Another abnormal Thursday has passed, complete with my last make-up class. Here are your beloved details…! Just for the record, I decided to skip the Training 1 class and use the Training 2 class (after modern) as my make-up instead (so that I could practice the Christmas Dance with everyone). So, let us begin with modern class…
I arrived early and waited a little impatiently for Training 1 to end. I had some questions for Miss Sara. Finally, we came face-to-face, and I asked her about our modern Christmas Dance costumes (to be revealed at a later date). Secondly, I asked my teacher a few questions concerning the nursing home event later today and pointe shoes. No one will be wearing their shoes to the home, and the beginning pointe girls will not be en pointe for the parents (during ballet) to prevent “AH!” moments.
Speaking of Christmas Dances, the parents will come to watch Training 2 on Monday, cherubs on Tuesday, modern on Thursday and pointe on Friday. All of the dances are looking incredible, and the parents should have plenty to observe during pointe.
We worked a bit on our Christmas Dance but seeing that it looked just about perfect, we moved onto the fun combination that we learned last week. Miss Sara misplaced her Dancer of the Month papers, so we’ll have to wait until next week to see who the much-wanted award will be handed to.
The bulk of my news comes with the Thursday Twos filing in. I quickly put on my ballet shoes and took to the barre. Miss Sara gave us three combinations and let us take a quick stretch. We proceeded to practice our Christmas Dance, Miss Sara cheering us on. “That was SO MUCH BETTER!” she cried. That said, the dance looks way better than it used to and is ready for the nursing home this evening. Dressed in our black leotards, pink tights, white tutus and Christmas ribbon, everything should be perfect. I have also collected a Christmas card and a small package of tissues to give to one of the elderly ladies (Miss Tina recommended it).
The dance looking great, we practiced the jumping combination that we have been working on for a week. It is a lot easier than when we started…! Next, we threw on our pointe shoes (as Thursday is pointe day for the Twos). I expected to be performing releves and echappes for the whole of the class, but I was gladly mistaken! Our first assignment was to pique turn across the floor. At first, I was a bit frightened– the Christmas tune on the iPad was so fast! However, I took a deep breath and at exactly the same pace as April (who is at the intermediate level), pique turned across the floor! I didn’t fall. I didn’t even pause. I was all the way over my arches! I truly felt like a professional dancer.
As Miss Sara choreographed more complicated combinations, I practiced my left pique turns. Tired, I tried my right side, which is significantly better. My teacher came over to say something to the extent of, “You could do a double!” so I tried. My efforts were to no avail, but I will continue practicing.