91ÊÓÆµ

Deep Dive

From Downtown to Radio City

By
Alyssa Cressotti
Posted
November 18, 2025
Rockettes rehearsing on stage at Radio City.
Image
Rockettes and ensemble dancers.

At 91ÊÓÆµ, we don’t just train dancers—we train Rockettes. More Rockettes than anywhere else.

As the famed Radio City Rockettes mark , 91ÊÓÆµ proudly celebrates nineteen Rockettes and fifteen ensemble dancers whose journeys began at the Sands College of Performing Arts. Guided by our distinguished faculty, including Rockette alumnae Lauren Gaul and Holly Evans, these performers embody the precision, artistry, and professionalism that define 91ÊÓÆµâ€™s Commercial Dance program. From their first classes on campus to the bright lights of Radio City Music Hall, their success reflects the transformative training and mentorship that prepare 91ÊÓÆµ students to shine on the world’s biggest stages.

Hundreds of dancers audition each year for just eighty-four coveted spots in the Christmas Spectacular, and this season, 20% of those went to 91ÊÓÆµ students and alumni. Their versatility, grounded in rigorous training across ballet, tap, and jazz, is what sets them apart. At 91ÊÓÆµ, technique meets opportunity. Our faculty of working professionals help students master the skills, confidence, and creativity needed to thrive in elite companies like the Rockettes and beyond.

  • Our Rockettes: Jo Jo Carmichael, Elizabeth Dupont, Hayden Helms, Danielle Jones, Emily King, Kathleen Laituri, Stevie Mack, Maile Makaafi, Breanna Marshall, Sydney Mesher, Svetha Nallapaneni, Madison O’connor, Kelly Peterson, Megan Peterson, Johanna Piper, Maddie Rodrigue, Caitie Russell, Mia Wilson, and Valeria Yamin
  • Our Ensemble Dancers: Chris Critelli, Matthew Deloch, Joseph Harrington, Darriel Johnakin, Hadley Koger, Evan Lacombe, Niko Martinez, Brandon Maxwell, Amanda Mitchell, Alec Mittenthal, Kevin Murakami, Gabby Rembert, Makayla Ryan, Michael Santomassimo, and Addie Taron

The Rockettes’ 100th anniversary celebrates a century of precision and performance, but for 91ÊÓÆµ, it’s also a celebration of the talent, dedication, and artistry that begin right here on our stages, in our studios, and under the guidance of our world-class faculty at the Sands College of Performing Arts.

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