Kern Dance Alliance

What Kern Dance Alliance does

Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) is a Bakersfield-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts agency founded in 2015 to support and promote dance across California's Central Valleys, primarily Kern County. The organization operates a portfolio of free or low-cost programs rather than a unified technology platform: Books in Motion (dance-literacy for K–3 students, 10-year trademarked program), SHINE (math+dance STEM program for middle school girls — the only West Coast branch), ADAPTIdance (adaptive dance for people with disabilities ages 5–22, co-produced with League of Dreams), MemoryMOVES (dance/movement therapy for memory-impaired clients at ADAKC), JUST DANCE ($10 adult pop-ups across partner studios), National Dance Day, Open Stage (free Fox Theater access), and NHSDA honors inductions.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit structure: revenue is dominated by charitable donations (Network for Good, Give Big Kern, 12 Days of Giving) and regrant/grant administration. The most material line item is the $4,223,447 California Creative Corps contract (2022), which is pass-through funding KDA administers on behalf of the California Arts Council across 14 Central Valley and Eastern Sierra counties; this is a regulatory franchise, not earned income for KDA's own programs. Operating programs are funded by foundation and corporate grants (Chevron, Robert Grimm Family Foundation, Valley Strong Credit Union, Kern Community Foundation) and modest participant fees. KDA is all-volunteer (no paid staff) with a board-led leadership model; reach scaled from 12,333 participants in 2019 to 23,129 in 2020 and exceeded 60,000 cumulatively through 2021.

Go-to-market is community-led and partnership-driven: distribution flows through Kern County Library branches, the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, ADAKC, local dance studios, and schools, with marketing concentrated on local TV (KGET, KBAK/23ABC), The Bakersfield Californian, and owned social channels. There is no proprietary technology stack; the "product" is programmatic content delivered through partner infrastructure, with brand value concentrated in two registered trademarks (Books in Motion®, MemoryMOVES®) and celebrity ties to NYC Ballet's Tiler Peck and ABT's Calvin Royal III.

Name

Kern Dance Alliance

Legal name

Kern Dance Alliance

Website

https://kerndance.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kern Dance Alliance is a Bakersfield, California 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts agency that delivers free and low-cost dance, literacy, STEM, and therapeutic programs to Kern County residents and administers California Arts Council regranting across 14 Central Valley counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Arts and Dance Education Services

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (61161), Dance Companies (71112)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Multi-Activity Enrichment Camps (Academic + Arts + Sports) (EDAMALAA)

Keywords

• Dance education programs
• Community arts services
• Nonprofit arts agency
• Youth dance literacy
• Adaptive dance programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bakersfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and charitable contributions: KDA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. It raises funds through direct donations (via Network for Good), Give Big Kern campaigns, 12 Days of Giving fundraising, and general donor cultivation. The organization states 'every dollar raised is spent directly on our programs and services.'
2. Program fees (minor): Some programs charge nominal fees: JUST DANCE adult pop-up classes at $10/class with 50% member discount; National Dance Day classes at $5/class. These fees are supplementary and not primary revenue.
3. California Creative Corps regranting administration: KDA was awarded $4,223,447 by the California Arts Council to administer the California Creative Corps program across 14 Central Valley and Eastern Sierra counties. This grant is used exclusively for regranting and administration; it does not fund KDA's existing programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts agency that delivers free and low-cost dance and arts programs to residents of California's Central Valleys, with a focus on Kern County. Its portfolio includes literacy-through-dance programming for K-3 children (Books in Motion), STEM-dance education for middle school girls (SHINE), adaptive dance for people with disabilities (ADAPTIdance), dance/movement therapy for memory-impaired clients (MemoryMOVES), adult pop-up dance classes (JUST DANCE), the National Dance Day celebration, and regranting administration for the California Creative Corps program across 14 Central Valley and Eastern Sierra counties.

