Allison Tanaka
Regional Manager—DEAEF YDP for AZ, CA, NV and TX
Allison Tanaka earned a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Economics from the University of California, San Diego. She has dedicated more than 20 years to working with nonprofit organizations and government agencies in multiple capacities ranging from program coordinator to development director.
Having developed a passion for dance at an early age, Allison has trained in a myriad of styles and used her skills to teach students in elementary after-school programs, high school musical theater classes, junior college dance programs, and at studios throughout Southern California. She is grateful for the opportunity dance has provided for her to teach and perform both nationally and internationally.
“Participating in the DEAEF's high-quality arts and enrichment activities has had remarkable impacts on the social and emotional development of youth. The programs empower them to make healthy choices, teach self-discipline, and improve emotional well-being, which has become increasingly important during these recent years of challenges and uncertainty.”
For the past 18 years, Allison has volunteered as a director of a local non-profit dance organization, which has allowed her to combine her business background and love of dance. In this position she launched their education and outreach programs and has continued to work to expand their dance education programming to high need school and community sites throughout Los Angeles County.
