Program History

The Nordhoff Dance Program began in 2004 with twenty student dancers. The program has grown to include close to 100 dancers ranging from novice to advanced from grades 7 - 12. All students are eligible to participate in dance at Nordhoff Junior High and High School due to a commitment to equitable access on behalf of Ojai Unified School District. The program is now lead by teachers Kim Hoj and Nordhoff dance alumna Gianna Burright (class of 2010). 

Students in the Nordhoff Intro to Dance and Dance Technique classes are introduced to hip-hop, contemporary, ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical dance and dance forms from all over the world. In addition, junior and senior dancers now have the opportunity to take Choreography Honors to help cultivate student's choreographic skills. Residencies and intensives with guest artists have included Broadway veteran Will Szobody, Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre and Lineage Dance Company as well as talented tap dancer Cassidy Linder, along with Nordhoff Dance alumni Taylor Moore, Michela Villierme, Audrey Martel and Kirsten Hoj. Nordhoff Dance enjoys a relationship with the Los Angeles-based Dance and Dialogue program which hosts annual dance master classes at CSU Los Angeles.

In turn, the Ojai community has been enthusiastically receptive to Nordhoff Dance Program's creative work to bring dance to the children of Ojai. Nordhoff dance students perform to sold-out, standing room only concerts. Dance concerts showcase a wide variety of work including professional and student choreography.  Nordhoff Dance has received funding from the the City of Ojai Arts Commission, Ojai Education Foundation, Rotary Club of Ojai, Ojai Rotary West, Ojai Optimist Club and the Nordhoff Parent Association as well as sponsorships from numerous businesses and individuals who believe in ensuring quality experiences for our Nordhoff dance students.