— from a recent issue of Dance Notes.

Coach's corner. Paul Killick and Hanna Karttunen

Paul: Something that really can help many areas is to be really focused into what you're doing. We all think we're focused, but you have to find your track and stay on it. And really try to define that track. And it will be different than what it's going to be in six months. It's not what we're doing now that's going to be it for the rest of our lives. What we work on at this particular period of time is the track now, and maybe in six months' time, it will be something different. We've got to be clear. There's no point in trying to do this thing now and be thinking about something else. Then we're just kind of wasting our time. We've got to really be focused on what we do now, and then we'll get it quicker and be able to move on.

Hanna: And you need to totally believe in what you're focusing on. Don't let anything come between, or let your eyes wander. Go and give everything for that one thing. And then you will see if it works or if it doesn't work. If you go a little bit, you never know if it was good or if it was not good.

Paul: You have to be crazy too! We have a really wonderful man we work with in London. When we had our first lesson, one of the first things he said was, "Are you crazy?" It freaked me out a little bit because I didn't know how to answer. We kind of said, "Actually, I think so." And he said, "Good, then we can work together." I think we all are a little bit crazy. We have to be, you know. We're not normal! There's no point in even trying. And I think it's fabulous to be that way.

 
— END