BRIDGE -
Mentoring & Training Program

Josefine’s Experience from the Bridge Program What got you interested in the program? I felt it was like a diverse invitation to work on whatever is important to you at this moment—whether it’s related to being a dancer, choreographer, or teacher. What were your goals for the program? My goal was to gain more clarity about my own pathway—not just as a dancer, but also as a choreographer. I wanted to figure out how to combine all my interests: being a dancer, a choreographer, and a dance teacher. I also wanted to understand how to establish myself as a choreographer. The whole process for me was about having a guide—because I often feel like we’re very much alone in this field. It’s helpful to have someone you can talk to, reflect with, and get advice from on a professional level. Someone who understands your situation because they’re from the field and can offer new ideas on how to approach things. Was there anything you hesitated about before joining the program? I wasn’t sure how much time and effort the program would require. I didn’t know if I could fully commit to it. Money-wise, I also had to think carefully about where I was spending my resources. How did the program fit into your schedule? For the most part, it fit into my weekly schedule. But there were times when it was challenging to manage everything—some weeks were busier than others. In my work, things can be quite dynamic. Projects can come up suddenly, and I have a colleague who often asks for my availability spontaneously. This made it hard to plan everything securely. But you reassured me that I didn’t need to stress myself out. You reminded me that I could take my time with tasks, and that really helped. I found a way to complete the tasks without overwhelming myself. What have you gained from the Bridge program? I’ve gained a new perspective—especially on how I look at applications and the visions I have for myself. I’ve learned to be more self-confident and to really believe in myself and my goals. For example, you said, “Oh, you want to work for the Pina Bausch company? Then just go for it!” That stayed with me. It’s still with me now. It’s about believing in your vision and taking steps toward it. Even if it doesn’t happen, it’s not a bad thing. What’s important is believing in the vision and doing something for it. Are there practical tools from the program that will stay with you? Absolutely. The way I now approach applications as a dancer has been very helpful—the tips and information you gave me were invaluable. You also taught me a lot about being a choreographer—how to build networks and go about things in a structured way. These tools are already helping me now and will continue to help me in the future. Was there anything that surprised you about the program? The creative task was quite surprising. I expected it to be different, but it had so many layers of outcomes. It was like, “Wow!” I realized I could use it again in the future if I ever need help with certain topics. What are your hopes and dreams for your practice? At the moment, I’m focused on a collaborative project for a museum that I’m working on. I’ll also be doing some teaching. What would you say to someone considering joining the program? I’d tell them that whatever their idea or vision is, they can bring it to you. You’ll help them find a way to make it happen. You really take the person’s needs into account and work in a direction that suits them.