More than 20 years ago, I met Jenny Backhaus when I was Director of Education and Community Programs at the Orange County Performing Arts Center (now Segerstrom Center for the Arts). I encouraged Jenny to have Backhausdance audition for Arts Teach, a roster of professional artists and arts organizations bringing engaging educational programs into schools and communities. She did—and the rest is history.
Since then, our paths have continued to cross throughout my career in arts and humanities education, including leadership positions at UC Irvine, Bowers Museum, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, and now Backhausdance.
Seven years ago, I became Backhausdance's Director of Education and Community Engagement. During that time, I've had the good fortune of strengthening and growing our Education programs and seeing firsthand what happens when young people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to experience the art, creativity, and joy of contemporary dance. There are so many more schools and communities we want to reach.
More importantly, I've also seen what happens when students don't have access.
Dance is largely absent from our schools, while arts education continues to face cuts and competing demands. The students who could benefit most from meaningful arts experiences are often the least likely to have access to them. That is an equity issue.
Dance is so much more than movement. It transcends language. It can tell stories and express our deepest emotions when words won't work. It can invite creativity and self-confidence, connect mind and body, support physical and mental well-being, foster learning and collaboration, and open doors to new possibilities—including a future in the arts.
I have been blessed to work with Jenny, Amanda Kay White (associate artistic director), Chihiro Sano, company member and our dedicated Education Coordinator, and all of the brilliant Backhausdance artists as they have created new works specifically for schools and communities. I've watched our dancers become educators, mentors, role models, and advocates—bringing contemporary dance into classrooms, after-school programs, teaching multiple session residencies, performing Backhausdance repertory in assemblies and inspiring our future dancers at our Annual Summer Intensive, BDSI.
These dancers are doing extraordinary work.
And they do it with remarkable dedication. Backhausdance is a small nonprofit organization founded by Jenny in 2003 and we still operate without a permanent home or dedicated studio. Our dancers balance their work with other jobs, yet they continue to show up with extraordinary artistry and commitment—both on major stages and in schools and community spaces.
Now in our 24th year, starting Season 26/27, Backhausdance is looking ahead to celebrate its 25th anniversary next season. I am so proud of how far we've come—and even more excited about what is possible ahead!
After seven years at Backhausdance, I am more convinced than ever that access to dance changes lives for the better in multiple ways. I will continue to champion this cause, and I hope you'll join me.
Your donation of any amount for our Igniting Potential Giving Day Campaign on September 16th helps Backhausdance reach more students, expand our Education programs, and make meaningful dance experiences possible for more youth throughout Orange County.
Every gift makes a difference, and every donation will be doubled by the Backhausdance Board of Directors. Our Igniting Potential portal will open at 12 noon on Sept. 15 and close at 12 noon on Sept. 17. Alternatively, you can make a contribution on the Backhausdance support page: https://www.backhausdance.org/donate
Please join me in supporting Backhausdance Education. Together, we can put dance within reach of more young people and ignite their potential. This is more than dance - it's a movement for arts advocacy!
Thank you for your contribution and for transforming lives! We are empowering the next generation!
Give Youth Access to Dance. Open the Door to Possibility.
Every student deserves the chance to dance and feel inspired, to meet a professional artist who believes in them, and to discover what they are capable of through Backhausdance Education..
Yet for most students, dance is not part of their education.
As schools navigate increasing academic demands, limited resources, and competing priorities, meaningful and equitable opportunities to experience and learn through dance and the arts are more limited than ever.
Backhausdance Education helps bridge that gap.
Since 2003, Backhausdance has brought high-quality artistry and professional contemporary dancers into schools and communities throughout Orange County. Our education programs reach students of all ages and abilities through performances and assemblies, interactive workshops, master classes, multi-session residencies, after-school programs such as Let's Dance, and professional training to our Annual Summer Intensive (BDSI), through the
B. Mor Summer Intensive Scholarship Fund.
Each dance education experience opens a new door:
Assemblies and performances introduce students to the thrill of live contemporary dance and the experience of seeing professional artists perform.
Workshops and master classes invite students to move, create, experiment, and make connections between dance and classroom learning.
Residencies give students the opportunity to work over time with professional dancers—to develop movement and choreography, collaborate, build confidence, and explore where dance might take them.
Scholarships help remove financial barriers for serious teen and emerging dancers pursuing advanced training in our Annual Summer Intensive.
Our professional dancers and teaching artists go above and beyond teaching contemporary dance. They bring the creative process into the learning environment, encouraging students to express ideas, find their voice, work together, take creative risks, and discover new ways of understanding themselves and the world around them.
For many students, a Backhausdance Education performance or program may be their first opportunity to experience professional contemporary dance. That magical moment can awaken the possibilities to learning, curiosity, creativity, belonging, lifelong appreciation, and even a future in the arts.
A recent B. Mor Summer Intensive Scholarship Fund recipient shared:
"Backhausdance provided a safe environment that really helped me to improve my practice. I became more
comfortable being uncomfortable and unfamiliar because of the supportive space cultivated by the faculty."
This is why Backhausdance believes in Dance Every Day for Every Body. We are committed to providing uplifting dance experiences to students regardless of background, ability, or financial circumstances.
A single performance can spark curiosity. A workshop can reveal a hidden talent. A teaching artist can become a mentor. These engaging and transformative encounters can inspire a lifelong appreciation for the arts—or even a future path as a dancer, artist, educator, or creative thinker.
Take the Next Step
With your contribution to Backhausdance Education, we can reach or exceed our goal of $10,000 to sustain and expand these opportunities for youth throughout Orange County to help them thrive with dance!
Whether it is a student's introduction to professional performance, a creative learning experience with a teaching artist, or access to advanced training through scholarships, your much-needed donation helps remove barriers and expand access to dance.
Thanks to a generous matching gift from our Board of Directors, every donation will be doubled—increasing your impact and helping even more young people experience the power of dance.
Together, we can ignite the potential of young people and enrich the health and vibrancy of our communities.
Thank you for helping to bring positive opportunities to our youth in places where it's needed the most - which is everywhere!