Read Jade and the Surprise Party Online
Authors: Darcey Bussell
Jade and the Surprise Party
To Phoebe and Zoe, as they are the inspiration behind Magic Ballerina.
Welcome to the world of Enchantia!
I have always loved to dance. The captivating music and wonderful stories of ballet are so inspiring. So come with me and let’s follow Jade on her magical adventures in Enchantia, where the stories of dance will take you on a very special journey.
p.s. Turn to the back to learn a special dance step from me…
In the soft, pale light, the girl stood with her head bent and her hands held lightly in front of her. There was a moment’s silence and then the first notes of the music began. For as long as the girl could remember music had seemed to tell her of another world – a magical, exciting world – that lay far, far away. She always felt if she could just close her eyes and lose herself, then she would get there. Maybe this time. As the music swirled inside her, she swept her arms above her head, rose on to her toes and began to dance…
Jade could hear the music in her head. She did a skip kick, a lunge and two quick turns, then she sprung up high, landing in second position. “Yes!” she said, punching the air. “Did you follow what I did? Let’s try it together!”
Her partner, Chloe frowned. “Er… can you show me again, Jade?”
Jade looked puzzled. She glanced across at her ballet teacher to see if she was looking in their direction. Madame Za-Za’s eyes were on the rest of the class, watching as they made up their own short dances in pairs.
“OK, I’ll go back to the beginning. It goes flick, kick, flick, kick, arms up, turn to the right, arms down…” Jade gabbled.
Chloe tried to copy the moves, but she forgot what came after the first arm movements. “Sorry,” she said, biting her lip.
Jade tried to hide her disappointment. “Is it that there’s too much street dancing in the routine?” she asked. But she didn’t wait for Chloe to answer. “I can easily change it. Look, how about
pas de
bourrée
instead of the flick, kicks, like this.”
Jade felt excited as she went on making up new steps. Eventually she stopped and turned to Chloe. “Try that.”
