On Pointe by Sheryl Berk Page A

year for the Sweet Feet competition,” Toni explained. “I have the group number all planned out. It’s called ‘Chip and Dip’ and each of you is going to be a giant chocolate chip cookie.”
    Liberty’s jaw fell. “A cookie? Seriously? Wasn’t playing a gingerbread dancer torture enough?”
    â€œWell, after you tortured Gracie during
Nutcracker
, I’d say you’re getting your just desserts,” Rochelle said, teasing her.
    â€œI haven’t decided on solos yet,” Tonicontinued. “But I do know we’ll be having a guest join us.” The door opened and Olivier walked in, decked out in a red velvet fedora for the holidays.
    â€œYay! Olivi-yay!” Gracie cheered. “Are you going to be my duet partner?”
    â€œNo, you and Liberty are going to be doing a duet,” her teacher said without looking up from her clipboard. “I think you actually made a very good team.”
    Scarlett waited to see if Gracie—or Liberty for that matter—was going to freak.
    â€œK-dokey,” Liberty said, winking at Gracie. “Martian twins reunited!”
    Miss Toni looked satisfied. “I just want to say how proud I am of all of you,” she commented. “And I have a little gift for you for the holidays.”
    â€œYou’re giving us the rest of the week off?” Rochelle asked hopefully.
    â€œNo. Nice try. I’m bringing in a guest choreographer to work with you while I go visit my family upstate,” Toni said. She waved at the studio door and Marcus walked in.
    Gracie ran over to hug him. “I thought I’d never see you again!” she said.
    â€œI understand we have a competition to win,” Marcus said, taking a seat at the front of the studio.
    â€œAre you sure you’re okay about going up against Justine?” Rochelle asked.
    Marcus smiled. “Bring it on.”
    He stood up and had the entire team line up in front of him.
    â€œOkay, gang, let’s get crackin’!”

Glossary of Dance Terms
    Arabesque:
a move where the dancer stands on one leg with the other leg extended behind her at 90 degrees.
    Balancé:
a three-step motion, usually “down, up, down” (
fondu, relevé, fondu
).
    Ballonné:
a ball-like or bouncing step. The dancer springs into the air extending one leg to the front, side, or back and lands with the extended leg.
    Barre:
the wooden bar in the ballet studio that a dancer holds on to with one or both hands to practice/balance.
    Coupé:
exchanging weight from one leg to another through a closed position.
    Changement:
it means “changing.” A jump in which the feet change positions in the air.
    Choreographer:
the person who creates the dance, deciding on the steps and order of movements.
    Pas de deux:
a duet.
    Piqué:
a movement where the pointed toe of the lifted and extended leg sharply lowers to hit the floor, then immediately bounces up.
    Pirouette:
a turn on one leg with the other leg behind.
    Plié:
a bend of the knees with hips, legs, and feet turned out.
    Pointe shoes/on pointe:
ballet shoes that allow dancers to stand on the tip of their toes; on the tip of the toe.
    Prima ballerina assoluta:
a rare title given to the greatest female ballet dancers. A very famous ballerina known around the world.
    Sauté:
a jump using one or two legs.
    Tour chaînés/chaînés:
a series of quick complete rotation turns on alternating feet moving in a straight line or circle.

Acknowledgments
    Many, many thanks to …
    My beautiful ballerina, Carrie, for always inspiring me with her grace, dedication, and brilliance. Dance like no one is watching!
    My husband, Peter—this is what I’ve been doing at my desk every day! Thanks for putting up with my crazy deadlines. XO
    Dances Patrelle for its breathtaking Yorkville
Nutcracker
. Francis, you’ve given our “Nut kids” and all of NYC an amazing gift. We’ve loved being a