VIDEO: Hip-Hop Beats On Her Feet

From the moment that Abbey Barclay's feet stop moving, she transforms into the typical 14-year-old girl. She wears comfortable basketball shorts and sneakers, and her hair is loosely tied to the side in a ponytail. But when the topic turns to dance, her passion seeps through.

Barclay is on the heels of a national championship title. The competition, Dance Makers, Inc. was held last month in Myrtle Beach, S.C. She won the soloist title with a hip-hop performance choreographed by Rob Lebron. Barclay said that she took a year-long class with Lebron and was excited to work with him, requesting him as her choreographer. "His choreography fit me," she said. Her mother, Lisa Barclay, agreed. "He's a great mentor for her."

Abbey Barclay's love affair with dance began at the age of four with Irish dance. It eventually bored her.

"After competing, it was all the same," she said. Watching her sister perform tap at her recital with Stage Door Dance Academy inspired her to venture out into new types of dance, which now includes ballet, jazz, modern, lyrical, musical theater and her favorite—hip hop. 

"I like it because it's fun," Barclay said of hip-hop dance. "You can do your own thing; put your own twists and styles."

For Barclay, Stage Door, where she's danced for six years, has provided more than just studio space. "At school, there's always drama and fights. Here, it's different," she said. "I love to dance with the girls in my company. I feed off them."

At many competitions, including nationals, Barclay has found herself competing against those same girls—including her best friend, who placed in second at the national competition.

Her best friend performed right after her, but there was no jealousy between the two. "I had a support system behind me. We boosted each other's self-esteem."

Lisa Barclay has also enjoyed what Stage Door has done for her daughter. "They compete against each other, but it's not about winning. It's about a team and supporting each other," said Barclay, who has other daughters that dance with Stage Door, as well. "The girls really feel that way."

The young performer enjoys performing with her company as much as she enjoys the solo numbers. Her favorite is when the company performs "Time Warp", from the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show. "It's quirky, and we have crazy costumes and hair." Her title allows her to perform and travel with Dance Makers, Inc.—which will mean time away from her company members. "She has to find a middle ground," said her mother. Regarding where Barclay will perform with Dance Makers, Inc. her mother said: "She gets to enjoy her title, but be committed to the company."

The aspiring choreographer and performer describes dance as her passion.

"It's a relief from everything. I don't really care what anyone thinks when I'm dancing."

Check out the video to watch a portion of the routine that earned Abbey her championship!