As she swirls her dress with the grace of a professional dance instructor, one can’t help but notice how she relaxes with a sigh of relief and goes back to being a regular gangly teenager, once the shot has been taken. Meet Brionii Vardon, who’s last name is probably one of the best known in Chennai’s dance circles, courtesy dad and mentor - Jeffery Vardon of the Hot Shoe Dance Company.So, it isn’t surprising that this 14-year-old was the youngest in her category to be accredited with the prestigious ‘Silver Bar’ by the ‘United Kingdom Alliance of Professional Teachers of Dancing and Kindred Arts’ just last month - a tremendous achievement for someone her age.And even if dance weren’t in her veins by pure genetics, it certainly began at home, as this ninth grader recalls, “I grew up watching rehearsals and practise sessions for my dad’s shows. The dance studio was like a second home.” Somehow, it was only natural that shaking a leg came easy to Brionii for as long back as she can remember. She adds, “My dad wanted discipline and a good foundation for my dancing, so I started ballet when I was six.” A lot of posturing and leotard work later, her passion turned to more contemporary Latin styles such as Salsa, Rumba and Cha-Cha-Cha. What most probably didn’t expect was that this talented school student would step into her father’s teaching (dancing) shoes. Not this soon, at least. Brionii says, “I’ve been an ‘assistant’ teacher for two years now,” and then reveals with a mock sigh, “I haven’t been making any money off it... yet!” She choreographed her first piece for her classmates for a school annual day in the fifth standard. Ironically, her classes most often have students twice her age. So what happens when smart Alec adult students don’t listen? “I have a standard reply when people ask me silly questions,” she says simply. And illustrates with surprising authority in her voice --- “Did you get the step?” Apparently, that shut them up every time.Asked if there is a musical that she would she like to work on in the future, and she responds with an infectious smile, “The Wizard of Oz.” And with song-and-dance idols like Michael Jackson and Shakira for inspiration, it seems professional choreography may not be too far behind either. Brionii recalls, “I’ve been practising the belly moves ever since ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ came out (in 2006).” Though her current interests range from the Twilight series to pencil sketching for fun, the future is sure to hold a lot of bright options for Little Miss Vardon. Where does she see herself? She pauses for a moment, and almost whispers, “Well, Juilliard (school for music, dance and theatre in New York) has always been a dream,” and she manages to add with an evil grin, “but I’m definitely taking over my dad’s Hot Shoe Dance Company!”
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