Why is an Arts-Integrated Education Valuable? - A Parent’s Perspective

This is what parent, Jaime, had to say when she shared her family’s Arts Together story. Arts Together knows the value of an arts-integrated education and the importance of creative expression, whether you are 3 or 63. Hearing a parent’s first-hand account of their family’s time at Arts Together illustrates the importance of these experiences and why the arts matter.  

Keep reading to hear about Jaime’s perspective on her son’s time at Arts Together! 

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It’s been amazing watching my son, Jaxon, grow over the past four months at Arts Together. He’s more confident in himself, a better communicator, and more regulated. He’s also excited about learning (every parent's dream, right?) He’s constantly showing me a new dance move, an art technique or a breathing sequence to calm his body that he's learned at school. One morning, he was coloring a picture for a teacher before school and proudly stated, “Mom, I’m an artist” without an ounce of self-doubt or fear.  

Jaxon needs to physically move and use his body. He loves running, jumping, digging, and being outside (all of which happens daily at Arts Together!). In other schools or daycares we’ve attended prior to Arts Together, he’d come home with so much unused energy, which meant hours of additional play for him and me and he struggled to fall asleep. When I pick Jaxon up from AT, he’s tired. He has clearly engaged in the type of play his body needs to feel fulfilled and ultimately more relaxed.  

Jaxon faced some typical challenges transitioning to a new school, however he was greeted with open arms and love. Because of this, he felt safe and accepted, and eventually was able to participate and be himself. As a parent, it's hard to release your children into the world, especially after almost 2 years of a pandemic, but at AT you know your child is safe and cared for.  

My favorite part about AT is that every child is accepted and appreciated for who they are. They are treated with respect, patience and curiosity - on good days and challenging days, which all 3-5 year olds can have! This is my parenting approach and it’s been wonderful to find a school that supports this.  

I love the sense of community I feel at AT. This is something that is very important to me individually and a value I hope to instill in my child. Our overall health depends on feeling a sense of belonging and connection to others - we feel that at AT. 

Additionally, culture and diversity are important to me. I believe that introducing children to differences, and helping them understand these differences, encourages them to feel good about who they are, where they fit in the world, and appreciate diversity in others.  

Art to me, means freedom - freedom to create, freedom to explore, freedom to be. Who deserves this more than children? Children are naturally curious. They're like little sponges, taking in everything around them. Then, trying to sort through it and figure out what it all means, who they are, and how to be a good human. Art provides an avenue for children to do this. It's unavoidable that our children will face stressful and challenging situations in life. Engaging in art-based activities provides children with tools to safely express their emotions and ultimately trust themselves.  

Finally, children, especially young children, deserve a safe space to learn, grow, explore, and most importantly have fun. Through the daily activities Jaxon engages in at AT - dance, drama, obstacle courses, nature exploration, art class and more - he is developing skills that are useful not only for learning, but also for a peaceful and happy life. This is the type of education and learning I want for my child.  

As a single parent with a single income, the tuition was going to be a burden on my budget, but I felt it was worth the sacrifice as my son's health and wellbeing is the most important to me. Before enrolling, I decided to inquire about a scholarship, because what did I have to lose? When I learned this was an opportunity, I was elated! I applied and was accepted. I was, and continue to be, beyond grateful that Jaxon is able to receive the same educational opportunities as other children in our community.  

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To learn more about our scholarship program, click the button below!

6 Creative Tips to Help Preschoolers Adjust to The Classroom

As we move into the second month of the school year, students are settling into their routine and starting to love their teachers, peers, and learning. With all of the positives of the first month of Preschool, come a few inevitable challenges. We have all been through so much this year and the reality of COVID has affected everyone, even the littlest students. Most preschoolers have spent half, or more, of their lives quarantined or socially distanced, in a time when cognitive and social development is crucial. So it comes as no surprise that there are some new patterns that have not presented themselves in previous years.

Below are some trends we’ve seen in Preschoolers after a month in the classroom:  

• Learning to trust direction given from people other than a parent or guardian  

• Feeling more anxious at drop-off (from students and caretakers)  

• Experiencing anxiety when using a bathroom that isn’t familiar  

• Needing more guidance when it comes to structures such as lines, circle time, etc.  

• Requiring more encouragement to share and take turns  

Patience and creativity are key, so we are here to offer some strategies to make this transition a little easier.

What can teachers do to help set students up for success? 

• Tackle ongoing issues with creativity  

Offer gloves to children who don't like messy activities or have sensory sensitivity. If a child cries every morning, create a welcome song. Have activities to grab attention and redirect from goodbyes upon arrival.   

• Refer to a routine  

Create consistency in your classroom and follow a daily routine. Children like to know what happens next. It helps to have a visual schedule with times, words, and pictures.  

• Go with it  

At times it is impossible to follow your lesson plan for the day. Children tend to be interested in other things at any time. Be flexible and willing to follow their plan. If it's crawling and hiding, crawl and hide with them!  

What can parents and guardians do at home to make the transition to life at school a bit easier? 

• Put procedures on display 

As teachers help students transition from class to class each day, you can help from home. Place a picture schedule of your nightly routine along with a close pin that your little learner can move as your nightly routine is underway. This schedule could include, potty time, bath time, family time, teeth brushing time etc. This will allow your little learner to understand that transitions happen everywhere and make it easier to understand.  

• Act out expected behaviors

It’s important to be intentional about teaching our little ones how to follow rules. One way to support this at home is to ask your child’s teacher about classroom rules or structures that you can help them practice at home. Allowing kids the opportunity to role play classroom structures with you can help them feel more secure when they’re asked to follow those rules at school. 

• Foster discussions about rules and procedures 

Talk to your little learner about their day and discuss upcoming events like fire drills, participating in class, walking up the stairs on the "safe side", etc. This helps to reinforce the expectations set in place in the classroom.  

We know that this transition can be difficult to navigate. It’s okay if your kiddo cries at drop-off. It’s okay if YOU cry at drop-off! It’s okay if circle-time is harder to organize. It’s okay if you don’t complete your scheduled lesson plan. Just take a breath. We are all in this together. Drop-offs will get easier, tears will go away, play will happen, and learning is inevitable. With patience, empathy, and creative strategies Preschoolers will continue growing and developing, they just need a little extra support.

By: Phillip Locke, Director of Preschool & Summer Programs | Sherri Pekks, Program Administrative Manager

Meet our New Preschool Faculty Members for 2021

Please welcome our new Preschool faculty members to the Arts Together family: Shea Stanley, Mary Louise Talley, Kate Vanninen, Olivia Sheets and Kristina Loflin (pictured L-R)! Their collective educational backgrounds span Art History, Fine Arts, Drama, Communications, Dance, Anthropology and Family Life/Parent Education.

Mary Louise, Kate and Olivia are leveraging their strong experience as educators to serve as Lead Teachers for our three preschool groups — the Comets, Moons and Stars; Shea lends her talents as the Afternoon Assistant for the Stars while providing support to all our preschool instructors; and Kristina is our Preschool Support Facilitator, a newly created role where she assists in daily preschool operations and is a liaison between parents, teachers and our Program Administrative Manager.

Get to know each of these phenomenal individuals better below!

Kristina Loflin, Preschool Support Facilitator

Kristina Loflin holds a Bachelor of Arts from Meredith College located here in beautiful Raleigh, North Carolina. As a dance major and communications minor, much of her college years were spent working in the dance and cheerleading industries, coaching and teaching, as well as working behind the scenes in various arts administration roles. Upon graduation from college, Kristina established Xtreme Challenge Athletics which offered drop-in childcare, track out/summer camps and training classes that catered to cheerleaders and dancers. Kristina continues to work for Varsity Spirit, keeping her foot in the cheer and dance world. On the weekends, she can be found helping run competitions around the States or hanging out with her family and friends. Kristina loves working with students of all ages and helping them find their joy in learning. She is excited to continue to share her love of the arts and passion for education in her new role as the Preschool Support Facilitator for Arts Together.

