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VUENJ.COM 73 "I walk across the stage by myself in the morning and say 'this is my office?!' I pinch myself," Julie Branam shares. "I feel very fortunate to be here." As the director and choreographer of the world-famous Rockettes (and a former Rockette herself), Julie's office is Radio City Music Hall, a location far removed from her home state of Iowa. While it's been decades since Julie joined the kickline in 1988, her enthusiasm and excitement for her time with the longest-running precision dance company in the United States is stronger than ever. Under her creative vision and direction, the Rockettes have been hard at work, practicing and rehearsing for the upcoming Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes®. "On the heels of a record-breaking 2025 season that celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Rockettes, we are excited to step into the dance company's next century with the addition of a brand-new scene that will showcase the versatility of the Rockettes while honoring the dance traditions that are foundational to their legacy," says Jessica Tuttle, Executive Vice President of MSG Entertainment. Along with a brand- new number, innovative technology, and a record-breaking 230 scheduled shows, this year's performances are slated to be bigger and better than ever. "I love figuring out how to help the show evolve," says Julie. "It's always a challenge because I do want to honor the past but as we move forward, we want to make sure that the Rockettes are up to doing what is new and fresh." As a former Rockette herself, Julie knows just what it means to show up day aer day and spread holiday joy, one high kick at a time. Describing the Rockettes as "athletes dripping in diamonds," Julie recounts the hard work, discipline, and precision required to deliver the high caliber performance of the Rockettes in the Christmas Spectacular. Dancers practice six hours a day for six days a week in the months leading up to November, working together to perform show-stopping numbers for thousands of audience members each day. While every Rockette is an incredibly gied dancer on their own, it is their performance in tandem for numbers like "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" and "New York at Christmas" which draws visitors from all around the world. As Julie puts it, "when the dancers all come together, that's what makes the magic." e flawless synchronization of the Rockettes creates a seamless visual illusion, buoyed by the bond the dancers share. Julie describes the lifelong friendships that are formed on and off the stage, ones that feel like family because of the amount of time spent together. "Not every day is 100% your best day," she explains. "But because you're surrounded by these incredible women, they pick each other up and always have each other's backs."

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