Written by: Skylar Suppes PC 14
This summer was my second year attending the Rockette Summer Intensive in New York. I value the experience and am truly grateful for it each year. This intensive is a week of dancing and training specifically designed to teach Rockette hopefuls what it's like to truly train as a Rockette. While spending the week in New York City, I attended eight hour rehearsals for six days a week, and on the 7th day, we performed at our RSI showcase.
I was full of excitement the first week. I met so many other young women who share the same goals as I do. One of the most special parts about this week was getting the opportunity to learn from current Radio City Rockettes. They have so much more knowledge and guidance to offer than I could've ever imagined. Being able to dance with and learn from them, in my opinion, is the best way to grow as an aspiring Rockette.
The Radio City Rockettes are famous for their eye-high kicks and precision dancing. As a Rockette, you're not working alone. You're working as a team with the other dancers in your line in order to create the incredible look of moving as one. The Rockettes make it look easy, but there is a lot behind each number performed and each movement carried out. I learned this very quickly while spending my week with the Rockettes. It's very important to pay attention to every movement. It's crucial to not only remember each detail, but also execute each detail while performing.
During the week, I was placed in a line with 19 other women as we learned three Rockette routines; Welcome to New York, Shine, and The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. Each routine was unique, powerful and incredibly fun to learn and perform. It was a lot to learn in such a short period of time, but so rewarding to see how far all of us were able to come. Through countless hours of learning, cleaning, and perfecting, we were able to push ourselves and grow further as dancers.
Growing up as a dancer, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to learn from a Rockette. My dance teacher, Susan (Henderson) Dustin, performed as a Rockette in Branson, Las Vegas and of course, New York City. She has always inspired me to work hard and encouraged me to be a part of experiences like the Rockette Summer Intensive!
I have dreamed of becoming a Radio City Rockette since I was a little girl. This week of intense training is truly inspiring and feels like I'm living the dream. I value the experience and am truly grateful for this amazing opportunity. I'm already counting down the days until next summer for my next RSI experience!
