From Newburgh Free Academy to Radio City Music Hall!

Theresa Bruno used to walk the halls of Newburgh Free Academy, a regular performer on the NFA stage. Now, she can be found performing at Radio City Music Hall and the Thanksgiving Day Parade as a Radio City Rockette. 

Theresa Bruno recently returned to NFA to help students with their performances in Merry Mayhem, choreographing the Santa routine. Before that, she visited last year to speak with NFA Advanced Dance students about her road to becoming a Rockette. Students listened to her story and asked specific questions about how her experience might guide them toward achieving their goals.

While at NFA, Theresa was heavily involved with the Dance Department, often finding Mrs. Amanda Clifford, affectionately known as Ms. Cliff, in the dance studio during any downtime during the day. Theresa participated in Advanced Dance and various musical performances. Her favorite was Mary Poppins, which featured dance throughout the show. While in high school, she attended three different dance studios and often traveled into the city to train at Broadway Dance Center. One of her biggest tips for success: “Work with as many choreographers as possible.” Theresa shared that working with an array of teachers helps to build a professional network and develop your repertoire of style and skills. Before graduating from Newburgh Free Academy in 2015, Theresa attended Meadow Hill School. 

After graduating from Newburgh Free Academy, Theresa studied for a semester at SUNY Dutchess while teaching at a local dance studio, traveling to the city for classes, and building relationships with choreographers and former Rockettes. Theresa has been attending summer intensive programs with the Rockettes since she was 13, so being accepted into the prestigious performing group as a professional was “nothing short of a dream come true. If I could do this job forever, I would.” Along with her hard work and determination, Theresa credits Mrs. Clifford for her encouragement and support, constantly reassuring the then-teen to continue to work hard to achieve her dreams. 

How does Theresa compare her time as a Rockette with what she learned at NFA? “It’s similar but more intense,” noting the stamina needed to dance for longer periods of time, multiple times a day. 

When asked for the best advance that Theresa could share with current NFA students aspiring to become a performer, Theresa encouraged,  “If it’s a goal of yours, work for it and don’t give up. The journey could work out immediately, but sometimes there are a lot of “No’s” before you get that big “Yes.” Those “No’s” are just one person’s opinion. Do not let one person’s opinion stop you from achieving your dreams. Getting that big “Yes” will be worth all of the hours, training, and rejection.” 

Theresa made sure to note the variety of careers that can stem from her time as a Rockette, so that students should keep their options open if they are interested in a career in the performing arts even if they are not interested in performing. Aside from dance class at NFA, Theresa also highlighted math, letting the current high school students know how important it has been for  her to be able to do quick equations on top of counting the time in her head to find and anticipate her mark on stage. 

After Theresa spoke, students had an opportunity to ask questions and get tips about their dancing style.

Ms. Clifford kindly provided some photos to show the high school to professional transition of Theresa.

More photos from the visit can be found by clicking this link. 

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!