Kaitlyn Delmar '25 (above, left) has all the passion, talent, and Christmas spirit needed to make an exceptional Rockette. She's missing only one thing – an inch.
In 2022, the world-famous Radio City Rockettes lowered their minimum height requirement for the first time in more than 15 years. Now, dancers 5'5" (up to 5'10" and a half) are eligible to audition for a spot in the Christmas Spectacular. Dropping the minimum requirement by an inch gave hundreds of dancers their dream shot. Just not Kaitlyn.
"I've always been fascinated by their style, but unfortunately I'm 5'4", so I'm too short to be a Rockette. This is as close as I'll ever get to the dream."
Kaitlyn and her family attended the Christmas Spectacular a few years ago. Kaitlyn, a member of the Siena Cheer Team and a lifelong dancer, wondered from their seats what it would be like on stage with a Rockette, but - bering vertically challenged - she figured she would never get the chance. But then, about a month ago, she opened an email from lululemon, the high-end athletic apparel brand.
"My sister, Sara (above, right), and I are both big lululemon fans. We have a membership and that comes with certain perks. This year, they did a partnership with the Rockettes, and they were offering dancers a free class with the Rockettes. Sara and I both signed up."
This December, a current member of the Rockettes personally taught Kaitlyn and Sara two Christmas Spectacular dances (below, left) from inside the famed Radio City Musical Hall.
"It was an amazing day. Our dad drove us into the city. As soon as we got there, lululemon had free apparel and shoes for us. We learned some secrets that people don't know about the Rockettes. For example, they're not actually touching each other in the kickline."
Kaitlyn's Rockette experience lasted 90 minutes, and now it's back to performing for Siena fans at men's and women's basketball games. It's not Radio City Music Hall, but it's been the standout experience of her Siena career.
"I absolutely love it. This year, I was voted captain. I've made all of my friends through cheer. I love our coaches. I love being able to represent Siena - I think that's pretty awesome."
Kaitlyn will graduate with her nursing degree this spring, and that will open up a spot on the Cheer Team. Perhaps it's a spot that will go to Sara?
"I've already been accepted to Siena," said Kaitlyn's younger sister, who happens to be a senior in high school. "I've narrowed it down to a few schools. But I've watched Kaitlyn cheer at Siena games before, and I can definitely picture myself going there."
Sara also plans to major in nursing, so she could potentially follow her big sister's path in a couple of different ways. But, Sara is 5'6", so there's one path she may explore that was never within reach for Kaitlyn.
"I mean, yeah, it would take a lot of training to be a Rockette, but definitely I'd consider it. Maybe down the line!"