Many 18-year-old dancers dream of dancing with the world famous Rockettes in New York City. Now, Diocesan dancer Alisha Huang is one step closer to that dream. The talented Year 13 student has been selected out of thousands of girls worldwide to join the Rockettes Summer Intensive programme in New York City this coming July.

Alisha will join 30 other top young dancers aged between 14-19 years at the Rockettes Summer Intensive. For two weeks the dancers will be put through their paces, with training every day from 9:30am - 5:00pm.

“It’s a dream come true. I grew up watching the Rockettes. It’s a legacy of women dancers that goes back to 1925. To know I’ll be joining them – it’s just amazing.” 

Using the distinctive precision Rockettes technique, classes will include: Theatre Dance, Jazz, Tap, Kickline, Formations, Performance and Audition Technique. The training is designed to give young women a taste of what life as a Rockette would be like. The two weeks will culminate in a performance at the NYU Skirball Centre for the Performing Arts. 

“We’ll be expected to learn and perform the actual Rockettes routines. We’re mentored all the way through by the Rockettes, and we’ll be dancing in front of Rockette company directors and other influential choreographers for the final showcase.”

Alisha has been dancing for ten years. She’s been doing NCEA dance at Diocesan School for Girls ever since she stared at Dio in Year 9. Led by Simone Kallil, Diocesan has a high record of achievement in NCEA Dance in the eight years the subject has been offered as part of the curriculum. 

Over the last five years, Dio students have consistently performed at an exceptional level in dance, achieving a 99% pass rate for all standards and 100% pass rate of all internal dance standards, the majority of which have been at awarded at the Excellence level. Each year that students have entered Scholarship dance, they have achieved Scholarship or outstanding Scholarship – which puts them in the top 3% for achievement across the country.

Alisha spends 12-20 hours a week dancing, both in and out of school. NCEA Dance classes at Dio are the highlight of her school week, “Dancing is my passion.”

To join the programme Alisha had to submit a video audition showcasing her tap, jazz, and eye-high kicks. “I came in at the start of the school year wanting to do this. And it was last minute, but we pulled it together.”

She’s so pleased she did. “I never thought I’d get selected – there are thousands and thousands of auditionees. There are auditions in 15 states in America, plus international auditions from all over the world.”

So when she found out she’d been selected she was in shock. “It was such a surprise. I was stunned! But I’m so proud of myself, it’s nice to be validated. Now I’m counting down the days!”

Simone is thrilled that Alisha will dance with the Rockettes. Given it’s such a competitive industry, she says she is always looking for opportunities for growth and development outside of the classroom for her students.

“When Alisha said she wanted to audition I said, ‘Fantastic, let’s make that happen.’”

Alisha has ambitions of being a commercial dancer, and being part of the Rockettes Summer Intensive programme will bring her closer to fulfilling her goal. She hopes the experience will bring her connections in New York. The Rockettes Summer Intensive alumni are also invited to audition to become professional Rockettes, and if all goes well, Alisha hopes to audition to join them next year.

“Even if I don’t become a Rockette, having learnt this will be valuable to my dance career. Also, being part of the programme means the Rockettes choreographers and company directors keep an eye on you and help you where they can. With the people I meet, and the support I get, this might be life changing.”

Alisha leaves New Zealand at the end of July; the programme begins 23rd July and runs for two weeks. Until then she’ll be busy practising her tap skills, eyehigh kicks and dancing as much as she can.

“The training will be very intensive. I want to be as good as I can to give it everything I’ve got.”

She’s travelling to New York with her mum, and she says she couldn’t have done this without her support. “She drives me to all rehearsals, watches all my competitions and performances. Neither her or my dad are dancers, but they have always encouraged me to follow my heart.”

Diocesan is committed to providing the very best education in the Performing Arts, and is currently undergoing construction of an ambitious new Arts Centre. The first stage of this project opened in early 2017 and includes 25 purpose-built performance and lecture rooms. Stage two will get underway at the end of 2017 and will see the addition of a 1000 seat auditorium.