Auditions week

Last week was just plain crazy! Ella wanted to audition for the dance company, and Miss Jessica told us she was ready. She's spent the summer working on technique and practicing. Last week they had intensives everyday, and worked on the routine for auditions. She dance Monday morning, Tuesday morning, Wednesday night, Thursday morning and evening and Friday morning and evening... auditions were Saturday morning.

The song is "Kansas City" and this video is her group practicing about mid-week, so they got even better before auditions Saturday morning. It's short, but REALLY fast and packed with lots of stuff!

She was pretty intense, especially since they were practicing and doing the same routine as the girls who were 8 year olds. She puts a lot of pressure on herself! They audition all the girls 12 and under at the same time, so I think she was pretty intimidated, but she did a great job. She remembered the routine, her across the floor kicks and leaps and technique looked great!!!! I took a few photos while they were stretching in the purple studio. Auditions were in the blue studio and parents had to wait outside.

Splits to the middle

Splits to the left....

and splits to the right. (Splits 3 ways!)

Practicing her candy hold

Pretty much DONE with me taking photos and this point!

More than an hour later, she was done and about 5 that evening, the list was posted. Ella made it! She's in company 1, which is the 6-8 year olds. She was thrilled and had to call the grandparents, and all her friends who also made company. She was on the phone for about an hour straight. We're so proud of how hard she has worked for this... and a little intimidated as well, about the time and costs that lie ahead! Our first company meeting is this Sunday and we'll find out which dances she's in, when the competitions take place, etc... We know we're going to Nationals in Branson! Glad it's close to home this first year!