About Us
Our Mission
FUSION Performing Dance Academy (FPDA) is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization offering the gift of dance and fitness classes to under served children and adults in the East Los Angeles and City of Commerce communities. With a professional staff and a high-energy atmosphere, FPDA provides comprehensive and personalized dance training to both the recreational dancer as well as the aspiring professional. We encourage the following goals for all our students: Character Development, Self-Confidence, Leadership, and Creative Expression.
Welcome to a FUSION of life!
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Fusion Performing Dance Academy (Fusion) acknowledges the acute need to remove barriers to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of dance groups, dancers, choreographers, and administrative/management staff from historically excluded populations who are currently underrepresented in the dance field. Through its ongoing work, Fusion will realize its full aspirations to be a haven and achieve its goals of representation and accountability.
Fusion rejects racism and is dedicated to being a haven where everyone is treated fairly, with dignity, respect, and grace. Fusion is inclusive and welcoming to people of every race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, socio-economic status, ethnicity, and political belief. We will continue to foster a community that supports the creation of art, and one in which people can thrive and feel supported.
We acknowledge that critical assessments are integral to dance training and that, sometimes, when not well communicated, they can be hurtful. We will ensure that our faculty, staff, artistic partners, and coaches always provide feedback that is enlightening, constructive and respectful.
It is a priority of the organization to maintain a dance company, staff, School, and Board of Trustees that directly reflect the diverse population of our country, and to cultivate an equally diverse audience.
Fusion demonstrates its commitment to the core values of equity and inclusion by:
- Recruiting and retaining leadership and staff who reflect the diversity of the communities in which it serves.
- Providing educational and professional programs and policy positions that are relevant and culturally competent.
- Acting as a leading voice in the dance and greater arts community for the recognition of the challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion; and providing a platform for the honest and open exploration of paths towards a truly inclusive dance community.
Executive/Artistic Director Note
FUSION Performing Dance Academy was a dream that I am now making a reality. I grew up watching re-runs of the TV show FAME, while running around my living room leaping off of the furniture. My family could not afford dance classes so I was unable to start dancing until I was a freshman in college. After I graduated high school, I enrolled in the Theatre Dance Program at Northern Illinois University where I was able to realize the dream of becoming a dancer. Within three semesters, a dance company scouted me and my professional dance career began.
After moving to Los Angeles, I was forced to stop my dance training due to low finances and the high cost of classes. The realization that there must be other kids, adults, and professionals in the community, who just like me, had financial constraints keeping them from getting formal training, ignited my dream to make an affordable dance academy a reality.
Building a program for under served children with hopes of taking their first dance class, offering classes for adults to learn movement, social dances and enjoy a fitness workout together and providing affordable classes for professionals to continue to excel in their art, became a reality in 2008. I wanted to build a home for dance enthusiast, beginners and professionals alike - no matter their financial situation. I aimed to create a community comprised of a broad-based ethnic and social mix of individuals who share a love of dance and theatre - working together towards common goals. I wanted to make sure talent would have equal opportunity to be nurtured despite income. And finally, I wanted to educate and expose the art of dance.
FPDA now promotes and enhances the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of confidence, belonging and inner strength. It gives kids a productive place to go after school and a place to meet new friends surrounded by positive mentors. I have invited the best instructors whose knowledge and experience as dancers and/or choreographer structure classes to the appropriate level and age.
Finally, my dance company in residency at the academy provides positive role models giving students incentive of what can be achieved if they work hard. When I received my dance scholarship, each time I watched the company rehearse, an extra push and energy was evident in me and I would strive to follow in their footsteps and achieve their status.
FPDA is helping make dreams of dance become a reality. Looking forward to meeting you soon.
Studio Rental
Auditions, teaching, events, master classes, rehearsals, performance, meetings, filming
Studio A
1,320 sq. ft. of sprung dance floor
24’ X 55'
19’ high ceilings
J. S. Kahn Studio
225 sq. ft. for privates
bluetooth, ipod, cd, fans, bathroom, on site parking, lobby area, roll up door, changing room, clean and private.