Rena Bernardini began dancing at Westchester Ballet Center where she trained in a variety of dance styles and performed with Dance Theater of Westchester. Rena went on to study at The Boston Conservatory and later transferred to The Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in London, where she trained with students from around the world and performed at the Royal Opera House.  While in England, she volunteered at English National Ballet to assist with the Dance for Parkinson’s program as a part of her dissertation. After graduating with honors, she danced with Ballet Theater of Maryland as a trainee and is now in her second season with Fort Wayne Ballet. Rena traveled to Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua with JUNTOS and is excited to stay involved through the Ambassador program.

Raven Blue grew up in Seattle, Washington where she trained at Dance Fremont. Raven is a 2014 graduate of SUNY Purchase and has had the pleasure of working with organizations and artists such as Donald Byrd, Bill T. Jones, Doug Varone, The Cunningham Trust, Beijing Dance Academy/CCTV, JUNTOS Collective, Nimbus Dance Works and Solange. In her spare time, she sings backup for Madeline Mondrala and her band.

Inspired by the beauty and joy expressed through movement, Raven seeks to collaborate as much as possible. JUNTOS is a collective she is honored to be a part of. Raven believes that continuing the spread and cultivation of art is vital, and she plans on being a part of that growth.

Ellie Frechette is a Junior at Fordham University. She has studied dance at The Ailey School and Marymount Manhattan. Ellie has traveled toGuatemala, Mexico, and San Francisco with JUNTOS. Ellie is excited to start her work in the Ambassador program, and is looking forward to the adventures to come this year. She continues to be inspired: “Food and shelter make the world go ’round, but art makes the world go forward.” -Joanna Poz-Molesky

Lorena Jaramillo was born in Mexico City and began her dance training in a local studio. She participated in summer intensives at the Joffrey Ballet School, which made her fall in love with New York City. She moved to the United States in 2015 to begin her higher education. Currently a junior at Marymount Manhattan College, Lorena is working towards earning her BA degree in Dance, with a minor in Arts for the Communities.

Lorena traveled to Mexico on the 2017 JUNTOSAbroad trip and has done local work, including NY Week this past spring. She believes that sharing dance can create bridges between cultures and lead us closer to social justice and equality.

Caroline Potter Shriver began her dance training at C-Unit Studios in Bethesda, Maryland, and CityDance Conservatory in Rockville, Maryland. During high school, she worked with the CityDance Dream program as an assistant teacher and helped coach the Special Olympics local unified basketball team. She is currently a Junior in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program in New York City where she will graduate with a double major in Dance and Latin American Studies. After graduating, she hopes to dance professionally and use dance as a tool to affect positive change around the world.

Caroline’s passions for dancing, teaching, youth development, and outreach have led her to work closely with JUNTOS Collective. Caroline has traveled to Mexico and Nicaragua with JUNTOS and looks forward to growing as a dancer and leader as a JUNTOSAmbassador.