Huntington Station's North Shore Dance performance group to open for Rockettes

You can feel the buzz as Stephanie Minnigan rolls the rack of glittery gold costumes into the studio. Fifty young dancers are getting the first-look at the costume they’ll wear for an upcoming performance — and not just any performance.

The performers from Huntington Station's North Shore Dance, ages 8 to 18, will be dancing on one of the most famous stages in the world, opening for the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular on Nov. 10. It’s part of the Rockettes’ Sounds of Christmas program, which for more than 15 years has offered the opportunity to dance and voice students from the metropolitan region, including Long Island, to apply to be the opening act for the famed company. Other undisclosed Long Island arts companies will be featured as well.

"We have over 75 different groups every year," said Jessica Tuttle, executive vice president of productions at MSG Entertainment. "A lot of the programs we do are about connecting the Rockettes to the community," she said. "It’s about making the show a meaningful moment." The marketing program requires participating dance groups and choirs to purchase at least 50 tickets — no issue for studio owner Minnigan, who says with parents and families, they will have nearly 500 people in the audience. 

It’s a repeat performance for the South Huntington studio, which sent a group of students to Radio City in 2022. Minnigan, of Stony Brook, learned about the opportunity from a company that offers travel experiences to students in choirs, bands and dance companies — think Disney World or onboard the Intrepid. She applied, sending in some tapes of her students, and was thrilled when they were accepted. Dressed in ethereal white costumes, they danced a lyrical piece to "As the Angels Sing."

"It was memorable for the dancers," said Minnigan, adding that the experience included a workshop with two of the Rockettes and a behind-the-scenes tour of the music hall (this year, each dancer will pay around $400 for the experience). "When they performed their number," said Minnigan, "it brought tears to my eyes."

In the following years, the dancers went to Disney World, performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and put on "The Nutcracker." But this year, Minnigan decided to apply for the Rockettes program again. They were accepted and have just started rehearsals for a new number, set to Josh Groban’s Christmas song "Believe," choreographed by Marissa Rignola, the studio’s director of competition. The dance is a technical challenge, said Minnigan, giving the dancers the opportunity to show off their skills. But there’s also a lot of emotion. "It has gospel feel to it," she said. "It’s very uplifting."

This will be the second performance for Mckenzie Maguire, 17, of Melville, who danced with the group four years ago. "It was so special," said the senior at St. Anthony’s High School, remembering looking out at the huge audience. "It was nerve wracking," of course she said, "but really it made it more exciting."

Being able to do it again is "surreal," said Mckenzie.

What advice does she have for first-time dancers? "Make all the memories you can," she said. "Don’t take anything for granted."

For 10-year-old Alessia Jordan, it will be the first time on the huge stage. She admits to being a little nervous, "but that happens for every big show," said Alessia, who dreams of being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. She loves the dance, said the fifth grader at Lloyd Harbor Elementary School. "It connects with people," she said. "It feels warm ... just like Christmas."

"Having that experience at such a young age really prepares them if they want to pursue dance professionally," said Courtney Lowe, who retired from the Rockettes two years ago and now teaches at North Shore Dance. Looking back to her performing days, Lowe said she remembers how heartwarming it was to watch the opening acts on the dressing room monitors. "I challenge my students to visualize their dream venue when they’re dancing," said the Halesite resident. "You dance in a different way when you’re projecting to 6,000 seats."

Minnigan believes it is important to give her students the opportunity to perform outside of the competitions that are routine at the school.

"This is just fun," she said, noting that she also has 30 students who will participate in the Macy’s parade this year, it’s 100th anniversary. But beyond that, the performances benefit the dancers in so many ways, she said. "Putting your team members first is so important," she said. "And it instills discipline," she added, noting that there are also lessons in time management. "These children have so much on their plate," she said, "extracurricular activities like kick line or sports, homework, studying for tests. And they have to rehearse many hours a week." The dancers love every minute of it, she said. "They’re excited, but until they’re on that stage, they won’t really grasp the magnitude."