ABOUT CDD’S MISSION
We target arts starved communities with dance and arts programs for our underserved youth. Although the arts serve as the hook for program enrollment, our purpose is more far-reaching and include anti-bullying, academic success, anti-obesity, school/peer engagement, positive social development, violence & gang prevention and family strengthening.
CDD was founded by Tamaira Sandifer, affectionately known as “Miss Tee” by thousands of youth nationwide, is an award-winning arts advocate, entrepreneur, and visionary leader who has spent over 30 years empowering underserved youth through the transformative power of dance, arts education, and creative career development. As the founder and CEO of Studio T Arts & Entertainment, Tamaira has expanded her Sacramento-based nonprofit into a nationwide platform of hope and opportunity, addressing systemic challenges such as poverty and lack of access to resources.
This annual statewide celebration that brings youth from diverse backgrounds together to perform and honor legends in the dance world. Plans are underway to make this event the first televised dance-only award show. Her graduates have gone on to achieve global success, working with artists like Beyonce, Drake, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Usher, and Chris Brown. Tamaira also served on the Americans for the Arts - Arts Education Council and is the holds chair role on the board of California for the Arts, further cementing her legacy as a champion for youth and the arts.
In 2024, Tamaira spearheaded the $30 million Innovation Factory expansion project, in collaboration with world-renowned architecture firm Gensler. This groundbreaking initiative, supported by partners like BEHR Paints, the State of California, the City of Sacramento, and a $100,000 grant from Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), aims to provide sustainable access to state-of-the-art arts and technology education facilities across the U.S. The flagship 44,000-square-foot Sacramento location is set to complete Phase One renovations in 2025, with plans to expand to cities including Tulsa, Philadelphia, Harlem, and Atlanta by 2026.
Tamaira’s remarkable contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including a Gold Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year, a 2024 LA Times Inspirational Women Leadership Award honoree, and recognition on the 2024 Involve x YouTube Heroes Women Role Model List. Studio T Arts has also won Silver for the 2024 Stevie Awards Organization of the Year and the 2024 Global Recognition Award. Previous honors include being named on a Forbes List as a Forbes 50 Culture Champion and the CA Legislative Caucus Woman of the Year.
Her influence extends beyond arts education, as Tamaira also developed PassToClass.com and the Side Hustle Academy to address the challenges of distance learning during the pandemic, serving over 192,000 youth and 7,800 educators nationwide. She established a Sacramento-based Social Media Production Studio, training youth apprentices in creative entrepreneurship and supporting local businesses with digital content creation.
We employ an “arts for all” approach, which ensures that every one experiences meaningful participation in dance and peripheral activities and performances.
This day is about dance, family, community and the awareness of the many benefits of DANCE!
