Live to Dance: Lisa’s Story

If you’ve read Live to dance, Dance to Live then you will know that this is the first installment of four little girls who became dancers. I met them in Paphos, Cyprus. This is Lisa Greenwood.

Source: https://www.starnow.com.au/lisagreenwood

Source: https://www.starnow.com.au/lisagreenwood

Lisa was raised in Lincoln and  when, at eight years old she played the Baker in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ she was hooked on performing. She then attended the Lyndsey Ellis School of Dance and the Lincoln Academy of Theatre Arts  where singing and dancing became everything to her. Throughout secondary school Lisa was bullied due to her auburn hair, but singing and dancing sustained her through a difficult time offering her an emotional release. Dancing every night after school and rehearsing at weekends she performed in, Les Miserables, RENT, Sweeney Todd and Miss Saigon with DTC Productions.

Attaining high GCSE results Lisa’s parents would have liked her to follow an academic route but Lisa followed her heart, studying a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Lincoln College  she achieved a triple Distinction. Blessed with a scholarship she studied  jazz, ballet, tap, commercial, lyrical, contemporary, anatomy, acting, musical theatre, singing, audition technique and how to work in the industry at  Masters Performing Arts College in Essex.

During her second year disaster hit, a stress fracture in her spine meant that she would never dance again. Devastated, Lisa moved back to her family home spending three painful months in bed. But, as in Pandora’s Box, hiding deep within the despair there was hope. Lisa had tests and more tests and refused to give up until one day a Physical Therapist  gave her the news she had hoped for. With determination and faith she may dance again. So, after months of hard work, coupled with her faith and the support of  her parents, therapist, personal trainer, Lisa was walking and dancing again.

Source: https://www.starnow.com.au/lisagreenwood

Source: https://www.starnow.com.au/lisagreenwood

Source: https://www.starnow.com.au/lisagreenwood

That was seven years ago, since then Lisa has been working in the UK and abroad as a dancer, dance captain and has had opportunities to teach, choreograph and produce shows. Having had an incredible experience, Lisa would recommend anyone considering a career in dance to take up the challenge but, she says it is a tough industry. You are effectively selling your talent and your body where rejection can be common, but not personal.  She has been told many times to lose weight for a job and for many years she hated the skin she was in, but now she is comfortable with who she is and says that we are not all meant to look the same and looks don’t determine your talent as a performer.

In the future Lisa would like to concentrate on singing, composing and as a Christian she would like to bring more dance into Churches and worship teams. She feels blessed for her talent and her strength and is thankful everyday for the loving support of her parents. Lisa loves everyday of her life. 🙂

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