Rockette Dance Journeys: From Auditions to Radio City
“Studying at Pace University for the past 4 years has been an unforgettable experience. I knew it was the right choice for me because I wanted to get a BFA in Commercial Dance, but I also knew how well-rounded the training was, here at Pace. Our director Rhonda Miller, along with her assistant directors Lauren Gaul and Scott Jovovich, curated this program to focus on the versatility of the dancer. These mentors helped me navigate the arts industry and opened the door to many opportunities by instilling solid ballet and jazz foundations paired with other classes including: dance history, anatomy, partnering, modern, hip hop, body awareness, theatre dance, tap, jazz and ballet pedagogy, and more. Pace provided such a wide range of academic and physical training, and I felt prepared for anything the Rockettes would ask me to do – since versatility is an important characteristic as a Rockette.
Coming to Pace also helped me build a solid support system here in NYC. I have learned that surrounding yourself with people who inspire you and mentors that will guide you is important in this industry. Two women who inspired me to continue working towards my dream of becoming a Rockette are current Pace University professors Holly Evans and Lauren Gaul, who are former Rockettes. They gave me great advice and motivation as I balanced going to school and dancing with the Radio City Rockettes during my first season in 2021.
I graduate this May from the Honors College with my BFA in Commercial Dance, and I simply cannot believe my time at Pace is coming to an end. I’m grateful for everyone who came along with me on this part of my journey and thankful for the growth I have experienced here as a dancer and a human. Time truly flies when you are having fun. I’ve enjoyed every moment of training at Pace and feel ready to spread my wings and FLY!”
APRIL 6, 2022
Radio City Music Hall Rockettes take steps to make kickline reflect diversity
Yamin remembers the conservatory day when Branam paid her a compliment.
“She liked the way I snapped my head to the right,” she said, still tickled by the memory. "I was like, 'Julie liked my right head snap.'"
Yamin gets emotional at the idea that this drive for inclusion will work, of lining up for "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and not being the lone Latina.
"I'm going to be so happy when I look down my right shoulder and see even more Latinas with me, even more dancers of color, even more women of different shapes and different sizes and different heights," she said. "I really do see what they're doing and I appreciate it as a Latina."
MARCH 25, 2022