Olivia Sheets, Lead Preschool Teacher for the Stars

Olivia Sheets has loved art and teaching since she could remember. Her great-grandmother began to teach her oil painting at the age of nine, but she had been drawing in many, many sketchbooks long before then! Olivia has extensive expertise in colored pencil realism and abstract oil painting but is currently learning metalworking and printmaking. Her passion lies in teaching others about the importance of art and history in shaping values and interests, and the lifelong impact of a creative education. She recently graduated from Salem College with a BA in Art History and studied abroad at Oxford University to broaden her specialty of Medieval Studies. Before becoming a preschool teacher, she taught American History and Civic Literacy to high schoolers. Realizing she has a special connection with children, she is also a certified DONA doula and loves all things babies! In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with Food Not Bombs, hanging out with her cat Magnolia and reading about art history.

Shea Stanley, Afternoon Assistant for the Stars + Floater

Shea Stanley (she/her) is extremely excited to be joining the Arts Together family! Shea is an actor, comedian, screenwriter and playwright with a degree in Drama and Communications from UNC-Chapel Hill. She also completed three summers at Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp in Steamboat, Colorado. She feels most comfortable on stage and believes performance is a great way to learn confidence and independence. She is from Charleston, South Carolina, where she led a children’s theatre camp at Crabpot Theatre. Shea believes in making the arts accessible and completed an honors thesis at Chapel Hill on representation in the arts, culminating in the four-day festival called Here, which included comedy shows, movie screenings and writing workshops centering marginalized groups. As a comedian, Shea believes kids are funnier than she’ll ever be and hopes she can learn a thing or two from the students at Arts Together. When she’s not writing or performing, Shea lives in Durham, where she enjoys reading, spending time with her friends and watching way, way too much Grey’s Anatomy.

Mary Louise Talley, Lead Preschool Teacher for the Comets

Mary Louise Talley is so excited to begin her new teaching career at Arts Together as the Lead Preschool Teacher for the Comets! A Raleigh native, she has been a supporter of Arts Together over the years with her eight-year-old artsy, creative and tech-savvy daughter. She has been an Assistant Teacher, elementary Wake County Art Teacher for 10 years and stay-at-home mom in addition to working in a preschool for the past two-and-a-half years. She graduated from St. Mary’s College, UNC Chapel Hill with a BFA in Fine Arts and from Parsons School of Design in NYC with a certification in art. She enjoys traveling to the NC Mountains and beaches during the summer months. During her free time, she enjoys volunteering at her daughter’s school, hiking, cooking and teaching art to young children outside on her porch.

Kate Vanninen, Lead Preschool Teacher for the Moons

Kate Vanninen is very excited to begin teaching the Moon’s class this year at Arts Together! She is from the Midwest but has lived in the Raleigh area for the last 16 years. She received her BA in Anthropology and Women’s Studies from the University of Kansas in 2004. In 2010, she received her MS in Family Life and Parent Education from North Carolina State University with a focus on reconnecting children and nature, and supporting families recovering from domestic violence. She has over nine years' experience as a preschool teacher and took on a variety of roles including Children’s Advocate at InterAct of Wake County. Her take on the preschool experience is based on following children’s interests, encouraging curiosity and fostering a sense of community. Most recently, Kate worked at home raising her two children, Sylvia and Oliver, and is very much looking forward to returning to teaching. In her spare time, she enjoys quilting, baking, gardening, and whatever fun projects her and the kids come up with.

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Manager

Rainbow Dance Co. Finds Inspiration Outside at NC Museum of Art

COVID-19 is challenging us to expand our creativity! Rainbow Dance Co., our signature modern dance performance program, is using the outdoors to inspire new choreography for a special eight-week Fall project at the NC Museum of Art. Four small repertories, along with a group of this year’s high school seniors, are pushing their artistry to new heights by designing a work around particular sculptures and nature in the Museum’s Park.

Company Director Kathryn Auman shares: “We would have never thought of this project if it wasn’t for COVID-19. This is an opportunity to do something creative, meaningful and healing during this time. I am grateful for all of our creative choreographers who helped dream up this exciting dance project. As a company, we are so connected by moving and creating together. It has been such a blessing to see each other every week to collaborate and dance together, something we have been missing for months. We all leave with smiles on our faces, even though you can’t see them through our masks!”

The site-specific dances will be performed for family and friends in late October. Stay tuned for more info on how you can access the performances!

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Manager

The Power of Project "Let Your Light Shine" — from Social Distancing to Social Justice

Arts Together (AT) partnered with the Office of Raleigh Arts in May to lead a community art project designed to help Raleigh neighborhoods address the isolation caused by social distancing. Artist Renée Boyette, our Director of Art Programs, had the vision of lantern-making, and project Let Your Light Shine was born. At the time, we had no idea how its culmination on May 30 would coincide with and amplify the powerful message that Black Lives Matter, as protests erupted across the nation.

Let Your Light Shine was created to be a “stay at home” project for families and individuals. Renée’s concept behind the lantern-making activity was to focus on how light creates connection across space; how in many cultures light symbolizes clarity, insight, goodness and knowledge; and how, metaphorically, lanterns lead the way forward into the future by pushing aside the surrounding darkness.

Renée explained, “Our day-to-day is so different from where we were at the beginning of March. We have lost so much of our daily connections and community. I chose to create lanterns for this project because they are a wonderful visual representation of the light that we all have within. It’s difficult now to see everyone’s light and to keep your own from dimming in this time of sheltering-in-place.”

#ShineYourLightAT

Participants, especially AT students, families and friends spread across the Triangle, were encouraged to share their lantern photos with us on social media by tagging Arts Together and using #ShineYourLightAT. These photos are from them.

During the week of May 18, we distributed one thousand free lantern packets to residents at Washington Terrace and Milbank Court Apartments, the Mordecai Neighborhood and members of the Pathfinders Youth Group at Gethsemane Seventh Day Adventist Church, as well as the students and families who are part of the AT community.  

In the supply packets, folks were instructed how to make their own unique lanterns and to place them in their window or on their porch on May 30 at 8:30 PM as part of a celebratory lantern-lighting event in each community. Renée’s wish was for people to “enjoy the simple act of creating, making something beautiful and bright. Light it up; let your light shine and be a connection for others. We are here — together though apart, offering hope for the future.”

Finally, the night arrived to shine our lights! Arts Together and Raleigh Arts staff visited the four communities to view the lantern-lightings and to connect (from a safe distance) with community members. Surprise pop-up performances by local musicians took place at three of the locations: Ed Stephenson at Washington Terrace Apartments, Jason Adamo at Mordecai Neighborhood and Autumn Nicholas at Gethsemane Seventh Day Adventist Church.

When lantern packets were distributed, we were hopeful participants would shine their lights on May 30, but ultimately, we didn’t know what to expect. The response at each location surpassed our expectations and lifted our spirits. Lanterns shone brightly in windows, on porches or attached to front doors. Community members near the live music pop-ups wandered out to enjoy the performances while staying socially distanced.

Milbank Court Apartments

At Washington Terrace’s Booker Park North complex, a young girl danced joyfully to the festive melodies, and resident Margaret shared that she made nine lanterns for her fellow seniors in the complex that were unable to do it themselves. She even went and hung the lanterns for them in their apartments. Margaret relayed, “I think in this day and time, we need to let our inner light shine, and if you spread what you feel, your light and your joy, it will catch on to other people. We need to love each other more. If we let our inner light shine, things will get better.”

Another lantern-maker spoke about the inspiration for her design: “I wanted to do something that reminded me of being at the beach. This time of year, we would normally be at the beach, so it’s supposed to represent the sun and ocean. It was fun to do an art project with the family — something to distract us and give us a little light during this time.”

Washington Terrace Apartments, Booker Park North

Meet Margaret

Margaret made nine lanterns for her fellow senior residents in the complex that were unable to do it themselves. Here, she shows us a photo of one of those lanterns.

Meet Margaret

A close-up of one of the lanterns Margaret made for her fellow senior residents.

Over at Gethsemane, members of the Pathfinders Youth Group lined up in front of the church building on the sidewalk that runs adjacent to the main road. Spread six feet apart, they either sat or stood with their lanterns shining, creating a powerful visual statement. One member stated, “I just think this is something small that we can do to brighten people’s day as they
pass by.”

Another expressed, “Our community needs to hear hope, because everything that’s been happening so far, it’s like a downfall and painful to see what’s going on — so they need to know that we care.” They concluded their act by hanging the lanterns in a grove of trees on the church’s property near the road. Passersby were able to see the lights twinkling all night.

Gethsemane Seventh Day Adventist Church

In Mordecai, the lantern-lighting celebration happened to occur with the neighborhood’s Porch Placemaking Week initiative that ran May 30 through June 5. Households were encouraged to create a project that activated their porch or stoop, and the Let Your Light Shine lantern-making activity was a perfect contribution.

Mordecai Neighborhood

As lantern lights glowed across Raleigh, we could have never anticipated the power of the moment or the intensity of the meaning that night. Just a few blocks away from Mordecai, people of all ages and ethnicities stood peacefully against racial injustice in downtown, sparked by the murder of George Floyd. What started off as a project to create community and connection when space couldn’t be shared took on new significance as a global movement began to unfold against systemic racism. Let us all shine our light — to stand against injustice in our community and work to create a more equitable world.


Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Manager
Photos courtesy Arts Together, Raleigh Arts and AT families, students and friends
Video by Teresa Moore

Arts Together Stands Against Racial Injustice

Dear AT Community,   

When we started project Let Your Light Shine several weeks ago, we knew the power of what light represented. We did not know the power of the moment (May 30th) and the intensity of the meaning — to shine your light, to cast out darkness, to be in solidarity and connection with neighbors, to bring hope into communities. At this time when our country feels so divided, we must shine our light — to stand up for equity and stand against injustice where we work and live, as well as in our community.

Arts Together is committed to confronting the systemic racism and racial bias that clouds our work in fulfilling our mission and vision. We are committed to using art, creativity and collaboration to carry out our mission “to cultivate individual, creative strengths through the arts in a diverse, inclusive, collaborative and nurturing community.” We are committed to the vision that “all members of the community have access to engaging and transformative arts experiences.” While art may not transform systemic racism, it can transform minds, soften hearts and help with collective healing.

We extend an invitation to you to join us in our commitment by examining how we all individually contribute to upholding racial injustice. Please make time to reflect on the history that brought us here, examine implicit bias and join Arts Together as we work to create a more equitable world.

In solidarity,

Cherrelyn Napue
Executive Director

Andrea Osborne
President, Board of Directors

(Make) Things Happen: Honoring our 2019/20 Rainbow Dance Co. Seniors

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

Meet our New Faculty Members for 2019/20

Please join us in welcoming our new faculty members for 2019/20! We are incredibly fortunate to have these educators on board with us for the school year. A few faces may look familiar too!

Laura Montgomery joined us midway through last year teaching Pre-Ballet & Pre-Jazz; Meg Philbrook was a delightful addition to our preschool staff late last fall; Maegan Eichinger taught several dance/movement camps this summer; and Natalie Morton led the Beginning Contemporary Jazz summer dance series this August! Kate Fooshee and Kate Sonawane may be new to teaching at Arts Together but are not new to our community.

Maegan Eichinger, Dance Instructor

A North Carolina native, Maegan Eichinger started dancing at the age of three at Dance Productions in Charlotte. She danced on the competition team throughout high school until she graduated. A mountain lover, Maegan went on to attend Appalachian State University and was a member of the ASU Dance Team and the ASU Dance Ensemble. She attended the Alvin Ailey Contemporary Jazz workshop in 2009 and the American Dance Festival in 2011. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising with a Creative Emphasis and a minor in Dance Studies, Maegan then danced as a Carolina Panthers cheerleader during the 2012-2013 season. She also continued to dance for ASU faculty, Sherone Price and Emily Daughtridge. Maegan is excited to be a dance instructor at Arts Together this year and is grateful to be teaching and dancing with the other instructors in this community!

SIGN UP for Maegan’s class: Pre-Ballet & Creative Dance (ages 5-7) on Saturday mornings

Kate Fooshee, Dance Instructor

Kate Fooshee grew up dancing from a young age and has studied classical ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, pointe and choreography. She is certified in the Cecchetti Method of ballet and has danced with Tanya Rathbun, Florencia Guerrier, Ballet Magnificat and Charleston Ballet Theatre. She graduated from Longleaf School of the Arts with a dance endorsement and since then, has been working in an elementary school and as a camp counselor. A few years ago, Kate assisted the Creative Dance & Hip Hop class at Arts Together. She is excited to be back as an instructor, sharing her love of dance!

SIGN UP for Kate’s class: Hip Hop Kids (ages 7-9) on Saturday mornings

Laura Montgomery, Dance Instructor

A New Orleans native, Laura Montgomery is a visual and performance artist who loves the creative process. She has participated in numerous dance intensives and workshops nationally and studied Dance Performance and Choreography at Sam Houston State University. Laura holds a BA in Fine Arts from the University of New Orleans and will graduate the Spring of 2020 with an MA in Business Design and Arts Leadership through the Savannah College of Art and Design. Since moving to Raleigh, Laura has found her dance home at Arts Together, where she has been a member of Rainbow Dance Co. for four years and is now a dance educator. Recently, she embarked on a new career path in arts administration as a United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County graduate intern and fundraising gala coordinator, as well as an administrator for Black Box Dance Theatre. Through Black Box, Laura has also had the opportunity to perform and work with military, veterans, children and movers of all ages across North Carolina.

SIGN UP for Laura’s class: Beginning Modern Technique (ages 8-10) on Wednesday afternoons

Natalie Morton, Dance Instructor

Natalie Morton has been teaching various dance styles including modern, contemporary and jazz in the Triangle area for over 20 years and is currently on faculty at the Ballet School of Chapel Hill, Raleigh School of Ballet, Saint Mary’s School and Carolina Ballet’s Summer Intensive program. She is delighted that the 2019-20 school year will be her first full year as an Arts Together instructor. Natalie is also a founding member of Black Box Dance Theatre and a principal dancer with Black Irish. She received her BA in Dance/Theater from Meredith College and has performed over the years with Rebecca Amis & Whirlwind Dancers, Gerri Houlihan, Independent Dance Makers, Laura Dean and others. She is the mother of two teenage boys and two fur boys.

SIGN UP for Natalie’s class: Beginning/Intermediate Modern Technique (ages 11-15) on Monday evenings

Meg Philbrook, Multi-Arts Class Instructor & Preschool Assistant

Meg Philbrook is thrilled to be back at Arts Together for a second year as a preschool assistant, in addition to teaching her new afternoon class, The Art in Nature, for three-to-five-year-olds! She has spent the summer months working on a vegetable farm planning the curriculum for The Art in Nature, and her hope is to share her passion of sensory learning through exploration of the seasons. A Raleigh native who proudly claims the south as home, Meg feels most alive in motion, whether it be by foot or bicycle. She would never claim herself to be a poet but keeps multiple pen-pals nearby. Observing and exploring community settings brings her inspiration as well as wooded spaces, and on Saturday mornings, she is often found wandering local farmers markets. Meg graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Psychology and Dance Studies.

SIGN UP for Meg’s class: The Art in Nature (ages 3-5) on early Friday afternoons

Kate Sonawane, Preschool Assistant & Instructor

Kate Sonawane is the most recent addition to our preschool faculty but is definitely not new to Arts Together! After taking dance classes at Arts Together as a child, she was fortunate enough to have her own three children attend the Preschool for a collective nine blissful years. From an early age, Kate was drawn to creative pursuits such as writing, movement and visual art. After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Women's Studies, she spent a few years working as a business consultant in New York City and Philadelphia before settling in Raleigh. More recently, she has served in a variety of volunteer positions at her children’s public schools in Wake County. Kate absolutely adores being around young minds, bodies and hearts, and is thrilled to be teaching at Arts Together.

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Manager

Arts Together Names Cherrelyn Napue Dynamic New Executive Director

Arts Together is excited to announce today that the Board of Directors has hired Cherrelyn Napue as the organization’s new Executive Director.

“After an extensive, nation-wide search led by Armstrong McGuire, the search team feels confident we have found the perfect person to lead Arts Together through the next period of our history,” said Arts Together Board President Andrea Osborne. “When the Board began our search for a new Executive Director, we listed cultural fit as our top priority. We wanted someone who would ‘get’ the special magic at Arts Together and embrace our wonderful organization where students of all ages thrive and grow. Cherrelyn not only immediately embraced the staff and board members she met in early April, every room she entered lit up with her glow.”

