ABOUT THE EVENING SHOWCASE TROUPES

Ojai O’Daiko, which translates to “Ojai Big Drum” in Japanese, is a taiko drumming performing and education group led by Gavin Takase-Sanchez, who, along with his artistic direction, constructs the group’s drums using methods adapted from centuries-old traditions passed down through generations.

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Shakti Dance Company, founded in 1977 by Viji Prakash, is the performing arm of the Shakti School of Bharata Natyam in Los Angeles. For five decades, Shakti has been a radiant force, sharing the classical dance traditions of India through productions, festivals, international tours, and artistic collaborations. Performing members of the Shakti Dance Company have completed 8-12 years of rigorous training. In addition to touring throughout the United States, the company performs regularly in India.

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Ballet Folklórico de VENTURA is a dedicated program that teaches traditional Mexican dances to middle and high school students, fostering cultural pride, confidence, and a strong sense of community. It is a positive platform for young people to explore an artistic activity where they can feel successful regardless of their social and economic background. Throughout the year they collaborate with numerous local organizations and perform at various community events.

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¡Flamenco! Santa Barbara is dedicated to supporting - and elevating - the art of flamenco. They provide need-based scholarships to local students and believe that dance provides growth, creativity, expression and instills confidence, a sense of community, and respect for history. Led by artistic director Maria "La Chacha" Bermudez, this group of young professional dancers has performed widely, including most recently at the Ford Theatre in Los Angeles, Con Gress at the LA Dance Project, and in Spain at the Flamenco Festival.

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Dance Ojai Bollywood Company, founded in 2015 under the direction of Isha Ferraz, presents vibrant Bollywood dance influenced by Indian classical traditions—particularly Kuchipudi—and contemporary movement. Drawing from Isha’s Kuchipudi training, the choreography blends expressive movement with dynamic stage presence. Comprised of dancers from diverse backgrounds, the company reflects a shared dedication to training and honoring this colorful and culturally rich style.

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Ojai Raqs - from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and the soulful spirit of Ojai, three professional Middle Eastern dance troupes unite. Celebrating a tapestry of styles and cultures, they embody connection across differences. Our mission: to showcase & celebrate the colorful diversity of Middle Eastern Dance, bridging cultures and uniting hearts.

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Emanon and Undeclared of Alias Dance founded in 2003 by director Byron Bucao in Oxnard, California has offered thousands of local youth an opportunity to express their passion through the performing arts. The Alias Family consists of over a dozen teams ranging from ages 4 to adult. With the help of the thousands of youth throughout the last 15 years, their teams have received over 100 awards and titles including features with top recording artists and on television.

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PPMA Thousand Oaks Dance Ensemble - The Pacific Pearl Music Association Thousand Oaks Dance Ensemble, established in 2016, is an adult dance group composed of dancers from the Thousand Oaks area in the Conejo Valley. The mission of the ensemble is to provide a platform for local dance lovers to learn, exchange, and enhance dance skills, while promoting traditional Chinese culture through dance.

ABOUT THE TROUPES (cont.)

A Mi Manera is a Santa Barbara based Salsa and Bachata Flamenco fusion company rooted in community, empowerment, and authentic expression. More than a dance team, they cultivate a welcoming space where people from all walks of life — from beginners to seasoned professionals — come together to support, inspire, and uplift one another. Blending the passion and intensity of Flamenco with the vibrant rhythms of Latin dance, they move a nuestra manera — our way — building confidence, strength, and meaningful connection with every step.

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Ojai Aerial is a local dance company offering a comprehensive aerial program for kids, teens, and adults. Their work focuses on building skills, confidence, and grit in a collaborative, fun, and non-competitive environment. Dancers train on a wide range of apparatuses, including silks, lyra, sling, and trapeze. Ojai Aerial was founded by Serra Benson, who has been an aerialist since 2008 and spent over a decade training and performing with the Santa Barbara Center for Aerial Dance. Members of the Ojai Aerial troupe have been dancing with Serra for as long as seven years and train together weekly.

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Grupo Folklórico Fusión Mexicana is a Ventura County wide Folklorico troupe under the Direction of Dafne Aves and Adrian Castellon. They aim to continue teaching and showcasing traditional and a fusion of Mexican folkórico dance styles and welcome dancers of all forms ages 12+. They work to generate motivation for an active lifestyle within the community, facilitate cultural awareness, and familiarize the community and younger generations with Mexican culture.