Former Rockette, Dallas Cowboys cheerleader spread joy of dancing in NYC
MANHATTAN (WPIX) – Here in New York City, not everyone loves the Dallas Cowboys – but plenty of people love the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Now, you can dance alongside a former Cowboys cheerleader in the Big Apple.
Her name is Victoria Kalina – and she's bringing her big-city dreams from Dallas to Manhattan.
"I feel like my eyes and my life have been opened to a new opportunity," Kalina said.
She recently became a breakout star of the hit Netflix series "America's Sweethearts," which profiles the young women auditioning for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team. Kalina was on the team for four years. Now, she's chasing another dream.
"Everyone thinks DCC was my life goal. I don't think you can have too many goals. My other one... was Radio City Rockettes," she said.
She's now training for those Rockette auditions at Fusion Exercise on Eighth Avenue, alongside CEO and director, Rhonda Malkin, who was a Rockette herself. Malkin coaches elite dancers and is helping Kalina chase her dreams.
"I've been teaching since I was 15 years old, it helped my mom pay for dance classes," Malkin said. "I'm so glad [Kalina] is here now and she's continuing her journey to become a Rockette with me."
Plus, Malkin and Kalina have teamed up to offer a new dance class for people of all skill levels. Kalina teaches the fitness-focused class, which is open to beginners and incorporates those cheerleading moves that make the workout fun.
"If anything, it will inspire some dancers to come out of their shell and try something new, and maybe burn a few calories," Malkin said.
And as far as her Rockette audition journey, Kalina says she knows it won't be easy.
"It's gonna take a lot of focus, a lot of discipline. I'm here. I'm ready to work," she said.
If you're interested in signing up for the class or learning more about Fusion Exercise, click here.