On Tuesday, Michelle Hammer, a former Rockette (Radio City’s legendary dance company), led Ms. O’Brien’s kindergarten class through a junior Rockettes experience. Ms. Hammer taught the girls actual Rockettes jazz choreography as well as their world-famous kick line. The aspiring dancers also had the opportunity to ask questions about being a Rockette and a professional dancer.
Earlier in the year, Ms. O’Brien’s class chose dance as their focus for emergent study. This study is based on the girl’s questions, observations, and interests. When possible, dance is integrated into all units of study (math, reading, writing, investigations/social studies, and social and emotional learning). Ms. Hammer’s visit provided another layer of understanding, enriching student appreciation for dance as a discipline and art form.
For almost a century, the Rockettes have been American icons. They have appeared at Radio City Music Hall in hundreds of stage spectaculars, and have participated in many historic and memorable events—like joining the USO and traveling abroad to entertain the troops and support wartime effort, and performing at the inauguration of the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush, in 2001.
For more information about The Radio City Rockettes, please visit: https://www.rockettes.com/
Watch our Hamlin students do a “kick line” in the video below:
