OUR UPCOMING EVENTS

PREVIOUS EVENTS

     SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: ALEGRIA PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY

By: Mariah Ring

     Owner and founder of Alegria Performing Arts Academy, Gabrielle Aguiar-Forrest, has been around dance and theatre her entire life. Starting dance at four years old, then moving on to musical theatre camps, and eventually accompanying her parents to ballroom dance lessons paved the way for her love of performing. In college, Gabrielle joined Theater and a Dance Club, and soon thereafter took a job at Arthur Murray Dance Schools. During her time at Arthur Murray, she quickly rose through the ranks and became an internationally recognized team member for her astonishing teaching and sales performance. In 2014, she made the decision to open Alegria Ballroom Dance Academy in a shared studio space. Over the next six years, Alegria outgrew a few spaces and evolved to encompass many different styles of dance and performing arts. In 2021, the studio moved to its current location with its new name, Alegria Performing Arts Academy, to showcase all of the amazing services offered.

     While Alegria is now home to several different types of performing arts, such as guitar, voice, and tumbling, they pay homage to their roots by offering a plethora of dance classes for all ages and skill levels. Salsa, swing, ballroom, line dance, hip-hop, break dance, cabaret, modern, ballet, jazz, belly dance, Baile Folklórico, and Bhangra are some of the styles of dance offered at the studio. Unlike other performing arts studios, Alegria does not participate in competitions, instead performing for community events and showcases. Owner Gabrielle wants students to truly enjoy their craft, something that can be diminished by competition. Instead, she hopes that students find joy and community in her studio, where everyone is accepted and honored as they come. The youth and adult teams, Joyful Elite and Joy in Motion, not only perform for the community, but also help in any way that they can. Team members sometimes help with set up, take down, fundraising, and in any way they can to become better stewards for the community. 

    Going into 2025, Gabrielle has big goals for the future of Alegria. In addition to continuing fundraising efforts for those that need additional help with tuition, she also wants to establish the studio’s nonprofit arm, Joyful Hearts Foundation for the Arts. Joyful Hearts aims to provide more opportunities to community members in need, allowing them to participate in the performing arts. Gabrielle believes that performing arts can serve as a type of therapy to students, and allow them to come into their own through movement. Though she knows the journey to establishing a nonprofit will be difficult, she also knows that it will be worth it to engage more people in the arts and to continue creating a welcoming community within the studio. 

     To see Alegria’s full schedule of classes, enroll, apply for finance options, or book a private class, visit their website below or their Instagram, @alegriaperformingartsacademy. They are open Monday through Saturday for classes and are conveniently located in downtown Turlock, at 320 E Main St.

ORGANIZATION SPOTLIGHT: STANISLAUS PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

By: Mariah Ring

     For over thirty years, Stanislaus Partners in Education (SPIE) has supported the community by bridging the gap between education and career, preparing students for rewarding local jobs. SPIE’s vision is to cultivate an educated and skilled local workforce that is qualified and ready to enter careers after high school graduation. By facilitating partnerships between educators, employers, and organizations in the community, SPIE strengthens career education programs that align with local job opportunities, providing pathways to fulfilling, lifelong careers.

    Through partnerships with all school districts in Stanislaus County, SPIE enables educators and administrators to access Career Education Grants and the Educator in Industry Program. The Educator in Industry program allows teachers to engage in up to forty hours of hands-on experience within local businesses, helping them integrate industry-relevant content into their curriculum. This direct connection with industry helps educators align their teaching with current workforce needs, making classroom instruction more applicable to real-world careers. Additionally, SPIE supports educators by providing Career Education Grants ranging from $500 to $2,500 to develop innovative career-connected learning opportunities. These grants encourage educators to collaborate with local businesses while showcasing diverse career pathways, including higher education or direct workforce entry. In 2024, SPIE awarded over $60,000 in grants, doubling the amount from previous years, with the goal of expanding funding in the future. For its full partner districts, SPIE collaborates with local businesses to create career-connected learning opportunities for students. Last year, SPIE established more than twenty-five partnerships with a variety of industries, including the Modesto Police Department, Stanislaus Food Products, Gallo Center for the Arts, Gallo Winery, McCarthy Construction, Modesto Subaru, Modesto’s District Attorney’s Office, Apparel Graphics, electrical and manufacturing companies, and more. These connections support Career Connected Learning by facilitating presentations from professionals, industry exposure trips, shadowing experiences, and internships.

     The future of SPIE is focused on continuing to strengthen connections between education and industry in Stanislaus County. By expanding high-quality partnerships with local businesses, SPIE aims to increase career-connected learning opportunities for more students. Current director Jessica Godden emphasizes the importance of diverse career pathways, sharing her own experience of finding success outside a traditional education route. Her story fuels SPIE’s mission to support youth in discovering meaningful career opportunities, whether through college or alternative pathways.

    To learn more about SPIE, explore their industry partnerships, or apply for educator grants (opening on April 15th), visit their website or follow them on Instagram,

@stanislauspartnersined.

CREATIVE NATIVE Q & A: SELENA CELESTE

Q: What is your name and hometown? 

A: My name is Selena C. Thomas, and my hometown is Modesto, California.

Q: How were you first introduced to art/photography?  

A: One Christmas, my parents gifted me a digital camera, and I instantly fell in love with capturing life through my lens. It gave me the opportunity to tell stories from my perspective, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Q: Is creating art your full-time career? If not, is that your goal? 

A: Yes, photography is now my full-time career! After years of pursuing it as a side passion, I made the leap to go all in. Changing my college major to photography and earning my bachelor’s degree gave me the confidence to follow my dream.

Q: Where do you find inspiration? Are there artists that inspire you?

A: I find inspiration in the unique connection I share with people in the moment I capture their story—whether it’s through portraits, headshots, family photos, or special events. Knowing that I’ve been blessed with the ability to preserve these moments drives me.

Q: Do you have advice for youth interested in pursuing a career in the arts but feeling anxious about starting? 

A: Never give up! It’s perfectly fine to take on smaller jobs to support your dream. Every step, big or small, moves you closer to your goal. Trust the process—it will all work out!  

Q: What do you believe is the most prominent or recurring theme in your photography? What does this theme mean to you?  

A: The most recurring theme in my work is connection. My portraiture captures moments where people feel seen, valued, and understood. These moments are deeply meaningful because they create a lasting impression for both the subject and the viewer. 

Q: Where can people go to view or purchase your art?

A: I’m currently revamping my website, but you can connect with me and view my work on Instagram: @selenacelestephoto (linked below).  

Q: Do you have any community events or collaborations coming up that you’d like to promote? 

A: Not right now, but I’m offering a New Year discount on photoshoots! Follow me on Instagram for details and pricing: @selenacelestephoto (linked below). 

COMMUNITY EVENTS & RESOURCES