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Stories from Our Alumni
The Vanaver Caravan has impacted the lives of thousands of students. Here are just a few of their stories. Help us make an impact today!
“I don’t want to see the children act like grown ups, I want to see the grown-ups act more like kids.” — Woody Guthrie
I have been wondering lately if Woody Guthrie would still say this today. As a former kid who grew up in the ‘Caravan, I loved the sentiment of the quote above. I remember waiting in the wings backstage, giddy with anticipation . . .
It’s been a minute since we had our last alumni spotlight but we couldn’t wait to share this one with you! As Bill & Livia begin their 3rd annual year of teaching in Auroville, India, their son, Gabe, reflects on his experience in Auroville with his parents last winter. Gabe’s insights into his upbringing are both thoughtful and inspiring and the artistic work he contributes to the world is a clear reflection on his life in the ‘Caravan
My latest project is producing the first Hudson Valley Flamenco Festival. The Hudson Valley Flamenco Festival has been a distant vision of mine for over ten years. I always thought that the Hudson Valley would be a great place to start building a flamenco scene. We are already such a people-oriented community that adding flamenco seems like a great fit.
“I am a Vanaver Caravan alumnus, having danced in the Company for fifteen years. My last Company performance was with Pete Seeger in 1996, in the original creation of "Turn, Turn, Turn". Now, I have returned to the community as a member of the Board of Directors, investing in The Vanaver Caravan Mission.” — Ted McKnight, Company Member from 1981-1996 and current Vice President of The Vanaver Caravan Board of Directors.
This week we caught up with Marina Lopez, god-daughter of Livia and Bill, and life-long member of The Vanaver Caravan—playing every role imaginable within the organization. Marina wrote beautiful, intelligent, and moving responses to each question we asked her. By reading about her life with us, you will truly understand what it is to be educated and raised by an institution such as The Vanaver Caravan.
This week, we caught up with Moraya Seeger Degeare, beloved granddaughter of Pete and Toshi Seeger. Moraya danced as a Caravan Kid throughout her childhood and has stayed a good friend of The Vanaver Caravan ever since. Today, she is a licensed family therapist and a loving mother and wife. She recently moved back to her family roots by the Hudson river with her husband and three year old son. Read about her accomplishments and fond memories from her childhood.
This week, we checked in with Adrienne Barr Chait, who stumbled upon The Vanaver Caravan at age fourteen, as the first Youth Company was forming, and fell in love with dance and movement. She now runs a holistic healing practice in NYC and is a mother of three. Read her beautiful insights on family, movement, motherhood, and how TVC influenced her on her path.
... I think what made a more lasting impact on me is that Livia and Bill live [their] mission as people--it’s not just a job practice, it’s their way of life and thus by extension I believe it becomes a way of life for anyone who spends significant time in their community. — Sariyah Idan
This week, we caught up with Rachel List, who was part of the first Vanaver Company in the 1970s-'80s. Read about Rachel's experience on the road with Bill & Liv, and how The Vanaver Caravan has influenced the incredible life she has lived since then.
This is a very special year for the Center for Symbolic Studies and The Vanaver Caravan--and we need your support. Please consider making a contribution to our campaign to Build the Caravan Center at Stone Mountain Farm. Your donation will help build a new forever home for The Vanaver Caravan and a much-needed four-season creative space for a myriad of wonderful classes, workshops, performances, and local/international artist residencies.