The Word in the Wings
The Word in the Wings > New Company Member Spotlight
New Company Member Spotlight
Interviews By: Jessica Noonan
GPA’s dance department is thrilled to welcome two new company members to the ballet company, Rachel Noonan and Christianna Carfagno. In order to introduce them to our community, we asked if they would share a little bit about themselves.
Rachel Noonan; Corps de Ballet
Q. Tell us a little about where you grew up and your dance background/training.
A. I’m from a small town along the Eastern Shore of Maryland called Salisbury. I grew up there alongside my older sister and brother. My sister began dancing when she was young, and I followed in her footsteps since I looked up to her. Little did I know, I was just beginning my 19 years of dancing. I grew up dancing in a studio called Salisbury Dance Academy, focusing mostly on ballet. I learned pointe, jazz, tap, musical theater, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and modern during my time there.
Aside from Salisbury Dance Academy, I danced in a pre-professional ballet nonprofit called Eastern Shore Ballet Theater. Through ESBT, I had the privilege of performing numerous ballets on stage, a few of my favorites being Cinderella, Snow White, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. Another nonprofit I danced with was First Position Performance Troupe where we danced in Disney Springs twice.
Eventually, I decided to continue my dancing into college, performing in dance concerts and dance conferences through Eastern University. The university focused more on modern, contemporary, and the process of choreographing. During my senior year, I began auditioning for dance companies, specifically in contemporary ballet since it is my favorite style of dance. I found GPA online, along with hearing about the company from a friend, and decided to give it a try. The idea of sharing my gifts through a Christian lens led me here officially.
Q. What is something you would like the GPA community to know about you?
A. I’d like the GPA community to know my heart and my gratitude for God’s blessings on my life. I am very blessed to have a supportive family who loves me and encourages me to pursue my passions.
Q. When you are not dancing, what do you like to do?
A. When I’m not dancing, I am writing. I have been writing a book since I began college and I hope to publish it sometime next year. My goal in the future is to be full time author and choreographer! I am working on my MFA in writing to move one step closer to my goal.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most this season?
A. I am looking forward to returning to my ballet roots, and to dance alongside others who desire to dance for the Lord.
Q. Contemporary ballet or Classical ballet?
A. This one is hard…I absolutely love classical ballet, but I think contemporary ballet is my favorite.
Q. Pointe shoes, flat ballet shoes or barefeet?
A. This is terrible, but socks…I love improving and turning in a pair of socks with grip. Out of the three, I would say pointe shoes since I love pointe, but I wouldn’t say that is my preferred choice of footwear when dancing.
Q. Favorite verse and why?
A. My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV). Growing up, my mom used to sing this song to me, reminding me that the future is in God’s hands. As someone who worries about the future, this verse brings me peace that reminds me that God is in control.
Christianna Carfagno; Apprentice
Q. Tell us a little about where you grew up and your dance background/training. (How long have you been dancing, and how did you end up at GPA?)
I started dancing when I was twelve at Dance with Joy, a small Christian Studio. Last year Dance with Joy temporarily closed and I joined Kimberton Dance Academy and Good Samaritan Dance Academy. That same year I was honored to be asked to be a guest artist with GPA in the Main Stage Show, Regina’s Journey. Through this I truly grew to love Glorify and its ministry along with the love for the Lord that it showed. I applied and was accepted to be an Apprentice soon after.
Q. What is something you would like the GPA community to know about you?
A. One random thing about me is that I’m an only daughter of an only daughter of an only daughter of an only daughter and I have four brothers.
Q. When you are not dancing, what do you like to do?
A. When I’m not dancing, I enjoy talking to my friends 🙂 But other than that, I usually do school or work.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most this season?
A. This dance season, I am really looking forward to being able to continue to use dance to bring glory to my creator this year. My Father has done so very much for me, the very least I can do for Him is give Him my all through worship.
Q. Contemporary ballet or Classical ballet?
A. If I had to choose between Contemporary Ballet and Classical, I would choose Classical Ballet.
Q. Pointe shoes, flat ballet shoes or barefeet?
A. I prefer either pointe shoes or flat shoes over bare feet. I probably like pointe shoes and flat shoes about equal as they’re both so different but each offer such different benefits.
Q. Favorite verse and why?
A. My favorite bible verse is 2 Timothy 2:22, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” This verse really helped me when I was struggling to keep my heart fully focused on the Lord. It’s such a good reminder to me of where I want my heart to be; fully pursuing the Lord and through the Lord’s strength walking in righteousness, faith, love, and peace, alongside the friends the Lord has brought into my life.
Welcome Rachel and Christianna! We are so excited to see how God uses you and your gifts this season to further His Kingdom. Please join us in praying for their smooth transition into the company this fall.
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