Maci Ziegler |DANCE MOMS|

The View From the Top

This week, we were in New York City. I'm so excited.

We were lined up inside the studio we rented, bags tossed in the corner, everyone buzzing with energy.

"All right, here we are, New York city." Abby announces as we all clap. "Remember, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."

The room instantly feels more serious.

"This week, we will be attending the Masters of Dance Competition, and it's going to be tough. This is our first time showing up. We will be the underdog. And Cathy, who we thought would be in Ohio, she's here in New York City," Miss Abby continues.

I groan quietly. Another disaster of a week coming up.

"Last time she beat you, it was bad. A perfect score? That doesn't happen too often. She wants to do it again. You going to let it happen?"

Nobody answers.

"Now, lets get to the pyramid!"

We all shift nervously.

"On the bottom, Mackenzie. You don't dance, there's nothing to critique."

Kenzie stares at the floor.

"And next, Nia and Asia. That wasn't a duet, it wasn't partners working together. It was you double-timing everything, and it was you trying to keep up."

Nia and Asia stand stiff beside each other.

"And next I have Brooke. You do that side aerial to one knee, you're the first face that comes forward. You need to lock eyes with one of those judges. You need to draw them in and tell them that story."

"All we saw was the top of your head."

Brooke nods slightly.

"Moving on, Paige. Paige, you didn't draw my focus. Not in a good way, not in a bad way, I think that's a good thing."

"And moving up, Kendall. Kendall, you've had a good run lately. This week, you flew under the radar."

"And next, Maddie. Last week there was 11 points between you and the next contestant. This week, there was one and you were second. You did not have your head in the game. Wake up."

Maddie nods silently.

"Next, Chloe. You stayed on your music Chloe, you remembered the choreography, you applied the corrections, you were beautiful."

"Thank you." Chloe whispers.

"And taking a bite out of the Apple is, Maci. I thought you were amazing, you looked peaceful and graceful to watch and you won the overall."

Everyone claps.

"Thank you." I beam.

Maci

Chloe Maddie Kendall

Paige Brooke Asia Nia Mackenzie

"So this week at the Masters of Dance, everybody is in the group routine."

We clap again. Even Kenzie's smiling.

"Asia, you're certainly better on stage alone. You will be performing a solo."

More applause.

"I have another solo going to Chloe."

Clapping fills the room again.

"Maddie, you will be doing a solo."

Cheers echo around us.