Richmond Hill native experiences 'best day of her life' as she becomes a Radio City Rockette

Latrice Williams, Savannah Morning News
·4 min read

Hannah Welsh and her mother were attending the Ogeechee Seafood Festival in Richmond Hill when her mother stopped to watch performers from the Dancing Unlimited studio. Captivated by their precision and charisma, her mother decided to introduce her daughter to the world of dance.

At just three-years-old, Welsh donned her first dance uniform and would join the studio herself. She also spent time performing with Kelly and Company Dance Studio. Little did her mother know how much her daughter would flourish.

Today, Welsh is a Radio City Rockette.

Richmond Hill native Hannah Welsh is all smiles, knowing she finally achieved her dream of becoming a Radio City Rockette.
Richmond Hill native Hannah Welsh is all smiles, knowing she finally achieved her dream of becoming a Radio City Rockette.

For nearly a century, the Rockettes have captured audiences with their dazzling performances. Their exemplary kick line is a crowd pleaser and dancers have grown to become icons in the arts industry.

The 18-year-old Richmond Hill native underwent a grueling 3-day audition process that saw nearly 800 dancers. Most years, the program sees 400-500.

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After attending the Christmas Spectacular with her grandmother and mother, Welsh, at just 8-years old, set her sights on performing in Radio City Music Hall.

“I just knew I wanted to be on that stage after seeing the dancers and what joy and happiness they had,” said Welsh. “My grandma passed away last year, but I just know she would be so happy to see me living my dream.”

Nearly ten years later, Welsh was standing outside the iconic performance hall on a cold day in April, hoping to wow the judges and earn a coveted spot on the dance line.

Hannah Welsh does a dance pose in front of Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Hannah Welsh does a dance pose in front of Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

After three days of endless pirouettes, leaping and splits, Welsh was invited to take part in the conservatory, a program designed to help dancers sharpen their technique and learn more about the Rockette’s style of dance.

“I really have to say it was such a great experience,” said Welsh. “In the conservatory program, you got to learn from the dance captains and other Rockettes who have been doing this for so many years.”

Welsh took part in one more audition and in her final attempt to earn a spot with the highly regarded dance group, she did not disappoint.

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“I got the call to be a Radio City Rockette, which was one of the best days of my life,” said Welsh.

Her week consists of 16 shows, performing in front of 6,000 people each day. Welsh dances with the morning crew and said each time she steps on stage, she is overcome with emotion.

The Parade of the Wooden Soldier reminds her of the sisterhood she has developed in her short time with the group. With their shoulders aligned, dancers imitate the infamous toy by taking small steps to create various line sequences. Towards the end, dancers get in a single file line and lean back on each other, collapsing like dominos. The entire routine requires a significant level of precision, patience and fearlessness.

Hannah Welsh went through a 3-day audition process and weeklong conservatory program before getting the call that she would be a Radio City Rockette.
Hannah Welsh went through a 3-day audition process and weeklong conservatory program before getting the call that she would be a Radio City Rockette.

“It's really an amazing tradition and some people come to the show just to see that number,” said Welsh. “You have to give the person in front of you enough support so that whenever the fall starts, we all go down in a safe way. We have such a strong trust within each other so that's what makes it so controlled and work well every time.”

After they salute the crowd, dancers have just 78 seconds to get into their next ensemble, the fastest outfit change of the day.

“Right after that, we get out of the soldier outfit and get into our dress, put on earrings, a headpiece and put on different shoes,” said Welsh. “The whole thing is pretty fast.”

Welsh is also a trained singer and appeared in an episode of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" in season five of the Amazon Prime series. Despite her many talents, her passion is best on display in the dance studio and she hopes to part of the Radio City Rockettes organization for many years to come.

“It's really an honor to be on the line with all these incredible, strong, independent women who are there for you,” said Welsh. “They really help you get through this show and it's really something that I will never take for granted. Each time there is a new crowd and when you hear the roar before our first number, there is no other feeling like it.”

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Rockette from Richmond Hill GA: Hannah Welsh makes it to Radio City