Interview with Julia Noore, Lexis Alvarez & Caitlyn Pagano
Interviewees: L to R: Julia Noore (JN), Parkland, Florida, Age 11
Lexis Alvarez (LA), Boca Raton, Florida, Age 10
Caitlyn Pagano (CP), Coral Springs, Florida, Age 11
Q: (From Alan Klopman): How long have each of you been dancing?
A: JN: About nine.
Q: Wait a minute, how old are you and how long have you been dancing?
A: JN: I'm 11. I've been dancing 9 years.
A: CP: I'm 11, and I've been dancing 9 years too.
A: LA: I'm 10 and I have been dancing 8 years.
Q: Wow, all of you have been dancing since you were two! What do you like best about dance?
A: JN: I can be with some of my friends and I feel safe there.
A: CP: I like dancing because you can express yourself while you do your moves.
A: LA: I like being able to work with and learn many different types of dance and styles too.
Q: How many hours a day and week do you dance?
A: JN: Over 10 hours
A: CP & LA: The same
Q: What is the hardest thing about what you do? What do you like least about dance.. there must be something you don't like.
A: JN: When you can't get a step, and you work, like a week, and you still can't get it.
A: CP: The choreography. When you want what you do to look exactly like the teacher and you can't make that happen.
A: LA: All that hard work to try to make everything on count, and you have to practice so much.
Q: What is the last thing that goes through your mind before you step on stage for a competition?
A: JN: I want to do it like my teacher!
A: CP: I want to win this thing!
A: LA: Oh my god, we're going on stage!
Q: What do you do if you do a misstep when you are performing on stage?
A: JN: I think to myself what the teacher would do. I make something up and get back on track.
A: CP: It depends if I am in a group or not. When I am in a group, I try to listen to the music and get back on track with the group. When I am doing a solo, I make something up.
A: LA: I smile and keep going!
Q: Do you guys think you are going to win something today?
A: JN: I hope.
A: CP: Me too....
A: LA: I am desperately praying!