RubansRougesDance: November 2017

Monday, November 27, 2017

Liberal Arts Matter

Edited by G. Blythe | Getting degrees in Liberal Arts & Fine Arts has benefits.

Hello readers, I'm joining Ms. Andressen & Mr. Kale today and inquiring about their path to successful careers with their art degrees. Many times I've heard people going back to school after they've achieved the BFA or even their MFA due to no employment or no opportunities.

This dynamic duo, Noelle and Kristopher, are as passionate in their careers as they are in their private lives. I'm always impressed by their ability to make others welcomed and yet they have strong morals and don't let anyone get away with anything; they believe it short changes the person from being their best selves. They're the first to profess making many mistakes but one they didn't make a mistake in is their choice of path in the college system.

What are your degrees and where did you attain them?

Ms. Noelle Rose Andressen graduated from Moorpark College with an AA in dance (Liberal Arts) and BFA from UNLV. Mr Kristopher Kale BFA UNLV film. Director and production emphasis with music.

How has your BFA benefited your current job position?

Greatly and in several ways, both of us used our education to create our first film project out of school which garnered us both five Emmy nominations. Ms Andressen received 3 for: writing, producing and music arrangement. Mr Kale received 2: production and music score. For this project we won an EMA Media Award for Women in Film. This is Vegas's most coveted film/media award. This allowed us to do more projects including indie film: PROFILE, many other Public Service Announcements that aired on TV. We also used our education to form a multi media dance company: Rubans Rouges Dance that fuses all their talents: film, dance, writing, production. "He writes the music she dances to." We present award winning productions nationally and tour with our company internationally.

Did you receive negative criticism for your choice in career/degree paths?

Often we were told it was a waste if time and that the odds of being able to use our "art" degrees to earn a living was rare let alone trying to get your foot in the door for the art and entertainment world. We were told we need to get our heads out of the clouds and think rationally. We were encouraged to become and study in fields that made money: doctors, attorneys, secretary or something more tangible and attainable. NOTE: Kristopher is a paralegal studying for the bar to become an attorney.

Tell us about your path.

It was challenging. We had to make a business plan and stick to it. Immediately after graduation we decided to go for it and took out a loan for our first project. We knew it was risky but we also knew we had to make our own way. From there we found several stations that wanted to air our project and it received Emmy nominations and won the EMA Media Award.

Not too long after Noelle was diagnosed with breast cancer and since we weren't on a project we had no insurance. We sold our home to pay for treatment and she survived and thrived. However from there we had to start all over again and that's when we decided to create Rubans Rouges Dance. This manifestation took all of our skills, talents, and education and made an incredible and successful performing arts company.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

Find your own path to success. No one can perfectly or precisely copy another's success but you can. We strongly suggest: Making a business plan with 1 year, 5 year and ten year goals. Stick to your plan. Calculate the risks and be willing to accept a less than desirable outcome. Don't accept defeat. When the cancer intruded in our lives we got back up and created a more in depth expression of ourselves. Never give up. Defeat comes when you accept it and let it win. Be an integral person. Simply put: Don't screw anyone over to reach your goals and dreams. We got to where we wanted with integrity, no game playing. We treated people well and proceeded with our morals intact. It may have taken longer this way but we believe that how you treat people along your way matters.

And never ever give up!

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I Don't Care What They May Say....

I Don't Care What They May Say....
Cannoli NotesTM
Helpful Tips to Help Not Care What Others May Say or Think About You
by Noelle Andressen Copyright September 26, 2017

This wasn't just a line from Elsa's famous song "Let It Go!", or something my grandmother drilled into me;
it was something our parents taught us growing up, but did we actually learn this skill? As adults we may face the challenges of caring too much what people think about us. Here's some tips for you to help you overcome:

Some tips for you:

"1. Stop the comparison game. Women need to understand that their empowerment and identity is not found in the mirror or found in someone else's ideals. Refrain from looking at celebs retouched photos wishing you'd "look like that". Know that the subjects don't even look like that in reality. Compare the celebrities' photos to when they're being interviewed on live TV. They look different. Photography is an art-form as well; magazines, photo books, etc are presenting both the subject and their photography skills at their best. Also, save up some funds and get your own glamour photos done. You too can prove to yourself that you are beautiful and can achieve any ideal you desire for yourself.

2. Take Control. After I had breast cancer I felt less than positive about my body and as a dancer this was detrimental. I took matters in my own hands and decided to start a community campaign of awareness for a group of women. Surrounding yourself with others who feel the same way can encourage you. In the midst of working through my own body issues, I ended up helping others too.

