Providing a Foundation for Confidence, Direction, and Self-Expression

With the Kendal Endowment for Dance Education, a Catlin Gabel family creates a lasting legacy

Making a Commitment to the Community

When Jared and Dorian Kendal were exploring Portland schools for their son Jackson (4th grade), they were drawn to Catlin Gabel because the school’s educational philosophy aligned with their values. “Catlin Gabel stood out right away,” Jared says, “because it honored children as curious and capable learners.”

They came to realize that Catlin Gabel was a good fit for engaged parents as well; as soon as they joined the community in 2022, Dorian and Jared were encouraged to participate in the everyday life of the school. They embraced multiple opportunities to volunteer in the classroom and Lower School library and on field trips, and attended performances and community events.

And as they deepened their involvement, they began to consider what more they could bring to the community that would have a positive and lasting impact. They explored the school’s needs and narrowed their focus to one area of the arts that had been a formative experience for both Jared and Dorian: Dance education.

Leading with Experience and Expertise

Jared’s career as a professional ballet dancer spanned almost two decades and was made possible by the early exposure to dance he received through an outreach program at his elementary school. “That opportunity didn’t just shape my path—it truly shaped who I am,” he says. “It gave me a place where I could truly come into my own. I loved the physicality, the discipline, and the structure, but I also loved the creativity and sense of belonging. It gave me confidence that extended well beyond the studio.” He stays connected to dance now as a member of the Oregon Ballet Theatre Board of Trustees.

Dorian engaged in dance and acting training at an early age, and his talent was affirmed when he was asked to study at Canada’s National Ballet School (he chose not to study there). “The confidence I gained in those early classes still shapes me today,” he says. “As a tech executive, I regularly draw on the communication skills, presence, and willingness to speak up that began in those classes.”

“The arts provided a foundation of confidence, self-expression, and direction that continues to influence our lives,” says Jared.

Creating Opportunities for Growth and Self-Discovery

Dorian and Jared began by considering how children at Catlin Gabel might also benefit from dance education, and met with the Catlin Gabel Advancement team to explore of how they could contribute to the community in a meaningful and lasting way. “Our approach to philanthropy has always centered on creating opportunities for people to grow, to discover new parts of themselves, or to access experiences they might not otherwise have,” Dorian says. “We came to see how an endowment is not just about funding a program. It is about helping create a vision and ensuring that vision continues to grow.”

As their endowment plan progressed from concept to creation, the couple imagined a future where the dance program becomes a central contributor to the cultural life of the school. Dorian says, “Our hope is that this endowment helps create lasting opportunities for students to learn, perform, and find joy in movement for many years to come. And as the program develops, we see real potential for deeper partnerships with the broader dance community in Portland.”

Jared adds, “The idea that the dance program could grow, evolve, and support generations of students was something that aligned with our values and the way we think about giving. It allows the work to continue long after Jackson graduates.”

A Legacy to Support Students and Enrich Lives

With the Kendal Endowment for Dance Education, Jared and Dorian also hope to inspire others to create a lasting legacy at Catlin Gabel that is personal and impactful.

“Giving in this way is really an act of confidence in the future of the school,” Jared says. “When you create something lasting, you are saying, 'Catlin’s students matter, their creativity matters, and their growth matters.' You are investing in experiences that shape identity, discipline, joy, and connection.”

“Philanthropy, for us, is really about enriching lives,” says Dorian. “We believe in supporting children wherever they are, whether that means opening doors to something new or nurturing a spark that is already there. We know that a single experience in childhood can shape how a person sees themselves and the world.”