About
Our HISTORY
BALLET & IDENTITY, INC. (2025 – current)
previous names:
AUTISM UNITES, INC. (2014 – 2025)
DANCE INTO UNITY, INC. (2007 – 2014)
We are dedicated to building strong and healthy identity in youth through innovative education in dance & arts through our project Ballet & Identity.
2006: our non-profit 501c3 Dance Into Unity, Inc. (now Ballet & Identity, Inc.) was founded
The non-profit 501c3 Ballet & Identity, Inc. (former Autism Unites, Inc. and Dance Into Unity, Inc.) was founded in 2007 by Elena Alexandra whose formal education is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) and Lana David who has a background in Engineering and Information Technology with over two decades as a systems analyst and programmer in corporate IT.
The mission of Dance Into Unity was to raise autism awareness through dance productions, community programs, and films. Elena and Lana were looking for an answer to a devastating problem that affected their family member, Adam who was affected with a neurological condition called Autism.
2006: Production El Corazon del Tango at LA’s landmark Wilshire Ebell Theatre to raise autism awareness
Dance Into Unity hosted its first Autism Awareness event with the dance production “El Corazon del Tango” (aka, “Through the Heart of Tango”) starring Broadway icon Miriam Larici together with a celebrated Broadway cast.
The live two-night event took place November 18th and 19th attracting over 2,000 people. The event also introduced the vision of “Adam’s Ranch” which was later portrayed in the video “Imagine the World” narrated by actor /producer Craig Shaffer.
El Corazon del Tango choreography was based on the fairytale “Dance Into Unity through the Heart of Tango”
The production “El Corazon del Tango” was based on a fairytale written by the founders, called “Dance Into Unity through the Heart of Tango“, a story in which the character “Disconnect” (based on Adam) helps the character “Truth” find a way from the land of separation called Snake Land, to the Land of Unity. The tale was choreographed by the show’s principals Miriam Larici and Hugo Patyn.
2008: Production Tango Adamor at Saban Theatre & Alex Theatre to raise autism awareness
Dance Into Unity hosted its next visible Autism Awareness charity event Tango Adamor with a celebrated Broadway cast on November 21st & 22nd at the majestic Saban Theatre (aka Wilshire Theatre of Beverly Hills), and Glendale’s landmark Alex Theater, attracting an audience of over 4,000.
Based on the fairytale The Puzzle of the Tall Tower
DIU Founders’ quest through autism led them to write an expanded version of the original fairytale “Dance Into Unity Through the Heart of Tango“, which they called “The Puzzle of The Tall Tower“. During this time they worked extensively with award-winning illustrator and animation artist Masha Vasilkovsky, who in addition to the book illustrations, created a tango animation based on the fairytale.
Tango Adamor In the Media
2009: Program Magic of Tango for West Hollywood Community
Dance Into Unity in collaboration with the non-profit Unity in Diversity created a community program in West Hollywood called “Magic of Tango” where DIU co-founder Elena Alexandra conducted weekly workshops in the ‘Art of Connection through Tango’ to the community of West Hollywood.
In April 2020, the program Magic of Tango of West Hollywood celebrated it’s 10th anniversary
2010: Project Match-A-Friend – the new outlook on autism based on the power of connection to equally benefit all involved
In 2010, Adam had a seizure which left him badly hurt. His mother was so devastated that DIU founders Elena and Lana took Adam to live with them. They found a caregiver for Adam, a 22-year old college student named Cole.
This connection was a miracle for Adam. After connecting to Cole, Adam, who had been extremely withdrawn, started to crave connection. Cole also grew as an individual by virtue of his connection to Adam. He discovered his strength, maturity and a healthy sense of identity.
After one year, Cole left to pursue his college education, but being with Adam inspired him to change his career path. The relationship between Adam and Cole gave birth to Match-A-Friend, a new outlook on autism based on the power of connection to equally benefit all involved.
This connection between Adam & Cole was the inspiration for a future film “Best Friend” premiered in China in in December 2025
2012: Award-winning documentary Through the Heart of Tango based on workshops where young adults with autism connect to neurotypical young adults through dance
To test Match-A-Friend in action, DIU founders, Elena & Lana developed a series of workshops called “Through the Heart of Tango” where they matched up young adults with special needs to neurotypical young adults and taught them the ‘Art of Connection’ through dance.
Staged at Inclusion Films in Burbank, these workshops culminated in a two-day breathtaking event at a venue in Glendale, where the participants teamed up with professional dancers on stage. The workshops and finale event were filmed by Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films into the documentary “Through the Heart of Tango”
In 2013 “Through the Heart of Tango” was accepted into a number of national and international film festivals and featured a number of times on television.
2013: Workshops Beautiful based on Match-a-Friend model in Claremont & Santa Monica in collaboration with Empower Autism Now & Westside School of Ballet
In April 2013, the workshops “Beautiful” evolved into a documentary series filmed at the Westside School of Ballet in Santa Monica. The cast consisted of young adults with autism matched up with neurotypical peers through the Match-A-Friend principle with exceptional results including openness of expression and boost of creativity, displayed in all participants.
Workshop Beautiful in Claremont in collaboration with Arman Kodae’s organization Empower Autism Now
Workshop Beautiful in Santa Monica collaboration with Westside School of Ballet
Performance of “Beautiful” in Santa Monica in Santa Monica Miles Memorial playhouse in collaboration with Westside School of Ballet & Empower Autism Now
Workshops Beautiful culminated at Santa Monica’s Miles Memorial Playhouse with a a ceremony honoring the cast members, and an autism-dedicated performance from Westside School of Ballet.
