I come from the land “Down Under” … aka Australia! I grew up in Brisbane city and danced pretty much my whole life since the ripe age of four. My parents put me in dancing for fun—studying ballet, jazz and tap—but little did they know it was going to become a passion of mine. I can’t recall at what age exactly I decided that dance was what I wanted to do professionally, but it was a young age and it never left my mind and ambitions.
I first discovered the Rockettes when I traveled from Australia to New York with my dance school and attended the Rockettes Experience, a dance class that gives dancers the opportunity to learn tap and jazz combinations, the world-famous kick line and actual Rockettes dance choreography in a workshop taught by one of the iconic Rockettes. I was memorised by the whole experience, and it was my dance teachers that planted the idea in my head that one day I could be a Rockette; as I was definitely tall for my age.
Years later and working professionally dancing around the world, the idea of being a Rockette was still in the back of my mind and my ultimate dream. So in 2014, I auditioned for the Rockettes Summer Intensive, a dance program designed for advanced dancers who want to train in the Rockettes style. I learned so much and was determined even more in pursuing my dream. That same year, I flew to New York for the open audition and here I am today performing in my third season of the Christmas Spectacular, living my ultimate dream. It is seriously everything I imagined and more. The women I work with are the most dedicated and hard-working women I have ever had the pleasure of working with, plus incredibly sweet and funny. They welcomed me with open arms … they are my American family.
“My Christmases growing up in Australia were very different from my Christmases now in New York” —Rockette Jackie
My Christmases growing up in Australia were very different from my Christmases now in New York. It is summertime in Australia during Christmas, so most Christmases were spent at the beach or by the pool, and definitely “throwing a shrimp on the barbie” aka having a barbeque. Christmas in New York is definitely the polar opposite, but it is so wonderful having a cold and white Christmas just like I grew up seeing in all the movies. (Finally all those Christmas carols make sense!)
Growing up in Australia with access to the best beaches in the world, I am a complete beach bum. My favorite Christmas memory as a child was when Santa got me a boogie board. Now, as an adult, I have started to learn to surf. I love it! It is completely addictive. My favorite surfing vacation was when I traveled to Costa Rica with a good friend of mine. We stayed in a chill little town called Nosara on the west coast (it reminded me a lot of Australia!).
We took surf lessons everyday from the locals and ate all locally organic grown foods. My type of perfect holiday—beach, surf and good food. This summer I wasn’t lucky enough to catch a wave—I escaped the New York City heat a couple of times when I went up to the Hamptons, but the waves or weather were never in my favor. I am certainly itching to catch my next wave, hopefully after this Christmas season I can quickly escape and find a good surf spot.
BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
Jackie and her fellow Rockettes have some freedom to goof off and have some fun during the “Rag Dolls” number, but this routine is much more calculated than meets the eye!