'The winner of the competition and the person who will present the Pristine Dance Academy in Los Angeles next month is Lacey De Vaunt.'
I spent months online researching classical movements and watching Margot Fonteyn ballet videos. The hardest movement in ballet is the fouette. I wanted to nail it to impress my dance teachers at the academy.
To learn this movement took a tremendous amount of determination to master. A dancer must move their leg in front or even behind their body whilst spinning. All my training and determination must have paid off, because I won the competition.
I attended the academy, the day before I had to leave for the competition in Los Angeles. I had to practice in a controlled environment.
I noticed my fellow dancers' attitude has changed towards me. Snide comments behind their hands. Looks of disgust which confused me to no end. Why would they look at me that way and treat me differently after a little friendly competition? We've been friends for years. I shook off the thoughts so I could focus.
My duffle bag placed on the floor, I follow, sitting on the polished wooden floors. The soft pastel purple walls line the left wall as the front and right walls where draped in floor to ceiling mirrors. The ballet barres strategically positioned around the studio to accommodate the dancers.
My tall, slender, fair skinned build paired with auburn locks I've pulled up tightly into a bun. The black leotard hugs my body tightly as my pink convertible tights line my legs. I taped my toes. Pulled the tights over my toes before slipping my feet into my baby pink point shoes and wrapping the ribbon around my lower legs. I rose from my position, I place my thigh length black chiffon wrap skirt around my waist and tie it up before heading over to the barre.
The barre was in front of me. I place a hand on the barre and pranced up and down the studio, switching sides at each end. Once I finish prancing, I go onto complete my warming with jumping jacks, barre rises, hips and shoulder rolls, butterfly stretches, the splits and finishing with my breathing techniques.
After spending about an hour on my routine, the exhaustion hit and I was ready to go home; rest before the long flight. Picking up my duffle bag, I headed to the showers.
After showering, I slide my black leggings on. A loose pink cotton v neck shirt paired with slides and letting my auburn locks fall to the middle of my back.
The flight was long and tiring to Los Angeles; resulting in a nap before the competition to fight jet lag.
I arrived early at the amphitheatre to ensure I'm properly stretched and performance ready. I opened my bag, my point shoes weren't there. Instead, I had a duffle bag full of tree leaves and a note.
'Good luck without your pointe shoes, Lacey!'
