Dance has the power to transform and transcend—and nowhere is that more evident than at the Lake Tahoe Dance Festival. Presented by Lake Tahoe Dance Collective, the Festival brings world-class artists from New York City Ballet, Broadway, Boston Ballet, and more to the shores of Lake Tahoe, creating a shared experience that celebrates movement, artistry, and community. Now in its 13th year, this beloved event connects generations through performances that inspire joy, reflection, and a deeper sense of place.

The Lake Tahoe Dance Collective has been bringing the power of dance to life for 18 years in the rural Tahoe community. Founder and Artistic Director Christin Hanna, is a nationally acclaimed ballerina, dance instructor, and Tahoe native is a tenacious supporter of the North Lake Tahoe arts scene. In 2008, she founded Tahoe Youth Ballet, which evolved into the formation of the 501c3 nonprofit Lake Tahoe Dance Collective. In 2013, Hanna founded the Lake Tahoe Dance Festival with longtime friend Constantine Baecher. Placer County is fortunate to have the festival and welcome professional ballet, modern and contemporary dancers from across the country to perform in the beautiful backdrop of Lake Tahoe!

The Lake Tahoe Dance Collective works to ensure youth growing up in rural Tahoe are not limited in their access to arts and culture. In 2024, with support from the ACPC and funding from the California Arts Council, Lake Tahoe Dance Collective began the All Abilities Dance program so residents of all abilities could benefit from the joy of dance and movement. The classes focused on gross motor skills, balance, body awareness, creativity and fun!

Thanks to her hard work and dedication to her own organization and to promoting the arts in her area, Christin was honored as an Arts Icon of Placer County in 2023. In 2024 she received the Jeff Hamilton Legacy Fund Juniper Award for her "commitment, fearlessness and imagination" in the performing arts.

"Over 17 years, its been local foundations, our community, and our stunning backdrop that has led to artistic excellence and growth in an arts organization in a rural area, going from a small startup to over $300,000 annual budget and one of the most prestigious dance festivals in the country," said Hanna. She is grateful for the community support, and the ACPC is grateful to Christin for all she does for the arts in Placer County!