Gael’s Story
As an international student from Mexico, Gael Arturo Andrade Rodriguez ’24 flourished as a Dance major in Boston Ballet’s Professional Division at Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Overcoming the challenge of leaving home to pursue his passion for dance, he found a welcoming environment that allowed him to thrive both academically and artistically. From settling into a new culture to performing on Boston's most prestigious ballet stage, Gael's journey exemplifies the resilience and support that students discover when they choose an arts boarding school like Walnut Hill.
At Walnut Hill, Gael found more than just a place to study dance—he found a second home that shaped his future as a dancer and choreographer. His experience underscores why Walnut Hill stands out among the top arts high schools in the country.
“At Walnut Hill, you won’t just be a ballet dancer, you'll also be an artist and you'll be recognized as one,” he says. “You’ll discover a school where you don't feel the competitiveness of the ballet world. You only feel support and you feel like everyone's there to help you and to see you succeed.”
From Mexico to Massachusetts and Finding a Home Away from Home
Gael's transition to Walnut Hill was marked by both challenges and growth. Originally from Mexico, Gael left behind a close-knit relationship with his mother to pursue his passion for dance. With limited options in his home country to pursue dance at the level he sought, he began searching for the best arts high schools and a performing arts boarding school, eventually discovering Walnut Hill.
Leaving home was not an easy decision for Gael, and with a busy schedule that leaves few opportunities to travel home, Gael found ways to stay connected with his mother.
“I still talk to her every day,” he says. “The first thing I do in the morning is text her. But I've come to accept that now I get to be in an airport sometimes to go from home to home. I get the best of both worlds.”
A Supportive Community
Despite the initial difficulties of being far from Mexico, Walnut Hill quickly became a second home for Gael as an international student seeking an opportunity at a top arts high school like Walnut Hill. The school's supportive environment played a crucial role in his adjustment.
"I think of how supported I felt every day and how I felt like everywhere I looked or everywhere I turned, I saw someone who was there to help me,” he explains. “And I think that's what home is—where you feel safe and supported.”
Not only are international and boarding students supported as they transition into the community, but staff at Walnut Hill are understanding of the unique challenges presented by students whose primary focus is their artistic passion.
As a ballet dancer at Walnut Hill, Gael had the incredible opportunity to perform on stage at Boston’s Citizens Opera House for an astounding 47 performances in Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Understandably, this period of his life required a lot of hard work and dedication, and his teachers at Walnut Hill had his back when it came to his academics. Committed to delivering the best arts high school experience for young artists, Walnut Hill staff were equally dedicated to ensuring Gael completed his academic work without it interfering with his artistic ambitions.
“My teachers said, ‘We understand that you have a lot of extra work right now, so don’t worry about your assignments until after the break,’” he remarks. “It helped me to not feel stressed out, having so much work to do and then going to the opera house to perform. It helped me stay calm and perform at my best.”
Meet Shayla, a triple threat in the Theater Department with a vibrant personality and a love for Walnut Hill.
Building a Second Family
As Gael said, traveling between Walnut Hill and Mexico was like “going from home to home.” The boarding experience at Walnut Hill creates a safe and comfortable environment for students to call home, with boarding students becoming their own little family, spending evenings together after classes.
“Whenever I would go to my friends’ rooms, it would feel like I was in my second room and they were my family,” he says. “It was my safe space that I went to after a long day. After a full schedule of school and dancing, I looked forward to taking a shower, being in my room for a few minutes, and then going to see my friends and talking about our days. It became my routine and it was just great.
As an arts boarding school, Walnut Hill is the perfect place for artistically minded students to thrive as learners and performers. It’s not without its challenges, but Gael feels the benefits far outweigh any of the possible negatives.
“It's going to be okay if you're going through a phase of missing your family, feeling sad you're not home,” he says. “But Walnut Hill is going to be there to make you feel like you're building a new home.”
Performing with Boston Ballet and Giving Back to the Next Generation of Young Artists
As mentioned, Gael had the opportunity to perform at Citizens Opera House with Boston Ballet in 47 performances of The Nutcracker. This incredible opportunity to perform as one of the mice came through the partnership between Walnut Hill and Boston Ballet, and without this connection, Gael might never have experienced the thrill of dancing before sold-out crowds alongside such talented performers.
“It was surreal because I went from seeing TikToks and Reels of dancers from Boston to being on that stage and actually performing on that stage,” he remembers. “It was crazy—wearing the mask, seeing every night sold out, having the privilege of being so young and performing there.”
Recently graduated from Walnut Hill, Gael is now a trainee with the world-renowned Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
Reflecting on his time in Boston Ballet’s Professional Division at Walnut Hill, Gael looks forward to returning as an alumni and supporting the next generation of young artists.
“I'm happy to be a Walnut,” he says. “It feels like I'm becoming a part of a legacy of art. It's great to be a part of a school that creates and sends artists out into the world. Walnut Hill is also really great at connecting with our alumni and I'm excited to come back in 10 years to see what it looks like for other artists.”
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