NEW YORK — A Silver Spring dancer has made her way to New York's Radio City Music Hall as part of the Rockettes, performing the troupe's world famous eye-high kicking routine this Christmas season.
Tamia Strickland grew up dancing with the Savage Dance Company in Sykesville, Md. She graduated from Fordham University in New York, where she earned a degree studying dance.
Strickland was with the legendary company as they showcased their precision skills during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Rockettes have been a centerpiece of the parade since 1957.
And under the limelight, Strickland said she still carries the influence of her family and friends in Maryland.
"Dancing with all of my fellow Rockettes for the first time is just amazing, my family came to see me, they were so proud and excited," Strickland said on Thursday. "My studio is coming ... I have friends from high school that are coming up to see me."
Strickland's first show was on Nov. 7. She will be performing into January, throughout the Christmas Spectacular, with a season finale on Jan. 5.
WUSA Meteorologist Kaitlyn McGrath said she would be taking in a Rockettes show while visiting New York in December and will look out for Strickland.
Tamia Strickland shared a list of all of the Rockettes shows that she is scheduled to be part of, on her Instagram.
The Rockettes have been performing in Radio City Music Hall since 1932 with a cast of only 16 women. Today, there are 84 Rockettes, comprised by two alternating casts.