Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) and the League of Dreams (LoD) are proud to announce the expansion of their annual ADAPTIdance® program, an adaptive dance program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages 5 - 22. Registration is now open for both the 2024 and 2025 newly expanded programs which will feature a paid and free series of classes that culminate in a final performance at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater.
Since 2017, ADAPTidance has operated as a 6-week program that ended with 3 small performances during an annual KDA showcase event that shared the stage with other community performers. Due to an outpouring of support from the ADAPTIdance families and a request to expand the program, the organizations are proud to announce the debut of the newly expanded program that will offer classes in ballet, modern, and hip hop. Additionally, the new program will host their very own dedicated ADAPTidance recital celebrating the accomplishments of the ADAPTidancers after several months of classes.
To heighten the excitement, the new ADAPTidance program has received funding from the CARE Foundation, Arts Council of Kern County, and Kern Family Health Care to cover the purchase of recital costumes for every ADAPTidancer, a fee that can often cost more than $100 per student.
The fall 2024 tuition-based ADAPTidance program will run on Saturdays, September 21 - December 14 with three classes offered from 9:30 - 12:45.
The 2025 winter program will be offered for free and will run on Saturdays, January 11 - February 22 with three classes running from 9:30 - 1:30.
Both the fall and winter classes 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 23, 2025.
“We’ve heard our ADAPTIdance families loud and clear, they want MORE DANCE and are willing to support a tuition-based program so that those who have served as dedicated volunteers for the past seven years will receive a stipend to honor the time they will give to grow the expansion of the program.” Kayla Nelson, LoD Executive Director
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 expansion of the program. As veteran ADAPTIdance volunteers for several years, both Steele and Jones have earned the trust of not only the ADAPTIdancers, but also their families, by consistently volunteering for the program that hosts 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 technically trained dancers and “angels” to assist with the 2024/2025 ADAPTIdance® program.
Technically Trained Dancers: ADAPTIdance technically trained dancers have at least 3 years of formal dance training in techniques such as ballet, jazz, and hip hop. Technically trained dancers assist in teaching dance technique in the classroom and on stage.
Angels: ADAPTIdance Angels are movers, but do not necessarily have dance training. Angels assist ADAPTIdancers in and out of the classroom while also ensuring their safety and promoting their joy.
Technically trained dancers and angels 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 February 23, 2025.The deadline to apply to become a volunteer for the 2024 fall program is September 13 and the deadline for the 2025 program is January 6.
“The opportunity to become an ADAPTIdance volunteer is tremendous! Not only are trained dancers invited to share in this community service opportunity, but so are members of the community who want to lend their time to helping others. We know that our community LOVES to give back and ADAPTidance is the perfect chance to not only give back, but to also boost a resume or college admissions applications.” - Andrea Hansen, KDA Executive Director
The 2024/25 ADAPTIdance program is supported in part by Kern Dance Alliance, League of Dreams, the Arts Council of Kern County, CARE Foundation, Kern Family Health Care, and North of the River.