Napue hails from Denver, Colorado, where she is known in the community as an advocate and entrepreneurial leader. She comes to Arts Together from her role as Director of Alumni Engagement in the international office for Up with People, an international “gap year” touring program that immerses participants into many different cultures through an in-depth experiential learning environment and unique blend of performing arts, social action, travel, and host family stays. She has served Up with People in previous roles, including as a performer herself.

As an entrepreneurial leader, Napue has spent the last seven years in ventures which include co-ownership and manager of a Club Z! Tutoring and Test Prep franchise and as the CEO/COO (Chief Opportunity Officer) of Mustard Seed Educational Services, a consulting firm supporting NPOs, NGOs, and entrepreneurial-minded ventures where she has worked with organizations serving in Rwanda, Uganda, Liberia, New York, and the Denver area.

Additionally, Napue maintains strong bonds to her alma mater, Metropolitan State University of Denver, as an affiliate faculty member in the nonprofit management program, school of professional studies.  She has also served MSU Denver as executive director of the alumni association and associate vice president of alumni and development. In addition, Napue has worked as the executive director of Black United Fund of Colorado.

She is excited to relocate to the Triangle and take the leadership post at Arts Together. “Arts Together has a wonderful history, full of magical stories. I am excited to be a part of its flourishing future, one that transcends space and creates community access to many more adventures through art,” said Napue.  

Napue lives her belief in education and social justice throughout her career, volunteer, and board service. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Her leadership has been acknowledged by the Colorado Trust Foundation as a Fellow, the Denver Chamber of Commerce Leadership program, and the Colorado Black Round Table as a Woman of the Millennium. Named as one of Denver’s African Americans Making a Difference in Colorado, she received the “Salute to Black Women Award” from the National Council of Negro Women, Denver Chapter in 2017.

She holds an Associate of Arts in Human Services, a Bachelor of Science in Nonprofit Organizational Administration, and a Masters of Nonprofit Management from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. 

Napue recently celebrated 20 years of marriage to Stanley Napue. They have a teenage son, a future Broughton High School student. They will be moving to Raleigh this summer. Outside of her working life, Napue enjoys singing, traveling, serving the community, and experimenting in the kitchen. She is slated to officially start her new role at Arts Together on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

Napue replaces Meg Revelle, who retired on May 31, 2019, after nine years at the helm of Arts Together. “I know Cherrelyn is going to be a wonderful addition to the Arts Together family and a deft leader who will help us grow in our ability to reach underserved populations, enhance diversity, and continue along the positive trajectory on which Meg Revelle has so beautifully set us,” said Osborne.

Farewell Friends

Dear Arts Together Community of Friends,

Since my retirement announcement in early January, I have focused on the transition by supporting the Board, Staff, and Search Committee. I am so proud of the work we’ve done together over the last nine years — students, teachers, parents, staff, board, council of advisors, alums, donors, community partners, supporters, funders, volunteers, friends. I’m especially proud of the positive impact Arts Together makes every day. This is such a magical community!

This year, our Board has been busy, delving deeper into a Strategic Planning process and more recently, an Executive Search. We are fortunate to have worked with the experts at Armstrong McGuire. I am confident that with our strong team in place, we have found the right leader to catapult Arts Together to the next level. An official public announcement will be coming out next week, so stay tuned. Arts Together’s future is very bright!

At a lovely retirement reception, I shared about my gift to Arts Together: the Creative Caregivers Fund. This fund honors the teachers and staff — the people who directly affect students’ lives — by supporting their professional growth and development. Learn more about it here: artstogether.org/ccf

I have been so lucky to lead some great teams over the course of my career...but may have saved the best for last. This has been one of my favorite jobs — because of you. You make it matter. You have inspired me every single day. You have challenged me too. You have made me laugh. You have made me cry. And I can assure you that I have learned more from you than you ever learned from me.

I will miss you all. But it’s time for me to move on and make room for the next stage of Arts Together’s development. As I’ve often said: “Change is hard. Change is good.” And I’ll also add: “Arts Together is strong. You’ve got this!”

I’m looking forward to a new phase of life and adventures ahead. I’m excited to see how Arts Together will continue to grow and thrive — and it will — because of all of you.

My heart is full — THANK YOU.

With Love and Gratitude,

The Story Behind the Rainbow Dances

The Rainbow Dance Co. Annual Spring Concert is only days away now. Join us at Cary Academy’s Berger Hall this Friday, March 1 at 7:30 PM or Saturday, March 2 at 2:00 PM for this unique performance that celebrates the creative voices found in children, teens and adults! Now in its 39th year, Rainbow Dance Co. was the brainchild of Arts Together founder Lemma Mackie and is the only multi-age dance company of its kind in North Carolina — members range from ages 9 to 90+.

Rainbow dancers are collaborative artists who contribute throughout the choreographic process. They collaborate uniquely: a 10-year-old has the confidence to offer artistic feedback to a 50-year-old, both respecting each other as peers. Below, discover the stories and inspiration behind the six dances in this year’s concert — Top 10 Reasons Not to Dance, Emingoyak, paper trail, Finding Joy, Icarus and Beats Per Minute. Co. Director Kathryn Auman describes them as “witty, thought-provoking, joyful and fierce.”

Top 10 Reasons Not to Dance

Sure, we know dance is a great way to exercise and stay fit, improve health, build confidence, meet new people, lift your mood...blah, blah, blah. Well this work seeks to share with you what researchers have found all over the world: the top 10 reasons NOT to dance. This work is dedicated to Rainbow dancers who have every reason not to dance yet show up anyway.

Emingoyak

Inspired by the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a botanist and a citizen of the Potawatomi nation, our dance is an expression of gratitude for Mother Earth. In the Potawatomi language, emingoyak translates as “that which has been given to us.” With reverence and a desire to protect these gifts, we dance in her honor.

paper trail

This piece is inspired by the crumpled, floating, ripped and pulpy qualities of paper. We used newspapers (appreciating it’s loaded symbolism) as a means to create movement and imagery out of an ordinary, albeit now slightly anachronistic, object.

Finding Joy

“Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.” – BRENE BROWN

Have you ever been so consumed with the problems of the world, or your own problems, that you forget to be present? Maybe you have missed moments of joy that were happening all around you. In this piece, we challenged ourselves to break down barriers, remove distractions and notice small moments of joy.

Icarus

“I’m the living Icarus.” – JADEN SMITH

The ancient Greek story follows an overconfident youth who flew too close to the sun, despite his father’s warnings. This message symbolizes how we need to learn from our ancestors and apply it to our current situations as to not make history repeat itself, as it inevitably does. This way, we can use these lessons to rewrite history.

Beats Per Minute

“Reality has become so intolerable, she said, so bleak, that all I can paint now are the colors of my dreams.” – AZAR NAFISI, READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN

Much like a heartbeat, time passes uniquely for individuals based on their lived experiences. This piece explores our perception of time and the relationship between the past, present and future. How do we stay grounded in reality while dreaming of a brighter future?

All Rainbow Dance Co. images courtesy Matt Kesterson

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Be sure to get your concert tickets in advance since prices go up at the door. Advance ticket sales end Friday, March 1 at 3:00 PM.

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Associate

How Dance Heals

Note: Katie Zobel is a long-time dance student of Arts Together and many of you may know her personally. She is an incredible individual and this is her inspirational story as told by her.

I am moved by Arts Together’s community — people who have walked by my side through moments of joy and moments of struggle.

Since I was three-years-old, dance has been a large part of my life. It all began in Kathryn Auman’s Dance Play class, which led to ballet then modern. At age 10, I was invited to join Rainbow Dance Company, an incredible group of multi-age dancers. I loved that any given year you could be dancing in Wonderland or in a vintage swimsuit.

One afternoon during class, Kathryn shared that although we may be struggling or having a hard day, the amazing thing about Arts Together is you can leave everything at the door and just dance. That statement has stuck with me and little did I know how it would help me throughout my life.

In 2010, I was in a gym class accident that resulted in a brain injury and disease called Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. Kathryn and other Arts Together teachers helped make dance an inclusive place for me until there was too much possibility of additional injury. The doctors at this point recommended I take a sabbatical. During my hospitalizations and treatments that followed, I still had friends and support from my dance family due to the amazing community Arts Together cultivates.

