West Islip Student to Be Featured on 'The Rockettes Summer Intensive'

Episode five of MSG Varsity’s Emmy award-winning series, “The Rockettes Summer Intensive,” follows elite local dancers who have been invited to train at the Rockettes Summer Intensive run by the legendary Rockettes. The episode is scheduled to air on Sunday at 9 p.m. on MSG Varsity, Optimum channel 14.

Featuring dancers from high schools throughout the tri-state area, this episode documents the activities of the dancers as they return to the studio at the Rockettes Summer Intensive. They’ve left behind their friends and families, and viewers are given a front row seat to the grueling action. The dancers are put to the test both mentally and physically as they struggle to learn choreographed dances taught by the Rockettes.

The dancers featured in the fifth episode are: Sharon Bownes from West Islip High School, Jessica Chambers from Maria Regina High School in Ossining, Marisa Hann from Greenwich High School, Lauren Karow from Pascack Valley High School, Amanda Krohne from Howell High School, Kristi Lazarczyk from Morris County School of Technology, Tess Liantonio from Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, Alexis Martin from North Babylon High School, Sara Martino from John P. Stevens High School, Raquel Rosario from St. Catherine Academy in the Bronx and Micki Williams from Ridge High School, as well as last season’s Eleni Gevales from Manhasset High School.

“In this episode of Rockettes Summer Intensive, not only do we see how talented these dancers are, but we also see the dedication it takes, as these girls are both mentally and physically challenged while they struggle to learn the dances,” said Michael Lardner, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer, MSG Varsity.

“Each of the Rockettes achieved their lifelong dream of joining this legendary dance company through hard work, determination, dedication, and dreaming big, and that’s what the Rockettes Summer Intensive dancers have done throughout this series,” says Eileen Grace, Rockettes director and choreographer. “By working together to learn these precise, exacting routines, these dancers have learned just how much strength and athleticism it takes to be one of the Rockettes.”

The Intensive is part of the Rockettes Dance Education program, which offers dancers the opportunity to study under the Rockettes and Rockettes Director/Choreographers and experience the athletic demands of their training. Acceptance in the program is a crucial stepping stone for Rockettes hopefuls who aspire to one day dance with the renowned company. Since the Rockettes Summer Intensive program began in 2001, 47 participants have gone on to become Rockettes.

The episode will also feature some of the creative visionaries behind the Rockettes including: Rockettes Director and Choreographer, Eileen Grace; current Rockette and Assistant Choreographer, Melinda Farrell; and Rockettes Summer Intensive Coordinator and Rockettes Experience Coordinator, Elizabeth Helms.

For more information on MSG Varsity’s “The Rockettes Summer Intensive” including future episode airdates and pictures from the auditions, please go to www.msgvarsity.com or www.rockettes.com.