Petrizzo, who graduated from HSN in 2017, has been a Rockette for the past five years, and has advanced to the front line, serving as assistant dance captain for the world-famous troupe.
Of course, this is the time of year that the Rockettes, and thus Petrizzo, truly shine. In addition to the parade, there was last week's Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting. Petrizzo recently performed on Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular, where she and the Rocketts danced at Top Of The Rock in NYC. She's 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. Petrizzo has even appeared in A Spectacular Christmas, one of the ever-popular Hallmark Christmas movies.
And speaking of, one of the hallmarks of the Rockettes in their uniformity. 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. But removed from her troupe, Petrizzo stands out as an alum of Toms River Schools, as a human being.
Some of the words used to describe her include "wonderful," "outstanding," and "distinguished." "As nice as she is beautiful," boasted a longtime family friend about Petrizzo.
It's been a long but fulfilling journey. She started dancing at the age of two at her mother’s NJ studio, First Class Dance Academy. Petrizzo then attended the prestigious pre-professional program at the ABT (American Ballet Theatre) Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, where she received many invaluable performance opportunities including the lead role of Clara in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker, and supporting roles in Coppelia, Le Corsaire, and Cinderella. Her dancing education and experience grew rapidly from there, from the prestigious Alvin Ailey School in New York City to Marymount Manhattan College, where she graduated with a dual degree in dance and business.
Those dual degrees merged perfectly when Petrizzo once rang the Nasdaq Opening Bell as “Clara.” You might even say things have come full circle for her, literally, as she's also been featured on The Sphere in Las Vegas.
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. As her former classmates and teachers watch her from afar-- particularly during this time of year-- they do so with pride.
Everyone, it seems, is getting a kick out of watching Athena Petrizzo shine.