Ally Gustke of Merrill auditioned in Chicago at Hubbard Street Dance in January 2014 and 2015 for a Rockette Summer Intensive program. This last March she was accepted to attend the 2015 Rockette Summer Intensive Aug. 1-7, 2015 with a showcase performance on Aug. 7.
“I auditioned in 2014, but I didn’t get in,” she said. “It definitely taught me to not give up.”
Auditions are held in several bigger cities across the US. Dancers are selected and informed via email in March/April. The audition consisted of Tap, Jazz and Ballet choreography/combinations.
The Rockettes are excited to offer this unique opportunity to train in the legendary Rockette dance technique.
The dancers spent their studio/rehearsal time at Radio City Music Hall and NYU’s Skirball Auditorium – the Rockette exclusive rehearsal space. Ally also attended master classes in New York City.
“It was definitely so challenging,” Ally said. “You have no idea until you really see what they do. My favorite part was learning how they do things and of course the friendships that I made.”
Ally said she came away with a wider knowledge of dance.
“It’s definitely an opening up of your horizons,” she said.
Rockettes dancers ran classes for 10 hours a day during the Summer Intensive. Learning from these dancers was an honor, Ally said.
“The Rockettes are the best in the world at what they do,” she said.
Ally is the daughter of Boyd and Dorinda Gustke. She will be a senior this year at Merrill High School.
Ally has 15 years dance experience and training in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical, Pointe, Musical Theatre, Modern and Contemporary. She attends workshops and competitions and is a member of the MHS Dance Team.