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KERN DANCE ALLIANCE AWARDED NATIONAL HONORS

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Ndeo award

KERN DANCE ALLIANCE AWARDED NATIONAL HONORS

Kern Dance Alliance (KDA), a leading nonprofit arts advocacy organization in California’s Central Valley, has been selected to receive the 2025 Outstanding Dance Education Organization Award from the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). The award will be presented during NDEO’s virtual awards ceremony on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET, recognizing KDA’s exceptional contributions to dance education and community impact. In addition to the award presentation, KDA will participate as panelists in the “Empowering Excellence in Dance Education” session at NDEO’s National Conference in Detroit, MI, on October 4, 2025.

The NDEO Outstanding Dance Education Organization Award honors non-profit or private sector organizations established for at least five years that have made unique and impactful contributions to their communities through creative and scholarly efforts in dance education. KDA, founded in 2015, stood out for its innovative programs that integrate dance with education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, serving nearly 200,000 individuals and investing $5 million dollars across Kern County and the Southern San Joaquin Valley.

Hailed as one of the most prestigious honors in the arts sector, this award shines a national spotlight on California’s Central Valley, an often-overlooked and underserved region where the arts are not as prevalent.  By elevating KDA’s work, it underscores how arts organizations in underrepresented areas can drive economic prosperity, attract talent, boost community resilience, and inspire greater investment and vibrancy.

“KDA is deeply honored to receive this national recognition from NDEO, which validates our decade-long mission to make dance accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability, or background,” said Andrea Hansen, Executive Director of Kern Dance Alliance. “This award celebrates not just our team of dedicated volunteers, but the entire community we’ve empowered through programs that foster creativity, wellness, and opportunity. We’re excited to continue building on this momentum as we mark our 10th anniversary.”

Over the past 10 years, KDA has achieved numerous milestones, including advocating for key legislation like California Senate Bill 916 and Proposition 28 to secure dance’s place in public school curricula. In 2025, KDA played a pivotal role in the approval of the single-subject dance teaching credential at California State University, Bakersfield, the first in the Central Valley. As home to the region’s only National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) secondary chapter, KDA promotes artistic excellence and leadership among youth.

KDA’s pioneering programs address systemic inequities and promote holistic development:

  • SHINE: DANCE + MATH = SUCCESS boosts girls’ math proficiency and confidence in STEAM fields.
  • Books in Motion: DANCE + LITERACY has engaged over 20,000 children since 2016, distributing nearly 15,000 free books to combat illiteracy in at-risk communities.
  • ADAPTIdance: DANCE + DISABILITY offers adaptive classes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, culminating in performances like “Defying Gravity” at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater.
  • MemoryMOVES: DANCE + THERAPY supports Alzheimer’s patients and those with dementia through therapeutic movement.
  • KDA Creative Corps, a $4.2 million initiative funded by the California Arts Council, created 3,000 arts jobs and regranted funds to underserved areas, amplifying social and economic empowerment.

KDA’s all-volunteer model has raised $5 million since inception for scholarships, professional development, and free access for artists to theater venues via programs like OPEN STAGE.

The organization has hosted international artists from renowned companies such as American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, Giordano Dance Chicago, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, inspiring local dancers and proving professional careers in dance are attainable. Community events like National Dance Day and Taste of Dance celebrate cultural diversity, while initiatives like Paso a Paso empower Latina high school girls with life skills.

The community is invited to attend the virtual awards ceremony on Friday, September 26 at 7:00 EST/4:00 PST by RSVP’ing for the event via the link below.

RSVP Link: National Honors Award Ceremony  or https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TTZGIY08SvCaRliI_KAsUw#/registration 


Link: KDA AWARDED NATIONAL HONORS PRESS KIT

About Kern Dance Alliance (KDA)

KDA is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 to promote dance and the arts in Kern County and California’s Central Valleys. Through inclusive programs, advocacy, and grantmaking, KDA addresses education gaps, health disparities, and economic inequities, fostering wellness, creativity, and community vitality for all residents.

