ADAPTIdance®: DANCE + DISABILITY is Kern County’s ONLY curriculum-based adaptive dance program with the League of Dreams that culminates in a final performance at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater!
Serving people with disabilities, ages 5-22, ADAPTIdance is produced in collaboration with the League of Dreams (LoD), a nonprofit adaptive sports league. LoD participants have physical or developmental diagnosis like, but not limited to Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Spina Bifida, that prevent them from participating in traditional sports or dance programs.
ADAPTIdance participants learn inclusive and creative dances that are accessible and adaptable for movers with and without disabilities.
ADAPTIdance is taught by dance educators, who have been trained by AXIS Dance Company, one of the nation’s most acclaimed performance ensembles of disabled and non-disabled dancers.
ADAPTIdance also features an opportunity for Kern County community members to volunteer their time in support of making ADAPTIdance a successful experience for all participants involved!
Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) and the League of Dreams (LoD) are proud to announce the expansion of their annual ADAPTIdance® program, an adaptive dance program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 5 – 22. Registration is now open for both the 2024 and 2025 newly expanded programs which will feature a paid and free series of classes that culminates in a final performance at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater.
Since 2017, ADAPTidance has operated as a 6-week program that ended with 3 small performances during an annual KDA showcase event that shared the stage with other community performers. Due to an outpouring of support from the ADAPTIdance families and a request to expand the program, the organizations are proud to announce the debut of the newly expanded program that will offer classes in ballet, modern, and hip hop. Additionally, the new program will host their very own dedicated ADAPTidance recital celebrating the accomplishments of the ADAPTidancers after several months of classes.
To heighten the excitement, the new ADAPTidance program has received funding from the CARE Foundation, Arts Council of Kern County, and Kern Family Health Care to cover the purchase of recital costumes for every ADAPTidancer, a fee that can often cost more than $100 per student.
Additionally, ADAPTIdance is seeking volunteers to ensure the program’s success. The program is currently accepting applications from technically trained dancers and “angels” to assist with the 2024/2025 ADAPTIdance® program.
– Technically Trained Dancers: ADAPTIdance technically trained dancers have at least 3 years of formal dance training in techniques such as ballet, jazz, and hip hop. Technically trained dancers assist in teaching dance technique in the classroom and on stage.
– Angels: ADAPTIdance Angels are movers, but do not necessarily have dance training. Angels assist ADAPTIdancers in and out of the classroom while also ensuring their safety and promoting their joy.
The 2024/25 ADAPTIdance program is supported in part by Kern Dance Alliance, League of Dreams, the Arts Council of Kern County, CARE Foundation, Kern Family Health Care, and North of the River.
To read the full announcement please CLICK HERE or the button below to access our press release!
The fall 2024 program is a 12-week tuition-based program offering classes in ballet, jazz, and hop hop. ADAPTIdancers will enroll in the program via the League of Dreams website. Both the fall and winter classes will take place in the Fruitvale Norris Multipurpose Room via a partnership with North of the River and all ADAPTIdancers will perform in the dance recital at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater on February 23, 2025.
2024 PROGRAM DATES:
– 2024 PROGRAM REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 13, 2024
– 2024 PROGRAM: Saturdays, September 21 – December 14, 2024
– FINAL PERFORMANCE: February 23, 2025
2024 PROGRAM DANCE CLASS TIMES:
– CLASS #1 – 9:30-10:30 – Participants w/ Assistive Devices
– CLASS #2 – 10:45-11:45 – Younger Participants
– CLASS #3 – 11:45-12:45 – Older Participants
PROGRAM DANCE CLASS SCHEDULE:
– BALLET: September 21 – October 12
– JAZZ: October 19 – November 9
– HIP HOP: November 16 – December 14
– CHOREOGRAPHY RECAP*: February 8,15, 2025
*ADAPTIdance program will break for Thanksgiving (November 24-30) and Christmas (December 21-January 4).
