In 2009, it was announced that Jodie Gates was named the Altria/ABT Choreography Fellow, a prestigious recognition by ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

This year’s festival featured an exciting lineup, including a Hip-Hop Master Class led by Breed and a Ballet Master Class with Tina LeBlanc. Attendees also enjoyed a free interactive Swing Dance class on Main Beach, along with the beloved Dancing Hands Children’s Workshop. It was a dynamic year celebrating the diversity and creativity of dance!

The festival brought world-class dance companies and individual performers, master teachers and artistic collaborators to Laguna for sixteen days with three performances at the Artists’ Theatre, one free outdoor public performance, and dance installations in galleries throughout Laguna Beach. Local educational institutions that participated in the festival include: University of California, Irvine, Orange County High School of the Arts, Laguna Beach High School, Sage Hill High School and Laguna Dance Theater.