For more information about Kern Dance Alliance and its programs, visit kerndance.org or kdacreativecorps.org.

Follow KDA on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube — @kerndance

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Italian Heritage Farmhouse Dedication Celebration

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Italian Heritage Farmhouse Dedication Celebration

Celebrating the contributions of Kern County Italians throughout the decades, the Kern Dance Alliance is pleased to partner with the Kern County Museum and the Italian Heritage Dante Association by presenting Taste of Dance – Italy,  a community event that coincides with the opening of the highly anticipated Italian Heritage Farmhouse at the Kern County Museum on Sunday, September 28 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

Nestled within the celebration of the opening of the museum’s Italian Heritage Farmhouse, Taste of Dance – Italy will feature traditional Italian folk dance performances performed by the Gypsy Folk Ensemble as well as Italian folk dance lessons where the community will learn the “tarantella”. Additionally, the event will feature Italian “tastes” provided by Reverb Coffee, GhilaDolci Bakery, Vecchio’s Pizzeria & Gelateria, and Sweet Surrender.

“The Italian Heritage Dante Association proudly honors the Italian pioneers who helped shape the Central Valley’s agricultural infrastructure . Through the Italian Heritage Farmhouse at the Kern County Museum, we celebrate our culture and share it with future generations.” – Kelli Limi, Italian Heritage Dante Association

“We are so happy Pioneer Village’s newest exhibit honors our Italian pioneers. Their work ethic is legendary and their contributions in agriculture, law, business and education put our county on the map.” – Mike McCoy, Kern County Museum

Taste of Dance was originally created as a pilot program by KDA Board Member, Noor El Kereamy, in 2023.  Due to the success of the program, KDA has been awarded several grants to continue hosting the project.  With support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Arts Council of Kern, Taste of Dance – Italy will kick off the first of four cultures featured throughout 2025 and 2024.  October will feature Taste of Dance – Philippines and 2026 programs will feature Basque and Sikh communities.

Taste of Dance seeks not only to entertain but to educate and foster a sense of community through performing and culinary arts. This event promises a vibrant atmosphere filled with rhythmic beats, wonderful tastes, and a shared community spirit. Taste of Dance is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of the cultures that enrich our community.

EVENT DETAILS:

TIME: Sunday, September 28, 2025, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

LOCATION: Kern County Museum 

PERFORMANCE + DANCE CLASS SCHEDULE:

1:00 Event Begins

1:30 Ribbon Cutting of the Italian Heritage Farmhouse

1:45 Italian Folk Dance Performance #1

2:30 Tarantella Dance Lesson 

3:45 Italian Folk Dance Performance #2

FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://kerndance.org/tod/ or email info@kerndance.org

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ADAPTIVE DANCE PROGRAM ANNOUNCES 2025/2026 SEASON

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ADAPTIVE DANCE PROGRAM ANNOUNCES 2025/2026 SEASON

BAKERSFIELD, CA.- August 18, 2025 – Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) and the League of Dreams (LoD) are proud to announce their annual ADAPTIdance® program, an adaptive dance program for people with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities, ages 5 – 22, is back! Registration is now open for the program that culminates in a final performance at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater in the winter of 2026.

ADAPTidance will run on Saturdays, October 4th, 2025 – January 31st 2026 with three classes in three different dance styles offered based upon age and ability beginning at 9:30 am.  ADAPTidance 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 1st, 2026.

ADAPTIdancers have the opportunity to train in ballet, jazz, and hip hop dance styles over the course of the program. Lessons are $75/per month and students can participate in all 4 months of the program. ADAPTIdancers received an official uniform shirt and final performance costumes/dance apparel are sponsored by the program.

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 program. As veteran ADAPTIdance educators, Ms. Steele and Ms. Jones have curated 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.

Additionally, ADAPTIdance is seeking volunteers to ensure the program’s success. The program is currently accepting applications from trained dancers to assist with the 2025/2026 ADAPTIdance® program. 

