Tilly's Time to Shine. Kimberly Wyatt

up the Djembe in the Murphy Studio as we speak.’

      The students burst into applause.

      ‘All right!’ Mr Marlo yelled. ‘Let’s dance!’

      As Tilly entered the Murphy Studio, every cell in her body tingled. Now she truly was back at home. As the students all found a place on the floor, a group of drummers in the corner of the studio started pounding out a rhythm on the Djembe. Tilly closed her eyes and let it reverberate through her body. She loved African dance. She loved that it was so raw, and the way it made you feel part of a team, a family. And she was part of a tribe – the WEDA tribe. She could feel the energy from the other students seeping into her as they began to dance. She allowed herself to sink deeper into the rhythm, letting herself go until there was no boundary left between her and the music. It was as if her body had become an extension of the drum, and she felt lit up with happiness. This was where she belonged – on a dance floor, expressing herself with her body. With every pound of the drum she felt an even stronger connection with her warrior within, and more determined than ever. This term she was going to dance as if the world depended on it, because it did. Her world depended on her staying at WEDA.