Over the next few years as my disease progressed, I had the privilege of making special appearances in several Rainbow pieces. Kathryn worked with my mom (many times without me knowing) to subtly modify choreography so I could continue my involvement in dance.

When I reached my senior year, I asked for something that could have easily been denied: to choreograph and dance in my senior piece for the Rainbow concert. This has been a rite of passage for all high school senior dancers. Somehow, with help from Kathryn and my best dance friend Natalie, we made it happen despite my medical limitations.

KATIE (RIGHT) WITH HER BEST DANCE FRIEND NATALIE. ABOVE IMAGE: KATIE ZOBEL PERFORMING IN THE RAINBOW DANCE CONCERT HER SENIOR YEAR.

I will always be thankful to everyone who helped make that senior year of dancing possible. Dance has always healed me, and this year, I have found my way back to Arts Together to dance with Kathryn again, even though I’m now in a wheelchair. Once a week, I drop my worries at the door and just dance.

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Arts Together is such a special place. If you’ve ever left your worries at the door, would you make a gift today?

The Wave Window

Note: This blog was originally featured on our old website several years ago and didn't make the transition over to our current site. Although it was published on August 27, 2014, we felt it was a good time to re-share Executive Director Meg Revelle's poignant thoughts on the "wave window," used by preschoolers and their parents each year.

OUTSIDE VIEW OF THE WAVE WINDOW AT ARTS TOGETHER.

One of the joys of my job is watching the two-way exchange at the Arts Together “wave window.” There is a window halfway up the stairwell of the carriage house to our beloved preschool. Many families have a ritual: the preschoolers and the parents stop and find each other through the window. They wave — a wave of reassurance, of goodbye, of “see you soon,” of “I love you to the moon and back.”

This window has special meaning this time of year as it symbolizes so much more than a reassuring wave between preschooler and parent. Early in the year, there may be tears or sadness in leaving…but our preschoolers are quickly encouraged by devoted teachers and soon engaged in rich multi-arts experiences. They are busy, busy, busy!

Children look to us for cues on how to respond. I sometimes watch the parents after you wave to your child. The parents of the older children (you’ve been through this before) smile and look relieved, off to your day or a few fleeting hours to yourselves…I’ve even seen a few of you skipping! 

But to those parents who stand there for a moment, look a little shell-shocked or disoriented, it can be quite different. The parents that look anxious as they wave sometimes leave anxious children. This may be the first time you have left your child in the care of someone else. Questions flood your mind: Will my child be treasured? Will they be comfortable in their own skin? Will they grow, imagine, learn to fit in, express themselves? Will they play well with others? Will they be confident and have fun? Will my child be okay? Will I?

INDOOR VIEW OF THE WAVE WINDOW.

Yes, they will be okay, and so will you. It’s not always easy. We all struggle. Sometimes you just need a hug or a listening ear. Trust the process. Expect success.

This will be one of many turning points in the cycle of life with your children. We typically think of a window as an opening, a place for air or light to enter. Another way to think of a window is a “period of time,” like a window of opportunity. A beginning. An end. In the grand scheme of things, this preschool “window” will be a very short time. Savor it.

Late August is always a poignant time of year for me. Last year this month, I waved to my 23-year old daughter as she drove a U-Haul out of our driveway to a new job and apartment in Vermont. She grew up “making a shape” in the Arts Together dance studio and is now shaping her life while still carrying the values she learned here.

A few days ago, I waved as I put my son on a plane back to college to begin his senior year. It seems like yesterday when I left him in his dorm room as a freshman…him, eager for me to leave so he could go meet his new friends. Me, trying my best to be brave and hold back the tears until I at least got in the stairwell. Turns out there was a window there to look out and gain some perspective — on the present and the future.

I hope you and your family will find a home here at Arts Together. Stop at the wave window just long enough to smile, wave and give thanks.

Meg Revelle, Executive Director

Meet our New 2018-19 Faculty Members

Carter Crew has been dancing at Arts Together since the age of three and has been a member of the Rainbow Dance Company for 10 cumulative years, which holds a special place in her heart as the granddaughter of Lemma Mackie, Arts Together’s founder. She has studied modern dance, ballet, jazz, hip hop, safety release technique and contemporary at Arts Together, NC Dance Institute, American Dance Festival, UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC-Greensboro. Currently a graduate student in the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Carter is excited to have classes of her own this fall and can't wait to meet her dancers! SIGN UP for Carter's class: Hip Hop Kids (ages 7-9) on Saturdays!

Susan Comer Fisher is a native of Raleigh and grew up singing and dancing at Arts Together. She has a bachelor's degree in music from Northwestern University, a master’s degree in theater education from New York University, plus a master's degree in special education; however, Arts Together was her first arts school, and she is thrilled to be teaching at such a special place. With over 15 years in arts education, Susan specializes in creating collaborative experiences where ALL children are able to enjoy the magic of the arts. SIGN UP for Susan's class: Multi-Arts Sampler (ages 3-5) on Fridays!

Diandra Jones is a world-ranked competitive-turned-professional Irish Step Dancer who toured North America and Europe for five years with Trinity Irish Dance Company, before studying and teaching multicultural dance forms. She has guest taught at universities and performing arts institutes throughout the US as well as in Dominica, Barbados, Argentina, Ghana, and the US and British Virgin Islands, where she most recently worked as a choreographer, dance scholar, performer and teacher. Diandra is also a yoga and pilates teacher, writer, musician and performance artist and is thrilled to join the faculty at Arts Together. SIGN UP for Diandra's World Dance Workshops (ages 16+) on Thursdays!

Misty Santos attended Southeastern College in Wake Forest where she studied music and early childhood education. Her career with children began after she was a mother and decided to open a licensed, in-home daycare to afford her the opportunity to stay at home with her own children. From there, she went on to work as the Assistant Program Director for the Salvation Army’s after school program in Raleigh, to teaching preschool for four years, then becoming a full-time nanny and now coming back full circle to teaching preschool at Arts Together. Misty is married with three adult daughters and a wonderful granddaughter. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in the mountains, cooking, gardening and being with her German shorthaired pointers.

Megan Mazarick is a choreographer, teacher and performer. Growing up, she took dance classes with her mom at Arts Together. As a choreographer, she makes work that is humorous, political, theatrical and personal, often including a stop-motion physicality and love of fantasy. She has shown work internationally (Singapore, Bulgaria, Egypt, Poland, Australia and Hungary) and throughout the US (Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minneapolis, New York City and others). As a performer, she has worked with Susan Rethorst, Keith Thompson, Marianela Boan, Merian Soto, Anonymous Bodies and members of Lower Left. Holding a BFA and MFA in dance (University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Temple University), Megan has also taught technique, improvisation and composition classes at studios, festivals and universities around the globe. SIGN UP for Megan's classes: Pre-Ballet & Pre-Jazz (ages 5-7) on Wednesdays and Int. Teen Modern Technique (ages 13-19) on Mondays! 

Steven James Rodriguez Velez was born in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, and grew up studying Karate, Judo and Kong fu. He became recognized in black belt at the age of 13, and it was then that he decided dancing was his passion. Steven moved to San Juan in 2004 to study dance at the Rio Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico and discovered his love for contemporary movement while working under Petra Bravo, founder and artistic director of Hincapie. Later, he was invited to join Hincapie as a company dancer. In 2009, he joined the company Andanza and worked with respected choreographers from Puerto Rico, Spain, Brazil and Canada. In 2015, Steven moved to North Carolina and began working with Ronald West, dancer and founder of Black Irish Dance Company. Since then, he’s joined several other dance companies in the Triangle, including Blackbox Dance Theatre. Steven instructs dance classes at The School of Carolina Ballet, Ninth Street Dance Studio and others, and is excited to be teaching this year at Arts Together! SIGN UP for Steven's classes: Beg./Int. Ballet (ages 10-14) and Int./Adv. Ballet Technique (ages 14+) both on Thursdays!

The Magical Sherri Pekks

We are pleased to announce that Sherri Pekks has been promoted to Arts Together’s full-time staff as Lead Multi-Arts Preschool Teacher and Assistant Summer Camp Coordinator! Sherri has been an integral member of our preschool faculty for over five years but has more than 10 years teaching experience. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Florida and has taught at preschools in both Jacksonville, Florida and Raleigh before working at Arts Together.

