The Hartfel Foundation
We elevate the spirit by sharing the passion of dance and bringing art home to the community.
What We See
Our mission is to facilitate greater awareness of the individual through the arts, in particular the art of ballet. We want to inspire self-worth and a sustaining belief in each individual’s ability to make a lasting and meaningful contribution to each other and our community.
In fulfillment of our mission, we support three main activities:
Live Performances
The Foundation sponsors free community performances for those who would not otherwise be able to attend live dance performances, such as retirement communities and homes for disabled children.
School of Dance
We offer high quality dance training that makes a difficult art form accessible to all. Scholarships are available for those who demonstrate the dedication to be accepted as Company Trainees and Apprentices.
Outreach Programs
Life-changing programs that provide vital artistic services for under-served communities, including the blind, hearing-impaired, wheel-chair bound, and economically-challenged.
Foundation for Excellence
Hartfel believes that art should exist as a community service while still promoting artistic excellence. We are dedicated to our mission that all should have an equal right to access the arts, not just those special few. By coming together to support the arts in our communities, we establish a strong foundation for growth.
The Hartfel Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. As such, all donations are fully tax-deductible.
Our Commitment
Visionary: Through a collective unity of spirit and belief, we inspire self-worth and cultural enrichment for society.
Unique: We cultivate a personal artistic signature and innovation in all aspects of dance.
Ever-growing: By investing in the next generation of dancers and building diversified financial resources, we expand our reach beyond our local community to affect greater change in the world.
Illuminating the Dark
The Step in the Dark Dance Program was created especially for blind and visually-impaired children ages 6-17.* During weekly ballet classes, participants develop essential life skills including body awareness, confidence, poise, and learning to interact with people outside of a “comfort zone.”
We seek to bring light to the darkness within which they live, so they too can realize their true potential.
*Developed in collaboration with the Braille Institute Orange County.
The Gathering
We bring together an ever-growing number of people to promote the art of ballet in the community. Watch the videos below and get inspired by Hartfel’s story and our mission, then contact us to learn more.