TOMS RIVER – All her life, Toms River resident Athena Petrizzo dreamed of becoming a professional dancer. Now she’s taken on the title of not just any dancer, but the dancer: a Radio City Rockette.
Petrizzo graduated from Joseph A. Citta Elementary School, then Intermediate North and, finally, High School North in 2017. She’s been a Rockette for the past five years and recently advanced to the front line, serving as assistant dance captain for the world-famous troupe.
The holiday season is when the Rockettes truly shine, recently being featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as the Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting.
This year, Petrizzo performed on Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, where she and the Rockettes danced at Top Of The Rock in NYC.
Petrizzo has also appeared in television ads for Macy’s, Google Chrome, and Google Pixel, and as a featured model in print ads for Target and Pearl Vision. In addition. Petrizzo has appeared in “A Spectacular Christmas,” one of the ever-popular Hallmark Christmas movies.
Athena Petrizzo graduated from High School North in 2017 and her career has excelled ever since. (Photo courtesy Toms River Schools)
“Petrizzo wouldn’t have advanced to where she’s at without an otherworldly ability to synchronize, not to mention the talent and other intangible qualities required to succeed on one of dancing’s biggest stages,” the Toms River school district said. “But removed from her troupe, Petrizzo stands out as an alum of Toms River Schools, as a human being.”
Family friends described her as “outstanding” and “as nice as she is beautiful.”
Petrizzo began dancing at the age of two at her mother’s NJ studio, First Class Dance Academy. She then attended the prestigious pre-professional program at the ABT (American Ballet Theatre) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. There, she performed the lead role of Clara in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, and supporting roles in Coppelia, Le Corsaire, and Cinderella.
Petrizzo then went on to continue her dance education at the prestigious Alvin Ailey School in New York City and Marymount Manhattan College, where she graduated with a dual degree in dance and business.
Toms River resident Athena Petrizzo shines in the front line of the Radio City Rockettes. (Photo courtesy Toms River Schools)
“Clearly, it’s been an incredible, joyous ride for the one-time but forever HSN Mariner, and her dedication to dance is sure to take her to even more amazing places,” Toms River school district said. “As her former classmates and teachers watch her from afar – particularly during this time of year – they do so with pride.”
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