Claire POV:
"All right, here we go," Abby said as we turned to walk into the studio Abby got in New York
Maddie and I have been so excited about the auditions, is hard to also think about the competition we also have to attend.
"Come on," Abby said as we walked into the studio after we had changed into our dancewear.
Claire's practice outfit-
"Girls, this is the big time. We are here in New York City in the dance Mecca of the world, right here. And I want you to take it all in. Everybody you pass on that street probably took a dance lesson at some point in their life. Do you understand that? Yes, there are a lot of kids who win competitions, a lot of kids who get crowns on their heads, and there's a handful that makes it in the industry. Remember that. I want to take bout Michigan first. We are not going to win a group dance until everybody in this group is on the same level. When parts of the choreography are in unison, you all need to be in unison. That's what I'm talking about! It's not always about your solos. It's about that group, and you need to learn the dance in a group. If you don't apply corrections, you're not going to improve. And that's the issue. Now, on with the pyramid." Abby said
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Christi interview:
"Luckily the pyramid found its way to Manhattan. Yay."
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"On the bottom of the pyramid is Paige. Did you correct the arms? Yes. Did you put the phone away? No." Abby said
"She gets no credit for doing her back tuck or her press or-" Kelly started going on about
"Credit?" Abby said before she started clapping
"It's her phone," Kelly said was an attitude.
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Kelly interview:
"I was watching Paige in the group number and I thought she did great. I just don't think that Abby gives her enough credit. She always kicks her in the back and doesn't pay attention to her, and I think she can hold her own. I think she's fine in the group. And better than Claire, her turns at the end ruined the number, not my daughter."
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"Next, Mackenzie. You can improv If you're early on the music in a solo. But when you do it in. a trio and you don't tell the other two partners to do it ahead of time, you make them look like idiots because you were out there, woo, shaking it up. Understood? Next, Chloe. Time to face the music. Forgot your routine. You're not seven anymore. You are ten years old. You can't make up your own thing and wait to get back onto the music when 35 other dancers are doing the right thing. That's a pink slip. That's the unemployment line. Understood? Next, Nia. You hurt your foot. You worked through it. It all worked out. However, it's the technique. And it's like we tell you over and over, it's up to you. Do you wanna fix it? Do you want to make it better? Then you will. Understood? Next, Claire. Claire you may have gotten second place, and your solo was stunning. Define your turn sequence in the group with one word?" Abby asked me
"Okay," I said even though I thought I nailed them
"Okay well, I have one word, sloppy." She said, "And then to top it off, your face was flat."
I looked and saw Christi and Kelly laughing to themselves.
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Claire interview:
"I was kinda embarrassed about what Abby said because the mothers laughed at me. I didn't think I did that bad, I thought I nailed them. But I believe Abby and I just need to work on it."
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"Next, we have Cassandra. First place, I'm so proud of you. But some timing in the group dance was off. Next, Brooke. Brooke, you did what you needed to do. But you always just do what you need to do. I want to see more from you. And on top again, is Maddie. I challenge you to keep winning your solos because you pick up quickly." Abby said
"I congratulated Maddie. I was happy for her.
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Christi interview:
"No Big surprise. Maddie reigns supreme at the top of the pyramid. Claire a close second."
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"I want to talk about it after the competition. the scout from the Joffrey Ballet School came to our dressing room. They chose the Abby Lee Dance Company. You're going to be going to the Joffrey School with some of the most prestigious instructors in all of New York. The judges that are judging you are three instructors at the Joffrey School. They're going to look at the feet. turnout, body lines. Everything you've learned up until this point is going to come into play in this audition. You guys need to fight for this. Cause I can tell you already one of you that will get it, and that Claire. We have to work on a ballet combination today. We have to work on a short presentation for each one of you to do when you go into that audition. I expected you to look like ballerinas. I'm shocked at the way you're dressed. Except Claire. Here you are in New York City going to a professional dance studio. And the only one wearing something like a ballerina is Claire, and that is what she usually wears! You never know who's going to be there. You never know who going to see you. You always want to look your best. You're going to have pink tights on. You're going to have a leotard on. You're going to have your hair in a bun. So moms, you're going to have to go out, you're going to have to hit the dancewear store, and I want them looking like ballerinas. Take Sabrina with you. The look is half the battle. Mommy's not going to be there. Abby's not going to be in there. It's you. You either sink or swim. And please don't embarrass me." Abby said
The moms gave each other a look. I guess they were mad about Abby comparing their children to me, all of them except Melissa.