*Students enrolled in tuition-based program are not required to attend choreography recap classes until the final two weeks of the program (February 8 and February 15)
PROGRAM LOCATION:
Fruitvale Norris Multipurpose Room
6221 Norris Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93308
TUITION-BASED PROGRAM FEES**:
– 1 Month @ 1 Class Per Month – $75*
– 2 Month Bundle @ 1 Class Per Month – $150*
– 3 Month Bundle @ 1 Class Per Month – $225*
*Includes two weeks of choreography classes – February 8 and 15, 2025
**Financial assistance is available
The winter 2025 program is a FREE 6-week tuition-based program. ADAPTIdancers will enroll in the program via the League of Dreams website. Both the fall and winter classes will take place in the Fruitvale Norris Multipurpose Room via a partnership with North of the River and all ADAPTIdancers will perform in the dance recital at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater on February 23, 2025.
2025 PROGRAM DATES:
– 2025 PROGRAM REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 6, 2025
– Saturdays, January 11 – February 22, 2025
2025 PROGRAM DANCE CLASS TIMES:
– CLASS #1 – 9:30-10:30 – Participants w/ Assistive Devices
– CLASS #2 – 11:00-12:00 – Younger Participants
– CLASS #3 – 12:30-1:30 – Older Participants
PROGRAM LOCATION:
Fruitvale Norris Multipurpose Room
6221 Norris Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93308
ADAPTIdancers enrolled in both the fall 2024 and winter 2025 program will perform in the final ADAPTIdance performance at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater on Sunday, February 23, 2025.
ADAPTidance is grateful to have received funding from the CARE Foundation, Arts Council of Kern County, and Kern Family Health Care to cover the purchase of recital costumes for every ADAPTidancer, a fee that can often cost more than $100 per student.
More details regarding the ADAPTIdance final performance will be released in early 2025.
To register for the ADAPTIdance program, please visit the League of Dreams website HERE or click the button below. New dancers must provide a diagnosis confirmation or first page of an IEP and be between the ages of 5 and 22. A $25 registration fee will accompany all ADAPTIdance registrations.
For more information please call 661-616-9122.
Do you have a heart for working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Kern Dance Alliance and the League of Dreams are seeking technically trained dancers and angel volunteers to assist with the 2024/2025 ADAPTIdance® program. Click below to learn more!
2024 ADAPTIdance Volunteer Application Deadline: September 13, 2024
2025 ADAPTIdance Volunteer Application Deadline: January 6, 2025
1. Technically Trained Dancers:
ADAPTIdance Technically Trained Dancers have at least 3 years of formal dance training in techniques such as ballet, jazz, and hip hop. Technically Trained Dancers assist in teaching dance technique in the classroom and on stage.
2. Angels:
ADAPTIdance Angels are movers, but do not necessarily have dance training. Angels assist ADAPTIdancers in and out of the classroom while also ensuring their safety and promoting their joy.
Technically trained dancers and angels support the ADAPTIdance staff and participants, assist with dance classes and choreography, program assessments, and will perform in the ADAPTIdance performance at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater on February 23, 2025
– ADAPTIdance volunteers are expected to be available for the full or partial duration of the 2024/2025 ADAPTIdance program. Applicants are able to indicate their program availability via the online application.
– ADAPTIdance volunteers will attend a volunteer training session at the Fruitvale Norris Multipurpose Room on the dates indicated below.
– ADAPTIdance volunteers are passionate about serving their community.
– ADAPTIdance volunteers possess a willingness to be used where most needed.
– ADAPTIdance volunteers possess excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
– ADAPTIdance volunteers have a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and are team-players.
– Community service hours and letters of recommendation are available to all volunteers.
– Featured in the final ADAPTIdance performance at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater.
– Featured on the ADAPTIdance website as a volunteer.
– Featured on ADAPTIdance social media as a volunteer.
– Opportunity to participate in ADAPTIdance press on local news/radio outlets.
– Opportunity to give back to the Kern County community.
