Emma's first dance audition was on Wednesday, January 28, 2009. I wanted to put the memory down asap because there is only one first. We had incredible weather - snow (cancelled school), icy roads and rain. A lot of rain. I can only imagine my face when I saw Liz' foot drop down into a puddle about 5 inches deep as we came up from the subway stairs. But we did it - we made it to the School of American Ballet in NYC, the Rose Building, next to The Juilliard School. Liz, her daughter, Siobhan, Emma and me. I was just in awe of the fact that we were there and that the girls were auditioning for the summer intensive - they fixed their hair, stretched a bit, pinned on their numbers(93) and then the moms were shooed away. We had coffee in the Juilliard/SAB cafe, watched these talented students coming in and out, then made our way back to the lobby where I sat mesmerized watching a boy's class with the piano music so melodiously lilting out the door. I realized then that in a few years I could see Emma being there, staying there, or perhaps in another summer program. It was a learning experience for me, a time for growing. On Sunday, Emma will audition for the second time - Princeton's ARB. Last time this year I was surprised to realize that she would be old enough to audition. This year, I'm ready!
