Diane Rawlinson’s dance classroom provides a haven for any student who needs one: the student who is new to the school, who is going through a rough patch, who loves dance, who hasn’t had a chance to try dance yet. If you walk by her classroom, you will see students of every ethnicity, gender, ability-level, body type. She lives her teaching philosophy: dance is for everyone. Her classroom embodies the message that movement is an act of communication and a fundamental human right.
Even if you are a staff member at Wheeling High School, Diane has invited you to attend a dance, yoga, or Interplay workshop. Diane is a recognized leader of Interplay, an “active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body.” No matter your age, experience, or ability, she empowers you to feel comfortable in your skin.
Even if your kids don’t attend WHS, Diane has invited them to the WHS Kid’s Dance workshop. Her own students plan and lead workshops for children ages 4-13 to perform in the theater for a live audience. By the way, this all happens in one afternoon. Always looking for interdisciplinary opportunities, Diane expanded the program to include art and drama workshops.
If a student is afraid to audition or has no theater experience, no worries! Diane co-founded Fusion, an interdisciplinary theater group with no auditions and where students create the script from scratch in two months. For 25 years, students have worked collaboratively and surprised themselves with newfound abilities to act, sing, draw, dance, design the set, work the lights--create something spectacular out of nothing. Each cast member has the opportunity to showcase their unique voice and interests.
If you were to play Six Degrees of Diane Rawlinson, you will connect with guest artists and guest choreographers (often WHS alumni). These sources of inspiration keep student dancers invested in the artistic process. If you ever had your breath taken away at a WHS student dance performance, you know that Diane was integral in encouraging student leadership and guiding the ensemble to fully realize their artistic vision.
Even remote learning cannot stop Diane. This year, she organized monthly panels to showcase alumni who are full-time working artists. They shared their expertise, demystifying a career pathway in the arts for our students. Diane inspires her students to pay it forward. For 26 years, WHS has hosted the Dance for Life’s Next Generation program, where student and professional dancers collaborate in a concert that raises money for The Dancers Fund and The Children’s Place Association.
If you wish to see an unflagging advocate of the arts, look no further than Diane Rawlinson. She is a force, and she will be missed tremendously by all. Arts Unlimited could not be prouder to announce that Diane Rawlinson is the 2021 recipient of the Friend of the Arts.
Even if you are a staff member at Wheeling High School, Diane has invited you to attend a dance, yoga, or Interplay workshop. Diane is a recognized leader of Interplay, an “active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body.” No matter your age, experience, or ability, she empowers you to feel comfortable in your skin.
Even if your kids don’t attend WHS, Diane has invited them to the WHS Kid’s Dance workshop. Her own students plan and lead workshops for children ages 4-13 to perform in the theater for a live audience. By the way, this all happens in one afternoon. Always looking for interdisciplinary opportunities, Diane expanded the program to include art and drama workshops.
If a student is afraid to audition or has no theater experience, no worries! Diane co-founded Fusion, an interdisciplinary theater group with no auditions and where students create the script from scratch in two months. For 25 years, students have worked collaboratively and surprised themselves with newfound abilities to act, sing, draw, dance, design the set, work the lights--create something spectacular out of nothing. Each cast member has the opportunity to showcase their unique voice and interests.
If you were to play Six Degrees of Diane Rawlinson, you will connect with guest artists and guest choreographers (often WHS alumni). These sources of inspiration keep student dancers invested in the artistic process. If you ever had your breath taken away at a WHS student dance performance, you know that Diane was integral in encouraging student leadership and guiding the ensemble to fully realize their artistic vision.
Even remote learning cannot stop Diane. This year, she organized monthly panels to showcase alumni who are full-time working artists. They shared their expertise, demystifying a career pathway in the arts for our students. Diane inspires her students to pay it forward. For 26 years, WHS has hosted the Dance for Life’s Next Generation program, where student and professional dancers collaborate in a concert that raises money for The Dancers Fund and The Children’s Place Association.
If you wish to see an unflagging advocate of the arts, look no further than Diane Rawlinson. She is a force, and she will be missed tremendously by all. Arts Unlimited could not be prouder to announce that Diane Rawlinson is the 2021 recipient of the Friend of the Arts.