Kendra Barrera

Kendra Barrera is a dedicated dance educator and artist based in the Sacramento region. Raised in Roseville, CA, she trained in ballet, jazz, and contemporary at local studios and discovered her passion for teaching through the Woodcreek High School dance program. As both a team member and department leader, she developed the foundations of her teaching practice and later returned to coach the Woodcreek High School Dance Team. Throughout her seven years as coach, she had dancers pursue college dance programs and professional dance careers. She also taught for eight years at El Dorado Dance Academy, where she directed and choreographed for the Kaleidoscope Touring Company.

Kendra had the opportunity to dance as a backup for “Weird Al” Yankovic, as well as choreograph for the Miss Teenage California Pageant. She has contributed to outreach programs that bring dance into elementary schools, expanding access to the arts for young learners. Committed to lifelong growth, she has pursued professional development opportunities such as attending the Giordano intensive for jazz technique and Arts, Media, and Entertainment seminars.

Blending her love of education and dance, Kendra established and led an integrated dance department for grades 7–12 at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, serving as its director for four years. She now teaches at Hawkins School of Performing Arts, where she is the Managing Director and Competition Director for the Hawkins Performing Arts Company. In addition, she is proud to be a founding dancer with Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre and currently serves as the company’s Assistant Artistic Director.

Kendra holds a B.A. in English and a Single Subject Teaching Credential in both English and Dance from Sacramento State University. She went on to earn her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University. Alongside her dance work, she teaches 9th grade English. Kendra is grateful for the many opportunities she has had to share her knowledge and passion for dance and remains committed to fostering artistry, discipline, and passion in every student she teaches.