Winter Dance Recital

 "Dance is the hidden language of the soul, of the body"

~Martha Graham

All the girls but Gita moved up this year and are in classes with older girls. The studio owner felt they were ready for some new challenges as they continue to work on flexibility, technique and memorizing choreography. Liesel and Ireland have had their doubts about dance in the past but as they've stuck to it their love for it has deepened. 

Liesel and Gita are tiny so they end up doing lifts.

Sydney's jazz number is actually with a sweet girl from the physical therapy group. The song was one the little girl liked from Trolls.

I'm always worried when the girls end up in the same class since they already have sibling rivalries and they don't really need more reason to be competitive. I was pleasantly surprised they got along just fine.

Gita Jazz

Tap is unique to Brigitta- she's the only one who takes it and she really loves it.

Ireland Ballet

Ireland was the only one to get a new costume and she was really excited for that fringe! Unfortunately, they finalized the choreography while we were at Disneyland. She also forgot to take off her glasses and hurt herself in the turtle.

As the girls get older, their lyrical numbers are my favorite because they can be more expressive.

Liesel's ballet was one of the first numbers that had to be rehearsed on stage before the audience started filing in. Dancers had to go behind stage which was dark. They ended up opening doors so there was light to see as they transitioned positions.

For Liesel's Jazz there was a worm into a center split. The stage was hard and she kept hitting her knees. Even though she did it for the final dance, her knees were sore for the rest of the recital.

Liesel's Hip Hop was one of the bigger numbers aside from company. The last song of the combo Liesel had to learn after everyone else due to being gone for Disneyland and then having family in town.

Liesel's Lyrical was much easier because they finalized the choreography so much earlier and they were able to go over it several times. The lift was a little tricky but they practiced in the dressing room and finally got it just before the dance recital. She had to take off her lyrical shoes because she kept slipping during back walkovers.

Usually I get some rolled eyes when I ask the girls to take photos but not this time! They were having so much fun with their poses we actually were the last to leave and ended up turning out the lights.

Traditional flowers from Dad.

Not sure why I never got an individual of Sydney- I think her costume was itchy and she really wanted to get out of it.

Ireland really loved making that fringe fly!

We rarely eat out but they'd worked so hard we did a couple of drive-thrus (Taco Bell and Popeyes) and everyone feasted until they were happy and full. 

Ireland and Sydney have been reticent about joining company but after the recital they both insisted they were ready for it. Look at how happy Gita is with her teacher and fellow company member!

Yes it's more scheduling and costumes and coordinating, but Brent and I truly see so many benefits to having the girls in dance! Another recital in the books!