In the final days leading up to a dance recital, there’s plenty of last-minute arrangements and rehearsals to be done. Fine-tuning dance moves and music selection is key to putting on a good show. Plus, there are costumes and hair and dance shoes, oh my!
All of these factors inevitably work to create a seamless show, but it can be nerve-wracking. For these little girls, it’s most likely one of the first times they’re on stage in front of a crowd. Luckily, these tiny dancers have got it going on, especially Johana who wins over the crowd with her unquestionable star power.
Mom and dad are in the audience, and we can hear just how proud they are with their outpouring of cheering. All three girls start with their backs towards the audience. As Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” starts to play through the auditorium, Johana is the first to turn and give it her all. She is perfectly in sync with the music, and her “sassitude” is set to high.
The audience is bearing witness to her over-the-top arm waves, finger-pointing, head nods and overall body language that commands presence and attitude. Johana is on fire and loving her moment in the spotlight that she spent countless hours at home rehearsing for.
Johana does a little bit of lip-syncing but mostly walking around and strutting her stuff. Her proud parents can be heard clapping and shouting words of encouragement as she finishes the dance with a seriously fabulous pose that has the 400+ audience cheering her and her dance mates on. And Johana knows that it’s not all about her – when her dance mate didn’t notice they were doing a final bow, Johana reaches over to grab her closer so she can get some of the glory and recognition from the audience she deserves.