Sherri is skilled in both theater and art, and in her new role will continue to teach drama in the preschool program and lead summer camps in art, theater and multi-arts, in addition to supporting our Director of Preschool and Summer Programs in administrative tasks for the preschool and summer camps. Sherri will also coordinate our popular Counselor-In-Training program. Her new responsibilities officially began on August 20.

Many of you know Sherri, but we wanted to give her a proper introduction. Read on for Sherri’s reflections on teaching preschoolers and her creative journey in theater and art, plus how Arts Together helped turn her into a Harry Potter fan! Her love for gardening and animals (her family includes two dogs, two cats, two love birds, seven chickens and one bearded dragon!) also shapes her identity.

What inspired you to become a preschool teacher?

When I received my Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, I continued on as an English major, because at the time, I wanted to teach high school literature. When it was time for my internship, I was placed in a 7th grade English class at an inner-city school. The experience was scary and eye opening; I wasn’t ready. I completed the internship, but my eagerness to be a high school educator had faltered. In an attempt to compromise, I switched my English major to Elementary Education. 

I soon married and began a family. When my first daughter Paisley was one-year-old, I was offered an opportunity to teach preschool and bring her with me. It worked out well, so after my second daughter Opal was born and a two-year attempt as a stay-at-home mom, I continued teaching preschool to be with my children. I thought I would age up and follow the girls to elementary school, but it was obvious early on that I had found my fit. I’ve been teaching preschool for more than 10 years now, and I still feel challenged, excited and confident in my decision.

You primarily lead drama classes at Arts Together but have also taught art related projects too. What’s your personal journey been like in these creative outlets?

In high school and early college, I was very active in theater, participating in a variety of shows and competitions. As adult responsibilities caught up with me, I was unable to balance it all and stopped performing. Other than my many cameos in preschool productions, I haven’t been back on stage. I tried searching for other creative outlets but nothing stuck.

Eleven years ago, when we moved to North Carolina from Florida, I took a beginner stained-glass class in hopes of making new friends and having some “me time.” I didn’t know how much that hands-on art form would change me. I became a proficient stained-glass artist and then felt a strong desire to paint. I started painting these big-eyed, weird and whimsical faces, which led to many intense, and sometimes heartbreaking, pieces based on the drama of everyday life. Being able to tap into another realm of myself has been a strong catalyst for my versatility in both drama and visual art. Many times, you can’t have one without the other; they’re perfect companions.

SHERRI IS A TALENTED VISUAL ARTIST. THESE FOUR PIECES ARE JUST A SMALL SAMPLING OF HER LARGER BODY OF WORK .

Why do you love teaching drama to three-to-five-year-olds?

For some kids, performing is second nature, especially at this age when they’re still so uninhibited. Their participation is enthusiastic and imaginative, but for other children, drama class can be a struggle. These preschoolers are quite reserved, and watching them evolve is really something special. Slowly, they begin to see drama class as a safe and nonjudgmental space, becoming liberated as the school year progresses. I quietly rejoice inside when their hand shoots up after I ask “Who would like to go first?” Each personal hurdle they overcome adds another brick to their foundation of self-confidence. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of that process.

Can you share a favorite moment you’ve experienced with your preschoolers?

I have a chicken coop, and this past spring, I was able to give one of my broody chickens, Big Mama, 12 fertilized eggs to sit on in hopes of baby chicks. In class, we counted down the days and kept our fingers crossed. I shared many photos and stories of what was happening in my coop, because two other hens, Little Bantam and Lady Leghorn, had decided to help Big Mama with her mothering duties. At one point, they were all three sitting on the eggs. Talk about some serious chicken drama! Twenty-three days into the incubation, three chicks hatched. We were all so excited! I honestly couldn’t believe it, since I had tried to hatch eggs the year before with no success. It was very cool to share that experience with the kids.

BIG MAMA (BOTTOM) GETS SOME COMPANY.

THIS ADORABLE CREATURE WAS ONE OF THE THREE CHICKS THAT HATCHED.

You’re a big Harry Potter fan, but I never realized Arts Together played a role in this. Can you explain?

I would never guess that I’d be known for an obsessive love of a fantasy-based, children/young adult book series. Last year, I was asked to help out with our upcoming summer camp Wizard World. Since wizarding wasn’t my thing, I needed persuading and reluctantly agreed. I began my “research” for the camp by binge watching all the Harry Potter movies. I was instantly hooked. I then read the entire series while re-watching each movie after I finished each book. To round it out, I even listened to the audiobook versions. What can I say? The magic is real, y’all!

Beyond your love of theater, art and Harry Potter, I hear you have quite the green thumb!

Yes, gardening is a big part of my life. I’m most content when I’m in my yard. I try to practice a sustainable system in which everything serves a productive purpose. I have compost bins and towers, rain barrels, a chicken coop, worm bins, fruit trees, bushes and vines, veggies, herbs, and ornamental and pollinator friendly flowers. I like how the different parts support one another to complete the big picture of my outdoor space. Nature never fails to amaze me.

SHERRI LEADING HER PRESCHOOLERS IN A FUN EXERCISE.

SHERRI'S CLASS CELEBRATES THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH A DANCE.

What are ways you cultivate your own creativity outside of Arts Together?

I love to piddle. There is nothing better to spark ideas or allow my imagination to flow than just aimlessly wandering around the comforts of my home and yard. In the time it takes me to pick up fallen sticks or relocate a stack of bricks, I’ll have problem solved whatever obstacle I’m trying to work through. I also seek out the quiet to ponder and reflect. Being a preschool teacher and having an extremely loud house with two teenage girls and a range of needy animals, those moments are precious.

Thank you, Sherri, for allowing us to get to know you and your passions better. You bring so many unique gifts to Arts Together!

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Associate
Photos courtesy Sherri Pekks and Arts Together.

Jessi Tilden - Coming Full Circle

When Jessi Tilden enters a room, she fills it with light, boundless energy and an outgoing, joyous spirit, instantly making those around her feel at ease. Her blue eyes radiate a mischievous glint, while simultaneously exuding a sense of peace and calm. Jessi has been a beloved and integral staff member at Arts Together since 2013, and we’re sad to share that she’ll be leaving us to pursue new opportunities.

A multi-talented individual, Jessi has advanced from preschool teaching assistant to lead preschool teacher and has overseen the growth of our Counselor-in-Training program, as well as expanding professional development and leadership skills for incoming summer camp counselors. In addition, she has taught many dance/movement classes for all ages, been a member of Rainbow Dance Co. since 2014 and served as Rainbow choreographer. Her last day as our Youth Development Coordinator will be August 17, but we wanted to send her off in style by sharing her unique Arts Together story and reflections on dance.

Although Jessi began working at Arts Together five years ago, she was already well acquainted with our creative community and collaborative, nurturing environment. At age three, she started taking dance classes with us. She tried many different dance studios around the Triangle, but “Arts Together was the one that fostered my creative spirit and self-expression.”

As a student, she took classes from instructors Betsy Ward-Hutchinson, Michelle Pearson, Kathryn Auman and Glenda Mackie — who all still teach at Arts Together today. “I was also taught by Maggie Bennett,” Jessi recalls, “and since coming back to instruct modern dance, I have gotten to teach her daughter Niya! It has been incredibly rewarding to see how things come full circle!”

JESSI (RIGHT) WITH HER DANCE TEACHER MAGGIE BENNETT DURING ARTS FEST, 1995. SHE PROUDLY DISPLAYS HER DRESS IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT IMAGE.

JESSI AT AGE FOUR WITH HER MOTHER AND BABY SISTER.

Jessi has countless memories from growing up at Arts Together, but one in particular stands out to her. “I remember being a teenager taking a modern dance class and being introduced to a very cool lift we were going to incorporate into our Arts Fest piece (now commonly known as Dance Fest). I was the one being lifted, and I basically had to take a running start towards three other dancers, turn around backwards, jump and hope they caught me sideways so they could spin me around. I had just sprained my wrist a few weeks prior and was learning to be comfortable in my own skin, trying to develop a sense of confidence I was struggling to find.” 

