Julie Ski
Dance teacher and educator in Street and contemporary dance
From the first grade at the dance school in Ski to busy dance studios in New York - Julie Ski has let dance shape her life.
As a dance teacher, Julie is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of level, feel comfortable in the dance studio.
– Folk high schools should be for everyone, even the most experienced.
From first grade at the dance school in Ski to busy dance studios in New York – Julie Ski has let dance shape her life. She has now been a dance teacher in the dance department at Oslo Folk High School since 2013. As a dance teacher, Julie is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of level, feel comfortable in the dance hall.
– 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.
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.
– I'm concerned that we work properly and be careful, but we also have a lot of fun. Some people think that's contradictory, but it's not. We can have a real laugh out loud - and then pull ourselves together again.
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 best. 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."
– Folk high schools should be for everyone, even the most experienced.
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 Rønningen.
– 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.
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.
– I'm concerned that we work properly and be careful, but we also have a lot of fun. Some people think that's contradictory, but it's not. We can have a real laugh out loud - and then pull ourselves together again.
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 best. 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 Rønningen.
– 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.