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Why Carolina chose Rider's Westminster College of the Arts

Carolina decided to come to Rider from her home in Florida after visiting the university website and watching YouTube videos about its performing arts program. “When I saw the talent, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” says Carolina. “I knew alumni, like Russell Fischer in ‘, were performing on television and on stage. I wanted the education they got.”

Rider's impact on Carolina's success

“Rider molded me into everything I am! I came here not knowing how to sing: Mariann Cook taught me how to use my voice. Robin Lewis taught me to dance and to move,” Carolina says.

Appearing in Rider productions provided valuable hands-on experience. Faculty connections helped open doors to auditions and open calls, including the opportunity of a lifetime: a national tour with “” as Rosalia and understudy for Maria. Says Carolina, “It was exhausting and beautiful, and I loved it.”

Continued success

At the end of the 2012-13 national tour, Carolina was offered another contract, but turned it down. "Mariann Cook (an established professional actress and singer) encouraged me to come back and finish my degree. That’s the way Rider is … everyone there cares about me and my future. And I know they will always be there for me.”

Carolina signed with the Wolf Talent Group in New York (the same agent who represents her professor, Robin Lewis, a Broadway veteran). After graduating from Rider in May 2014, she moved to New York City where she landed roles in two professional workshop performances of “Murder at the Gates,” a new musical by Tony Award-winning writer Steven Sater (“Spring Awakening”) — which made her eligible for her Actor’s Equity Card. In Spring 2015, she will perform in the Off-Broadway production of “Iowa” at . "It’s a dream come true!" says Carolina.