“I didn’t get the lift at first. It was really hard, and I was having difficulty understanding how to successfully distribute my weight between the three other dancers. They were learning too. We all could have easily gotten overwhelmed, given up or changed the choreography to something way less cool/interesting, but instead we were inspired, met with patience and encouraged to practice until it felt like an obtainable goal.”

“Nailing that lift in front of our audience for Arts Fest was one of the most satisfying feelings of accomplishment. I can forever hold that memory in my pocket and access it when I’m faced with challenging situations.”

JESSI TEACHING THE YOUNG THREE'S IN OUR MULTI-ARTS PRESCHOOL.

JESSI'S 2018 COUNSELORS-IN-TRAINING COMPLETED THEIR ORIENTATION.

Jessi moved on from Arts Together to pursue a BA in Dance from University of North Carolina in Greensboro, not knowing that after graduation, she’d find herself back taking summer evening dance classes. She never expected to be approached by her former dance instructor, Kathryn Auman, regarding a teaching assistant opening with Arts Together’s Multi-Arts Preschool program. Jessi was floored, “With the thought of investing in the place that inspired so much of my creative growth, I jumped on the opportunity.”

Jessi developed and fostered her love of dance from her experiences and personal growth at Arts Together, gaining “an endless sense of curiosity” and learning “lessons that translated into my day-to-day life.” These instances inspired her to pursue a degree in dance: “I wanted to see how far I could expand in the dance world and how much of the goodness from it I could then teach others to inspire them in the way I had been inspired.”

JESSI (CENTER) PERFORMING IN THE 2017 RAINBOW DANCE CONCERT.

JESSI (CENTER) DOING PARTNER WORK IN THE 2018 RAINBOW CONCERT.

The excellent technique Jessi learned during her classes at Arts Together provided a strong foundation for her further expansion in higher education, but the sense of confidence and community instilled in her from her time at Arts Together proved to be invaluable.

She shares, “The most striking part of my confidence evolution began with the partner work I was introduced to in my modern technique classes. We broke mental barriers that said ‘only boys can lift girls’ or ‘you can only lift if you have super big muscles.’ Partner work introduced the concept of counter-balancing and distributing weight equally between two individuals. It created relationships with the people I was dancing with, recognizing the importance of how the responsibility of my physical actions directly affected whomever I was dancing with.”

JESSI (RIGHT) REHEARSING WITH BLACK BOX DANCE THEATRE - ANOTHER LOCAL COMPANY SHE PERFORMS WITH.

Jessi has positively impacted so many individuals during her period as a staff member, from preschoolers and dancers of all ages to summer camp counselors and adults. We will greatly miss her, but as we see her off to exciting, new ventures, Jessi sums it up best.

"I am so thankful for the multi-generational options open to everyone. I started at Arts Together when I was three, had to step away for a bit, and then came back. I have known many other individuals who have come back and been received with open arms. The revolving door at Arts Together has helped make this nonprofit such a Raleigh staple, and I am endlessly grateful for all the lives it has impacted, and continues to impact."

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Associate
Archival images courtesy Jessi Tilden and Black Box rehearsal image courtesy Black Box Dance Theatre.

Introducing Katie Padgett Brown

Katie Padgett Brown is a nationally renowned tap dancer, choreographer and instructor, and we’re lucky to have her as part of our faculty! She joined Arts Together this past September, but you would never know she’s one of our newest teachers – she effortlessly fits in with our creative, collaborative culture.

Her accomplishments are many. She has taught at dance studios in Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky and North Carolina, and was invited to perform in the annual Kennedy Center Gala twice. Katie has also performed at New York City’s Lincoln Center in Broadway’s Greatest Showstoppers with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Marvin Hamlisch. Her students have gone on to dance with The Julliard School, Mark Morris Dance Group, Boston Ballet, various Broadway shows and numerous college dance programs.

Katie has an openness and approachability that is kind, patient, and inviting. She communicates and relates to individuals of all ages with a natural ease. Katie currently teaches Shake, Rattle N Roll and Multi-Arts Mornings for 3-to-5-year-olds, but this summer, she’s leading a brand new tap dance camp called Tap to the Beat for our Junior Sparks (ages 6-8) at Raleigh Charter High School in July, which she shares more about below.

Growing up in a musical family, she recalls her parent’s support and encouragement to pursue dance and creative ventures being influential in her life. Read on for more of her reflections on creative expression, dance, her students and upcoming summer camp Tap to the Beat.

KATIE PADGETT BROWN

DANCING AT WOLF TRAP FOUNDATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.

How and when did you become interested in dance, especially tap dance?

I started dancing in Kindergarten. I wanted to be just like my big sister, who was about 12 at the time. I began in a combo class of tap and ballet, and started taking jazz in third grade and other styles in middle school. From the time I started, tap always appealed to me. I think I liked making noise, but the rhythm and structure of tap also appealed to me and always just clicked. I became more focused on tap in college when I had the opportunity to study it with Gene Medler at Elon College (now Elon University). A new world of possibility within tap was opened up to me, and my hunger and love for the dance grew rapidly.

KATIE IN A TAP MASTERCLASS AT ELON COLLEGE LED BY VAN PORTER.

What has your professional journey looked like in dance, choreography, and instruction?

It's actually quite a coincidence of “right time/right place.” I had graduated from college (with a music degree), was living in Durham, had rent and bills to pay, and no job. I picked up the Sunday paper for the classifieds and found a listing that said “Tap Dance Teacher Needed. Call for Info.” I called, had an interview and demo class the next day, and was offered a part-time teaching job the following day. From that time on, there was no doubt that I wanted to continue teaching, and I haven't stopped since!

PREPARING FOR HER BALLET RECITAL GREENSLEEVES AT AGE 8.

KATIE IN KINDERGARTEN JUST STARTING DANCE.

How did you become involved with Arts Together?

I relocated to the Raleigh area in the summer of 2017. Prior to that, I was living in the suburbs of Washington, DC, teaching at two studios – one in Virginia and one in the District. I worked with Meg's* daughter, Sarah, and when she heard I was moving to the Raleigh area, she immediately put us in touch. I started teaching for Arts Together in September of 2017. 
*Meg Revelle is the Executive Director of Arts Together.

What excites you most about your summer camp Tap to the Beat from July 23-27?

I’m really excited to bring tap dance to Arts Together! I think the kids will enjoy the rhythmic side of this dance form, and who doesn't like to make noise?

Can you describe your instruction style?

I fully believe that all students can succeed if they are given the proper tools. I like to give the dancers many different ways to think about what they're working on. What part of the foot are we using? How can our posture or stance help or hinder the execution of the step or skill? What's the rhythm? How do I count this? What sound am I creating? Am I using the right or the left? Is it loud or soft? I encourage the dancers to do a lot of compare/contrast work and to explore the right and wrong way to do things. This way they understand how and why we do something a certain way, instead of just mimicking what I’m doing. Though that's definitely part of it!

KATIE INSTRUCTING OUR MULTI-ARTS MORNINGS CLASS FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-5. IN THE VIDEO BELOW, SHE LEADS THEM IN A FUN MOVEMENT EXERCISE.

What can parents and youth expect from this camp?

Loads of fun! We'll work on technique, study several important figures in tap dance, watch footage of famous tap dancers, and create our own choreography. We’ll also work on some traditional tap repertoire, such as the Shim Sham and the Coles Stroll and Walk Around.

What are tap’s unique attributes that make it stand out from other dance genres, like ballet or modern?

Goodness, where to start! There's the obvious points – the shoes and the rhythm. But I love tap, because it is truly for anybody. Tap master Honi Coles once said, “If you can walk, you can tap dance.” I truly believe this. I've had students as young as 3 and as old as 73 who have connected with this American art form. Tap dance is a bit friendlier on the body than some other styles can be, and there's definitely longevity in the art form. I also appreciate the range of styles within tap – there's definitely a style for everyone. 

As an instructor, can you recall a meaningful moment or poignant interaction with a student that’s impacted you?

These are so plentiful. But I would have to say that I enjoy the little moments. Those instances when a student makes a connection or is able to approach a step or skill from a different perspective, either with or without prompting. Or when a student attends a performance and comes back with a fire and excitement about their classwork and study. Or when I show a piece of historical tap footage, and the student goes home and watches additional tap videos on their own. I love feeling that connection and sharing my passion with the dancers. 

