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Kda ndd 2023 previews 09162023

KDA is excited to announce the return of National Dance Day 2026 on Saturday, September 19, at the Dignity Health Theater in downtown Bakersfield.

Join us for a full day of dance featuring classes for all ages and experience levels taught by talented local instructors and professional guest artists. The celebration will also include a community marketplace, and opportunities to connect with dancers from across California’s Central Valley. Teacher applications open soon!

ABOUT NATIONAL DANCE DAY

Established in 2010 by American Dance Movement co-founder, Nigel Lythgoe, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, National Dance Day is an annual celebration dedicated to dance, that encourages Americans of all ages to incorporate dance into their lives. By creating a focused day of celebration to show support for dance as a valuable form of exercise and of artistic expression, American Dance Movement aims to educate the public about dance and its many benefits, as well as make dance accessible and inclusive to everyone.

American Dance Movement (ADM) believes that participation in dance connects the mind and body, promotes health and wellbeing, connects us with others and enables us to find joy through dance and movement. National Dance Day (NDD) is a day of celebrating dance, in all its forms, and takes place annually on the third Saturday in September.

Accessible to everyone at every ability level, National Dance Day provides:

~ An instructional video, made available online, for people to view, learn and share with others wherever they are.

~ American Dance Movement Co-Hosted events in two key cities, providing free dance classes and performances for all ages and skills levels, with information from a range of community dance organizations

~ Nation-wide Event Registration that encourages and supports individuals & communities, as they celebrate NDD

~ Strong online presence, allowing everyone to participate, no matter where they are across America

Courtesy of the American Dance Movement.

Kda ndd 2023 previews 09162023
Kda ndd 2023 previews 09162023
Kda ndd 2023 previews 09162023

ABOUT KDA

KDA is a nonprofit arts advocacy organization dedicated to supporting, strengthening, and advancing dance and the arts throughout Kern County and California’s Central Valley.

For more than a decade, KDA has connected communities through innovative arts education, performances, advocacy, and grantmaking. In 2025, KDA was named the Outstanding Dance Education Organization of the Year by the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) in recognition of its leadership and commitment to making dance accessible for everyone.

Today, KDA has served more than 200,000 community members, created over 3,500 jobs and invested over $6 million into arts initiatives throughout California’s Central Valley.

For more information visit kerndance.org/danceday

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Jen Thompson

Vice President | Board Member

Jennifer Thompson is a proud Bakersfield native who fell in love with dance before she even started school. She grew up training under the guidance of renowned local instructor Georgia Peck, laying the foundation for a lifelong passion for movement and expression. Jennifer pursed her academic education with equal enthusiasm, earning both her BA and MA in English from National University. For over 20 years, she has worked as an English teacher with the Kern High School District, where ahe has inspired generations of students with her love of literature and language. Recently, she has decided to begin a new chapter-transitioning from teaching English to teaching dance. She is thrilled to channel her passion into helping build and strengthen the fine arts program, where she can continue to inspire students through the transformative power of the arts. In addition to her work in education, Jennifer has proudly served as a board member with Kern Dance Alliance for the past four years. She loves the opportunity to bring dance to her community, spreading joy and encouraging creative expression in people of all ages. Outside of the classroom and studio, Jennifer has raised two grown children who are now pursuing their own passions-a journey that continues to inspire her both personally and professionally. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, diving into a good book, and-of course-continuing to take dance classes herself.

Marcie Hronis

President | Board Member

Marcie Hronis is a distinguished author, dedicated arts advocate, accomplished business proprietor, and renowned interview specialist who resides in the vibrant community of Bakersfield, California.

With a dance career spanning nearly two decades, Marcie honed her craft through rigorous classical ballet training under the esteemed Royal Academy of Dance, achieving the pinnacle of her dance education with a distinction in the Advanced II examination. Marcie’s artistic journey included a passion for modern dance, where her formative training was shaped by the profound influences of Lester Horton and Martha Graham.

As the proprietor of Marcie Hronis Communications, she has garnered accolades and recognition as an award-winning interview coach, serving a diverse clientele across the nation.

Marcie is a published author, having penned the highly acclaimed vegan cookbook titled “Believe it or Not” available worldwide on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Wal-Mart.

Furthermore, Marcie has assumed the esteemed position of President of Kern Dance Alliance, stepping into this role in 2023 following the legacy of Andrea Hansen. Her enduring commitment to the organization is exemplified by her role as a founding board member. Additionally, she has played a pivotal role as one of the co-creators of ADAPTIdance: DANCE + DISABILITY, Kern County’s exclusive adaptive dance program in collaboration with the League of Dreams.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Marcie shares her life with her husband, Demetri, and together, they are parents to two children. Both of their children are engaged in pursuits ranging from classical dance, singing, and piano, to the expressive world of painting.