Community Partners

Dance Maker Academy

Dance Maker Academy is a performing arts school serving the community of Osage County, Oklahoma in the heart of the Osage Nation. Inspired by the legacy of famed Osage prima ballerina, Maria Tallchief (Ki He Kah Stah Tsa), Dance Maker offers classes in drama and dance (ballet, jazz, tap, and hip hop) to more than 100 students of all ages. Since its founding in 2014, Dance Maker has become an integral part of it’s close-knit community: the students routinely perform their recitals and holiday programs to sold-out crowds and class scholarships are sponsored by local businesses. Perhaps most importantly, Dance Maker provides much-needed after-school and summer activities for local youth, giving them an opportunity to experience the arts and be supported in pursuit of their dreams.

Wahzhazhe Osage Ballet

Wahzhazhe is a contemporary ballet depicting 400 years of Osage history, from pre-European contact to present day over ten powerful scenes. Performed by professional dancers in principal roles and supported by young Native dance students from Dance Maker Academy, the ballet has introduced thousands around the country to the incredible story of the Osage Nation. Wahzhazhe accomplishes important work of cultural education and preservation by presenting a beautiful and moving retelling of important Native history; it also empowers young Native performers, giving them an opportunity to work with high level professionals and perform for audiences of hundreds.