Kryemadhi: Week #8

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    This weekend, I had my first dance competition of the year, and let me tell you guys, it was quite something. Usually competitions span over an entire weekend ensuring lots of time between dances, but because of COVID, our studio only had 4 and a half hours to fit in all our dances. While that may seem like a lot of time, when you take into consideration changing your hair, costumes, and sometimes even make up, it can be extremely stressful. 

I competed in 4 group numbers, a duet with my little sister, and a solo. Groups went great, and duo was the most in sync it’s ever been. Then came my last number of the night, my solo. I danced to Train Wreck by James Arthur. After my duo, I only had 15 minutes to change my costume, curl my hair, and prepare to go on. By the time I ran back to the stage, I only had one more number till I was up. My friends and sister all gave me a much needed confidence boost assuring me that I would do great. 

The announcer called out, “Number 138, Train Wreck.” It was time. I walked onto the stage as if I owned it. The first minute and 45 seconds of the dance were essentially perfect. I was gliding through my movements and landing all of my tricks. And then it hit me. I completely blanked out. It was like my brain hit pause on a dance that I had run hundreds of times. My heart sank, but I knew I couldn’t just stand there. I have zero recollection of what I did for the next 30 seconds. My sister told me it went something like this. I ran in a circle, did a few leaps and turns, and the most random thing I could’ve done during this emotional piece, a one handed cartwheel with my hand on my hip. Somehow after all that, I remembered the last 10 seconds of the dance, so I was able to end strong.

     I walked off stage as if nothing had ever happened, but as soon as I was out of the judges sight, I collapsed in one of my best friend’s arms balling. I couldn’t believe what had happened. The mixture of me balling and wheezing caused all the girls to surround me. They all told me they didn’t even realize I messed up, but in my head I knew they were just trying to calm me down. That dance was a train wreck. 

    I only had a couple minutes till awards, so my friend walked me back to the dressing room to grab my team jacket. My mom was waiting for me, and I couldn’t hide my disappointment, so again I started balling. Then my best friend walked up to me trying to wipe away the tears, but it was no use. I was just upset with myself. 

    I somehow managed to put myself together for awards. It was hard not to smile when you see your friends dancing to the Macarena on stage. I joined them laughing along as we danced to the Cotton Eyed Joe. In the end, that was definitely a learning experience, and luckily I still have two more competitions to make up for it. I still scored pretty well with my made up choreography. Even though it was completely crazy, I cannot wait to receive the video recording to see what I actually did during my performance. This will be a memory I will surely never forget.

The Art Of Dance Centre Stage Team @ Legacy Dance Championships