 

  • ADAPTIdance Dance Interns are technically trained dancers who have at least 3 years of formal dance training in techniques such as ballet, jazz, and hip hop. Dance Interns assist in teaching dance technique in the classroom and guiding the ADAPTIdancers on stage.

     

The deadline to apply to become a Dance Intern is September 26, 2025. 


The 2025/26 ADAPTIdance program is supported in part by Kern Dance Alliance, League of Dreams, Kern Family Health Care, North of the River, Cynthia Lake Charitable Trust, Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, Performers Closet, Bakersfield West Rotary, CARE Foundation, and the Friends of Mercy Foundation.

 

REGISTER for ADAPTIdance: https://ourleagueofdreams.com/index.php

APPLY TO BECOME AN ADAPTIDANCE DANCE INTERN: www.kerndance.org/ADAPTIdance

FOR DIGITAL MEDIA RESOURCE: ADAPTIdance PRESS KIT

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

 

https://kerndance.org/ADAPTIdance / info@kerndance.org 

https://ourleagueofdreams.com/index.php / info@ourleagueofdreams.com

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CSUB and Kern Dance Alliance Launch Innovative Dance Education Credential Program to Empower Future Educators in California’s Central Valley

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CSUB and Kern Dance Alliance Launch Innovative Dance Education Credential Program to Empower Future Educators in California's Central Valley

Kern Dance Alliance and California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) are proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking dance education credential program at CSUB, designed to cultivate the next generation of dance educators in California’s Central Valley.

This new initiative provides aspiring educators with access to a California single-subject teaching credential in dance, addressing a critical need for qualified dance professionals in elementary and high schools. As one of only a few such programs offered in the state, this milestone represents a significant advancement in arts education, enabling passionate individuals to pursue rewarding careers that combine their love for dance with the opportunity to inspire young minds.

“We are thrilled to partner with CSUB to bring this vital program to our region,” said Andrea Hansen, Executive Director of Kern Dance Alliance. “By equipping educators with the tools and credentials they need, we’re not only shaping the future of dance education but also ensuring that the arts remain a vibrant part of our community’s schools and our overall creative economy.”

“As a teacher education department, we are thrilled to be bringing this credential to Kern County. Students who feel a sense of belonging through extra-curricular activities are more successful in school and this is a critical and important way for our students to participate in their school communities. We look forward to seeing this bedrock of culture become a part of our credential program.” – Dr. Alice Hays, CSUB Teacher Education Department Chair

The program is particularly timely, supported by California’s Proposition 28, which allocates funding to expand arts education in public schools. This credential will empower participants to secure paid positions in the arts, fostering educational attainment and professional growth for those dedicated to dance.

Enrollment is currently open for the fall 2025 dance credential program. Interested individuals can learn more about the dynamic program by visiting csub.edu/DANCE.

For additional details on how Proposition 28 is bolstering this effort, explore kerndance.org/PROP28.

Link: CSUB DANCE CREDENTIAL PRESS KIT

About California State University, Bakersfield
CSUB is Kern County’s premier university, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students for success in their careers and communities. With a commitment to excellence in education, CSUB serves as a hub for innovation and cultural enrichment in the Central Valley.

About Kern Dance Alliance
Kern Dance Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing dance in Kern County through education, performance, and community engagement. By fostering partnerships and programs like the CSUB single subject dance credential program, KDA works to make dance accessible and impactful for all. 

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SHINE for Girls Applications – Student + Mentors NOW OPEN

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SHINE for Girls Applications - Student + Mentors NOW OPEN

📢 CALLING ALL 6th – 8th GRADE GIRLS + HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE WOMEN MENTORS ‼️ Join us for the next session of SHINE for Girls: DANCE + MATH = SUCCESS in BAKERSFIELD and LOST HILLS!