KATIE WITH HER YOUTH TAP ENSEMBLE AT JOY OF MOTION DANCE CENTER IN DC.

KATIE'S STUDENTS AT CUPPETT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN VIENNA, VA.

What are some ways you’ve seen your students grow beyond their mastery of dance skills?

I love to see my students support and encourage one another. The tap community commonly refers to themselves as the “tap family,” and seeing my dancers help one another, practice with one another, and share ideas with one another is probably tops on the list. Of course, it's always rewarding when my students continue to dance in college and into adulthood.

Before I moved to Raleigh from the Washington, DC area, I was dancing in a tap company based in Fairfax, VA. The company was comprised of tap friends I'd been dancing with for years, but also a few dancers who used to be my students when they were in high school. Seeing them as “grown-ups” with careers who still felt their love for and drive to be involved with the tap community always made me smile. 

Another former student is in graduate school in Michigan where she is working on her Masters in Music, and her research project is structured around tap dance improvisation and how it relates to music, meter, mixed meter, tempo, and rhythm. Her ability to take her love of tap and combine that with her scholarly work has impressed me beyond measure. She truly combined her passions and has been presenting her work around the country this spring. 

AT REHEARSAL FOR BROADWAY'S GREATEST SHOWSTOPPERS IN NEW YORK CITY'S LINCOLN CENTER.

BEHIND STAGE WITH FELLOW TAPPERS TO PERFORM IN BROADWAY'S GREATEST SHOWSTOPPERS.

How has creative expression impacted your life?

I can't remember a time without dance and music. My parents were both very into music, and we often had music playing around the house. This ran the gamut from Gregorian Chant, to Mozart, to the Doobie Brothers, Three Dog Night, Wilson Pickett, and Aretha Franklin. I was always supported and encouraged to cultivate my own creativity, and my family really understood the value of this focus, even as a young child. Without dance and without music, I am not sure what I would do to get by. 

How are you intentional about cultivating creativity both professionally and personally?

In our culture and society today, I think this can become difficult. An emphasis seems to be placed on being busy and being involved in many activities and hobbies. But this doesn't always line up for me with finding time to be creative and to nurture that side of myself.

I try to carve out time for myself to create, not just teach. The teaching side is wonderful and incredibly fulfilling, but the personal creativity is necessary as well. I seek out opportunities to attend tap festivals, workshops, and performances. Social media and the online world has been helpful with this as well – there are many opportunities to work with others via online platforms, learn contemporary and traditional choreography from videos, and share ideas with friends and colleagues across the world.

What does it mean to be part of the Arts Together creative community and what has your experience been like?

Family. Inclusiveness. Curiosity. Joy. Support. Openness. My experience at Arts Together has been wonderful! Everyone is so welcoming and encouraging. From day one, it just felt like the right place to be.

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Associate
All photos and video courtesy Katie Padgett Brown, except Multi-Arts Mornings image and video.

Raleigh Charter High School – A Hidden Gem in Downtown Raleigh

Summer camps are on the horizon for Arts Together, now that spring has finally arrived! Summer is a particularly special time, because not only do we offer camps in our flagship building on St. Mary’s Street, we also partner with Raleigh Charter High School (RCHS) to hold our Summer Sparks Junior and Senior camps in their impressive facility. This satellite location allows us to provide even more multi-arts fun for 6-to-12-year-olds!

RALEIGH CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

Only a five minute drive from Arts Together, RCHS facilities include a black box theater, art room, music room, science lab, computer lab, picnic area, and multiple open green spaces/play areas. These additional places allow us to provide unique camp programming for our Summer Sparks that otherwise we wouldn’t be able to offer! Plus, RCHS is near Fred Fletcher Park, giving campers the opportunity to explore even more.

A former camper, who’s now 13 and has aged out of Summer Sparks, recalls the RCHS outdoor area. “There's a great eating area outside with picnic tables perfect for snack, lunch, outdoor crafts, and whatever game or activity campers dream up. I think RCHS is an awesome place for summer camps. I can’t wait to maybe go back as a Counselor-In-Training.”

Parents frequently rave about the convenience of RCHS. "Drop-off and pick up couldn't be easier at RCHS,” a mother shared. “No busy roads to walk across, and you don't even have to get out of your car! I can get both of my kids to Arts Together camps on time, even when one is at RCHS and one is at Arts Together, because the RCHS drop-off is so easy.”

This summer, we’re particularly excited to offer several brand new Junior and Senior camps. Junior Sparks (ages 6-8) can take Tap to the Beat, a tap dance camp with nationally renowned instructor Katie Padgett Brown, and Senior Sparks (ages 9-12) can express their creativity in Mini Maker by building their own imaginative, tiny worlds from everyday objects. One 10-year-old expressed her excitement about returning to camp. "All the teachers are great! I liked creating sculptures, painting, doing collages, and especially fabric design and sewing last summer," she exclaimed. "I love the Summer Sparks camps and can't wait to go back this summer!"

Campers often experience personal growth during their week of Summer Sparks. “I’ll never forget the day my daughter came home from Arts Together’s Summer Sparks camp and had tried eating several herbs they’d planted,” a parent explained. “I have NO IDEA how Ms. Sheri got a kid who turns her nose up at anything green to talk on and on about how much she loves basil.”

If you're on the fence about our Summer Sparks camps, don't wait to register any longer. These unique camps always fill quickly! Take a look at our full list of offerings for Junior Sparks and
Senior Sparks.

Kari Martin Hollinger, Communications & Development Associate

Let's Make a Circle

This is often heard at Arts Together. It’s the way our preschool classes begin. It’s how most of our dance classes start—with passing the energy. Art classes come together around a table to create a project. Drama classes often conclude with affirmations in the form of a circle. Our staff meetings gather the same way – a circle of voices and viewpoints. Everyone is heard and valued. It’s how groups work best because it encourages collaboration, connection and community.

It’s a circle. Not a line with a start and a finish. Not a triangle with a top and a bottom. Not a square with neatly defined edges. The symbol of a circle has “magical value as a protective agent” – it is inclusive and caring. Circular shapes connote movement, as in dance – they are dynamic, creative and active. They symbolize birth, growth, wholeness and the infinite nature of energy. Some of the first marks we make as children are “scribbles,” those rounded forms that signify the beginning of the creative process.

And now, with circles, we are excited to launch Arts Together’s new brand! We involved many circles of people as we created our new brand. We began with a diagnostic survey of many of our constituents: current and former parents, staff, students, board members, community leaders and supporters. A Brand Identity Task Force was appointed that represented this larger group. We are so grateful to everyone who took the time to offer thoughts and feedback. We are fortunate to have been led by an expert strategic design team at Forma.

We learned a lot over the course of this brand development process and much of what we already knew was confirmed. In spite of the very broad offerings (what we offer), Arts Together’s spirit and attitude (how and why we deliver those offerings) remains remarkably consistent and aligned, across all programs, all classes, and all ages. There is a shared understanding among our stakeholders: Arts Together is a magical place. We cultivate creativity and celebrate individuality.

The challenge faced by the Brand Identity Task Force was a difficult one: how can we best communicate our culture and our shared values through a new brand? The result is simple and yet a real symbol of who we are: the main symbol includes connecting circles as the “bowl” of the lower case letter “a.” To give us flexibility, there is also a system of symbols where the “bowl” of the “a” changes depending on the program—a child’s handprint represents our Preschool Division while a silhouette of a dancer represents our Rainbow Dance Company.

This system allows flexibility to promote a single idea, program or division, while visually and consistently connecting all components of Arts Together. This flexibility will also allow new ideas and programs to be introduced in the future. We believe our new look captures the spirit of Arts Together; who we are and who we can be.

By nature a new identity/logo is empty when introduced – and therefore meaningless. It’s basically empty until we begin to fill it with meaning over time. We are already beginning to do that and I’d like to share a story with you: When our designer was looking for an image to embody the Rainbow Dance Company, we turned to recent photographs of our dance company. The image chosen to represent Rainbow was of Carter Crew in a piece for her Senior performance. It just so happens that Carter is our founder Lemma Mackie’s granddaughter. Another generation moves Arts Together forward. Another story is filled with meaning.

Full circle—the connection we all share through this magical place. Thank you for being part of our community at Arts Together!

Meg Revelle, Executive Director