Utah Graduate and Radio City Rockette proves Diversity Matters

Knowing what life after graduation holds can be a daunting prospect for any student, but at least one University of Utah graduate knows that with the right drive and determination success is very much possible.

Utah cum laude graduate and Radio City Rockette Talese Hunt knows that diversity is a sure way to kick start your post-graduate career. Hunt graduated with a psychology degree and a minor in anthropology, always being fully aware that having options after education is tantamount to success.

"I felt like psychology would give me more options," says Hunt, "a degree that would help me to be really articulate, good at communicating, and have the skills to help and work with people."

Hunt has very few regrets about college but says if she could change at least one thing it would be to make sure to immerse herself in the happenings around the college.

"The one thing I do regret is not being more hands on at the college," she says. "I tended to do things all on my own and stayed in the background being quiet. I wish I would have been more involved. I even had a professor offer me a research assistantship but I couldn’t figure out how to make it work. Now I look back and think I should have learned how to make it work."

When she’s home in Lehi she works as a pilates instructor and does modeling and acting with a local agency. She notes it’s important to keep yourself diversified especially in this economy.

"To be honest I really don’t know what the future holds. I believe timing is everything. If you look at the last five years and how much the job market has changed and what jobs are going to be available, you really don’t know. I believe in continuing your education and I know my degree has helped me there. If you’re in an interview it’s nice to be able to tell them you can do anything they ask of you; it makes you a lot more marketable."

Hunt’s first job out of college was with the Salt Lake City School District as a Community Education Manager where she was able to work with at-risk students.

"I feel like I definitely applied a lot of what I learned—especially while working with the at-risk students—my psychology degree worked immensely. One thing that stuck out to me is that I learned children really need consistency and I was able to apply that where I was working with different groups of students in a lot of different scenarios. My degree definitely helped in that area."

Although Hunt’s work with the Salt Lake City School District was extremely rewarding she decided it was a good time to pursue another passion of hers.

She has studied various forms of dance and has had a passion for dancing since a very early age. When she learned about the Radio City Rockette auditions she jumped at the opportunity. The Utah native has performed with the Rockettes since 2007 and is currently performing with the group in Boston, MA where they’re doing the "Radio City Christmas Spectacular." She will be performing until Dec. 29th in Boston.

"It really is the pinnacle of any dancer’s career to be part of this group of women," says Hunt. "They truly are the most amazing group of women I’ve ever met or worked with."

"The Rockettes began performances in 1933," says Hunt. "We have this really great history and legacy we’re coming from and it’s so exciting. The other day before the show I had a meet-and-greet and a lady who had been a Radio City Rockette in 1934 was there to see us perform. It really puts what you’re doing into perspective and makes you think about what you’re doing; you think about all the people in the audience and the performance you’re giving them and how special it is to be part of that."

Inside jokes abound especially during and after live shows. There are over a hundred people on staff and with so many moving parts there are a lot of things that can go wrong. "Just last night our lights failed when we were just starting and had to use spotlights," Hunt says, "and we have a shoe fly out into the audience every once and a while. It tends to change things up a little bit."

Being a Rockette means being away from your loved ones and for Talese Hunt that equals three months out of the year. During the holidays she’ll be in Boston without the comforts of her family but says she and her fellow Rockettes will keep the occasion a happy one.

"I don’t have any family coming to visit me for the holiday this year—a lot of people do which is really nice—but I know I’ll have a great Christmas because of the people I’m with who become like family. This year we’re doing a secret Santa and we usually do a Christmas dinner for anyone who may not have any family coming in so it still seems like Christmas."

Hunt has loved her time with the Rockettes and says she’d love to do it as long as possible, but she knows her degree at the U will keep her prepared for anything just in case.

By: Jacob M. Stout