Quick Yoga class that I just taught

Bakersfield Pride

My most influential dance teachers

Martha Knight taught me from the time I was 10-12 years old, at Bakersfield Ballet Theatre. It was my first dance studio experience and I really really enjoyed it and worked very hard. Martha taught me so much more than just ballet. She taught me how to create a ballet show. How to design the set, and costumes, choreography, etc. She even helped some of us earn a little Bakersfield College Fine Arts credit for creating our own mock ballets, with the design submissions we made. My ballet was "Princess and the Pea". 

Next I had Sanford Smith, who was just so soooo much fun to take classes from. He really was motivating and energetic and funny. I just adored him.

Today we are still in touch, and Sanford is now Afrika America. And I love seeing all she is up to these days.

And then there is Cindy Trueblood who was Sanford's boss, and the owner of my second dance studio, Civic Dance Center. This is where I danced through Junior High and High Schools. It was my favorite part of my childhood. Cindy is also who began teaching me how to be a dance teacher, and allowed me my first taste of teaching. 

And now I am about to start up work at my new job for Cindy at Civic! I am super excited!

Bakersfield Pride

Sherod’s business Sponsored this event at the Bakersfield Museum of Art.

It was soooo much fun!!!

My New Own Little Space

Steve and I have our own closets at our new home, and mine is nice and large. 

I turned it into my own little Meditation/Yoga/Private Space.

And I love it.

Amanda Bishop Ballet Portfolio photos by Tiffany Chapman Photography ATX

Amanda’s trip to Austin

LA, June 8, 2021

Hiking with Sherod

The day after I got back from Austin, Sherod took me to the nearest Sequoia grove to hike some. 

And it did not disappoint. These trees are enormous and magnificent! 








Yesterday he took me to hike to the top of Mt. Pinos, which is the highest peak of the nearest mountain range to us. Apprx 8847 feet at top.

Dorothy came and was such a cutie.

First two weeks in Bako

We did not get our moving truck due to a mistake on the transporter's part, until 11 days after we moved in. So we were basically camping out for a while.

Once the stuff came, it took about a week to unpack.

Our yard has a variety of flowers, but these sunflowers are my favorite.

Steve helping put a chair together with the girls.

Two weeks after moving in, we ripped out the carpet in the great room, to put laminate in ourselves.

Which proved to be a longer and more tedious project than we expected.


A Zoom call with June.

Becca started her new job at Panda Express on June 22!

Austin trip

My buddy Andrew picked me up from the airport in his Lotus.

I love riding in his car.

We went out to lunch.

I also got to go to Amy's yoga class, then out to her property where we saw the sunset.

Dress rehearsal with my ballet students this year.

Ballet 1a above. (13 cuties between ages 7-9)

Ballet 4 below. (7 teens)

Ballet 3, also teens.

Ballet 2b preteens and early teens.

Ballet 5, Oldest and most advanced ballet group.

Lunch with Anna.

I picked up Jonah, Sabrina and Andy for breakfast.

Andy’s car he bought himself :)

Visiting Eden at her work.

Watching her boyfriend Moses help a customer from afar.

I stayed at Zoe's house in Austin and we had some nice time together too.


Backstage during recital performances. 

The staff having lunch between shows.

All of my coworkers this year at The Dance Gallery. A really great group of ladies!

Going home.