Kunya Rowley
Artistic Director & Executive Producer
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the Juneteeth team
Michelle Grant-Murray
Director
Michelle Grant-Murray has trained extensively in the areas of Ballet, Traditional and Contemporary Modern Dance, West African, Afro-Brazilian, Jazz Dance and Dance Composition. As a choreographer, performer, educator, author, and social activist, she has presented work in Europe, South America, Asia, the Caribbean and the United States. Currently she is the Artistic Director of Olujimi Dance Theatre, the Miami Dade College Jubilation Dance Ensemble, and the Coordinator of Dance at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus. Michelle is also the author of Beyond the Surface: American Dance History.
Michelle Grant-Murray has trained extensively in the areas of Ballet, Traditional and Contemporary Modern Dance, West African, Afro-Brazilian, Jazz Dance and Dance Composition. As a choreographer, performer, educator, author, and social activist, she has presented work in Europe, South America, Asia, the Caribbean and the United States. Currently she is the Artistic Director of Olujimi Dance Theatre, the Miami Dade College Jubilation Dance Ensemble, and the Coordinator of Dance at Miami Dade College Kendall Campus. Michelle is also the author of Beyond the Surface: American Dance History.
Kunya Rowley
Executive Producer & Artistic Director
A native of Miami, FL, Kunya is an alum of New World School of the Arts College’s opera program, but often traverses the worlds of various genres. His artistic credits include performances with Magic City Opera, Slow Burn Theatre, Opera Naples, Florida Grand Opera, Orchestra Miami, Nu Deco Ensemble, Illuminarts, Klezmer Orchestra, and M Ensemble. He also serves as a national reviewer for the National YoungArts Foundation's classical voice division. Kunya is the artistic director of "Hued Songs”, a performance series that explores and celebrates black history through the lens of black music and artists, as well as the Music Access Program Manager at The Miami Foundation, leading a coalition to bring the power of music to every child in Miami. Through his work he seeks to be a conduit for accessible arts across a multi-cultural platform.
A native of Miami, FL, Kunya is an alum of New World School of the Arts College’s opera program, but often traverses the worlds of various genres. His artistic credits include performances with Magic City Opera, Slow Burn Theatre, Opera Naples, Florida Grand Opera, Orchestra Miami, Nu Deco Ensemble, Illuminarts, Klezmer Orchestra, and M Ensemble. He also serves as a national reviewer for the National YoungArts Foundation's classical voice division. Kunya is the artistic director of "Hued Songs”, a performance series that explores and celebrates black history through the lens of black music and artists, as well as the Music Access Program Manager at The Miami Foundation, leading a coalition to bring the power of music to every child in Miami. Through his work he seeks to be a conduit for accessible arts across a multi-cultural platform.
Joseph Cloud
Creative Producer
I am a live theatre enthusiast and delve into non-traditional storytelling- works that are immersive, site-specific, interdisciplinary, devised. As a play wright (wright - a maker or creator)- my goal is to develop storytelling that is epic and non-traditional by engaging with artists, change-makers, and creative beings.
I define personal success by designing environments where others thrive. I am passionate about youth and young adult programming as well as peer mentorship at any age.
I am a live theatre enthusiast and delve into non-traditional storytelling- works that are immersive, site-specific, interdisciplinary, devised. As a play wright (wright - a maker or creator)- my goal is to develop storytelling that is epic and non-traditional by engaging with artists, change-makers, and creative beings.
I define personal success by designing environments where others thrive. I am passionate about youth and young adult programming as well as peer mentorship at any age.
Evan Plummer
Director of Education and Community Engagement
Melissa Cobblah Gutierrez
Assistant Director
Ms. Cobblah Gutierrez has worked and studied under the direction of many recognized artists such as Michelle Grant-Murray, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Nia Love, A'Keitha Carey, Jorge Luis Morejon, Kehinde Ishangi, Millicent Johnnie, Tiffany Rhynard, Charles Anderson, La Toya Davis-Craig and Anjali Austin. Ms. Cobblah is a co-founder of The WoodShed Online Dance Platform and The Florida Black Dance Artists Organization. She was recently selected as a Knight New Work 2020 Winner. Currently, she is dancing professionally with Urban Bush Women and Olujimi Dance Theatre.
Ms. Cobblah Gutierrez has worked and studied under the direction of many recognized artists such as Michelle Grant-Murray, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, Nia Love, A'Keitha Carey, Jorge Luis Morejon, Kehinde Ishangi, Millicent Johnnie, Tiffany Rhynard, Charles Anderson, La Toya Davis-Craig and Anjali Austin. Ms. Cobblah is a co-founder of The WoodShed Online Dance Platform and The Florida Black Dance Artists Organization. She was recently selected as a Knight New Work 2020 Winner. Currently, she is dancing professionally with Urban Bush Women and Olujimi Dance Theatre.