She steps out onto the stage with a glittering smile, ready to perform every choreographed step with military yet melodic precision. Maya Addie, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ’21, is one of the newest members of the Radio City Rockettes, and this year she is performing in the iconic Christmas Spectacular. 

Addie’s dance career took off just shortly after she could walk. 

“I started dancing when I was three,” she said. “I grew up in Arizona and went to a competition [dance] studio. I was performing and competing all through high school.” 

After countless hours and summers devoted to her dance training, Addie’s hard work has paid off as she lives the dream of generations of young dancers when she performs on the Radio City stage. 

After graduating from high school, Addie was off to Lincoln Center, where she studied in the prestigious Ailey/Fordham Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program, the university’s partnership with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 

“It was kind of the best situation that I was able to train at the Ailey School, and get all of my ballet, modern and contemporary training, but also be right in the heart of New York City,” Addie said. “My time spent at Fordham was mostly at the Ailey School if I wasn’t in an academic class, and then taking dance classes elsewhere, which really informs where my career would take me. So many of us (Fordham alumni) are still in this area living our dreams and doing all that we’ve wanted to do. It’s really cool that I went to school there for four years and now I’m doing what I’ve been dreaming of and working so hard for just a few blocks away.”

Addie said during her time at the Ailey School, she was surrounded by supportive dance teachers and mentors, some of whom she has stayed in touch with since. 

“I have always known Maya to be such a power,” said Lakey Evans-Peña, Rehearsal Director for Ailey/Fordham Student Dancers. “She has been an artist always. Always.”

Evans-Peña attended the Christmas Spectacular, along with a group of dancers from the Ailey/Fordham BFA program. 

“It was fantastic,” she said. “These past 18 months it’s been really challenging for all of us. Theaters are closed, all of that. So to be able to go, it was just brilliant. (Addie) was gorgeous, and it was wonderful. Such a joyful celebration.”

Now, Addie puts her years of hard work and training to use while she performs for her first year as a Rockette. 

“Being able to perform every single day for new audiences, and having that experience of just putting a smile on someone’s face is really what has been most memorable and what I’ve been cherishing most this season.” Maya Addie

“It’s been a really wild ride and full of emotions, especially coming off of a year of not being able to perform for live audiences,” she said. “Being able to perform every single day for new audiences, and having that experience of just putting a smile on someone’s face is really what has been most memorable and what I’ve been cherishing most this season.”

The excitement in Addie’s voice shines through when she describes her experience as a Rockette. While she was able to perform in the Christmas Spectacular as an ensemble member in 2019, this is her first year of those famous eye-level high kicks.

“Being a part of the Rockette legacy is something that’s so special and not many are able to experience that,” she said. “So I feel really fortunate to have this experience.” 

“It’s really important that you don’t conform to what everyone else is doing around you, and that you stay genuine and authentic.” Maya Addie

To young aspiring dancers, or anyone with big dreams, Addie says that individuality is the key to success. 

“I would say just be yourself,” she said. “It’s really important that you don’t conform to what everyone else is doing around you, and that you stay genuine and authentic.” 

Throughout the next month, Addie will perform in the Christmas Spectacular, where her clear passion for dance and performance shines.  “Truly, the Christmas Spectacular is what makes New York City and what makes Christmastime in the city so special for so many different audiences,” Addie said. “I think having this opportunity to be together during the holidays and spreading Christmas cheer is really what I’ve loved throughout this season.”