#KDA is SEEKING DANCING MATHEMATICIANS to participate and assist with our 2025 SHINE summer camps both in Bakersfield and Lost Hills! 💃💹

ABOUT SHINE:

SHINE for Girls: DANCE + MATH = SUCCESS is FREE innovative, curriculum- based program for middle school girls that uses kinesthetic learning by combining formal dance training with rigorous math instruction to improve girls’ math scores and spark their interest in STEM. The program covers national math standards from 6th-8th grade, while improving overall girls’ confidence and attitudes towards math.

👭 ABOUT SHINE GIRLS:

SHINE girls are 6th-8th grade girls interested in improving math scores, developing confidence, learning about STEM careers, and participating in a program that empowers women.

👥 ABOUT SHINE MENTORS:

SHINE mentors are local high school or college women who have qualified based on their math background, tutoring experience, dance experience, attitude and enthusiasm, and the results of a background check. The mentor training involves a customized certification system along with a half-day mentor training session.

👉 APPLY: kerndance.org/SHINE 

🗓️ PROGRAM DATES + LOCATION:

📍BAKERSFIELD
Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Dance Studio at Garces Memorial High School
Student & Mentor Application Deadline: Friday, July 11
Mentor Training: Thursday, July 17th

📍LOST HILLS
Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Yoga Studio at Wonderful College Prep Academy
Student & Mentor Application Deadline: Friday July 18
Mentor Training: Thursday, July 24th

Huge shoutout to our Bakersfield Sponsors: Garces Memorial High School and California Arts Council!👏
And our Lost Hills Sponsors: Wonderful Company, California Arts Council, and the Women’s and Girls Fund of Kern County!

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Call for MOVE Performers

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CALLING ALL PERFORMERS! 💃🏽🕺🏼

KDA Is seeking movers and dancers to light up the stage at KDA’s 10th anniversary gala, MOVE, on September 20, 2025 at the iconic Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater!

MOVE isn’t just a performance opportunity, it’s a once-in-a-decade celebration of the Central Valley’s vibrant arts and dance community! By joining us, you’ll inspire, connect, and leave a lasting legacy in a region of California bursting with creative spirit. 🤩

Why YOU Should Join the MOVEment:

👉 All Are Welcome: Performers of any age, skill level, or dance style—your passion is what matters!

👉 Star in the Spotlight: Feature in the electrifying MOVE opening act with custom costumes provided.

👉 Gain Exposure: Sh ine on KDA’s MOVE website, social media, press releases, and local news/radio.

👉 Build Community: Forge lifelong bonds with local artists dedicated to keeping the arts thriving in the Central Valley.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic moment! APPLY TODAY!

🗓️ APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 1

LEARN MORE + APPLY 🔗 kerndance.org/MOVE

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Nominate An Influential “MOVER” – Past + Present

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Kda move pre event movers call

NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS – nominate an impactful MOVER to be recognized at MOVE! 📢 🏆

KDA is marking a decade of service with our once-in-a-decade gala, MOVE, on September 20, 2025, at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater! Part of the event’s most special moments will be a chance to celebrate those who have moved our community since the inception of the Central Valleys many years ago. ��🌟

We’re honoring our communities’ most impactful dancers, dance educators, choreographers, etc.—past and present—who’ve kept the arts thriving in our community. 💃🏽🎁🕺🏼

You are invited to nominate your favorite mover or shaker today and help us spotlight their legacy!🎉

‼️ Nominate your favorite mover today!

🗓️ NOMINATION DEADLINE: August 20, 2025

LEARN MORE + NOMINATE 🔗 kerndance.org/MOVE

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KDA Celebrates 10 Years

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Since May 1, 2015, KDA has been championing the arts in California’s Central Valleys, impacting nearly 200,000 lives and raising $5 million to support artists and programs. Today, we are celebrating 10 YEARS! 🥳

From sparking learning through dance to aiding healthcare with creative therapies, we’ve proudly committed ourselves to making the arts more accessible by creating unique experiences meant to uplift our communities together! 🙌

We’ve used the arts to provide solutions that inspire our community, brought world-class talent to our stages, and earned recognition as a leader locally and nationally. 

