A Century of Precision

Inside the Life of a Radio City Rockette

By Caitlyn Burrus | Photography by MSG Entertainment

As the Radio City Rockettes celebrate 100 years of high kicks, holiday magic, and timeless precision, VIE steps behind the curtain with dancer Kristen Welsh to discover the discipline, devotion, and heart that keep this century-old tradition alive.

FFor a hundred seasons, the Radio City Rockettes have embodied holiday magic: a perfect chorus line of high kicks, synchronized movement, and stagecraft that feels like pure enchantment. Founded in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1925 as the Missouri Rockets, the company relocated to New York City in 1927 before settling into its permanent home at Radio City Music Hall in 1932, where it became known simply as the Rockettes. This year, they celebrate their centennial, with every leap on that storied stage connecting them to generations past. In her eighth season, Kristen Welsh opens the curtain on what it truly means to live as a Rockette: early mornings, rigorous rehearsals, sisterhood, and a deep sense of legacy that has defined generations.

This hundredth year marks a legacy of precision, grace, and unshakable teamwork that has captivated audiences for generations. From their beginnings in 1925 to the dazzling Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall today, the Rockettes remain a symbol of holiday joy and timeless artistry.

For veteran Rockette Kristen, every performance is still as moving as the first. “When you pause and stop and think about the part of history you’re in, it’s so humbling,” she says. “I joined in 2017 and told myself, no matter what, I have to make it to the hundredth anniversary.”

For Kristen, every day during the season begins long before the curtain rises. “I live in New Jersey, so I commute every day,” she shares. “I get up super early. There are two companies—morning and night—and I’m in the morning company. I have a cup of coffee, hang out with my dog, and once I’m on the train around 6:30, I listen to white noise. I like to get to the theater about an hour and a half before hair and makeup.”

Behind the scenes, discipline and endurance drive the dream. The Rockettes’ rehearsal process is famously rigorous: six hours a day, six days a week, for six weeks leading up to opening night. “We learn our numbers very, very quickly, so we have as much time as possible to perfect them,” Kristen explains. “We’re expected to come in at the top of our game, mentally and physically, and be ready to adapt to whatever changes come our way.”

Even once the show opens, the pace doesn’t slow. With up to four performances per day and sixteen shows a week, it takes more than poise and perfect timing to keep the show shining. “People don’t realize how much athleticism is part of the job,” she says. “While we’re performing during the holidays, it’s still a year-round commitment. You have to build endurance and stamina and stay in peak mental and physical shape.”

Through it all, Kristen credits her husband and fellow Rockettes for keeping her grounded. “The thing that reminds me of peace is truly my husband; he’s been there from day one,” she says. “But also the other girls. It’s so special and unique.”

“There are eighty-four people all going through the same thing at the same time. We lean on each other. It’s truly so special.”

Before every show, small rituals help transform nerves into magic. “It’s funny because backstage, different pockets of people have rituals,” Kristen shares. “I have one by myself. The first number is ‘Sleigh Ride,’ and it makes me feel the most like a Rockette. I like to put the costume on, come down to the stage, and pick up my antlers. I always take an extra second to look in the mirror; it’s the costume that made me want to become a Rockette. It makes me emotional.”

She adds, “Even after eight years, I still have pinch-me moments.” That emotional connection began long before her first performance. “When I was four, my parents brought me to the Christmas Spectacular,” Kristen recalls. “I was so hooked and so enamored. The first number was the ‘Sleigh Ride’ number—the music, the choreography, everything pulled on my heart. I cry every time I watch it.”

Her journey from audience member to performer is one of dedication and mentorship. “When I was twelve, I had a mentor who was a former Rockette,” she says. “She trained me in the precision style and taught me the ins and outs. I grew up a competition dancer, and after high school, I moved to New York City. Two years later, I became a Rockette.”

Through the decades, the Rockettes have evolved while preserving their classic elegance. “We’ve really embraced the athleticism,” Kristen says. “We’ve always carried femininity in how we move, but it’s also a sport. The traditional choreography still carries grace and class, but we’ve married it with a modern style. Our ‘Parade of the Wooden Soldiers’ is still the same shape and choreography, and our finale number, ‘Christmas Lights,’ showcases more of a modern energy.”

When asked what keeps audiences returning year after year, Kristen smiles. “We live in a world of constant new, but around the holidays, we crave nostalgia, comfort, and home,” she says. “That’s what the Christmas Spectacular brings, people love to come back with different generations. It’s a true testament to how special it makes people feel.”

For her, the most unforgettable moments happen when she looks into the audience. “Seeing my mom and dad out there for the first time, I’ll never forget it,” Kristen says softly. “They cried, and I cried. It felt like everything we worked for as a family came to life on that stage.”

Even amid the busy season, she finds peace in simple joys. “I love cooking—it’s my therapy,” she says. “I love finding recipes and having a creative outlet without stress or perfection. Decorating the tree, spending time with family; it doesn’t have to be crazy, just peaceful.”

When audiences watch the Rockettes perform, Kristen hopes they see more than precision—they see heart. “I hope people can tell we genuinely like each other,” she says. “It’s not about you; it’s a total team effort. I hope it makes them realize how special the Rockettes are and why we’ve been around for a hundred years.”

As the company steps into its centennial season, Kristen reflects on the journey with gratitude. “It’s unbelievable and so humbling,” she says. “We’re role models for little girls, and we want to be the people they look up to and aspire to be. No matter where life takes us, the Rockettes are always with us.”

For young dancers dreaming of joining the line one day, Kristen’s advice is both inspiring and deeply personal. “Never be the person who tells yourself no,” she says. “As soon as we tell ourselves no, we’re immediately counted out. Don’t count yourself out before you’re counted in. Always be the person who says yes to yourself. What you bring to the table is enough. For the right company or the right people, it will be enough for them.” She adds that technical training in ballet, tap, and jazz helps round out aspiring dancers; however, what matters most is believing in yourself and perseverance.

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The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes opens November 6, 2025, and runs through January 5, 2026, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. For tickets and more information, visit Rockettes.com.