East Valley Dance Project (2026-2027, 2025-2026, 2024-2025, 2020-2021, 2016-2017, 2015-2016)
For 19 years, East Valley Dance Project has been an arts education program of McCallum Theatre’s Palm Desert Choreography Festival, engaging youth from Desert Mirage High and Coachella Valley High Schools in dance under the artistic direction of award-winning dancer and choreographer Jennifer Backhaus. The Project includes residencies by professional dancers of Backhausdance, who facilitate dance classes, workshops, and intensive rehearsals for participating high school students. The culmination of the students’ hard work is a performance of an original piece of choreography to close the Palm Desert Choreography Festival held at McCallum Theatre on Sunday, November 15, 2026. While participating in East Valley Dance Project, students develop an understanding and appreciation of dance as an art form, learn life skills, and perform in a professional production in partnership with McCallum Theatre.
Contact: Onnissia Harries, Manager – Development Communications
Email: oharries@mccallum-theatre.org
Contact: Thomas Head, Vice President – Development
Email: thead@mccallum-theatre.org
