Michael j. johnson

Founding Artistic Director

Michael J. Johnson grew up in Virginia, where he began his dance training at The Richmond Ballet. He continued to hone his skills at Butler University’s Department of Dance, earning a degree in Arts Administration with a Concentration in Dance. From 1996 to 2005, Michael performed with The Boston Ballet, taking on roles as a corps dancer, soloist, and principal.

Throughout his career, Michael has danced alongside world-renowned artists such as Carlos Acosta and Sarah Lamb of the Royal Ballet, and he has performed works by celebrated choreographers including Rudi Van Dantzig, Bruce Marks, Nacho Duato, Mark Morris, George Balanchine, Rudolf Nureyev, John Cranko, and Christopher Wheeldon. His diverse training also includes musical theatre, salsa, ballroom, and performances in jazz and jive in Los Angeles.

Mónica M. Muñoz

Executive Director

Mónica M. Muñoz is a passionate advocate for the arts and a dedicated leader at Kids Dance Outreach (KDO). Joining the organization in its early days, she initially volunteered before serving as a Teaching Assistant and later Associate Director. In 2022, she proudly became KDO’s first Executive Director, continuing her lifelong commitment to enriching the lives of children through dance.

Born and raised in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Mónica’s journey in the arts began at the Conservatory of Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico. Her professional career took flight when she moved to the U.S. to dance with the Milwaukee Ballet and later the Louisville Ballet, where she embraced a diverse repertoire and collaborated with both national and international choreographers.

Mónica holds a B.A. in Dance Pedagogy from Butler University and has shared her expertise as adjunct faculty at Anderson University and Butler University. With over fifteen years of experience in dance, arts education and community engagement, she is deeply committed to fostering inclusive environments where all voices are celebrated.

Her leadership at KDO has been transformative, expanding the organization’s reach and impact within the community. Mónica’s journey—from professional dancer to executive director—reflects her belief in the power of the arts to uplift and inspire, particularly within her Puerto Rican and Latin roots. She strives to create opportunities for children to express themselves, connect with their heritage, and discover their potential through dance. Mónica’s story is a testament to the enduring impact of the arts in shaping lives and building vibrant communities.

ANNEMARIE (Weber) CHAMBERS

Development Director

AnneMarie (Weber) Chambers grew up in Indianapolis with a deep-rooted passion for dance, training at Jordan College Academy of Dance at Butler University and the Academy of Ballet Internationale. As a young dancer, she was a trainee with Ballet Internationale and performed with local companies such as Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, Dance Kaleidoscope, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, and Butler Ballet.

AnneMarie earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, continuing to dance throughout her studies. After graduation, she moved to Chicago, where she performed with local dance companies and worked in event management. She also served as a Junior Board Member for Urban Gateways, a nonprofit providing free arts programming for children.

Upon returning to Indianapolis, AnneMarie transitioned into marketing and event management in the tech sector before shifting to nonprofit work in 2017. Most recently, she served as the Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives at Easterseals Crossroads, where she found joy in sharing the powerful stories of individuals and families served while developing community-based events in collaboration with local centers.

Now, as the Development Director at Kids Dance Outreach (KDO), AnneMarie is honored to support KDO’s mission of empowering children through dance and to share the transformative stories experienced by KDO teaching artists and musicians every day.

Dana vanderburgh

Associate Director, Community Engagement & Programming

Dana Vanderburgh, a Massachusetts native, discovered her passion for dance at the age of three. She honed her classical ballet skills at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, MA, participating in both the after-school Community Dance Academy and the high school conservatory program under Michael Owen. After graduating in 2013, Dana continued her training at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

A series of injuries led her to shift focus, and she became involved with Movement Exchange at IU, an international dance service nonprofit. This experience inspired her to pursue a joint BA/MA in international studies, where she researched dance’s role in social change. Through this intersection of community engagement and academic inquiry, Dana learned to advocate for dance as a tool for empowerment.

In 2021, Dana joined KDO as Community Engagement Coordinator after serving as Executive Director of Movement Exchange. In 2023, she stepped into her current role, where she enjoys collaborating with a dedicated team to foster innovative, sustainable growth in KDO’s community and programming, enhancing its transformative impact in Indianapolis and beyond.

Additionally, Dana is a Ph.D. candidate in Social-Cultural Anthropology at Indiana University, focusing her research on dance, community building, and environmental justice.

Megan Quiring

Operations Coordinator