Oklahoma International Dance Festival

Yesterday at the Calderón Dance Festival was a beautiful reminder of why community matters so deeply in dance. 💛

Shannon Calderón was a true pillar of the Oklahoma dance community—someone who welcomed artists, created opportunities, and brought people together through generosity and love for the arts. When Hartel Dance Group was first beginning, Shannon opened her doors to the company and introduced us to people who would become lifelong collaborators and friends. The impact of that kind of support continues to ripple through our community today.

Being part of this festival now, alongside so many dancers, families, amazing educators, and friends, feels incredibly meaningful. And sharing the day with the organization members and the family of Erika Vazquez—Shannon’s niece, our friend, and longtime colleague—made it even more special.

At OIDF, we believe deeply in building spaces where dancers can train, connect, create, and grow together. Moments like these remind us that dance education is not only about technique—it’s about community, mentorship, and carrying forward the people who helped shape us.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, danced with us, and celebrated Oklahoma dance with us yesterday. ✨

Full circle.

Meegan first trained with Austin in 2001 as a dance major at OU. Years later, she returned to continue her studies—and now, as she prepares to graduate with her Master’s this month, she shared the floor with him once more.

Austin, OIDF Director and OU faculty, led his final warm-up of 2026 alongside a former student turned colleague in the same space where it all began.

A powerful moment of continuity, witnessed by today’s students.

Last chance to see CDO live tonight.





#305

He came to OIDF on scholarship… and didn’t expect this.
“I’d describe it as adventure, learning, and a lot of inspiration.”

Darío Ortiz arrived looking for tools to grow in his dance—and found an experience that pushed him far beyond that.
Two weeks of intense training.
New styles. New perspectives.
From connecting to the roots in Afro to expanding his movement in hip hop—every day demanded more.
Even without a shared language, the connection was real. The environment was open, welcoming, and deeply human.

This is what happens when you step into a space built for growth.

✨ Oklahoma International Dance Festival 2026
📍 Oklahoma City
📅 July 19 – August 2

If you’re ready to be challenged, inspired, and pushed forward—this is for you.

👇 Tell us—what style would YOU want to train most?
DanceOpportunity

There are moments in a dancer’s journey that stay with you… long after the music ends.

For Bianca, OIDF wasn’t just a summer intensive—it was a space to grow, to be challenged, and to feel deeply connected to the art and the people around her.

Training at OIDF means stepping into a process that goes beyond steps—where artistry, discipline, and community come together in a way that shapes you as both a dancer and a human.

On this International Dance Day, we celebrate stories like hers. The quiet transformations. The breakthroughs. The moments that remind us why we dance.

✨ Summer Intensive 2026
📍 Oklahoma City
🔗 Apply now — link in bio

Testimonial from an international dancer at OIDF
“Una experiencia inolvidable.”
Ariel came to OIDF’s summer dance intensive looking for answers about his future in dance.
Some came in the studio.
Some came in unexpected moments.
“Es difícil… pero no es imposible.”
That stayed with him.
Two weeks of intensive dance training, daily work, and being surrounded by dancers pushing toward something more.
For Ariel, it wasn’t just training.
It was confirmation.
—
What you’re working toward might feel far away.
But it’s not impossible.

OIDF Summer Dance Intensive
📅 July 20 – August 1
📍 University of Central Oklahoma
Enrollment is open.

🎧 Spanish audio

“What stayed with me most… was the people.”
Sammi joined OIDF’s summer dance intensive in 2024 and found something she wasn’t expecting:
Faculty who took the time to know her—not just as a dancer, but as a person.

Through two weeks of intensive summer dance training, she was challenged, supported, and guided in a way that gave her confidence moving forward.

She arrived feeling burnt out.
She left with clarity, strength, and a renewed sense of who she wants to be, not just as a dancer, but within the dance world.
—
This is where the work begins.

OIDF Summer Dance Intensive
📅 July 20 – August 1
📍 Oklahoma Contemporary
Enrollment is open.

🎧 English audio