Life as a Rockette
Five local women who appear on Radio City’s famous stage tell why they get a kick out of it.
It’s a cherished holiday-season tradition for families who live in our area: the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. And the high-kicking Rockettes are an iconic highlight of the show. They make it look easy, as the saying goes, but of course these are talented, well-conditioned athletes with discipline, stamina and practiced skill. Morris & Essex wanted to find out just what it’s like to be a Rockette, so we interrogated five experts: Rockettes who hail from our two counties. They are Jaclyn de Nicola from Nutley (who joined the cast in 2021), Ellen Mihalick from Randolph (2013), Megan Levinson from North Caldwell (2010), LaTarika Pierce from Orange (2019) and Kristen Welsh of Bloomfield (2017).
What inspired you to become a Rockette?
JACLYN DE NICOLA: Like most younger siblings, I wanted to be just like my older sister. She danced at a local studio, so I begged my parents to enroll me in dance as well. And when they brought us to see the Christmas Spectacular for the first time, I knew immediately that I wanted to be a Rockette. I was only 5 years old, and I remember being completely entranced by the Rockettes and moved by the joy of the show. There is still no better feeling for me.
ELLEN MIHALICK: Growing up in New Jersey, it was a yearly Christmas tradition for my family to go into New York City and see the Rockettes. As a little girl who loved dancing, I looked up at the women sparkling and kicking on stage and knew I wanted to be up there one day. I have a picture from when I was 4 years old underneath the Radio City marquee, and now it is truly a dream come true to have the same picture in costume from when I joined the Rockettes. MEGAN LEVINSON: Witnessing their incredible work ethic, teamwork, strength and beauty both on and off the stage during my early dance years. As a young girl performing as Clara in the Christmas Spectacular, I was in awe of the Rockettes, and those memories motivated me to pursue my dream of joining the line one day.
LATARIKA PIERCE: I was introduced to the Rockettes by my middle-school dance teacher. When I went home and did my research, I was amazed at seeing such incredible women perform. After participating in a Rockette Experience class and learning choreography from the show, I immediately knew that I wanted to become a Rockette.
KRISTEN WELSH: My parents started taking me to see the Rockettes at age 3 and it has been our holiday tradition every year since. From the very first time I saw the Rockettes perform, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life. I was drawn to their precise and detail-oriented movement, the class and grace that they all carried themselves with. And I was—and still am—inspired by the fact that we are an all-female company, representing women from all walks of life.
Tell us a backstage story.
J.D.N.: It was the third show of the day, and I hadn’t reapplied my makeup in between shows. (We do all of our own hair and makeup.) When I finished performing our showstopper, “New York at Christmas,” I came backstage to find our ensemble laughing uncontrollably. Turns out my false eyelash had fallen off mid-number and was stuck on my cheek. My next quick change was spent laughing so hard I could barely breathe.
E.M.: Behind the scenes, we have an incredible team of wardrobe and crew making magic happen. There is a moment in the show where the Rockettes rise up to the stage level on one of the hydraulic elevators. When we are pre-set below stage level, it has become a tradition for me to play a game of charades with the crew up in the wings.
M.L.: During our last show of a four-show day, our dance captain hides paper chestnuts backstage. In the short breaks between numbers, we scramble to find as many as we can, and the dressing room with the most chestnuts wins. It never fails to bring laughter and excitement to our backstage moments.
L.P.: During the change between “New York at Christmas” and “Here Comes Santa Claus,” I grabbed the wrong hat and beard and didn’t realize it until I was on stage. They both were too big and I spent the entire “Here Comes Santa Claus” number unable to see, as the mustache from the beard was tickling my nose!
K.W.: This is actually on stage. During one of our tap numbers, “Rag Dolls,” we have a brief moment where you’ll see us being silly as we drag our Rag Doll blocks into a new formation. We get to “improv” our movements. Offstage, before each show, we pick a fun theme for our movement during those few eight counts. The themes vary from picking an instrument to “play” to pretending to move in “slo-mo” before jumping into our next bit of choreography.
Your favorite number?
J.D.N.: The opening number, “Sleigh Ride,” by far. Each time I hear the music, my mind immediately flashes back to memories of myself as a little girl bouncing out of my seat at Radio City, completely starstruck by the image of the Rockettes lining the stage for the first time—sandwiched between my parents and glancing over at my sister in excitement. The first lyric, “Ring Out Those Bells, Those Christmas Bells” still leaves me with full-body chills.
E.M.: “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.” Every Rockette since 1933 has worn those iconic costumes and marched those steps, so it is an honor to uphold that legacy. I also love our newest number, the “Dance of the Frost Fairies,” a stunning lyrical dance where the Rockettes are accompanied by our high-tech fairy drones, turning Radio City into a magical winter wonderland.
