Rachel Noonan, from Salisbury, Maryland, has been dancing for almost 20 years. Growing up, she trained under Elena Manakhova at Salisbury Dance Academy, learning numerous styles such as ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theater, and contemporary. She participated in nonprofit organizations like First Position Performance Troupe, which danced at charity events. Through that program, she danced at Walt Disney World, on their stage in Disney Springs, and in their World Dance Parade. Rachel spent 15 years with another nonprofit organization, Eastern Shore Ballet Theater, where she found her love of performance and pointework, strengthening these abilities through her roles as Snow White from Snow White, a Stepsister from Cinderella, and the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker. Rachel recently graduated from Eastern University with a Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Dance and English (Writing). Under Stephen Welsh, the head of the Dance Department, Rachel honed her craft as a dancer and as a choreographer. She performed many student and faculty works, and set choreography on fellow students as well. Her pieces, Differences Aside (2023) and A Choice (2024), were performed at the American College Dance Association conference. She continues to teach dance and to pursue her master’s degree in writing.