We’ve also advanced the creative economy by advocating for fair pay for artists. The arts aren’t a luxury; they’re a cornerstone of the Central Valley’s economic vitality, driving innovation and growth. By centering culture as an essential asset, we’re building a future where creativity is valued in spirit and practice. ❤️🌟

But, we didn’t build this alone. KDA stands on the shoulders of trailblazers who laid the groundwork for the arts in our region – their legacy is the foundation of our work. Because of their efforts throughout the years, we proudly work alongside artists, advocates, and organizations continuing to weave a richer cultural tapestry. 🫶

Thank you to our board, donors, partners, artists, volunteers, media, consultants, leaders, and community—past and present—for weaving this vibrant tapestry with us. Together, we’ve built a legacy where voices are heard, stories are danced, and dreams soar. 

Here’s to 10 years of impact and many more of uplifting the Central Valley through the arts over the next decade. 🎈🎁

Help us celebrate 🔟 YEARS! 🥳

 

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Books in Motion Returns, Summer 2025

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Books in Motion Returns, Summer 2025

For the ninth consecutive year, Books in Motion®: DANCE + LITERACY, an award-nominated, evidence- based summer reading program that uses dance to promote literacy by focusing on Common Core Standards for Reading Literature returns to libraries across Kern County this summer. KDA, Kern County Library, and Kern County dance organizations will launch Books in Motion: DANCE + LITERACY with the goal of reducing summer slide by encouraging reading and promoting healthy living through movement and dance.

Families will be invited to visit Kern County library branches between July 7 – August 2, 2025 to watch dance performances based upon a children’s book. To further enhance learning, children will also learn a short dance that coincides with the book’s theme and create an accompanying craft to promote role playing.

The Books in Motion program is intentional about building home libraries and promoting daily reading adventures. Participating children can collect all of the books by visiting one of each of the performances to receive a FREE book at the completion of the show.

Books in Motion is geared for children in the early literacy stages (K-3rd grade) and is designed to tap into their imagination and encourage them to read. For some, reading is a concept that is too foreign to understand due to age and brain development. Books in Motion will bypass this intangible feeling by allowing children to see the magic of a book laid out with real characters coming to life. Children do not have to read the words – they can read the dancers’ movements to understand the story. By tapping into curiosity, children are motivated to explore literacy, which leads them back to the written words that brought the book to life.

Books in Motion has reached close to 15,000 children and has given away nearly 10,000 free books since 2016.

VISIT OUR BOOKS IN MOTION PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS
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An Artistic Discovery, Congressional Art Competition

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Calling all visual arts high school students living in Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties – you are invited to participate in the Artistic Discovery Congressional Art Competition. Submit your artwork for a chance to be showcased in Washington DC! Entries must be submitted by Friday, April 11.

For more information + competition guidelines: https://fong.house.gov/services/art-competition

 

VIEW INITIATIVE PAGE
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Dignity Health Announced as the Presenting Sponsor for MOVE, 10-Year Celebration

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We’re thrilled to announce Dignity Health as the Presenting Sponsor for our upcoming 10-year celebration, MOVE, on Saturday, September 20 at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater!

Thank you Dignity Health for your immense support that will help us keep California’s Central Valleys moving through the arts over the next decade – we are so grateful for YOU!  

Want to join our esteemed list of sponsors supporting Kern County’s event of the year?  There’s still time to become a sponsor and be part of this milestone event!

Visit kerndance.org/MOVE to become a sponsor TODAY!

💃🏽 ABOUT MOVE:

MOVE is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to experience world-class entertainment and divine cuisine by pulling back the curtain of the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater in a manner never seen before by the public. MOVE will illuminate your imagination and spark your love for the arts. Join us as we dine, drink, and dance the night away with renowned movers, leaders, and visionaries.

The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater
September 20, 2025

💸 Sponsorships NOW Available
🎟️ Tickets Available Soon