3. Know that you're enough. Do one thing every day that helps you achieve your full expression of body positivity. If it's to lose weight, start a program to do so. If it's to feel empowered, start reaching out to others like I did by writing about it with a blog or book.

It is my belief that it is a problem for women because they have been suppressed for too long that they look for unnatural ways of redemption. We need to take our power back. When we realize we have all we ever need inside of us we won't look elsewhere for validation. We're just waiting to give our own selves permission to be better than what we were forced to live up to."

As my grandmother often said, "True freedom is when you don't give a damn what others think." My grandmother also told me, "Your esteem is found in God." She called it God-esteem. He values us beyond what the human race can do for you. He's always on your side.

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The Battle of Guilt

Written by Noelle Rose Andressen:

Noelle Rose Andressen, Business Owner

Rubans Rouges Dance® - Owner, Dancer, Artistic Director (9 years) RubansRougesDance.com

The Battle of Guilt

The first round battling breast cancer, we had to sell our Vegas home to pay for the treatment as we had no family insurance. At that time, I had danced some professionally as an independent contractor, my body was my "business". Also my husband and I worked as independent film makers. When we were not on a project there was no medical insurance. It was very hard for me to let go of our security and emotional connections to our home. I battled depression from the immense guilt I felt. My family insisted my life was more important and agreed to do whatever it took to save my life. I received a combination traditional and experimental therapy with naturalistic treatment to help ease symptoms and keep my body as healthy as possible. This first round I had no choice but to quit dancing, my business with my body was put on hold and my husband took up the slack for our film production company. For the most part I found myself in bed and almost died.

Back to the Beginning

After my victorious win against breast cancer, with no home, broken body, and broken spirit, I decided to go back to the "business of my body" and my first love: DANCE. However, a pre-cancerous result would make itself known again. This time my doctor said "don't end up in bed". I agreed and this time I danced through the treatment.

I decided to stay focused with a project and choreographed a short dance for an informal performance with a 12 week deadline. This allowed me to focus my energy on something positive and keep my spirits lifted. I had to compartmentalize the workload that went with creating a dance. I had Costume Days when I was able to sit upright and do light sewing, if I grew nauseated my son would massage my feet and back to help keep vomiting at bay. Choreography Days was for when my body was able to do some movement, I took advantage of these days and did as much as I could without exhausting myself and added some yoga to the choreography. Music Days also served double time as meditation time and searching through pieces of music that would work for the dance piece. Administration Days worked best when I had light symptoms. This enabled me to make necessary phone calls, write emails, and performance arrangements.

When I had really bad days I had to learn to forgive myself. My son would take my hand and help me do breathing exercises. He also remind me that I'd be dancing again soon and helped me jot down choreography notes as I envisioned them in my head. It was frustrating to not be able to get up and dance but I knew I had to take care of myself. Ultimately his love for me and my love for him kept me going, like a light in darkness. I finished my project and was triumphant over cancer again. From here I created community outreach programs for cancer patients, created my book series: DanceWarrior®

Let This Be My Last Battleground

Later I took what I had gone through and turned it into a dance to help encourage other women going through cancer. The dance is called: "Let This Be My Last Battleground - ROSEWOOD". This title pays homage and tribute to Gene Roddenberry and a Star Trek episode with a similar title. Kristopher, my husband and Emmy nominated composer scored music for my dance piece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXisVaWireY&t=6s This dance was also turned into a book: "DanceWarrior®

- From Cancer to Dancer". https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Warrior-Noelle-Rose-Andressen-Kale/dp/0692666478

About My Business

Rubans Rouges Dance® is a multi-media company that performs fully produced "Dance Dramas" and combines the art of film making, original music scores, art and song to encourage others that they can go from tragedy to triumph. I believe my calling on this earth is to help others heal through the arts. My life is a living artistic example of how many can overcome the horrors life can present us and give them meaning and purpose. From that we also branched out to help support the community with the annual: "Awakenings & Beginnings International Dance Festival®" and many outreach programs such as: Dancers Defeating Cancer®

Est. in 2009 where cancer patients can use gentle movement and some yoga as a wellness course and a special time to journal their experience. During this wellness program that I created, I help encourage patients as I know what it's like to go through treatment and understand the restorative process. I teach them the tricks and techniques I used during both my cancer battles. I teach them how to breathe through symptoms and use meditation to keep them focused on things other than how badly they feel. I not only kept my business going, I actually made it grow in adversity.

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Quick Tips From A Sicilian Great Grandmother
Copyright 1989-2017 by Anna Lombardo re-told by Noelle Andressen

I learned a lot from my Italian grandmother who was a gracious hostess. Her skills provided a wealth of knowledge for me as I became an event producer internationally.

