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Keeping up with David Perez ’02 and his sister Rachel Perez ’04
takes some effort. Both of them always have so many projects,
performances, openings and events going on that even they
can’t keep them all straight. When we visited them in New
York City, the simple question, “What do you have going on
right now?” brought forth
a list of enough events
to pack a whole issue
of
Time Out New York
.
“
Isn’t your performance
at Nuyorican Poets’ Café
in May?” David asked his
sister. Rachel paused for
a second, sorting out her
internal calendar. “No,
Carnegie Hall in May.”
Of course.
The Perez’s have been making people take notice since they
arrived at SKS in 2000. They came from nearby Highland
Mills and auditioned for Aynne Ames, who was the head of
the theatre department at the time. Rachel credits Ms. Ames
for helping her to prepare for a life in the arts: “She taught me
to take direction and constructive criticism extremely well, to
be professional, and to just do your part and work together. I
credit her for teaching me how to take a note, how to listen to
my director, how to stay in the moment and be focused when
working and not get caught up with anybody’s personal issues,
even my own. To always put the work first. Because of her
strong personality and high energy (and I have yet to meet her
equal) I have no fear in working with people from all different
backgrounds, temperaments, and styles of directing. I have used
those skills in every possible situation I can think of, on and off
the stage, in my theatre, academic, and personal life. In many
ways, the professionalism I learned from her, defines the type
of actor I am.” In addition to being involved in the arts here at
Standing
Out from the
Crowd
SKS, Rachel was co-MVP of the School’s 2002 championship
volleyball team, which was just inducted into the Storm King
School Sports Hall of Fame at Reunion in June.
David was also an integral part of the art scene here at
Storm King, studying theater with Ms. Ames and art with
Dr. Paul Briggs. “SKS is always filled with wonderful interest-
ing people, all with large personalities,” he said. “Being able to
work together in such a small school allows you to find your
voice and strengths.” Both David and Rachel were awarded The
Spy Rock Cup when they graduated.
David went on to Bennington College, where he received a
BA in fine arts with a concentration in painting and photogra-
phy. After graduation he worked as a gallery director in Puerto
Rico before adjourning to London to continue his education at
the famed auction house Christie’s. While studying at Christie’s
he received a graduate diploma in style and design, decorative
arts in 2008, a graduate diploma in history and connoisseurship
of the art market, modern and contemporary art in 2009 and a
certificate in art business in 2010. David now lives in New York
City and works for the world renowned photographer Maxine
Henryson, in addition to continu-
ing to show his own photography
and paintings.
Rachel is currently pursu-
ing a master’s degree of music in
classical voice at the Manhattan
School of Music; in addition to
her frequent performances at
the School she has performed at
Symphony Space, Lincoln Center
Out of Doors, The Verdi Square
Festival of The Arts and, yes,
Carnegie Hall. She has also performed her own compositions
at the Nuyorican Poets’ Café. You can hear Rachel sing with
the Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra on
their Latin Grammy nominated album “Tito Puente Master-
works LIVE!”
David returned to campus in the spring as part of Storm
King’s second annual Career Day (see page 9) to speak with our
students about his successful career in the arts. And Rachel may
be back on campus next summer for another stirring perfor-
mance: her wedding may be held right here on the Mountain!
In the meantime, you can see what David and Rachel are up
to by checking their websites:
and
With everything they have going on,
only information that travels at the speed of light is fast enough
to keep up with them.
Siblings David Perez ’02 and Rachel Perez ’04
bring their talents in the arts from SKS to NYC
David and Rachel Perez, New York City, 2012.
