Dance Till you Drop by Samantha-Ellen Bound Page B

whisks and promenade to close. It was just the story of the fairy ballerina and her tin soldier. There was also this new, nice feeling that I hadn’t had before.
    It was trust. Trusting your partner. I finally knew what Fleur meant when she kept calling out, ‘Paige, Benji! Where is your connection? You must have connection!’
    Connection didn’t mean touching someone. It meant trusting them. And ballroom made that really clear.
    Mum had found a version of ‘Greensleeves’ where the music at the end actually sloweddown in tempo, like it does when the music box runs out.

    Benji and I began to turn slower and slower, until eventually I stopped moving and stood still. Benji bowed to me, as if to thank me for the dance, and then the lights faded as he walked offstage.
    I blinked. I took a big breath. I stood in the darkness, slowly becoming Paige again, and not the fairy ballerina.
    Then Benji was fumbling for my hand and the lights came back on. We walked to the front of the stage for our bows.
    Fleur and Miss Caroline were clapping and cheering louder than anyone. Miss Caroline tipped me a wink that said, ‘You pulled it off, Paige!’
    Mum was sitting next to them. When I caught her eye, she put one hand on her chest and blew me a kiss.
    Her eyes were teary and I realised she was doing an embarrassing Mum cry. Usually it’s Riley’s mum who does that. It’s kind of a joke between us four girls – whose mum will cry this time?
    Speaking of us four girls, suddenly Benji and I were surrounded by the excited cheers of Ellie, Riley and Ash. Even before we’d got offstage they were jumping all over us and squeezing us to bits.
    Poor Benji.
    But that’s how it was at Silver Shoes.
    And I never wanted to be anywhere else.

Paige Montreal
    Full name: Paige Elizabeth Montreal
    Nickname: Paigey
    Age: 10
    Favourite dance styles: Lyrical and ballroom
    Best friend: Ellie
    Family: Mum and Dad
    Favourite colours: Yellow and emerald green
    Favourite food: Jelly snakes, raisin toast
    Favourite school subject: Art
    Hobbies: Dancing, writing stories, drawing, art and craft (I help Mum make her jewellery!), collecting Cabbage Patch dolls
    What I want to be when I grow up: Dancer or teacher
    Best dancing moment: When Ellie and I did a ‘Beach Babes’ duo as tinies and became best friends
    Things I love: Dancing, going on holidays to tropical Queensland, playing with our puppy Brie, staying over at Ellie’s house, cooking dinner with Dad when Mum has a ‘girls’ night’, sleeping in (and Ellie wants me to say ‘Benji’, but I won’t!)

How to do a Perfect Closed Hold
    The closed hold is the most common hold in ballroom dancing. Partners stand facing each other, with the man’s right hand on the lady’s back, near her left shoulder blade. The couple’s other hands are clasped together around chest- or shoulder-height.
    Tip
    Stand tall, with your head up and shoulders relaxed.

How to do a Perfect Promenade Hold
    The promenade hold is a V-shaped position with the man’s left side and the lady’s right side slightly open, allowing the couple to walk forward. The man’s head should be turned to the left; the lady’s to the right. Hand positions are the same as for a closed hold.
    Tip
    To begin, make sure your feet are in third position rather than first or second.

Glossary
    Hello! Below are some terms you will come across in both ballet and ballroom. Because I’m new to ballroom, I’m still learning some of them too. Ballet is a great grounding for a lot of steps you will do in ballroom, especially once you get into the tango, salsa and paso doble. A good posture never goes astray! Apart from technique and energy, in ballroom what makes a really good dancer is a strong connection to your partner – it helps if they’re cute, like mine!
    Love, Paige
    Â 
    arabesque to position yourself on one leg, with your other leg