#161: In the Season 8 finale of Dance Behind the Screen, host Martheya Nygaard Scott sits down with Karla Hardaway—award-winning dance educator, choreographer, author, advocate, and founder of the Texas Association for Dance and Culture.
Karla shares how discovering ballet folklórico in public school helped her connect with her cultural identity and shaped her path as an educator. Together, Martheya and Karla explore the future of dance education, expanding access in public schools, preserving culturally rooted dance forms, and creating stronger pathways for the next generation.
Karla also shares the story behind the North Texas Ballet Folklórico Contest, her advocacy for culturally rooted dance education across Texas, and why she believes AI can never replace cultural identity.
This conversation is a reminder that building the future of dance means honoring where we come from, collaborating across communities, and creating opportunities for the next generation.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Meet Karla Hardaway
02:00 – Dance + Cultural Identity
03:00 – Building the Texas Association for Dance and Culture
05:00 – The State of Dance Education in Texas
07:00 – Preserving Tradition + Creating the Future
09:00 – Creating Pathways for the Next Generation
11:00 – Why Dance Belongs in Public Schools
12:00 – Technology, AI + Cultural Identity
15:00 – Expanding Access Through Partnerships
20:00 – The North Texas Ballet Folklórico Contest
25:00 – The Future of Dance Education
28:00 – Collaboration Over Competition
33:00 – The Story Behind TADC
38:00 – Connect with Karla + TADC
CONNECT WITH KARLA + TADC
Texas Association for Dance and Culture
www.txdanceandculture.org
To watch the show click HERE.
Episode Show kNOwtes | Podcast Home
This season of the Dance Behind the Screen Podcast is supported in part by the Moody Fund for the Arts and our generous individual Season Sponsors, Dexter & Jenel Evans and Helen & James Gallas.
Say NO to the BOX and YES to the future of dance.
