In celebration of Black History Month, Radio City Rockette Karmen shares what inspired her to audition for the line and what it means to be a part of the iconic Rockettes legacy. 

I believe that I inherited my love of dance the moment I was born. Dance has always lived within my family, and I grew up dancing around my house. At four years old, my mom enrolled me in a local dance studio. With my insatiable curiosity, I soon began learning dance from several places in the Memphis area. I was very lucky to have such wonderful and passionate teachers throughout my most formative years. Dance Academy of Bartlett supplied me with a rock-solid foundation, Dance Dynamics Memphis taught me how to command any stage, and Collage Dance Conservatory showed me the value of discipline, wisdom, and history. All of these institutions shaped me into the artist I am today and constructed the fabric of my dance community tapestry in Memphis. I soon went from dancing for awards at dance competitions to dancing for my degree at Southern Methodist University. After graduating from college, my dream of becoming a professional dancer was realized through one of the greatest opportunities of my life. 

I have such colorful memories of my mom shaking me awake every Thanksgiving morning so that we could watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade together. The parade allowed me to see what being a professional dancer could look like, and the Rockettes were the pinnacle of that for me. I was so inspired by watching dancers like Danelle Morgan, one of our current dance captains. As a young Black girl, watching a Black woman perform on that level gave me the confidence to believe that the same was possible for me. That representation changed the trajectory of my life, because it uncovered a professional pathway for me. To turn that spark of inspiration into a flame, my mom took me to see the Rockettes in person for the first time in Nashville, TN when the dance company was on tour. Two years later, I finally saw the Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall. Even as a child, I could feel the joy of the Rockettes sisterhood, and I saw myself within the powerful line of women. I am wildly grateful to be in the position to inspire others while working alongside the same women who inspired me. I believe that is a testimony to the importance of this tradition and legacy. 

I remember seeing the audition announcement on the Rockettes website and at my university. Being a senior in college, it was a challenge to fit in a three-day audition, but something in my heart was telling me to try. I knew that I wanted to honor those childhood dreams of being a Rockette, even if my career seemed as if it was going in another direction. I will never forget flying into NYC the day of the audition and rushing straight to Radio City Music Hall from the airport. Bags in hand, I signed in and settled in the lobby. Memories of my first visit to Radio City came rushing back – the grand chandeliers, the lush carpeted floors, the vast staircase. Learning Rockette choreography was such a pleasure, and each day I was invited back was an unbelievable blessing. After the last day of auditions, I remember already feeling an immense sense of pride for how far I had gotten. Getting the invitation to Rockettes Conservatory made it even more special for me. Rockettes Precision Dance Technique™ requires a unique skill set, so being able to come back to the city to learn from masters of their craft was exactly what I needed. I even found some of my closest friends through the Conservatory program, and I truly would not be the Rockette I am today without it.

My first season as a Rockette was filled with such excitement for achieving a milestone that I didn’t think was possible. Being a Rockette is like riding the world’s best rollercoaster: the anticipation of the unknown combined with the greatest thrill of your life. The magnitude of this job is what makes it so amazing to experience, even though it can also be overwhelming at times. If I ever felt like the weight of it all was too much, I found the strength to continue by leaning on those around me. These women are more than colleagues – they are sisters. And the relationships you form will last for a lifetime. Every day you walk into the rehearsal space or stand as the curtain rises at the top of a show, you feel the impact of this legacy. And you uphold that legacy alongside the other incredibly strong women around you. We are truly stronger together, and that sisterhood is one of the greatest gifts to experience. My second season taught me patience and grace – two important values for a healthy and artistically rich career as a Rockette and professional dancer. But I feel like the most important lesson over my past two years is to let the joy lead and know that the rest will follow. This job has taught me that I am always capable of more. Being a Rockette brings out the best in me, and I can’t wait to continue sharing that same joy with audiences this upcoming holiday season!