KDO In-School Programs reach elementary-age children in public and charter schools throughout Marion County, where Indianapolis is located. The KDO Advanced Scholarship Programs are composed of students from the In-School and Summer Programs, with offerings for students up through eighth grade. With a commitment to providing high-quality dance education to all children, all KDO programs are inclusive for children with physical, cognitive, and developmental disabilities. The Dancers with Disabilities Programs offer further opportunities specifically designed for children with disabilities to learn and grow in a safe and joyful environment. Nearly 2,000 children participate in KDO each year.

To date, more than 26,000 children have participated in KDO’s high-quality dance and arts education programs.

While every KDO program mirrors its own community, overall, KDO programs reach a population that reflects Marion County. While we recognize that statistics can’t capture the full extent of our community, particularly regarding the experience of our youth, it is essential to contextualize the environment in which our programs take place.

Current statistics for Marion County show that:

• 38% of families are designated as Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE, 2025) — households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) but cannot afford the basic cost of living in their county (United Way);
• 16% of youth live below the poverty line (Indiana Youth Institute – IYI, 2026);
• While the Indianapolis Public School district currently offers all meals free of charge for families, 68% of families would be eligible for free or reduced lunch (IPS, 2025);
• As over 67% of youth in Marion County identify as racial or ethnic minorities (IYI, 2026), KDO reaches students from all different racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly those who identify as Hispanic, Black, and Multiracial.

As an Associate of National Dance Institute (ANDI), Kids Dance Outreach’s Teaching Artists are trained in and inspired by the NDI Method®, a renowned arts education pedagogy developed by National Dance Institute. Through this approach, KDO utilizes accessible movement vocabulary, live music, and joyful, rigorous instruction to promote structure, discipline, focus, empathy, and self-confidence. At the heart of this work is a commitment to belonging, acceptance, and celebrating each child’s unique strengths while building community.

While the NDI Method® serves as the guiding framework for KDO’s teaching approach, all program content, curriculum, and choreography are thoughtfully developed and adapted by KDO’s Team to meet the unique needs of the students and communities we serve. Under the direction of Founding Artistic Director Michael J. Johnson, KDO draws upon the expertise, artistic perspectives, and diverse cultural influences of our Teaching Artists to create engaging, relevant, and impactful learning experiences. Learn more about KDO’s Team!

It’s all about the children. This relentless focus on the children consistently guides KDO’s mission, business model, and growth. It dictates a strong commitment to respecting high standards, excellence, and stewardship every step of the way.  At the genesis of KDO’s mission is the belief that all children deserve a chance to dance. We firmly believe and have witnessed the power of the Arts as a catalyst for change. Together, we will continue to seek innovative ways to effect change in our community and the world through our mission and strive to be part of that change. 

Interested in learning more? Contact Associate Director, Community Engagement and Programming, Dana Vanderburgh, at dvanderburgh@kdoutreach.org.

Community engagement and partnerships are a vital part of the work of KDO, as outreach is the anchor of the organization. KDO’s mission exists and is fueled by our communities’ need to access high-quality dance and arts programs. We receive numerous inquiries from school administrators, parents, and other community organizations to bring KDO programs for their children or the children they serve. While maintaining the programs’ core structure and goals, KDO works individually with each school, parent, and organization representative to design programming that best suits their needs. Whether it be a public performance, professional development for educators, interactive workshop, specific program curriculum design, theme-driven content, or other activity, our team works to ensure that we can provide what our community needs within our capacity.