M.L.: “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” has historical significance, having been a part of the show since 1933 and performed by every Rockette. “Rag Dolls” allows us to engage with the audience, and “New York at Christmas” embodies classic glamour, highlighted by the iconic kickline at the end.
L.P.: “Dance of the Frost Fairies,” which was reimagined in 2022 to include the Rockettes as whimsically winged fairies who dance alongside fairy-drones that fly high above the audience. To me, this number embodies what it means to be a Rockette. Our costumes are all unique and we enter the stage at different times during the number. We all bring our own light and eventually come together to create a cohesive unit.
K.W.: “Sleigh Ride.” It’s the very first time you see the Rockettes in the 90-minute production, and as the curtain rises all you can see are our silhouettes in our stunning, velvet reindeer costumes and antlers. It’s my favorite moment in the show because it’s the calm before the storm. It’s a brief moment of complete stillness when all 6,000 members of our audience have a moment to take in the beauty of the Rockettes.
Advice for would-be Rockettes?
J.D.N.: Never give up. Although it was my lifelong goal, it took me over six years to finally land the job. It was a journey for me to discover who I was as a dancer, what my strengths and weaknesses were, and what I could improve upon each time I entered that audition room. I was inspired to become the most versatile version of myself. Also, do it all! Take every style of dance, challenge your performance quality in other art forms, crosstrain in fitness—because it all contributes to being a well-rounded dancer.
E.M.: Hard work pays off! There is absolutely nothing that you cannot do. If you dream big, you can make it happen.
M.L.: Focus on honing your dance skills in ballet, jazz and tap. Embrace hard work, discipline and perseverance, as these qualities are essential in the competitive world of professional dance. Always be humble, open to continuous learning and cherish the process (the small, big, high and low moments).
L.P.: Always bring yourself to the room. You have something special that no one else has. While the Rockettes are about precision and performing in unison, it is also about bringing the joy that only you can bring to the line.
K.W.: Never give up on yourself. Remember what makes you special and unique as a dancer and let that be the fuel for your confidence. The path to becoming a professional dancer isn’t easy, and you will receive many rejections. Going into every audition confident in what you bring to the table will keep you pushing through. And when the moment of success arrives, it will feel so glorious and so worth the fight.
What do you love about your hometown?
J.D.N.: I’m of Italian descent, and Nutley is deeply rooted in Italian culture. Its pizzerias, restaurants and bakeries are among the best in New Jersey. My dad cooks a big “Seven Fishes” Christmas Eve dinner every year, and my mom makes her famous gravy and meatballs every Sunday. I feel very blessed to have grown up in a small town that shares those values of love, family and community.
E.M.: I love Randolph for its charming suburban lifestyle, while still being so close to NYC. I love the quick and easy train ride that allows friends and family to come experience the magic of New York at Christmas.
M.L.: North Caldwell’s a close-knit community, where lifelong friendships and cherished memories were formed. Additionally, its proximity to NYC, beaches and mountains provided a diverse range of experiences that enriched my upbringing.
L.P.: No matter how long I’ve been away, Orange always feels like home when I return. I can go to a grocery store and run in to a classmate from high school or a teacher I had in elementary school. In 2022, I was an honoree for Women’s Month along with three other influential women from my hometown. I’m grateful for the support and love my hometown always shows me.
K.W.: I grew up in Milltown, and I absolutely loved it. It’s a quaint, classic Americana town, filled with hard-working people. Now I reside in Bloomfield with my fiancé and dog, and we absolutely love it. Bloomfield is an extremely diverse town, filled with a wide range of cuisine, music and art.
What do you do during the off season?
J.D.N.: By the end of the holiday season, I am in need of some downtime. Once I feel fully rejuvenated, I love getting back to honing my craft. The Rockettes are renowned for their precision style, so it is a luxury to explore different styles and go out of our comfort zone in the off-season. My sister, who first inspired me to dance, is now a physical therapist and still my best friend. I have also found a love in baking and founded my own at-home cookie company called Jazzy Jac’s Cookies. I spend time with my husband, our basset hound, Franklin, and my amazing family.
E.M.: I live in Manhattan, but I head home frequently to teach at the dance studios that got me where I am today. Those are Art of Dance (Chester), NJ Dance Theatre Ensemble (Summit), Mayo Performing Arts Center (Morristown) and Broadway Bound Dance Center (Teaneck). I have also toured with other shows including An American in Paris. I love to travel and take pictures kicking in other countries—30 and counting!
M.L.: I teach jazz dance theory as an adjunct professor at Kean University, coach fitness at F45 and mentor athletes and performers on performance mindset.
L.P.: I perform at events around the city and teach dance. I also participate in the Stage Door Tour that runs year-round at Radio City.
K.W.: I’m a professional fitness trainer, but I also audition for and perform in other shows. I’ve performed in other cities around the country, as well as at Carnegie Hall, Off-Broadway and, of course, Radio City Music Hall!
