I peeked up at Megan to see if she’d caught that.

“Every year, about five hundred people audition. It’s hard work, as we rehearse six hours a day, six days a week, for approximately six weeks before we start the show. Every show has three hundred kicks in it! And we do up to four shows in one day! Every move we make is detailed, including how high we hold our arms and how high we kick and where our eyes are looking.”

“Whoa!” Trina said, and we all laughed.

Jen clapped her hands. “So! Are you girls ready to learn some Rockettes dancing with me?”

Yes! Jen took us into a room that looked like one of our practice rooms. Just like our own rehearsals, we started with warm-ups and stretches. She had us all pull our hair off our faces, into tight, high ponytails.

Then we started with strut kicks. Jen had us all get in a line facing forward. She counted off:

“One, two, three, four, and on five put your right hand straight up in the air! On seven, put your arms around each other. Step left and kick! Step ball change and passé!”

I got to stand next to Jen in the line, which was both awesome and kind of nerve-wracking! We all had our arms around one another—although Jen told us not to really touch one another but barely touch the fabric on our tops—and we were kicking straight out but not as high as the Rockettes would kick. I looked at Lily next to me, and we grinned. Then I looked the other direction, and I could hardly believe I had my arm around a real Rockette and was dancing with her in a kick line!

Then we moved to the most famous move they did: the eye-high kicks! “Five, six, seven, eight—”

Quick jump and then right kick! Left! Right! Left! Double left!

I tried to keep my leg straight and kick super high. Meghan was pretty well known for her leg holds in high kicks, so she definitely nailed this part.

“Megan is very flexible,” Jen said approvingly.

We managed to learn a whole mini routine.

“I love the bubbly energy of the girl on the end!” Jen said, pointing at Lily. “Enthusiasm and personality are important traits. Keep that energy high!”

We went through the routine a few more times. It was so fun!

“When you’re known for being a precision dance group, precise footwork certainly is critical.” Jen nodded at Trina approvingly. “Your footwork is excellent.”

Then I got my chance to shine.

“You,” she said. “You hold your head incredibly still, which is an underrated skill. Did you know that?”

“Um, kind of,” I said. “I practice spotting for my turn series, which are my favorite.”

“Oh, I’d love to see your turn series,” she said.

Okay! I took my prep and held my plié for a second. Then I pulled up spotting six consecutive turns and landed gracefully.