Mission

Civic Dance Center focuses on developing well rounded dancers through exposure to a variety of styles with an emphasis on classical ballet technique. All perspectives and individual talents are welcome to work constructively to achieve our shared values of discipline, imagination, and collaboration elevating our behavior both in and out of the school by treating each other with professionalism, kindness, and respect.

Our Philosophy

Dance is about far more than learning steps. At Civic Dance Center, we believe dance education develops confident, creative, and resilient people. Through comprehensive instruction in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, hip hop, and other dance disciplines, we help students build the artistry, discipline, work ethic, and perseverance that serve them both on stage and throughout their lives.

Every student follows a different path. Some aspire to professional careers and college dance programs while others dance for recreation, personal enrichment, or the lifelong joy of movement. Whatever their goals, our commitment is the same: to provide excellent instruction in a supportive environment where every student is encouraged to grow, challenge themselves, and discover their potential.

We believe that great dancers become great teammates, leaders, and citizens. Respect, professionalism, collaboration, creativity, and kindness are values we strive to cultivate in every class, helping students develop skills that extend far beyond the dance school.

Our Story

For nearly six decades, Civic Dance Center has been a cornerstone of dance education in Bakersfield.

Founded in 1968 by Cindy Trueblood, the school began with a simple vision: to provide high-quality dance training while creating opportunities for young people to discover confidence, discipline, and artistic expression. What started as a small neighborhood studio, has grown into one of Kern County’s longest-standing and most respected dance institutions.

Over the years, Civic Dance Center has trained thousands of dancers, many of whom have gone on to perform professionally, teach future generations, pursue higher education in the arts, or simply carry the confidence and life skills they gained through dance into their careers and communities.

Today, under the leadership of Executive Artistic Director Erica Ueberroth, Civic Dance Center continues that legacy while preparing dancers for the future. Erica purchased the school in 2022 after years as a student and faculty member and has expanded opportunities for students through new programming, guest artists, master classes, community partnerships, and performance experiences while honoring the traditions that have shaped generations of Civic dancers.

As the home of Bakersfield City Ballet, Civic Dance Center provides a unique pathway for students to progress from recreational classes to pre-professional opportunities, allowing local dancers to pursue high-level artistic training without leaving their community.

Our Impact

Dance has the power to transform lives.

Every season, Civic Dance Center serves dancers from preschool through adulthood, providing a welcoming environment where students of all backgrounds and experience levels can discover the physical, artistic, and personal benefits of dance.

Our students develop strength, coordination, discipline, perseverance, teamwork, leadership, and self-confidence — qualities that extend well beyond the school. While some continue into collegiate and professional dance programs, countless others carry these lessons into careers in education, healthcare, business, public service, and countless other fields.

Beyond the studio, Civic Dance Center enriches the cultural life of Bakersfield through performances, educational outreach, and community engagement. From our annual production of The Nutcracker — a beloved local tradition for nearly five decades — to original productions, community performances, and collaborations, we strive to make exceptional dance accessible while inspiring audiences of all ages.

As Bakersfield continues to grow, Civic Dance Center remains committed to preserving the rich traditions of classical dance while embracing innovation, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that future generations have access to high-quality arts education right here in Kern County.