Product overview

Kern Dance Alliance (KDA) is a nonprofit arts agency offering a diverse portfolio of dance and arts programs in California's Central Valleys, specifically Kern County. The organization provides community programs including Books in Motion (dance-literacy integration for K-3 students), SHINE for Girls (STEM+dance education for middle school girls), ADAPTIdance (adaptive dance for people with disabilities), MemoryMOVES (dance therapy for Alzheimer's/dementia patients), JUST DANCE (adult pop-up classes), National Dance Day celebrations, Open Stage (free Fox Theater access for artists), and NHSDA (honors society inductions). Additional offerings include KDA Creative Corps (regional arts administration), Grants & Scholarships, and Membership perks. The organization operates as a single unified nonprofit entity with multiple program modules rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MemoryMOVES: Dance + Therapy program for memory-impaired clients, partnering with Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County to utilize Dance/Movement Therapy.
• Books in Motion
• SHINE
• ADAPTIdance
• JUST DANCE
• KDA Creative Corps

Products and services

• Books in Motion: DANCE + LITERACY A free literacy program for children in grades K-3 that uses live dance performances based on beloved children's books, choreography lessons, and craft activities to encourage reading and align with Common Core Standards for Reading Literature. Distributed via 7+ Kern County Library branches with free book and craft kit giveaways.
• SHINE for Girls: MATH + DANCE = SUCCESS A free, curriculum-based after-school and summer program that combines formal dance training with math instruction for middle school girls in Kern County, aiming to improve math scores and spark interest in STEM fields. KDA operates the only SHINE branch in California and on the West Coast.
• ADAPTIdance: DANCE + DISABILITY An adaptive dance program for people with disabilities ages 5-22, produced in collaboration with the League of Dreams adaptive sports league. ADAPTIdance is Kern County's only adaptive dance program and culminates in performances at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater.
• MemoryMOVES: DANCE + THERAPY A dance/movement therapy program serving memory-impaired clients (patients with dementia and Alzheimer's) enrolled in the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County Day Program. Delivered in partnership with ADAKC at their Bakersfield facility to support socialization, cognitive function, and quality of life.
• JUST DANCE: Adult Pop-Up Dance Class Series An adult pop-up dance class series offering classes at $10 each at various dance studios across Kern County for adult learners at all skill levels, with 50% discount for KDA members. Features diverse dance styles taught by local instructors.
• National Dance Day An annual National Dance Day celebration featuring multiple dance classes, workshops, and seminars taught by local, national, and internationally renowned artists, hosted at venues such as Mechanics Bank Arena. The 2022 edition featured 34 classes at $5 each with 32 teaching artists and 813 tickets issued.
• Open Stage A free program providing Kern County dance artists access to the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater stage for performances, rehearsals, and filming, enabling local artists to use a landmark 1,500-seat community venue.
• National Honors Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) A Kern Dance Alliance Secondary Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts that inducts high school students who excel in artistry, leadership, and academic achievement into the USA's most prestigious honors society for dancers.
• Flash Dance A spontaneous pop-up dance program offered by Kern Dance Alliance providing unscheduled dance experiences to the Kern County community.
• Taste of Dance A program offering introductory dance experiences and exposure to various dance styles for the Kern County community.
• Dancing with the Angels An arts collaboration with Bakersfield Angels benefiting the foster care community, combining movement, music, and visual art to engage foster children and caregivers in Kern County.
• KDA Creative Corps A California Arts Council-funded program administered by KDA to promote community and civic engagement, spreading awareness about water and energy conservation, climate change, and emergency preparedness through the arts across 14 counties in the Central Valley and Eastern Sierra region. Issues Notices of Funding Opportunity and regrants funds to qualifying applicants.
• Dance Credential/CA Prop 28 A dance education credential program that creates pathways for dance instruction in California K-12 schools, supporting implementation of California Proposition 28 arts and music education funding.
• Grants and Scholarships Financial support programs offering community grants and scholarships for Kern County dance artists and organizations, including training scholarships to support professional development and creative projects.

