We would like to share with all of you that Cindy and Kevin have decided to retire after 54 wonderful years here at Civic Dance Center.

“I am excited to announce that Erica Ueberroth will be succeeding me as Executive Artistic Director and owner on July 1. Ann Conrad will also be continuing on in much the same capacity that you are familiar with as Associate Artistic Director. It has been important to us to leave Civic in the hands of people that the studio really means something to and we know both of them have such a heart and love to keep our Civic family and traditions thriving into the future.”

Erica began dancing with Civic Dance Center in 1993. She has performed in Civic’s annual production of The Nutcracker in numerous lead roles. She furthered her dance education and training at professional ballet school summer intensive programs. The last two years she has been working on American Ballet Theatre’s National Teacher Training Certification program and she is currently certified up to Level 5. She has been on Civic Dance Center’s faculty since 2002. In 2011 she was asked to begin co-directing Civic’s annual production of The Nutcracker. In 2014 she also began co-directing Civic’s annual Gala. She has also served as Artistic Director of Bakersfield City Ballet for the last four years, choreographing and directing students to prestigious Youth America Grand Prix top finishes and the company’s annual Ethereal Visions show.

Ann began dancing at the age of 6 at Du Fresne Dance Arts under the direction of Diane Contreras until she was introduced to Cindy Trueblood at Civic Dance Center. She was later accepted to Contra Cost Ballet and spent two years in the bay area dancing there and with San Francisco Ballet. During this time she was chosen to dance with renowned choreographers such as Michael Smuin and Suki Schorer. Ann returned to Bakersield in 1993 with the intention of returning to the local production of the Nutcracker. Cindy then asked her to start teaching ballet in 1994. While teaching at Civic she has had the opportunity to set award winning choreography on dancers as well as co-direct Nutcracker and Gala.