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KDA Selected to Administer California Arts Council Individual Artists Fellowship Program for Central Valley & Eastern Sierra Counties 

April 24, 2026

KDA selected by California Arts Council to administer the Individual Artists Fellowship Program for Central Valley & Eastern Sierra Counties Unrestricted Fellowship Awards - Up to $50,000 - Available to Individual Artists KDA (Kern Dance Alliance), announced i ...

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KDA to Participate in Give Big Kern 2026 

April 18, 2026

KDA to Participate in Give Big Kern 2026  KDA is proud to announce its participation in Give Big Kern, the Kern Community Foundation’s 24-hour community-wide fundraising event on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.Give Big Kern brings together donors across Kern County for one powerful ...

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KDA Opens Performer Applications for 10th Anniversary of Books in Motion®: DANCE + LITERACY Program 

February 19, 2026

KDA Opens Performer Applications for 10th Anniversary of Books in Motion®: DANCE + LITERACY Program Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) is thrilled to announce the opening of performer applications for the 2026 season of Books in Motion®: DANCE + LITERACY, marking the program's 10th ...

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KDA Announces 2026 National Honors Society for Dance Arts Induction Program

February 11, 2026

KDA ANNOUNCES 2026 NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY FOR DANCE ARTS INDUCTION PROGRAM Kern Dance Alliance (KDA), an established Secondary Chapter of the National Honors Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA), is excited to provide access to this prestigious program for 9th–12th grade studen ...

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Community Invited to Experience Adaptive Dance Performance “UNSTOPPABLE”

January 15, 2026

COMMUNITY INVITED TO EXPERIENCE ADAPTIVE DANCE PERFORMANCE “UNSTOPPABLE” AT THE HISTORIC BAKERSFIELD FOX THEATER  Kern Dance Alliance and the League of Dreams proudly announce UNSTOPPABLE, the second annual fully produced performance for their ADAPTIdance® program ...

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KDA Launches “12 Days of Giving” Campaign to Celebrate the Spirit of Dance and 
Community

December 1, 2025

KDA Launches "12 Days of Giving" Campaign to Celebrate the Spirit of Kern Dance Alliance (KDA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting arts and dance education, performance, and accessibility in California’s Central Valley, is excited to announce the launch of it ...

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MemoryMOVES® Brings Holiday Joy & The Nutcracker to Bakersfield Residents Living with Memory Loss

November 25, 2025

MemoryMOVES® Brings Holiday Joy & The Nutcracker to Bakersfield Residents Living with Memory Loss KDA (Kern Dance Alliance) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County, Inc. (ADAKC) are proud to announce the return of the MemoryMOVESⓇ: DANCE + THERAPY progr ...

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Explore the Rhythms and Flavors of the Philippines: Kern Dance Alliance Presents Taste of Dance at 47th Annual Philippine Weekend 

October 16, 2025

Explore the Rhythms and Flavors of the Philippines: Kern Dance Alliance Presents Taste of Dance at 47th Annual Philippine Weekend Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) is thrilled to kick off the next installment of its Taste of Dance series with a vibrant celebration of Philippine cu ...

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Tiler Peck Returns to Hometown for Special Bakersfield Sneak Peek Screening of Documentary and Launch of New Book

October 7, 2025

Tiler Peck Returns to Hometown for Special Bakersfield Sneak Peek Screening of Documentary "Tiler Peck: Suspending Time" and Launch of New Book "XO Ballerina Big Sis"
 Kern Dance Alliance is proud to host internationally renowned ballet star and Bakersfield native Tiler P ...

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Kern Dance Alliance Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Internship Program 

October 1, 2025

Kern Dance Alliance Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Internship Program Kern Dance Alliance Now Accepting Applications for 2026 Internship Program Kern Dance Alliance (KDA), a leading non-profit arts agency dedicated to supporting and promoting dance and the ar ...

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KERN DANCE ALLIANCE
PO Box 12407
Bakersfield, CA 93389
P 661 491 5376
E info@kerndance.org

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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.