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,129 community members served in 2020 (doubled from 12,333 in 2019)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County (ADAKC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022KDA partners with ADAKC to deliver MemoryMOVES: Dance + Therapy, a dance/movement therapy program for memory-impaired clients at ADAKC's day program facility in Bakersfield. The partnership has been ongoing since at least 2018.
• Fox Theater FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Fox Theater Foundation provides the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater as a free venue for Open Stage, ADAPTIdance final performances, Children's Dance Education Outreach, and Books in Motion filming. Foundation also sponsored the Children's Dance Education and Outreach Event.
• Bakersfield AngelscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022KDA partnered with Bakersfield Angels for Dancing with the Angels, an arts collaboration benefiting the foster care community through movement, music, and visual art (April 2022, 136 participants).
• Dance Camera WestcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Los Angeles-based production company contracted to film the 2021 Books in Motion performances at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, Kern County Museum, and The Padre Hotel. Directed by Kelly Hargraves, produced and edited by Amber Patee Adams.
• Tiler Peck (New York City Ballet)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Bakersfield native and New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck serves as a celebrity ambassador, reading her children's books at Books in Motion events, performing Swan Lake LIVE at the Historic Fox Theater (2021), and providing raffle prizes for National Dance Day.
• 23ABC (KBAK)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 202123ABC served as the broadcast partner for Swan Lake LIVE (streaming via OTT/APP and Facebook), provided media coverage for Books in Motion 2022 (PSA and artist spotlights), and is a National Dance Day sponsor.
• Calvin Royal III (American Ballet Theatre)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021ABT Principal Dancer Calvin Royal III participated in Books in Motion's Celebrity Reader Series (reading 'Boys Dance!'), served on the National Dance Day panel at the college conference, and was featured in Books in Motion promotional content.
• Cultivating Better TomorrowsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Woman and Minority-owned business partnered with KDA to deliver the 'Moving Forward: 6 Engaging Sessions for Unity' DEI series in January-February 2021, guided by Erica Lynette Edwards (former Joffrey Ballet ballerina). Funded by Chevron.
• Channel 23ABC / KBAKcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Broadcast partner for streaming Swan Lake LIVE in 2021. Provided streaming via OTT/APP and Facebook with significant viewership analytics tracked.
• KGET-Channel 17 (NBC)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021KGET-Channel 17 is a consistent media partner, airing KDA's public service announcement ('Keep Moving Kern County') and covering programs including Books in Motion, MemoryMOVES, and KDA Cares COVID-19 initiatives.
• Shafter Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021KDA awarded a grant to the Shafter Symphony Orchestra to support the 44th annual Bakersfield Nutcracker performances. Partnership celebrates the intersection of live music and dance.
• Historic Bakersfield Fox TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater is a key venue partner, hosting Open Stage (free stage access for artists), Swan Lake LIVE, and Children's Dance Education Outreach. The theater opened on Christmas Day 1930 and is a community landmark.
• Kern Family Health CareminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Funder and community partner supporting Books in Motion program, contributing to the sustainability of KDA's literacy-through-dance initiatives.
• Arts Council of KernminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Funder and partner supporting Books in Motion 2021 program.
• March ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021March Consulting (President Kat Clowes) partnered with KDA on the 5 Steps to Success college dance application program, moderating panels and providing professional development expertise.
• Garces Memorial High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021ADAPTIdance 2022 was held at Garces Memorial High School's dance studio. Garces Memorial also served as venue for Dancing with the Angels event.
• American Dance Movement / Segerstrom Center for the Arts / Kennedy CentermajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021KDA collaborates with the American Dance Movement, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the Kennedy Center to celebrate National Dance Day as part of the national holiday established by Nigel Lythgoe and recognized across the country.
