El Camino College longtime dance instructor Daniel Berney has been honored with the Dance Educator of the Year award which is presented by California Community College Physical Education, Kinesiology, Dance (CCCPEKD) for 2024-2025, showing appreciation for his contributions and time as a dance educator at the college.

Berney has been helping students who are interested in dance to grow as dancers.

Berney has been teaching at ECC for about 24 years. He previously taught dance at many other institutions, including Santa Ana College, Moorpark College, Cerritos College and California State University, Dominguez Hills.

“I’ve been in the community college system since, a time when a lot of dance programs were in physical education, now they’ve really moved to fine arts more,” Berney said.

The CCCPEKD’s purpose of this organization is to maintain the highest standards possible for California community college physical education, kinesiology and dance programs according to the CCPEKD’s website.

The award was voted on by Berney’s colleagues, all who work in community college dance education programs.

“I feel very honored because although, you know, you always want the students to have a vote in things, this is something that’s acknowledged by your peers,” Berney said.

Editors Note: This story was updated to change the presenter of the award on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 4:18 p.m.