A week-long dance intensive in New York City called the Rockette Camp allowed sophomore Majestics Meredith Hughes and Delaney Walker the opportunity this summer to increase in their skills, art and passion for dance.
From the last week of June through the second week of August, the Rockettes shared their skills and wisdom with young aspiring dancers in eight-week-long sessions.
The Rockettes are a famous dance troupe known for their high-kick Christmas show which they have performed for over 75 million fans since 1925. Teaching the dancers famous numbers such as “Sleigh Bell,” “Toy Soldier,” and “Singing in the Rain,” the Rockettes also challenged them to dance precisely, build their stamina, and grow in their skills in dance.
“I learned how to be punctual and to always pay attention,” Hughes said, “because the details help more than you believe.”
At the end of the camp, the campers demonstrated the skills they had acquired in a performance.
“The experience was life-changing because it basically started my next years and future,” Walker said. “Being a Rockette is what I want to do when I grow up.”
Through the camp, girls were able to come together as friends as well as practice teamwork with their dance partners.
“I learned that you can make silly memories with people you just met,” Hughes said. “Growing as a group doesn’t require hours of training.”
The “eye-opening” camp put in perspective what auditions would be like for pursuing a dance career, Walker said. Hughes also enjoyed coming together with other dancers from different cities.
Majestics director Jen Morrow stressed the importance of dancers experiencing new aspects of dance and style.
“The girls bring home more confidence, and in all, more knowledge about dance and performance,” Morrow said. “It’s always a positive experience to go out and explore other genres and learn from a variety of instructors. It can only make you better as a performer and dancer.”
