Young lads and ladies leaped and twirled across the Cannon Falls High School auditorium on May 18th. Dance students worked throughout the year to put together their performances that told iconic stories. Cannon Falls’ School of Dance presented Cinderella and Rio as told through dance. The performance began with featured dancer Abby Barrett playing the role of Cinderella. Once she tiptoed onto the stage, the story unfolded with the fairy godmother and the hilarious bickering between the two step sisters. The youngest ballerinas and tap dancers had a blast while they danced around the stage with the older girls. After some technical difficulties and a brief intermission, the dancers transitioned to a colorful scene of Rio. Cultural dances and tap performers swayed to the upbeat rhythms. All of the dancers had huge smiles on their faces showing their love of the classic arts. One star especially shone through the crowd.

Senior Abby Barrett danced her last performance for the Cannon Falls School of Dance. Her portrayal of Cinderella was passionate and enduring. Throughout the storyline, Abby’s expressions conveyed precisely what she was feeling. Hannah Singewald praised Abby by saying, “I really liked the interpretation because there wasn’t a man in the story. Cinderella don’t need no man.” During the scene of Cinderella’s evil step sisters tugging at Cinderella’s dress, Abby was distraught at the sight of her torn dress. Even though the ballroom dances had some technical difficulties with the lights and music, Abby stole the show with her gorgeous costume with matching golden point shoes. With the ease and grace of a true ballerina, the senior Cinderella spun across the stage as if gravity wasn’t in the equation.