Spotlight on the Mirror

Chapter Three

"Turn the music off!" Ms. Dee screamed the next morning at rehearsals for the Mayor's Birthday Celebration. They were at the local Civic Center performing a dance musical from the movie, Moulin Rouge. Holliday couldn't focus due to the dinner with Mendall last night and kept messing up the counts.

"All morning you've been unfocused and your timing has been off. If you want to waste your own time, that's fine but you won't disrespect this performance, Ms. Mosely," Ms. Dee yelled at her.

Holliday felt bad but she couldn't shake the feeling that had been bothering her since the night before. It consumed her dreams and she barely got any sleep. She had been late for rehearsals and displayed no concentration.

Today, was definitely a bad day.

"I apologize for my lack of focus, Ms. Dee. It won't happen again," Holliday assured her instructor.

"I'm sure it won't since Ms. Ryans will replace you in the front of the performance. Now, move to the back."

"I swear, I won't mess up again. Please give me another chance. Please!" She begged.

Holliday knew that with her dad and Mendall coming to the celebration, she needed to prove how important dance was to her. She was a damn good dancer and they all needed to see her skills. That couldn't happen if she was in the back during the entire performance.

"Switch with Ms. Ryans immediately!" Ms. Dee shouted again.

"It's ok, we can switch the day of the performance. I don't mind," Madison whispered as she switched spots with Holliday.

The only reason Madison was present at all was because her parents made her sign up. Her parents wanted to socialize at the celebration and having Madison perform in the dance would make them appear important. It was always about the social ladder climb for Madison's parents.

Holliday said nothing as she quietly switched places with her best friend. They ran the performance a few times to make sure everyone looked in synced. Just as everyone was about to exit the stage for a short break, a bold voice was heard in the back of the room. Everyone immediately became quiet and stood up straight in fifth position, which is one of the starting poses before most dance movements.

The owner and head mistress of The Conservatory of CC walked closer to the stage, making her presence known. Nervousness and anxiety filled the air because Carmen Cylla could make or break anyone's dance career. As she stood before them, the aura that she maintained reminded everyone what an honor it was to be a student at her school.

Carmen Cylla was a world wide innovator and Jazz Dance legend. Since there wasn't any mainstream popularity for Jazz Dance, Ms. Cylla incorporated her own techniques which were still named after her til this day. She traveled the world and performed the fascination of her passion for everyone. What made Ms. Cylla very different was that she performed well into her thirty's, which is rarely heard of since a professional dancer's career usually ends in their middle twenty's. There were even books and movies made after Carmen Cylla.

Thanks to her, Jazz Dance was merged into society and branded the same respect as Ballet. Once she was done performing around the world, she moved back home to Diecedue, Louisiana and opened The Conservatory of CC. The moment the doors opened, success was achieved. It was an incredible honor to dance at CC's. After graduation, a lot of students found success in TV or movies, Broadway, or traveled the world as a sought after performer. Having CC's on the resume was almost instant gold especially with Ms. Cylla's connections.

"I'm sure I don't have to remind any of you how important this performance is. The mayor and his associates donate a lot of money to my studio every year. That money is why some of you are here and how others are afforded the privilege to perform under my name. I won't tolerate or accept anything less than magical. Entice the audience and make them feel the excitement but leave them wanting more!" Ms. Cylla stated with passion in her voice.