Congratulations to Aloha Entertainment by Polynesian Spice, the recipient of a $1,000 grant from KDA! This family-owned organization is dedicated to celebrating and preserving Polynesian culture through traditional songs, dances, and community engagement. They will use the grant to host a specialized workshop featuring a guest instructor who will teach traditional Polynesian drumming and dancing techniques. This hands-on experience will enrich the community’s understanding of these culturally significant art forms and continue their mission of cultural preservation. www.alohaentertainmentps.com 

Congratulations to April Orr, a Bakersfield-based personal trainer with over 10 years of experience working with Parkinson’s patients, for receiving a $1,000 grant from KDA! April will use the funds to launch an outdoor movement class for Parkinson’s patients, offering a refreshing change of environment to promote both physical and emotional well-being. By incorporating dance and social interaction in a park setting, “Movement in the Park” will help improve the quality of life for participants through engaging and therapeutic exercise.

Congratulations to Jerry Fierro’s folklorico ensemble, Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli, a community-based dance group founded in 1994, for winning a $1,000 grant from KDA! The funds will support their upcoming cultural showcase, highlighting the beauty and diversity of Mexican dance traditions. This event aims to increase cultural awareness and provide an inclusive space for community engagement, with plans to expand into a weekend-long workshop featuring professional dancers from Mexico. The grant will help ensure financial accessibility for participants and support the creation of new costumes, keeping the tradition alive for future generations.

Congratulations to Dance Fitness Academy & Healing Arts, founded by Veronica Hidalgo, for winning a $1,000 grant from KDA! Veronica’s organization provides workshops, classes, and social activities promoting joy and wellness in Kern County. The grant will support their mission of using dance as a form of therapy and healing, offering services to seniors, adults, and youth. With this funding, Dance Fitness Academy & Healing Arts will continue to make dance accessible to the community, fostering mental, physical, and emotional well-being. www.Academyofdfa.com 

Congratulations to the Dance Nation Booster Club for receiving a $1,000 grant from KDA! The Booster Club supports the Dance Nation Company Team by helping cover competition and performance-related expenses. This grant will go toward the convention fees for the team’s first competition of the season, allowing dancers to learn from industry experts and professional choreographers. With this support, the Dance Nation Company Team will proudly represent Bakersfield while continuing to grow and thrive in the competitive dance world.

Congratulations to D.A.T Krew Academy for receiving a $1,000 grant from KDA! D.A.T Krew, a non-profit founded in 2014, is dedicated to inspiring at-risk and underserved youth through the power of dance and expression. They will use the grant to support their upcoming “Day of Dance Workshop,” a community-focused event offering classes in hip-hop, majorette, Afrobeat, and freestyle dance. This workshop will provide participants with a positive, inclusive environment to learn new skills, improve their technique, and express themselves creatively. https://www.datkrewacademy.org/ 

We are thrilled to announce that J & M Dance Center has been awarded a $1,000 grant to support their dancers’ participation in the Disneyland Parade this April from KDA! Located in Tehachapi, J & M Dance Center has been inspiring young dancers for 17 years. This grant will help cover the expenses of costumes, shoes, and Disneyland tickets, making it possible for more dancers to join this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The dancers, ranging from ages 7-18, will spend months preparing for this unforgettable performance, and the financial assistance will help ensure that everyone can participate. http://jmdance.center

We are excited to announce that Jaiah and Jaleah Amos have been awarded a $1,000 grant from KDA to support their dance journey! These talented and passionate dancers from Kern County are currently enrolled in a pre-professional conservatory program at Mallory Academy of Dance and Arts in Bakersfield, California. The grant will help cover their training expenses, allowing them to continue honing their skills and pushing their boundaries in dance. Beyond the studio, Jaiah and Jaleah are dedicated to making a positive impact in their community through local events and volunteer work, fostering mental and physical well-being for youth.

We are thrilled to announce that McLaughlin Dance Collective, directed by Kristen McLaughlin, has been awarded a $1,000 grant from KDA! This funding will support the creation of a new dance piece, featuring  both professional and pre-professional dancers. The grant will cover rehearsal and performance costs, allowing the collective to showcase their talent at prestigious events such as Bravo! with Ballet California in Torrance, CA, and other statewide showcases. This project provides local dancers with opportunities to grow, perform, and represent Kern County on a larger stage.

 We are excited to announce that Valerie Anglen and the “Movement & Melody: A Dance on Canvas” project has been awarded a $1,000 grant from KDA! A grant will provide this innovative initiative, designed to merge dance, music, and visual art, will provide 10 young art students with a unique creative experience. The funding will be used to support the purchase of large canvases and art supplies, as well as to facilitate the dynamic art-making process where students paint with their feet while dancing to classical music. This project aims to foster creativity, build confidence, and offer a memorable, interdisciplinary art experience that connects students to their work and to each other.