Jessica Cove | Counsellor

Jessica Cove

Phone: +61 402 064 762

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23.01.2022 As 2019 draws to a close it’s natural to cast our minds forward to all that we wish to experience and achieve in 2020 (and absolutely, goals are essential), however, before you do this I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the year that was... just perhaps not in the way you might first imagine. This week our Instagram feeds have been full of top 9 posts (all of which are beautiful and important!) and although it’s been wonderful seeing everyone’s highlights, I can...’t help but feel there is so much to be gained by giving an equal amount of energy to embracing the lessons this year has taught us. Those who have worked with me know that I often speak about finding the lesson within the challenges we all face. This could be an injury, illness, a change of path or something closer to home like separation or loss. Rather than pushing these experiences away or labelling the year as a bad one, give yourself the opportunity to acknowledge your personal growth and resilience. By shining a light on your challenges you will quickly see just how incredible you truly are. And finally, thank you SO much to all of the beautiful dancers, parents, teachers and schools that invite me to walk alongside you year after year. I have missed you all so much over the holidays and am beyond excited to work with you in the New Year!

20.01.2022 After taking some time to process and reflect, I wanted to share my personal thoughts around the tragic and heartbreaking loss of beautiful young dancer Lochlan Brooks. Spending the past week at the Prix de Lausanne I was immersed deeply in an industry I once fled from. As many of you know, I lost my performance career to injury and the anguish that came along with that loss very nearly ended my own life. I am beyond grateful for my parents and friends who were there for ...me during those long heavy years of extreme and debilitating grief ...and who continue to be there for me when a wave hits. I’m so thankful to be in a position now where I can work with dancers and their mental health every single day as a mentor and counsellor, however, I feel it is imperative that we are ALL aware of our shared responsibility for the health and wellbeing of dancers (both student, professional and retired) regardless of our position within the industry. I am just as much a counsellor as I am a teacher when I am in the studio. I am just as much a counsellor as I am a new friend when I help a stranger with directions at a competition. I am just as much a counsellor as I am a member of the audience when I watch students perform under extreme pressure. There is no separation between art and health (physical or mental), because without our health there is no art... particularly in ballet. Every single person in our industry has a responsibility to effect change. You don’t need to have formal qualifications to be aware and show kindness. Never underestimate the influence you have in each and every interaction, be it in the studio, backstage or socially. As @archhades put so perfectly: The best apology is changed behaviour. It is never, ever, ever too late to make positive change. I know this from lived experience and I beg you to all consider this as you mourn Lochlan and move forward into the year ahead. Together we can transform the stigma around mental health and heal the ballet industry xx And please, if you or someone you know is suffering emotionally, never hesitate to contact LifeLine on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

16.01.2022 A message for the beautiful students that I walk beside: I realise it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to start or how to help those in need during the current bushfire crisis, particularly when you are very young, on a tight budget or training overseas and living very far away. Whilst monetary donations are essential, please take heart in knowing that as a young person there are still many other ways you can make a difference:... Visit Givit.org.au to donate food and essential items like toiletries Send food to the Australian Foodbank Donate blood via Lifeblood.com.au Write to your local MP to voice your concerns about climate change, Climatecouncil.org.au have detailed instructions Make and donate fabric nests for animals via MCK.org.au Reduce your personal greenhouse gas emissions by being more aware and making small changes daily And, of course, if you do find yourself in the position to join me in making a monetary contribution, please visit the link in my bio to donate to the Australia Red Cross. Finally, the mental health impact of disasters of this level simply must be acknowledged. If you or someone you love is suffering emotionally, please do not hesitate to contact LifeLife on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 for free, confidential support. Together we can make a difference

14.01.2022 A message to all of the incredibly gifted, hardworking and brave male identifying dancers that I have had the joy of training beside, learning from and teaching over the years...Whilst virtually all of the reaction to the insensitive comments made has been directed personally @lara.spencer (and justifiably so), my focus instead is on you... for you are the ones in the studio and on the stage, day in, day out. To my male ballet teachers: I will be forever grateful for your gu...idance, you were by and far some of my favourite tutors. As a youngster who struggled with confidence, the unique balance of challenge and encouragement you each brought to the classroom helped me develop resilience in healthy and positive ways. Dearest Mark Brinkley, Paul Boyd, Evan Jones and Martin Rubinstein I will always treasure our classes together, and John Byrne, who’s wisdom I have the privilege of sharing more recently. I thank you all so very much. To my male peers: thank you for your kindness and support over 30 shared years of ballet. You have been some of my closest friends, my confidants, my pas de deux partners and my inspiration. The level of courage required to dance during times that were even less accepting than now has never been lost on me. I witnessed firsthand the bullying and discrimination you all faced and I am beyond grateful that you never, ever gave up. To my male students: thank you for trusting me to help guide you on your ballet journeys. The path we are walking together is not an easy one and I am humbled every single day by your resilience, vulnerability and passion for the art of classical ballet. I treasure our time together in the studio and will never take these precious moments for granted. You have all taught me so much and I will always be here for you as a teacher, mentor and unwavering fan of your work. Finally, a quote that has lifted my own spirits when I have faced bullies and critics over the years. As artists we will always be especially susceptible to the opinions of others, however, it is up to us to decide how valid those opinions truly are. Please never stop daring greatly, the world needs your art now more than ever x

02.01.2022 A message for all of the beautiful young artists competing in the BPAC scholarships next week... As you walk into the intensity and excitement of the days ahead, be sure to carry with you in your heart a sense of purpose that comes from within. So much of your time will be spent looking outwards: to the audience, panel, your teachers and fellow competitors (and of course you must!) but as you find yourself waiting in the wings during those precious moments before you step on ...stage, take some time to reconnect with yourself. Reflect upon why you have chosen this art form, who you are as an artist, and most importantly, who you are as a person. It’s easy to define ourselves by our achievements only, especially in the ballet world, however you will always be a human being first and a dancer second. Without our humanness there is no vulnerability, sensitivity or passion... all essential elements of any art form. Share this fragile and authentic part of yourself with the audience and you will be magnetic in a way that simply cannot be accomplished via technique alone. Remember, you are on stage to share, not to show. Wishing you all the very very best, and as always, I will be there with you every step of the way x See more