They’re friends, artists, performers and honor students and when Huntington High School sophomore Juliet Marinello and freshman Mary Grace Rorke take the stage this coming weekend for The Nutcracker, they will dazzle the crowd with their amazing ballet talents.
The two Huntington teenagers are set to perform in the Lynch School of Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker at the high school on Saturday, December 15 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and again on Sunday, December 16 at 12 noon and 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the door.
Ms. Marinello and Ms. Rorke are two exceptionally hardworking young women. They pursue their passion for dancing with an incredible amount of determination and commitment, training and rehearsing for countless hours to perfect their performance.
Ms. Marinello will be featured in the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy while Ms. Rorke will be showcased in the role of Spanish, among other core pieces like Flowers and Snow.
A member of Huntington’s English Honor Society chapter, Ms. Marinello has still found the time to volunteer with the JUNIOR Junior Welfare League. The teenager is known for her eye-catching smile and sense of humor. Last winter she electrified the crowd at the Key Club’s K-Factor talent show.
A wonderful pianist, Ms. Marinello leads an extremely busy life, including traveling into New York City six days a week for training at the American Ballet Theatre School.
Named an American Ballet Theatre National Training Scholar, in 2016/17, Ms. Marinello was awarded a merit scholarship to train at the Houston Ballet Academy last year. She spent five weeks training with the renowned Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet on the campus of Dickinson College this past summer.
The Huntington sophomore said that ballet has taught her about discipline and focus and it has given her a strong work ethic that has also helped her excel academically.
Mary Grace Rorke
Ms. Rorke has sparkled in the performing arts. She’s not one to shy away from a challenge nor fail to pursue a passion just because it might be hard to master. The well -balanced 14 year-old honor student has been playing the harp since the age of five. Its large size and complexity of sound makes the harp one of the rarest of played instruments.
Ms. Rorke is believed to be the only harpist that Huntington High School has ever had to date. The teenager said she’s grateful to orchestra director Nicole Castaldo and district Director of Fine & Performing Arts Eric Reynolds for providing her with an opportunity to play with the string orchestra.
A serious ballet student, Ms. Rorke has been taking lessons since she was four years old. The teenager trains at Lynch School of Ballet during the school year and spends summers at various prestigious programs, including Boston Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre School in New York City.
While being completely committed to her training schedule, Ms. Rorke is ever mindful of those in needs, so she has set aside time to volunteer with the JUNIOR Junior Welfare League and Huntington High School’s Key Club chapter.
The freshman’s intense schedule has required her to develop good time management skills. Ballet has taught her about dedication and discipline. A positive role model for her peers, Ms. Rorke possesses a happy go lucky personality with a great sense of humor and quick wit.
Mr. Rorke said she “loves” her teachers and classes at Huntington High School and is grateful to be a part of the Huntington community. She feels fortunate to be able to share her talents and expresses appreciation to everyone for their “incredible support” as she continues to pursue her interests.
Ms. Marinello and Ms. Rorke are excited to share their passion for ballet with audience members attending this coming weekend’s performances of The Nutcracker in the Huntington High School auditorium.
