Huntington Student Dances as 'Clara' With The Rockettes

A 14-year-old freshman at St. Anthony’s High School in Huntington is performing the role of Clara in “The Nutcracker” in a national tour of the ​Radio City Christmas Christmas Spectacular with the world-famous Rockettes.

Sarah Gavilla, of Melville, is one of two Claras, a principal role, said a spokeswoman for MSG Entertainment, which produces the event.

In her role, Gavilla is performing in both Omaha and Houston.

“To be cast as Clara in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a dream come true,” Gavilla said. “I’m so excited to be part of this amazing production.”

While many of her peers were out trick-or-treating, Gavilla began rehearsals in Myrtle Beach on Oct. 31. But her road to the Rockettes began much, much earlier.

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She began dancing at age 4, and up until 2012, she danced at the North Shore Studio of Dance in Huntington, under the direction of Danielle Kimmins, a former Rockette, according to Christine Gavilla, Sarah’s mother.

Two years ago, Sarah Gavilla decided to focus her studies on classical ballet, Christine Gavilla said. She entered the Eglevsky Ballet School’s professional training program in Bethpage and began to train under the direction of Laszlo Berdo, a former principal dancer with the Boston Ballet.

In June 2014, Christine took Sarah to Radio City Music Hall to audition for the part of “Clara” in the Nutcracker scene of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

“This audition was conducted en pointe and consisted of learning several ballet combinations,” Christine said. “There were several cuts made along the way, but Sarah made it through to the final cut, at which time we were told we would hear sometime in July if she was chosen.”

In July, MSG called to say Sarah was cast in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular National Tour, which performs in two different cities each year.

In addition to dancing en pointe in her Clara role, Sarah also appears as a shepherd in the living nativity scene, and sings with the cast in the closing number.

And last week, Christine said, Sarah had the honor of performing at a private luncheon for President George HW Bush and Barbara Bush.

But while the rigours of professional dance are undoubtedly demanding, Sarah must also maintain her grades. To that end, she works with a tutor to help her keep up with her studies.

As for the future, it appears Sarah has already found her calling.

“It’s been nice getting to know and working alongside the Rockettes,” she said.

“I love performing on this big stage,” she added. “And now that I’ve danced professionally, I know that this is something I definitely want to do when I grow up.”

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