Festival of Dance >> STEPS Dance Studio
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Once again, the Merced College Theater will be filled with the rhythmic movements of the Pacific Islands, the beauty of ballet, the tempo of tap, the enchantment of Belly Dance, and the joy of jazz, as local dance companies showcase their talented dancers during the annual Festival of Dance this summer. The Festival of Dance is sponsored by the Dance Teacher's Cooperative, a group of dance instructors in the Merced-Mariposa area that was formed in connection with Merced College Community Services more than 20 years ago. Proceeds from the summer Festival of Dance and the spring Dance Kaleidoscope are placed in a perpetual fund. The interest it generates pays for local scholarships for dance students entering Merced College and Merced College dance students who are transferring to a 4-year college of university. Proceeds from the dance activities are also used for theater equipment and improvements. Over the years, the Dance Teacher's Cooperative has funded light and sound improvements, a dance floor, and lobby upgrades, among other projects.