Rockland teen dancer who uses wheelchair to perform on Radio City's Great Stage

NEW YORK CITY − Avery Roberts has been dancing since age 4. She's hit all the highlights of a dance girl's dreams: performing with various troupes on various stages and appearing in the ensemble for NBC's "Annie Live!"

But this month, the 15-year-old who uses a wheelchair will get to dance on the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall.

She's one of nearly two dozen performers, solo acts and groups that will perform in this year's Garden of Dreams Talent Show. The event is sponsored by the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit that partners with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports to give kids from the tri-state area life-changing experiences.

The freshman at Clarkstown High School South lives with congenital muscular dystrophy. The disease impacts muscle strength and more. She uses a motorized wheelchair in daily life and incorporates it to great effect in her dance.

"I'm really able to convey a message through my movements," Roberts said. "My chair is an extension of my movements."

Though a seasoned performer, Roberts admits she's a bit star-struck by Radio City. "I've danced at Alvin Ailey, New York City Center, the Ziegfeld Ballroom," she said during a break in rehearsals. "This tops it all."

Three young people from the Hudson Valley, including Roberts, are appearing at Radio City. This year's show is called "Dreams Take Flight: Watch Us Soar!" and takes place at 7 p.m. April 19. Tickets are free.

Elmer Hernandez, 16, of Yonkers is also sponsored by Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley. The pianist, who is battling two rare bone cancers, Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma, will perform Beethoven's classic Für Elise combined with his own composition, "Drops of Sunlight."

Annabelle Park, 18, of West Nyack, is sponsored by Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, part of Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Park, who has suffered chronic abdominal pain her whole life, will sing and play piano, performing "She Used to be Mine," from the play "Waitress."

Park, who graduated from Clarkstown South last year, now attends Pace University in Manhattan, studying film.

Support showcased

The Garden of Dreams Foundation helps children facing illness or financial challenges and kids of uniformed personnel hurt or killed while serving their communities.

The foundation connects with other nonprofits to find young people who want to show off their talent. Nominations are made by local chapters of Make A Wish, which creates life-changing experiences for critically ill children; Covenant House, which helps children experiencing homelessness or trafficking; Boys & Girls Clubs; The Children's Village, which supports families and children at risk; Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla; and other metro area programs.

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Garden of Dreams' boards are stocked with leaders in business and entertainment. The talent show's creative director is Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC. Comedian Tracy Morgan, who was honored last year with the Foundation's Hero Award, is also on the board. Morgan survived catastrophic injuries after a 2014 bus crash.

"They are the nicest people," said Roberts, who admits to being nervous performing in front of celebrities. Various actors, dancers, singers and rappers show up to rehearsals to help out. A couple Rockettes are always in the audience or on stage, cheering on the performers and offering tips.

Roberts recalled the first time she met Morgan, which was her first time rehearsing on the Radio City stage.

"He told me: 'We hear you, we see you, and we're right there with you,' " Roberts recalled as Morgan's message to her as she prepared to perform.

"I did it," Roberts said, "but man it was hard."

The feedback? Roberts recalls Morgan telling her: "Such pure expression! I love this!"

'Let us show what we've got'

While dancing has long been Roberts' passion, she's not sure yet what she'd like to pursue post high school.

She's also invested in public policy advocacy. On Feb. 28, Roberts lobbied on Capitol Hill with the EveryLife Foundation, talking to congressional representatives about the importance of investing in research and healthcare to treat and cure rare diseases.

Her dance, in many ways, is part of that advocacy.

"There's so many misconceptions about disabled people," Roberts said. "Disability doesn't take away any talent ... just give us a chance and let us show what we've got."

During a recent rehearsal at Radio City, Roberts took centerstage. Dancing to "Rescue," by Lauren Daigle, Roberts starts her performance with subtle hand movements and facial expressions.

The other performers watch from the audience, everyone quietly attentive through each performance. As Roberts' performance continues, several lean forward to capture every detail.

As the song builds, Roberts incorporates movements with her wheelchair, sweeping across the stage in synchronicity with the music and then ending with a reflection of the song's denouement.

As the song ends, she lifts her chair upward. The audience claps and cheers.

Nancy Cutler writes about People & Policy. Follow her on Twitter at @nancyrockland.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Teen dancer and her wheelchair to perform at Radio City