The project “Beautiful” was a testament to the success of the Match-A-Friend model. Ballet provided a structured and inspiring environment where everyone was equally engaged in creating, and empowering each other in the process. The workshops focused on participants’ qualities and talents, generating a natural and beautiful environment where autism ceased to exist.
Practical application of the Match-A-Friend model
A practical application of the Match-A-Friend model is to enable individuals on the autism spectrum to function on a higher level including the ability to acquire and hold down a job – all resulting from experience of connection – which promotes an increase in confidence, ability to express and communicate.
February 28th, 2014: Dance Into Unity announce changing its name to Autism Unites at the Fundraiser with Robby Krieger of “The Doors”
With the recognition of the unique and innovative Match-A-Friend model as a key to creating sustainable jobs for young adults with autism, ensued a growing focus on vocational programs for young adults on the autism spectrum.
In an effort to better reflect this new mission, DIU founders decided to change the name of the organization to Autism Unites.
On February 27, 2014, Autism Unites hosted its fundraiser featuring Robby Krieger of the legendary rock group “The DOORS“.
Attendees of the fundraiser ranged from film and media personalities to producers interested in collaborating with AU, to the participants of the project “Beautiful”, including Arman Khodaei and Valeria Velyka who shared a touching speech about their Match-A-Friend experience. The evening also featured a piano performance by a blind young man with autism.
June 3rd, 2014: Adam passes away
On June 3, 2014, Adam passed away at the age of 20 leaving behind the legacy of Match-A-Friend.
Adam’s memorial took place on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014 at the Elliot Institute in Crescenta, CA, the school which Adam attended since the age of five.
Adam passed away, but his legacy became the catalyst for a new way of seeing autism and the world.
August 20, 2014: “BE SAFE” event with Culver City Police Department
On August 20, 2014 Autism Unites together with the creator of “BE SAFE The Movie” and Culver City Police hosted an event featuring the unique video modeling tool that teaches individuals with autism to interact safely with the police. The event had an unexpectedly large turnout of individuals and families affected by autism, all eager to connect and experience the tool firsthand.
In his letter to Autism Unites (embedded below), the chief of Culver City Police Department wrote following: On behalf of myself and the Culver City Police Department, I would like to express our sincerest appreciation and admiration for the work being done by Autism Unites. Their commitment to improving the lives of people with autism is unmatched. The Culver City Police Department has forged a valued partnership with Autism Unites. I give the organization my highest recommendation and I would be honored to work with them on future projects.
2015: Vision of Adam’s Ranch in Santa Yanis Valley
The “Adam’s Ranch” model of an all-inclusive, sustainable community was first introduced in 2006 at the autism awareness event “El Corazón del Tango”.
The project re-emerged when shortly after Adam’s passing, the founders moved to Santa Ynez Valley, CA to learn ranch life and its application through Match-A-Friend in their continuing quest to create sustainability within the autism community.
June 3, 2015: Remembering Adam’s Legacy
One year after Adam’s passing, Autism Unites celebrated the anniversary of his legacy with an event at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Culver City, CA, where the documentary “Through the Heart of Tango” was shown with the first Match-A-Friend cast.
2025: Adam & Cole story and Match-A-Friend concept inspires feature film “Best Friend”, which premieres in China
“Best Friend,” directed by Song Zhuofei (Travis) and released in early December 2025, is a notable Chinese coming-of-age film focusing on the bond between two teens, one of whom has autism. Premiering in Beijing in December 2025, the movie is recognized for its authentic Gen Z storytelling, fostering themes of acceptance, love, and human connection. Here’s the “Best Friend” trailer.
“With deep respect for performance and subject matter alike, Best Friend transcends being merely a film—it becomes a warm bridge between two worlds. Given understanding and space, every life has the potential to shine in its own unique way.”
Here is an English translation from top Chinese Movie Magazine: “Best Friend” future film brings a new outlook at Autism and Friendship“
At the end of the Best Friend premiere, a representative from the Business Development Center of the Red Cross Society of China presented director Song Zhuofei and main actors with “Charity Ambassador” certificates. The film’s release on Dec. 5, 2025 coincided with International Volunteer Day.
read article “Film ‘Best Friend’ shines light on autism with compassion and warmth” posted on “China & World” website, a nonprofit organization
The story behind Best Friend
“Best Friend” film director, Travis Song got the inspiration for the movie when he heard the story about Adam and Cole, two young people so extremely different that they were never supposed to become friends in the world we live. One youth had autism, and the other was lost and looking for purpose after several traumatic events that took place in his life. Fate brought the two together and they became best friends.
Here is the story of film evolution: Feature film “Best Friend” brings hope through a new outlook at autism.
January 2026: Our nonprofit changes its name from Autism Unites to Ballet & Identity, Inc.
Throughout our years of work with young people with and without autism, and the staggering theme of disconnection, grew an understanding and desire to provide a way for all people to connect with themselves and their innate qualities through dance & arts. To reflect this focus we changed our nonprofit name from Autism Unites, Inc. to Ballet & Identity, Inc.
Ballet & Identity Program
We have been developing and implementing a unique program Ballet & Identity, which teaches principles that develop core strength, confidence, unlock creativity and empower children and youth with the ability to succeed in their chosen field through the mecca of culture, science and arts collectively represented in classical ballet.