Community
Katarina is passionate about the intersection of dance and community. Dance has the power to connect people from differing backgrounds and it can give story tellers a platform to express their identity. Dance can be used to heal, connect, express emotions, and investigate ideas.
Kat’s work with JUNTOS Collective
Katarina began her work with JUNTOS Collective in 2018 where she learned about the intersection of dance and community work. Katarina traveled with the organization to Guatemala, Colombia, and Mexico; during these trips she worked to empower both disadvantaged communities and local dance communities. Her love for JUNTOS Collective and what we do as an organization, originated in Guatemala in 2018, when she joined them for her first abroad trip. Once Katarina realized the powerful impact that dance could have on communities, despite background, age, or technical proficiency, she knew that performing and teaching workshops with JUNTOS would be something she would want to continue after her first trip. Through leading dance workshops and participating in performances, Katarina established a wide and varied network of fascinating people; she worked and performed in orphanages, hospitals and prisons during her time abroad. The JUNTOS Collective also emphasizes the importance of connecting with the local dance communities of the cities visited. By connecting and collaborating with dance schools abroad, Katarina has been able to lead advanced workshops in dance and share new ideas with the affiliate dance school programs. Collaborating with other dance schools usually resulted in a cultural dance class for the JUNTOS participants as well, which was always found to be enriching.
Kat’s Capstone Project
Katarina’s capstone project was inspired by the work she did with JUNTOS Collective in college; she wanted to focus on the powerful connections that could be built through dance in different communities. During Katarina’s senior year of college, she made the easy decision to become a JUNTOS Ambassador and create her own capstone project which would result in a 3 week volunteer trip to Xela, Guatemala. Even though she knew it would be a sizable endeavor, she felt that it was the obvious choice for the kind of work she aspires to do and the kind of artist she wants to become. The JUNTOS directors were with the Ambassadors every step of the way, from helping with fundraising ideas and grant writing to curriculum building, and travel planning. Through the Ambassador program, Katarina was able to grow not only as a teacher but as an arts coordinator as well.
Due to COIVD, Katarina decided to postpone her capstone project until a time where it was safer to travel, which was July 2022. She led dance workshops focused on expression and confidence with community organizations such as Casa Onices, Caras Alegras and Centro Cultural Efrain Recinos as well as dance schools such as Escuela de Danza and Cuerpo de Baile. In the end, with the help of dancers and leaders within Xela, Guatemala, Katarina organized a final performance that included work from all the organizations she worked with!
Kat’s other JUNTOS trips
The summer of 2018 is when Katarina fell in love with the country and the people of Guatemala. With JUNTOS, she visted Guatemala City, Anitgua, Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango, and Retalhuleu.
They worked with many organizations such as;
Margarita Tejada: A children's center for down syndrome.
Casa Alianza: Safe shelter for young women who have been victims of violence, sexual assault, trafficking.
El Patojismo: An organization focused on using art and alternative education to get youth out of gangs and violence.
Hospice San Jose Milpas Atlas: Center for children with HIV.
Ayuvi Foundation: Center for children fighting cancer.
One of Kat’s favorite moments: Although choosing one moment is almost impossible, Kat will never forget the performances and workshops at Margarita Tejada. This was the first time she taught dance to people who have different abilities and the amount of gratitude, grace, and pure happiness she was exposed to was unforgettable.
Guatemala 2018
During August of 2019, Katarina was lucky to continue her work with JUNTOS Collective on their trip to Colombia. The cities they visited were Medellin, Manizales, Bogota, and El Carmen de Viboral.
A few organizations they worked with include;
Ecoarte Bolivar: an organization committed to providing free arts education
Escuela Comunidad Potosi: Community school composed of volunteer teachers
Universidad Catolica Luis Amigo: La Iguana Project, ran by the university’s social work program, this project supports mothers, teens, elders, and children.
El Centro de bien estar San Jose- Elder Community in El Carmen
One of Kat’s stand-out moments: Participating in a panel at Universidad Catolica Luis Amigo was very special as she spoke to a class at the school for social work about her work with JUNTOS and why the intersection of arts and community is important in fostering hope, resilience, and alternate paths. This was the first time Katarina presented in Spanish to a collegiate level class.
Colombia 2019
Katarina visited Oaxaca, Mexico with JUNTOS during January of 2020. This trip was a bit different as it was to prepare the ambassadors for their capstone projects and trips. Going to Mexico had a more immersive intention as they connected deeper with the local dancers and collaborated with the local dancers to run workshops for underserved communities.
They worked with a few different organizations within Oaxaca such as;
Hogar de La Ninas: A home for girls
Cuidando Angeles: A home for people with disabilities
Pueblo de Maíz: Oaxacan based folklorico dance company
Detention center for Women
One of Kats favorite moments: Performing for the Women’s Detention Center was one of the most unique and perspective shifting experiences Kat has had. After the performance, Kat was able to connect with a few women who explained how emotional they felt watching dance and what the performance meant to them. This was an experience she will always hold close to her heart.
Mexico 2020
Want to work with Katarina to organize new opportunities for community within dance, both locally and internationally?
Reach out here!