#1 Nonna would say: More food and beverages than you think times two. There's nothing worse than running out of these crucial elements. Worst case scenario, you have plenty leftover to give your guests a little food memento for them to take home in decorative "take home" boxes that fit your event's theme. I know this works because I've often received future jobs from doing this.

#2 Hospitality. Guests may not remember every detail of your event but they will remember how they felt and how they were treated. It depends on the event, but every guest either receives a rose or a sachet of mints, or some token that shows classy care. Treat every guest as if they were family and they will remember your special touches."

The old adage: Enter in as friends leave as family is what Nonna always aimed for. Hope these Cannoli Notes help you.

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Working From Home Vs The Office

A Success Profile About Our Artistic Director, Noelle Andressen
Edited by G. Blythe | Copyright February 23, 2017

Tell us about your career track and some brief information on your background:

I have two careers, one as a professional dancer-choreographer, the other as a professional Emmy nominated screenwriter and book author. Some of my dancing and/or choreography credits: ABC's "Modern Family", g.l.a.a.d. Awards Ceremony, Key Art Awards for the Hollywood Reporter, major dance festivals across the globe. My book series: Dance Warrior from Cancer to Dancer and Dance Warrior Red Ribbons - Shattered Innocence (this one is about my account of being sexually abused as a child). Emmy nominated writer for "Baby Doe's Heartbeat".

Why did you choose working at home versus the office?

Initially, I began working a desk job at an office. Then due to necessity and my desire to fulfill my dreams, I switched to work out of my home. I was a breast cancer survivor and I had severe allergies to cleaning chemicals in buildings and my body was also very tired and weakened from the treatments. I ultimately used this to slowly ween myself from desk job to art job at home.

So first, it was by force because of my post cancer situation that I described above. Second, it was time for me to live my dreams. I talk about it in my book and have been interviewed many times about it all. It was very challenging. For the writing career, it was natural to sit propped up in a chair and let my fingers do the talking.

Tell us how you got started:

Once I gained strength my husband made our living an at home studio: wooden floors, mirrors,sound system. I would get jobs as a choreographer and began creating dance pieces. I also started my own dance company. I had a goal to rehabilitate my body. A lot of my body/dancing went through an at home re-hab in my living room with trainers.

As for the writing, I already had Emmy nominations for my work. I was already successful in this area, I just grew it. I gleaned from my journal and as I felt better I compiled chapters to form books. I took my life story and used it to encourage others. I then married dance, my books, film, etc. to make my company truly multi-media.

Tell us about your first job.

My first choreographic job post-cancer developed from my performing for a charity raising awareness about domestic violence. I performed a dance piece about abuse, my abuse that I suffered through as a child. It moved many hearts and I was asked to perform at another event this time it was for pay. From there I saw that I had a gift to reach hearts with my dancing and earn an income. Like I shared, I already had a successful career as a writer. I combined the two art-forms: dancing and writing to craft books (Dance Warrior Book Series) about what I had suffered through and conquered and turned them into dances that are performed in theaters. From there, I also added my film making background to create a full fledged multi-media dance company that not only entertains but reaches the soul. It contributes to wellness and health in society and inspires others to reach out. This also led to my private tutoring in dance. Some try to copy me and my path but they fail because it's not genuine to them. They're not being authentic to themselves.

How does your day begin?

I still have daily hurdles with my physical body. It is long term side effects from the cancer or possibly the treatment. While I'm technically in remission, I still have to take care of my body first with some yoga asanas, ballet barre, and stretching. Once I'm taken care of, I begin my administrative duties. I have a to do list that keeps me organized and on task. From there I asses with my Board Members via Skype meetings: growth of my company and me as an artist, what we can improve upon and continue to develop outreaches to assist the community. If we have a rehearsal or performance for that day/evening, I prepare in my studio and begin the process of a deeper body conditioning. The end of the day will look different based on what occurred during the day. I may have to do an Epsom Salt soak if I'm achy or I may have thank you emails to write.

What do you wish someone told you when you started?

I wished someone would have shown me the diplomacy that was needed for good communication in the arts community. It requires a different skill set and approach than the typical business model because most artists are insecure and are emotional. I'm very passionate and can be emotional but I am at first very thoughtful and logical.

What type of advice can you give for work at homers?

