CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF MOVING KERN COUNTY

Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) evolved from the Kern Classical Ballet Company (KCBC).  The KCBC, incorporated in 1996, was initiated to expand understanding and appreciation of ballet through education and performance outreach.   Primarily a performance-based nonprofit, KCBC operated for 10 years before disbanding the ballet company in 2006.  Between 2006 and 2012, KCBC operated as a scholarship organization, providing scholarships to dancers and educators to attend programs of study.

Recognizing that the needs of the Kern dance community had changed, in June 2012 the Board of Directors approved the motion to allow KCBC to change its name and mission. As a result, KCBC was amended with the California Secretary of State in January 2015 and officially became Kern Dance Alliance. KDA officially launched on May 1, 2015.

KDA is an autonomous organization that provides four pillars of resources related to the field of dance:

  • COMMUNITY ALLIANCE

  • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for TEACHERS

  • PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

  • SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS for STUDENTS & PROFESSIONALS

As an all-volunteer non-profit organization, KDA supports and promotes dance and the arts in California’s Central Valleys.  KDA uses dance to teach math and literacy, improve life with dementia, encourage respite from the difficult effects of cancer, aid with disabilities, inspire impoverished communities, and motivate dancers to dream big. KDA impacts Kern County by utilizing dance to encourage learning, healthy living, understanding, and tolerance. Through unique programs, KDA incites our community with passion, creativity, empowerment, and innovation.

KDA is proud to celebrate 10 years of MOVING Kern County, a landmark achievement that marks a decade of empowering artists, enriching communities, driving cultural innovation, and inspiring economic development through the arts. Since our founding in 2015, KDA has been a cornerstone of the arts and culture scene in Central California, championing artistic expression, fostering creativity, and working to make the arts accessible to all.

A DECADE OF SERVICE

Over the past ten years, KDA has played a critical role in promoting local artists, increasing access to arts education, supporting cultural programs, and driving economic development through the arts. Some of our major milestones include:

$4M in Grants

KDA has invested $4 million dollars in grants awarded to local artists and organizations, ensuring that creative voices continue to thrive in the community.

500+ Events

KDA has hosted over 500 major cultural events, programs, workshops, and performances that have attracted tens of thousands of attendees.

170K+ Served

KDA expanded arts education programs to serve over 170,000 people, ensuring that future generations have access to the transformative power of creativity.

650 Partners

KDA has collaborated with 650 local, state, and national businesses, community organizations, and educational institutions to strengthen the connection between the arts and the local economy.