Susan Jordan has been in the dance industry for six decades. 

Her first professional engagements were as a 10-year-old as an extra with Borovansky Ballet and the then NZ Ballet which she joined at 17.  In her 20s, she moved onto modern dance and refined her skills as a choreographer with an MA at American University, Washington DC.

She had an extensive choreographic career in Wellington with Jordan & Present Co. producing eleven major works and many commissions, before relocating back to Auckland in 1996 to establish the dance studies department at the University of Auckland. From there she went on to establish the Auckland DANZ office and turned her attention to supporting the dance industry in Tamaki Makaurau for 10 years.

Since 2014, Jordan's interest and focus has been on creative ageing, the active participation of seniors in regular creative activities. Her particular focus is on dance with the establishment of SeniorsDANCE and the producing of five ASPiRE shows by and for seniors. This year, ASPiRE is part of the Tempo Dance Festival and will be at Q Theatre on 13 October.

Jordan shared her life lessons with The Big Idea.

I’m really surprised I’ve lasted so long.  As a 76-year-old looking back at my younger self, there are mixed feelings – satisfaction mixed with frustration, delights mixed with disappointments. 

I’m guessing it’s like that for everyone. The arts are not sports but there are still winners and losers. Here are a few things I wish I knew as a young artist.

Fire in the belly

Feed the creative fire in your belly and don’t let other people extinguish it! 

As a 10-year-old, I remember that fire I felt when dancing and creating my own dances. As I grew up and became a professional, many tried to put that fire out – my Dad, the fundamentalist church I attended, a negative dance teacher. 

They almost succeeded but the fire is still burning today.

It’s not going to be easy but it is worth it when you create art that communicates AND satisfies your own self. People usually expect dance to entertain so your audience will not always understand what you deliver, especially if it is cutting edge to what’s gone before. 

That’s not a reason to give up.

Organise the head

You need organisation and business skills as well as the art skills.  

I remember a conversation with my Dad (who was in retail) that I needed “bums on seats”. My reply was “But this is art, Dad!” 

How wrong I was! You will have to manage yourself and your art and it’s hard to keep that in balance. 

Attend workshops and online learning on how to apply for grants, manage your money, keep accounts, the difference between marketing and publicity. Make friends with those who have good business skills. 

Ignoring this aspect will eventually impact your art product.

You are not a failure as an artist if you have to take on non-artwork to survive - all of us have to. Very few of us end up famous and wealthy.  If you choose to follow your art dream, know that you are likely to end up poor but satisfied with the art you have created.

Keep your whole body moving

Dancers - keep your body moving all your life. 

Don’t stop moving when you stop performing. Learn how to teach and pass on your knowledge to others.  

When I was younger, I taught others how I was taught - and that was not always positive  - so I wish I’d found out earlier how to pass on my knowledge. And remember how to adapt your teaching to different ages and abilities – kids, teenagers, adults, seniors, those with disability. 

Consider how your art could be used as therapy.  There’s a whole, big world to explore, learn from and contribute to.

Enjoy your life

I’m a very serious person, more so when I was young... then I found clowning. 

Clowning is a gift, a form of laughter and smiles that can remind us of our foibles and follies, our earthliness.   

I was a roving, improvising clown called Simon, often at public gatherings and protest marches doing simple things like watering lamp posts to make them grow. Clowning is not so popular today - but find a way to bring joy, laughter and fun into your life especially if you are serious about your art.

Celebrate your creative gifts – enjoy them and enjoy life!