PROGRAM DATES:
– 2024 PROGRAM: Saturdays, September 21 – December 14, 2024
– 2024 VOLUNTEER TRAINING: Saturday, September 14th at 5:30 PM
– 2025 PROGRAM: Saturdays, January 11 – February 22, 2025
– 2025 VOLUNTEER TRAINING: Friday, January 10 at 5:30 PM
– FINAL PERFORMANCE: February 23, 2025
2024 PROGRAM DANCE CLASS TIMES:
– CLASS #1 – 9:30-10:30 – Participants w/ Assistive Devices
– CLASS #2 – 10:45-11:45 – Younger Participants
– CLASS #3 – 11:45-12:45 – Older Participants
2025 PROGRAM DANCE CLASS TIMES:
– CLASS #1 – 9:30-10:30 – Participants w/ Assistive Devices
– CLASS #2 – 11:00-12:00 – Younger Participants
– CLASS #3 – 12:30-1:30 – Older Participants
To apply, submit a completed online application form cover, letter, resume, and one letter of recommendation HERE or click the button below!
ADAPTIdance is taught by educators who have been trained by AXIS Dance Company, one of the nation’s most acclaimed performance ensembles of disabled and non-disabled dancers. ADAPTidance Program Director, Myka Steele, and Program Coordinator, Romy Jones, will spearhead the expansion of the program. As veteran ADAPTIdance volunteers for several years, both Steele and Jones have earned the trust of not only the ADAPTIdancers, but also their families, by consistently volunteering for the program that hosts a forum for physical activity that is a model for kids of all abilities to collaborate as equals while educating about disability, collaboration, and inclusion through the medium of dance.
Myka Steele is an accomplished dancer who competitively danced for 11 years with Dancers Turnout Academy. Myka earned her Associate of Arts in Education from Bakersfield College and a Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Studies from CSU, Bakersfield. She is completing the CSUB credential program and is on track to acquire a masters degree in Special Education. Currently, Myka is a Junior High Special Education Teacher. As the dedicated Program Director to the KDA program, ADAPTIdance: DANCE + DISABILITY, Myka has been inspired to be a champion for people with special needs and continues to serve her community with joy.
Romy Jones has trained at Dancers Turnout Academy where she danced competitively for 12 years. She is a student at Grand Canyon University where she is studying to receive her B.A. in Elementary Education with her credential in Special Education and General Education. Currently, Romy works as a Behavior Intervention Assistant at an elementary school in Bakersfield. This year, Romy will assume the Program Coordinator position for the ADAPTidance: DANCE + DISABILITY program under the guidance of ADAPTIdance Program Director, Myka Steele. Romy is proud to lend her time to KDA to ensure every child has a chance to dance.
ADAPTidance provides access to dance training for all students regardless of disability, income level, or prior dance experience. The program hosts a forum for physical activity that is a model for kids of all abilities to collaborate as equals and educates about disability, collaboration, and inclusion through the medium of dance. Additionally, ADAPTIdance provides dancers and dance educators with a chance to give back their community in a unique way.
KDA seeks to make dance more accessible to greater populations. As an organizational goal of KDA, ADAPTIdance is offered to a population not often associated with dance. People with disabilities, particularly in Kern County, often do not have the chance to participate in regular and on-going dance classes. ADAPTIdance makes dance classes available with the assistance of LoD.
~ To provide access to creative movement and dance training for all students regardless of disability, income level, or prior dance experience
~ To provide a forum for physical activity that is a model for kids of all abilities to collaborate as equals while developing skills in cooperation and a respect for self and others;
~ To educate about disability, collaboration, and inclusion through the medium of dance and the presentation of positive role models and images of people with disabilities;
~ To provide Kern County dancers and dance educators the opportunity to give back to their community by participating in a dance program geared towards populations with disabilities
You can help give children with disabilities the chance to dance by donating to ADAPTIdance:
- $15 affords one participant an ADAPTIdance t-shirt
- $50 affords snacks and water for one ADAPTIdance session
- $150 affords three ADAPTIdance costumes
- $500 affords ADAPTIdance supplies
