Cheers to Our 2020 Seniors!
Caroline and Vanessa, Living Arts Graduating Seniors, Class of 2020
It is no doubt 2020 is different from the last. With events being canceled, our 2 seniors, Caroline and Vanessa, were not able to show off their dances, let alone their beautiful tutu’s they were going to wear. So, we got together with photographer, Julianne Lindsey, and had a special photoshoot of the students in their tutus.
To make it extra special, we reached out to Christine Allen Carlson, who co-founded Living Arts and taught both of the dancers from the beginning of their careers, to ask her a few questions about Caroline and Vanessa’s journey.
Caroline Rodriquez, Living Arts Graduating Senior, Class of 2020
How long have you been teaching Caroline?
Caroline’s first class with me was pre-ballet, but at our COMPAS location at the time. She danced as a butterfly in the “Magical Garden” for her first Showcase and was probably 4 or 5 years old. I’ve taught her every year since, in just about every genre, until it was time for her to take flight after graduation — a bittersweet occasion.
Do you have a favorite memory of each of Caroline or a moment where she exceeded your expectations?
Again, it’s hard to choose just one, but first I will share two memories from the beginning and the end of her time at Living Arts. I can vividly remember her huge smile the first day she walked into my class — it was contagious, and the fact that I can remember it 13 years later should tell you it wasn’t an ordinary smile. Then, the last time I saw her perform on stage, I was sitting in the audience. She was the first one my eyes were drawn to because she had such striking stage presence, and of course, that beautiful smile. My daughter, who was sitting next to me, commented on the same thing. Whenever and whatever she performed — from hip hop to ballet, she looked like she was loving what she was doing! Caroline brought joy and laughter to every class. She was a confident leader. She often would “round up the troops” to get her fellow classmates focused, which would help me as well! As a teacher’s assistant, she was great with the younger dancers, getting them excited and helping them where needed. When I asked her to dance with the younger ones on stage, she played the part wholeheartedly, even with my crazy prop ideas of giant cakes and spy glasses.
I was looking forward to watching her perform her last pointe dance as a Bluebird, as well as her jazz and tap performances — which she always ROCKED!. That was before the pandemic hit. But I will cherish the 13 years of memories I have to look back on, and will never forget that smile!
Vanessa Galaviz, Living Arts Graduating Senior, Class of 2020
How long have you been teaching Vanessa?
I believe the first class I taught Vanessa was also pre-ballet when she danced “When You Wish Upon a Star” in the Showcase. She was probably about 5 years old. I distinctly remember her in the sparkly blue tutu, holding her silver wand so high and strong, with her eyes fixed on the star at the end. She had various teachers throughout her training, but I began teaching her more consistently starting in Junior Company, then into DanceCollage (now known as YDE), and most intensively in ballet and pointe during her last years. So I’ve had the privilege to watch her grow up in Living Arts!
Do you have a favorite memory of Vanessa or a moment where she exceeded your expectations?
It’s hard to pick one favorite memory of Vanessa. She has stood out to me from the beginning. Not only with her talent, but also her confidence, determination, and passion. She’s often been the youngest in her classes- but always rose to the occasion and danced her heart out. I have pictures in my mind of two separate occasions. The first is of her performing her first hip hop dance (I believe Mr. Aaron was the teacher). There she was, about 7 years old, on the stage with only one other student, looking cute in her outfit, and….BAM! She brought it! It was not an easy dance, but she was clearly leading the way. The second is a video of one of her high school performances, with the company she danced with for several years. The choreography was different than anything she’s done at Living Arts and quite demanding. She was stunning! This was definitely one instance where she exceeded my expectations and confirmed my belief that she was ready to meet any challenges.
In her later years at Living Arts, she was often highlighted. I can recall images of her opening the curtain as she demanded the stage in our “Masquerade Ball” pointe dance, reaching for the sky as she was lifted high by her fellow classmates in YDE, and striking an arabesque with her upper body reaching upward in “Waltz of the Flowers.” But even when she wasn’t in the spotlight, Vanessa always gave her all, realizing the importance of teamwork. She often offered help to either me or other classmates, including her younger sister (it was great to see their relationship work out in their classes together). Though she was generally quiet and focused in class, her dancing spoke loudly and vibrant whenever she stepped on the stage — you couldn’t help but watch her!
What is it that you hope for the two of them as they leap into the next part of their lives?
I have no doubt in my mind that both Vanessa and Caroline will go far, whatever they decide to do. The last I heard, Vanessa is studying dance and pre-physical therapy — which suits her well given her talent, smarts, and passion. I think Caroline is studying Elementary Education which, given her leadership qualities and great rapport with kids, I’m sure she would be an awesome teacher. But even if they decide to change their majors or change course entirely, my hope is that they would do what they love and love what they do, and then share their gifts with those around them. I hope that they can find their tribes and lean on them because we can’t have it together 100% of the time. We need each other and the world needs Vanessa and Caroline — they have so much to give! I truly look forward to seeing where their next journey takes them!
Christine Allen Carlson co-founded Living Arts (as “Southwest Dance”) in 1999. She transitioned out of her Co-Director and Dance Director roles in 2014 and continues as a Teaching Artist in Out-of-School Arts. Christine is a trained dancer and educator who is versed in ballet, tap, jazz, creative movement, and modern dance. Her training and performance experiences include scholarship study at Wayne State University, “Brain-Compatible Dance Education” teacher training in Seattle, Ballet Americana, MoreDances Contemporary Dance Company, and Detroit Dance Collective. She has been teaching in various studios, programs, and schools for more than 20 years. Her aim is to impart her passion for dance, not only to develop technical dancers but also foster critical thinkers and creative, joyful movers.