This week, we’re celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Rainbow Dance Co., Arts Together’s signature dance performance program, and we wanted to honor the six high school seniors who are a beloved part of our multi-age community: Mari Black, Gillian Fay, Lindy Gupton, Ellie Meynardie, Claire Warr and Savannah Wilson. These seniors have a long history with Arts Together. They joined our creative family during either preschool or elementary school, and over the years, we’ve watched them grow into the strong, confident individuals they are today. Collectively, these young women have danced with RDC for 39 years!
LEFT TO RIGHT: GILLIAN FAY, CLAIRE WARR, MARI BLACK, LINDY GUPTON, SAVANNAH WILSON & ELLIE MEYNARDIE
GET TO KNOW OUR SENIORS
Mari Black has danced with Arts Together since elementary school and RDC for eight years. In addition to dance, Mari spends her time working at so•ca of Cameron Village. She attends NC Virtual Academy and also takes classes at Wake Tech. Mari plans to go to UNC-Wilmington and continue her studies in Environmental Sciences. She also enjoys going outside to admire nature and being active. Mari wants to thank her friends, family, dance community and everyone else who has helped her along the way and hopes you enjoy the show!
Gillian Fay has danced with Arts Together since she was five and been a member of RDC for three years. She has loved growing as a dancer through this time and building so many beautiful relationships. Outside of dancing, Gillian likes to put her creative efforts into 2D and 3D art at school, as well as being a member of the leadership team for her church youth group. In college, she intends on pursuing a double major in interior design and psychology.
Lindy Gupton has danced at Arts Together since elementary school and been an RDC dancer for the last eight years. Outside of dance, Lindy is a Varsity Tennis Captain at Cary High School, as well as an Environmental Club member, Student Council representative and Spirit Leader. She has formed strong bonds with her peers and teachers at Arts Together and would like to thank everyone that helped her grow as an artist and person along the way. Lindy plans to go to NCSU or UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall and explore varying interests before determining a major.
Ellie Meynardie has danced at Arts Together since preschool and with RDC for seven years. She has loved collaborating in dance and creating relationships through her time at Arts Together. Aside from dancing, Ellie is a member of the New Hope Presbytery Youth Council and Enloe’s Food Ark. In college, she plans to major in journalism with a concentration in sports media and a double minor in fine arts and philosophy.
Claire Warr has danced at Arts Together since she was three and been a member of RDC for four years. The relationships she has built through Arts Together are among the most important in her life. In addition to dance, she plays the cello and French horn, and enjoys baking, making jewelry and building guitars in her spare time. Next year at UNC-Chapel Hill, Claire intends to major in music performance.
Savannah Wilson has been involved with Arts Together since preschool and a member of RDC for nine years. Along with spending time at Arts Together, she is part of Broughton’s student government and Young Activists Club. She is also a huge advocate for the environment and plans to study environmental science at UNC-Chapel Hill next year. Savannah has found a second home in Arts Together and would like to thank her teachers and peers for all they have done to shape her as a dancer and individual.
(MAKE) THINGS HAPPEN
A rite of passage for high school seniors in Rainbow is choreographing their own collaborative piece to perform in the annual Rainbow Dance Co. Concert. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has postponed this year’s showcase, but these seniors didn’t let that stop them from sharing their work of art with you — they rose to the challenge and found a creative solution (while keeping their social distance)! Please watch the beautiful video they created. Their piece is titled (Make) Things Happen, and their inspiration strikes a particular chord with the times we’re currently living in.
“Everything you do has an effect, whether it be planned or unintended, engineered or unexpected. Not only can things happen to us, but we can make them happen. We have to roll with the punches.”
YES. We must roll with the punches, and rise to the occasion. Thank you, Mari, Gillian, Lindy, Ellie, Clair and Savannah, for your spirit, message and artistry.
A FINAL NOTE
The RDC seniors shared this note at the end of the video they created:
We are extremely grateful for the role that the Rainbow community has played in our lives. Arts Together is our second home and the continued support from our fellow dancers has meant the world to us. As members of RDC, we have grown as artists, choreographers, collaborators, friends and people. Arts Together and Rainbow have shaped us from the beginning and we wouldn’t trade our experience for anything.
Happy 40th Anniversary Rainbow!
#RainbowDance40
Love,
Mari, Gillian, Lindy, Ellie, Claire and Savannah (pictured below left to right)
Help us continue the legacy of Rainbow Dance Co. by making a gift.
Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Manager
Photo credit - Matt Kesterson: Photography
Video created by RDC Seniors with music by Moses Sumney