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Show "Welcome to the Academy," the woman said stiffly. "For those of you who haven't previously danced with me, I'm Miss Trion and this is Mrs. Jackson." Miss Trion nodded to a plump woman whose bottom drooped over a round stool in front of the piano. For several minutes, Miss Trion went on about the special privilege it was to attend the the Academy, which Kim already knew. After she won the scholarship that allowed her to attend any ballet school, she chose the Academy in San Francisco because Mr. Flugman had said that was one of the best ballet schools in the country. After Miss Trion finished telling everyone how wonderful the Academy was, she said, "I assume you new students have correctly placed yourselves in advanced ballet. However, to make sure, I would like to observe each of you dance today. We'll start with warm-up exercises at the barre. Demi plies, please. " The girls in the center scurried over to the barre. Once again, Miss Trion nodded to Mrs. Jackson, who pounded out a melody as if she were kneading bread dough. The music was slow and steady at first, then faster and lighter until Kim found herself panting when the ballet teacher finally called the girls into the center for port de bras exercises. "Remember," Miss Trion clapped her hands in time to the 32 |
