Senior Catherine McFarlane has been a part of the Poly arts community for as long as she can remember.
As a dedicated dancer and visual artist, she has found ways to transform her personal experiences into tangible pieces that create works reflecting a blend of discipline and imagination.
“I mainly take from my personal life. So all in all, it’s just things that have happened to me, things that are happening to me, and I find dance and art are outlets for me to express that.”
McFarlane grew up dancing, spending five hours a day on Zoom for two years during the pandemic to keep up with lessons. Although that period of time left her feeling burnt out, her passion for dance was reignited when she joined Poly’s Upper School dance program in her freshman year.
“I had a tumultuous relationship with dance then,” McFarlane explained. “But coming to Poly, I got to explore styles I’d never done before, like hip hop and jazz. Being able to do that every day with my best friends was a lot of fun, and [Ms. Pigneri] was always supportive and encouraging. She’s one of the main reasons I fell back in love with dance.”
Since McFarlane grew up training almost exclusively in ballet, she entered Poly’s dance program eager to explore different styles and quickly discovered a newfound passion for hip hop. “It is the opposite of ballet, and much more freeing and interactive,” McFarlane said. She still remembers dancing her first hip hop piece during sophomore year, choreographed by Poly alumni Ellie Kim. “That was my first time doing hip hop and house,” McFarlane said. “None of us really knew how to do the style, but we made it work in the end, and we had so much fun.” Now, hip hop has become McFarlane’s favorite style.
Her growth as a dancer soon led her to create her own choreography. In last year’s dance show, Epiphany, she choreographed “Desperato,” a large group piece in which all the dancers performed in heels. “I wanted all of us to feel empowered and good on stage,” McFarlane said. “I loved the song for a long time, and seeing my vision come to life with my friends in it was amazing.” This year, she is choreographing a contemporary piece she describes as an ode to dance and a reflection on her journey as a performer and artist. Fellow senior and dancer Saya Gooden summed up McFarlane’s artistry: “Catherine is visionary, passionate, and creative.”
McFarlane’s artistic pursuits extend far beyond the stage, however. In the Boswell arts studio, she brings the same devotion she embodies in dance. As an AP Art student, McFarlane enjoys exploring embroidery, tapestry, sculpture and papier-mâché, and her projects often draw from personal experiences and her cultural background.
“Dance is fleeting. The recording doesn’t really capture the essence of being out there on stage,” she reflected. “But with visual art, it’s rewarding to hold and show off something personal you created. Poly artists are so inclusive and encouraging, and just to know that I have their support is a very nice feeling.”
That sense of community has also shaped many of McFarlane’s early memories dancing at Poly. She remembers going into her first dance show as one of only three freshmen in Dance 4, and feeling nervous about finding her place. “The older dancers are so inclusive and welcoming. I just remember being in such awe of them and how much community they created,” she said. That welcoming environment left a lasting impression, and now a senior herself, McFarlane has transformed into the one to continue encouraging underclassmen and fellow dancers. Caralee Wang, a sophomore in Dance 4, said “Catherine is an amazing dancer, and it is so fun to dance with her because she truly lifts us all up and creates such a fun environment to dance in.”
Outside of the arts, McFarlane is also a runner, but she says that nothing compares to the camaraderie she has found in dance. “Track is a way for me to connect with outside grades, but it’s not the same as doing a team sport. And I think dance is the closest thing I get to that at Poly. It’s really amazing connecting with dancers older and younger than you who share the same interests.”
Looking ahead, McFarlane plans to continue her artistic journey in college. “There are a lot of good dance programs out there, and I would love to be part of one,” she said. “Being in other people’s visions is very rewarding, and having a community like this in college would be incredible.”
Through her talent and commitment, Catherine McFarlane has left her own mark on Poly’s arts program and continues to inspire those around her, a legacy that is sure to follow her beyond the Poly stage and studio.
