Born and raised in Connecticut, Avery is currently pursuing a BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase College. She has performed works by choreographers including Bill T. Jones, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Fredrick Earl Mosley, Liv Schaffer and Kate St. Amand. Avery began traveling with JUNTOS in January, 2019 and was set forth on an exciting exploration of the influence of dance as social work. She deepend her exploration of dance as a tool for healing by working as an intern with the Judy Dworin Performance Project, a local arts non-profit in Connecticut. Avery is excited to be a JUNTOSAmbassador where she can continue exploring her passion of using dance as a means of empowerment and communication.

Avery will finalize details of her Capstone Project in April: More info coming then!

MaryBeth Rodgers is a junior at the Ailey/Fordham BFA program. She trained at Union County Academy for Performing Arts before moving to New York, where she has performed with Buglisi Dance Theater, Michael Mao Dance, and participated in programs like JUNTOSCollective and Ballet Hispanico’s ChoreoLab. She is excited to be an Ambassador to have the opportunity to build a new community through the power of dance. 

MaryBeth completed her Ambassador Project with People’s Theatre Project and Uptown Arts Summer Camp in July of 2020! Click on her blog to watch the journey!

Abigail Purcell is a professional dancer currently residing in Chicago. After graduating from Interlochen Arts Academy, she danced with Cocodaco Dance Project while on scholarship at Lou Conte Dance Center. In Spring, 2019, Abigail completed the Hubbard Street Professional program where she performed works by Peter Chu, Alice Klock, Robyn Mineko Williams and more. Her first JUNTOS trip to Mexico inspired her to continue her relationship with the organization, leading her to another trip in Guatemala. She is thrilled to join the JUNTOS Ambassador 2019/20 Program to further discover dance’s ability to eliminate distance between cultures, create a safe space for healing, unite communities, and spread joy in the face of adversity.

Abby will finalize details of her Capstone Project in April: More info coming then!

Primarily raised in Tampa, Florida, Katarina is currently studying dance as a senior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA program in New York City. Katarina has taught workshops at Blake High school and assisted class at Patel conservatory in addition to the workshops she has taught on JUNTOSAbroad trips. Katarina fell in love with JUNTOS’s mission on her first trip to Guatemala in 2018, and has subsequently been on two more JUNTOS abroad trips to Guatemala and Colombia. Katarina is excited to work as an ambassador because she believes giving and receiving art from communities is a gratifying experience.

Kat will finalize details of her Capstone Project in April: More info coming then!

Coriselle Martinez was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and began dancing at the age of five. She is currently completing her senior year as a dancer in the Ailey/Fordham BFA. Coriselle has performed professionally in “Carmen” by Ramon Oller, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Coppelia, with dance company movedipr (mD), Shift Dance Collective and NK&D. During the past two years, Coriselle has volunteered with JUNTOS Collective in Guatemala, Mexico, and Colombia. She is excited to expand her horizons across borders and spread dance to all people.

Cori will finalize details of her Capstone Project in April: More info coming then!