Sonoma County Dance Guild, Inc.

Guild History

The Sonoma County Dance Guild was founded in 1958 by Emily Stubbs and was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1959.  The guild promotes dance in Sonoma County, thereby contributing to the cultural enrichment of the community.  The Guild has given scholarships to dance students since 1959. 

In its early years, the Guild supported a ballet company composed of both professional dancers and students from the area schools who were chosen by audition.  The Guild discontinued this support after a private school assumed control of the ballet company.  The Guild then refocused itself to award larger dance scholarships and to promote activities which engender interest in dance. 

In 2004 the Guild changed its name from the Santa Rosa - Sonoma County Ballet Guild to the Sonoma County Dance Guild to signify its openness to all forms of dance.  Since 2004 the Guild has had a goal of uniting the entire dance community to create a stronger voice for dance in Sonoma County. 

Currently the Guild hosts separate scholarship auditions for women and men.  In past years, the Guild sponsored Dancers Showcase, which was a performance by dancers from many different schools and venues, showcasing the spectrum of dance in Sonoma County.  The Guild supports these activities through fundraising activities such as a gala evening known as “Winter Magic,” fundraiser fashion shows, a member cookbook, and monetary donations.