Getting out of the house! Most of what I do unless it's a performance or outreach is done from my home office/studio or at our office in an enclosed building - yuck! I have to remind myself to schedule public appearances and socialize. It's very easy to become a hermit and if you tend toward social hibernation, you may have to force it like I did. People thought I was stand-offish because I stayed at home a lot. Once it was brought to my attention I reversed it.

Any last words of advice?

Remember to get out of the house and socialize, much like home-schoolers have to be aware of.

Set up a specific place to work and separate it from your home life.

Schedule your work load and stick to it.

Enjoy what you're doing or reconsider what you're doing.

Communicate with the outside world.

Always make sure your loved ones who reside with you are supportive and understanding.

Always clock out and stay clocked out.

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In The Beginning...

In The Beginning...
A tale about the challenges starting a company. Dreamers & Movers & Shakers, This one's for you!
A re-telling by Noelle Andressen | Edited & Reported
by G. Blythe Copyright February 23, 2017

Small business owners, you've been there, staring at a shop store front or gazing on line at someone else's business and successful empire. You have it in you to go the distance but sometimes taking the first steps can be daunting and down right scary on its own, no one needs negativity on top of it. For all you starter - uppers and freelancers that didn't have support from your friends and family in the beginning, here's some encouragement to help gird you up along your way.

"Not all my friends and family were supportive at first with any of the businesses I've had. I had to convince them that I could be successful. Getting their help at times was either non-existent or lackadaisical. To go it alone can be a very lonely road but once they came around they did help in the following ways:

Let's just talk about: Rubans Rouges Dance since it's one of my more recent business ventures. This company is my business and my child in a sense. I feed it, I nurture it, I help it grow. It was always and will always be hard work. Once my family believed in me and they saw that I didn't give up, they would buy tickets to our shows, share our events on facebook. They took pride in what I was doing.

Financially, we did a lot of crowd funding like: Indie Gogo and Kickstarter fundraisers: My two brothers donated to help me raise funds to produce our first major dance festival and dance concert in Los Angeles. While this doesn't work for everyone, it did at first for us. Be forewarned though, it's usually a one-off. You must look elsewhere for support.

There were times though that: Familiarity bred contempt. It seemed to be the theme in the beginning trying to gain support and clients from friends and family. However, it made me more successful having to "go it alone" for the most part. My friends and family became more supportive after my success grew. While it was heartbreaking to not get the initial support, I understand looking back that I had to make them believers in my quest; and I did. Once I believed in me they believed in me.

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Sleeping With a Dancer

"Sleeping With A Dancer"
A fun re-telling of our Artistic Director & Executive Managing Director's
Fun Loving Moments They First Slept Together
As told by Kristopher Copyright 2017

"We were both so very excited about our first night together as a married couple. We were very nervous and couldn't relax. We both bring our favorite things with us wherever we go (I bring my mini Taylor guitar, Noelle brings her pointe shoes) and our honeymoon was no different. With guitar and pointe shoes packed in our luggage in a luxury suite at the Mirage Hotel, we had a beautiful night. To relax we played music and danced and the love making ensued and continued into our marriage. We now have a wonderful series of traditions that we uphold throughout our married life."

"The first night we slept together was at Noelle's aunt's condo. At the time we were visiting for the Thanksgiving Holiday and didn't want to drive back to Los Angeles after all the tryptophan. Noelle's aunt put us up in her guest bedroom; we were presented with a queen sized bed under a window.

At bed time, we laid down next to each other and snuggled very close because it was lower than average weather for that time of year and the westwardly facing window had a draft.

Upon slipping under the covers, Noelle's feet were cold so she wrapped them around my feet to keep warm. Being our first time in bed together, it was awkward and not something I expected from a dancer.

Somehow in the midst of our slumber, her feet became disconnected and her body shifted due north. But when her ice cube like toes found mine again it jolted me awake and I was squished down into the side of the bed and her head was pointing north. We had traveled.

I picked her up and repositioned both of us. This happened throughout the night--cold feet and like a compass we wound up pointing north. Eventually, I just put my socks on her feet to keep us both warm and shifted the bed a quarter turn so it faced north.

Throughout the years, we've learned to face our bed's headboard north and for the winter holiday I buy her a pair of cute socks especially for bed."

"He writes the music she dances to on film and the stage. They currently reside on both coasts creating dance productions with his original music score and her original dancing and choreography."

They have celebrated an enduring marriage of over 28 years that has included the various arts as their children. They are parents to many children, some angel babies, some their own and others they love and support through their teaching and financial support.

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Pages

Monday, November 27, 2017

Liberal Arts Matter

I Don't Care What They May Say....

The Battle of Guilt

Working From Home Vs The Office

In The Beginning...

Sleeping With a Dancer

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