Rachael V. Murdock (Cavanaugh) returns to the stage, this weekend, after a five-year hiatus. She’ll play the Sugar Plum Fairy in “Nutcracker, Short and Sweet.”
After a five-year hiatus, West Point resident Rachael V. Murdock (Cavanaugh) returns to the stage, this weekend, as Hudson Valley Dance Theatre presents “Nutcracker, Short and Sweet” at Central Valley Elementary School, on Route 32 across from Woodbury Commons. Showtimes are at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15. Tickets are available in advance at Dance Design School or at the door prior to the performances.
Two years ago Murdock and her husband moved from Minnesota to West Point. Murdock was looking for a place to teach, and her husband mentioned passing by Dance Design Studio while traveling through Cornwall. About a week later she stopped by the studio, spoke to the director, and obtained a job teaching ballet to the intermediate advanced girls on Monday nights. As a former professional dancer, Murdock was invited to play the Sugar Plum Fairy in this year’s “Nutcracker” production.
“I missed performing,” Murdock said. “I know that kids really love to come see the ‘Nutcracker.’ That was another part of the motivation – to dance for the children.”
This weekend will mark the end of Murdock’s five-year hiatus from dancing.
“I don’t know quite yet,” Murdock said of how it will feel to return to the stage, “but being in the studio, I love it. I’m sure being on stage will be quite exciting again.”
Murdock began dancing at the age of 5 in Salt Lake City, Utah, training at the Casalino School of Creative Arts. At the age of 16, Murdock opted to follow her dream of being a professional dancer and joined Ballet West out of Salt Lake City. Murdock had not graduated from high school so she would spend two hours in school in the morning and then drive to work.
“Ballet is such a competitive field. If you’re offered a job, you take it. It was a job that I had been wanting because I did grow up dancing with Ballet West, performing in their ‘Nutcracker’ every year. When they offered me the job, I of course accepted it. That’s the career I had been pursuing. My education came second, but I was able to make it work.”
Murdock successfully earned her high school diploma in four years and then went on to get college credit, with the University of Utah, toward a Bachelors of Fine Arts. Murdock left Ballet West after five years and moved on to San Francisco Ballet. She was unable to complete her college degree but is still hopeful of finishing that one day.
During her tenure as a dancer, Murdock performed across the world including places like Iceland, Paris, Spain, and Athens. Ten years after joining San Francisco Ballet, Murdock retired as a professional dancer.
She moved to New Zealand with her husband where they had their first daughter. Murdock also went on to become certified as a yoga instructor. Back in the states, she balances motherhood while teaching yoga to the West Point cadets on Wednesday nights and teaching ballet at Dance Design School on Mondays.
Murdock started rehearsing for her “Nutcracker” role about two weeks ago. She admits being a little rusty after five years, but with some stretching and regular practice, the moves started to come back to her.
“It is very ingrained in your body. It’s a role I’ve done before, so that was helpful as well.”
