ADAPTIdance®: DANCE + DISABILITY is Kern County’s ONLY curriculum-based adaptive dance program with the League of Dreams. 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 is a 6-week program, offered in the fall at the KDA Dance Studio at Garces Memorial High School. ADAPTIdance participants learn inclusive and creative dances that are accessible and adaptable for movers with and without disabilities. Three different classes are offered on Saturdays based upon age, ability, and experience. At the culmination of the program, participants will experience what it is like to be a professional performer by participating in a technical/dress rehearsal and a final performance at The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater.
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 dancers to volunteers their time as interns in support of making ADAPTIdance a successful experience for all participants involved!
ADAPTIdance 2023 has been generously sponsored by Garces Memorial High School, Bakersfield West Rotary, Friends of Mercy Foundation, and the Arts Council of Kern County.
2023 PROGRAM DATES
Saturdays, September 30 – November 4, 2023
Final Performance at the Fox Theater: November 15, 2023
TIMES
10:00 – 11:00 Class #1 – Participants w/ Assistive Devices
11:00 – 12:00 Class #2 – Younger Participants
12:00 – 1:00 Class #3 – Older Participants
New dancers must provide a diagnosis confirmation or first page of an IEP and be between the ages of 5 and 22.
For more information please call 661-616-9122.
ADAPTIdance DANCE INTERNSHIP Application
Fall 2023
Deadline to Apply- September 20
Do you have a heart for working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
Kern Dance Alliance and the League of Dreams are seeking dance interns to assist with the 6-week ADAPTIdance program. Dance interns will 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 November 15, 2023.
ADAPTIdance dance interns are expected to have at least 3 years of formal dance training and experience in assisting dance classes. Community service hours and letters of recommendation are available to all dance interns.
Dance interns are expected to be available for the duration of the fall 2023 ADAPTIdance program.
All ADAPTIdance dance interns will attend an orientation and training session at the Dance Studio at Garces Memorial High School.
To apply, submit a completed application form (link below- all fields are required), cover letter, resume, and one letter of recommendation.
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
