same! Just get up and try again.

At the same time, she is clear that she is not afraid to make demands on her students.

Safety in the dance hall

She says that many students are excited about the level before they start, and that creating teaching that suits everyone is an important part of the job.

– Folk high schools should be for everyone, even the most experienced. I try to be a bit in the middle, and then the most talented people should be given some of their own tasks. Everyone must be able to tolerate being challenged in different ways.

Regardless of level, Julie is committed to ensuring that all students feel comfortable in the dance studio. Through collaborative exercises and physical close-up exercises, the class builds trust and confidence.

– This year, there were some who went to sleep in the dance hall when they were having a hard time. Then they succeeded in making it a safe place.

She believes a lot of it is about being seen.

– It's a cliché, but it's important. If someone is missing, I try to be clear that it's noticed. Those who are there should know that they would be missed if they didn't come.

The joy of creating

Since Julie was a young ballerina at Ski Dance School, she has had a passion for creative processes.

  – We loved having performances. It was so cool to be working towards something.

Throughout the school year, the dance department at Oslo Folk High School has several performances and projects. Now she works to pass on her love for the process.

– Here the students are very involved, but they don't always know how to start, so it's often an interaction between me and them. The best thing is when they stand after a performance and say: "Shit, we made this."

More than a dance teacher

After graduating, Julie worked as a dance teacher in several places, but felt a sense of loss.

– I wanted to be somewhere where I could be with the same people over time. Not just flit around from job to job.

A friend told her about a temporary position at a folk high school. Julie got the job, but quickly realized that being a folk high school teacher meant more than she had imagined.
– A folk high school teacher has to be versatile. If you only care about your subject and don't want to play volleyball or sleep in a sleeping bag, it will be difficult.

Julie herself is a living example of the versatile teacher. She is a former handball goalkeeper, avid climber, small-scale bucket hat seller and campervan enthusiast.

As a dance teacher, she is concerned that students not only develop academically, but also take something more with them when they leave the folk high school.

– The most important thing they will be left with is to have known what it was like to be part of a community. It is very meaningful to contribute to a positive change in someone's life.