"In addition to our rehearsals for this ballet audition, we are also going to be working on a number. You heard that right. So we will be attending the Starbound Competition in Paramus, New Jersey. And the competition is going to be fierce. Ladies our group routine this week is about a very serious topic. Let me just say, each one of you is in jail. It's dark, it's a bit avant-garde, and it's going to be fun. Chloe, you just came off a solo. You forgot your routine. You got to get right back on that horse. You; 're going to be doing a solo this weekend. Maddie, you've been undrafted for the last few weeks, so I'm challenging you once again to do a solo at Starbound. Cassandra, you also have a solo. And since you're doing a ballet audition, you will be doing a ballet solo. I need you to get over this mood of doing ballet, you're so talented at it, and you're throwing it away. I have one trio. Claire and Brooke, I loved the acro trio, so this is an acro duet. This might be the busiest week of your life. I know that I'm putting the pressure on you. But you know what? There's a time for pressure and it's now. You are representing the Abby Lee Dance Company. You are presenting 32 years of history. Do you understand that? Don't blow it." Abby said
MADDIE
BROOKE, CASSANDRA, CLAIRE
NIA, CHLOE, MACKENZIE, PAIGE
IN OHIO
Cathy POV
"Girls, come on in. I have a spectacular announcement that I want to make. I found out that Joffrey Ballet is having open auditions in my favorite city in the world. New York. We're going to hit the audition, and then we're going to New Jersey because Starbound is there." I said
"Is Abby going to be there?" Kendall asked me
"Yeah, the pressure's on, Miss Kendall. There's probably going to be more and more events that we run into Abby. That's just the way it is. I think that we probably have better ballet training than they do, but we'll see." I say as I get them ready for the group number
IN NEW YORK CITY
TWO DAY UNTIL JOFFERY AUDITIONS
Sabrina POV
Sabrina's outfit-
"Abby, is it possible that, um, you could give us some ideas when we go to look for the appropriate black leotard if there are certain types of leotards we should be looking for that complement each of their body styles? Not saying that we can find them, but we might stand a better chance." Holly asked Abby
"You want your legs to look long and your body, your torso to look short. Look at what Claire is wearing. Ask Sabrina, she used to be a prima ballerina.
It was later in the day and the moms went to get dance wear, I came to help them out. But the trip went well and they were able to get their kids their leotards.
DAY OF JOFFERY AUDITION
Claire's outfit-
Sabrina's Outfit-
Claire POV
I was nervous about the audition. When we saw Cathy and her apples enter the building. But I did see Kendall and I flashed her a quick smile, which she gave me back. It was time for the solo auditions and I was nervous. I was going to be on pointe and I'm not usually on them all the time.
After Brooke, it was my turn.
"Claire, show them how you make being on pointe, easy," Abby told me
I gave her a quick head nod before going in.
"Do you have something to show us?" They asked
"Yes," I said and I got ready to show them my abilities.
But after hearing what the other girls did I felt like my audition was a little more slow and boring than theirs, and more professional.
When the girls watched me they said I looked like I already went there. But I was very nervous about Chloe, she was good at ballet.
Then it was the audition with everyone inside. I felt pretty confident.
DAY OF COMPETITION
Sabrina's outfit-
Claire's POV
It was time for the competition and we had loads of pressure on us.
"OK, girls, listen to me closely. You know we're in New Jersey. We're at Starbound. You are the National Champions. But I'll tell you what, a lot of these talented studios were not at the nationals in Lake Tahoe, so I think you have your work cut out for you today." Abby told us
The group dance was first before the other dances.
"Starting with number 892 small group open ages 9-10, number 892. "Hurt them First."
