1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 #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&amp;nbsp;|&amp;nbsp;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 &amp;amp; Jenel Evans and Helen &amp;amp; James Gallas. Say NO to the BOX and YES to the future of dance. Dance Behind The Screen https://www.knowboxdance.com <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/42993868/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/206550173