• Kyle Harris (Broadway star)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Broadway star Kyle Harris co-authored 'Katarina Ballerina' with Tiler Peck and participated in a live reading at Books in Motion 2021.
• Valley Strong Credit UnionmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Valley Strong Credit Union sponsored the JUST DANCE: Digital Pop-Up Series during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling free live dance classes for all ages via social media.
• ChevronmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Chevron is a consistent major funder of KDA programs including Books in Motion (multiple years), SHINE for Girls, Moving Forward DEI series, and ADAPTIdance. Chevron's funding supports KDA's creative economy work across Kern County.
• Kern Community Foundation (Give Big Kern)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Kern Community Foundation organizes the annual Give Big Kern 24-hour giving campaign. KDA participates annually, raising $1,153 (2020), $3,017 (2021), and $2,015 (2022) through the platform.
• League of DreamscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017League of Dreams (a nonprofit adaptive sports league) co-produces ADAPTIdance: Dance + Disability with KDA — Kern County's ONLY adaptive dance program for people with disabilities ages 5-22. Partnership entered its 6th year in 2022.
• Kern County LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Kern County Library is a core partner in the Books in Motion: Dance + Literacy program, distributing free books and craft kits via 7+ branches and serving as a venue for dance performances. The partnership celebrated 10 years in 2026.
• Kern Literacy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Kern Literacy Council partners with KDA on Books in Motion, supporting literacy development through dance and storytelling for children K-3rd grade. Partnership has been ongoing since 2016.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Dance Camera West: Los Angeles-based nonprofit production company that has filmed KDA's Books in Motion performances. Comparable as a dance-focused nonprofit producing dance media content and collaborating with regional dance organizations.
• League of Dreams: Kern County nonprofit adaptive sports league that co-produces KDA's ADAPTIdance program for people with disabilities ages 5–22. Operates in the same disability-inclusion space in Kern County and shares KDA's adaptive programming mission.
• Bakersfield City Ballet: Local Kern County nonprofit ballet company and KDA grant recipient/contracted performer. Both organizations serve the Bakersfield dance ecosystem with educational programming and performance, sharing participant pools, venues (Fox Theater), and local funder relationships.
• DAT Krew: Kern County-based nonprofit dance organization serving at-risk youth. KDA has funded DAT Krew as a contracted Books in Motion performer and General Operating Support grantee; both target underserved youth populations in the same Kern County dance ecosystem.
• National Dance Institute: National nonprofit providing in-school dance education programs to children, with a similar mission of using dance as a vehicle for educational outcomes (literacy, math, social-emotional learning). Operates a comparable school- and community-based dance education model to KDA's Books in Motion and SHINE programs.

Regional players

• Segerstrom Center for the Arts: Major Southern California performing arts presenter that partners with KDA on National Dance Day. Comparable as a presenting organization that books dance programming, partners with national dance companies, and runs educational outreach — but operates at regional presenting-center scale in Orange County.
• Jacob's Pillow: National historic dance festival and presenting organization in Massachusetts with extensive education and community programs. Comparable to KDA in blending dance festival presentation (analogous to National Dance Day) with year-round dance education and community access programming.

Broad incumbents

• Joffrey Ballet: Major U.S. ballet company with a substantial community education and engagement division serving Chicago-area youth. Comparable as a dance nonprofit combining professional performance with free community dance programming, though at materially larger scale and budget.
• Mark Morris Dance Group: Major national dance company with an established dance education and community engagement arm. Operates at larger scale but shares KDA's blended model of professional performance plus community-based dance education and therapeutic programming.

Others

• Dance/USA: National service organization for the professional dance field that advocates, provides resources, and supports dance organizations across the U.S. Comparable as a sector-infrastructure organization that supports dance nonprofits like KDA through advocacy, professional development, and convening.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kerndance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kerndance
• Facebookfacebook.com/KernDance
• Instagraminstagram.com/kerndance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kern Dance Alliance