During the group, I leaned on the bar to do a lift and it slipped from me and I almost fell. I hope that doesn't cause us the win.
"Judges, next up is number 870, "Almost Heaven."
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GROUP AWARDS
"In my hands, I hold the top 10 junior groups. In 10th place, with a score of 186, 892, "Hurt Them First," Abby Lee Dance Company. Congratulations one more time to "Hurt The First" in 10th place. Moving on to ninth place. One point higher with a score of 286, 270, "Almost Heaven," Candy Apples Dance."
__________________
We got back to the dressing room. It was time for the duos first so me and Brooke got ready.
Brooke and Claire's costumes-
I loved our costumes.
"Please welcome to the stage, number 143, "The Dream."
(Claire on the left Brooke on the right from the start)
I thought me and Brooke did a really good job. And Next was the Candy Apples and I don't think they will beat us this time.
"Next to the stage, number 212, "Show Off."
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DUO/TRIO AWARDS
"Top junior duo's trios. In the first place, we have number 143, "The Dream," from Abby Lee Dance Company!"
I was so happy that we had placed high and won, and the candy apples group didn't place.
___________________
Now it was time for the solos. While Maddie and Chloe got dressed I helped Cassandra get ready.
Cassandra's costume-
While in the dressing room, my mother got a call. Even though Abby had walked outside, My mother found out that I was accepted into the Joffrey Scholarship. The whole room started celebrating. And then Christi got a call, and turns out Chloe did too. Me and Chloe hugged each other tight. Though I did feel bad for Maddie. She was disappointed that she didn't get in.
"Next on the stage, number 32, "Mini Ballerina!"
As I watched my sister watch out and be that ballerina she was always supposed to be, I was proud.
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Sabrina interview:
"When I watch Cassandra dance, she reminds me so much of Claire. And I feel that she has so much potential, and could dance at Joffery one day."
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I was in the wings and I saw Kendall go up, and I cheered for her. I thought she looked really pretty.
"Next up to the stage, "Queen of Hearts."
I thought Kendall did great, but I felt like she rushed through her moves quickly. I know the music was fast, but she had time to get those moves looking effortless.
Next up was Chloe and Maddie, and I stayed backstage to support them. Maddie went up first and I tried to calm her down.
"Number 890 open ages 9 to 10, "In My Heart."
Maddie looked so pretty while she danced and then all of a sudden she ran off.
She ran into me and hugged me before talking to the director guy.
"Abby's going to freak out on me." She cried
"No Maddie she's not, calm down," I said
"I want to go again. Can I please go again?" She asked.
"Maddie it's okay, we all make mistakes," I said trying to calm her down
"I've never done this before. Can I please go again? Please?" She cried, "Abby's gonna hate me."
"Maddie, she's not, I promise," I said
Then I saw my mother and Miss Melissa come over
"It's not fair. They just there you out there." She yelled
My mother went to comfort Maddie, giving her a tight hug.
"Miss Melissa, I tried to calm her down," I said
"I know, thanks, Claire." She told me.
"Abby's gonna hate me." Maddie still cried.
"No, she's not sweetie." My mother told her
We brought Maddie back to the dressing room, but I ran back to give Chloe a quick good-luck hug and then went to join Maddie and the others.
"Judges, 891, "Red Queen."
After Chloe was done she came and tried to comfort Maddie too. But even with me and my mother and Cassandra and her mother, she was still crying. I wanted so badly to make her feel better.
And then Abby came in and comforted Maddie too.
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SOLO AWARDS
"Mini solo awards, in the first place we have number 32, "Mini Ballerina!"
"And now we have our top 10 junior soloists. In seventh place we have Kendall, come on up. Here comes the official top there soloist. Give it up for 307, "If My Freinds Could See Me Now." In the second place, 793, "Want You Back," Julia! Ladies and gentlemen, our top junior soloist today, please put your hands together for number 891, "Red Queen," Chloe!"
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After the competition, Maddie, her mom my mother went to dinner to celebrate my Joffrey scholarship. I know she didn't get it but she was happy for me.