Hidden Gems: Meet Daniel An of ALTAER

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel An.

Hi Daniel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Before ALTAER existed, dance was my identity. Everything in my life revolved around progressing in my skills, my career, and my opportunities. After years of intense training, I reached many of the goals I once strived for, teaching classes and booking jobs, yet I still felt unsatisfied.

In the fall of my third year of college, God used my brother to bring me back to church. Although I grew up in the church, I had never fully understood the love of Jesus for myself. After returning, I got baptized, and the biggest wrestle I faced was laying down my identity in dance and grounding my identity fully in Christ.

The following winter, I attended a conference called Higher Calling, hosted by Soon Movement. Watching a Christian dance team lead worship through movement was the first time I clearly saw how dance could glorify God without glorifying the dancer. That night, God placed a vision on my heart to create a worship space where artists and dancers could come together and offer their gifts to Him.

This is where the name ALTAER was formed. Rooted in Romans 12:1–2, it reflects the call to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice at the altar, allowing God to transform, or alter, our hearts so we may live as true worshippers according to His will.

That vision led to our first small worship night with a group of close friends. None of us had any experience in event planning, yet God brought over 300 people to worship. In 2025, we hosted our first official ALTAER Worship Night, which sold out with over 1,200 attendees, featured 13 Christian dance teams, and reached over 47,000 people on Instagram. It was a clear reminder that this was never about our ability, but God’s faithfulness.

Alongside our events, we also have ALTAER Dance Collective (ADC). The collective is made up of dancers from diverse backgrounds: professional teams such as Choreo Cookies, competitive high school programs, and local Christian ministries. While our experiences differ, we are united by one mission: to dance with a heart of humility through gospel centered and parable based sets. Our vision is to be a light in every community we serve, and as we prepare for our next worship night on March 7, 2026 at Bethel Church in Irvine, we are trusting God to do His work.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest struggles for me has been learning to trust God fully. As a recent mathematics graduate from the University of California, Irvine, I naturally tend to plan everything and make sure things go according to schedule. But the more I’ve stepped into leadership, the more I’ve realized that outcomes aren’t determined by me. God has already created a plan, and my role is simply to seek Him, trust Him, and follow the footsteps He has already paved out for me.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
ALTAER is currently split into two main entities: ALTAER Events and ALTAER Dance Collective. Our mission is to build a community that offers worship through surrendered lives and transformed hearts.

Under ALTAER Events, our flagship event is ALTAER Worship Night, hosted annually each spring. This event features around 13 Christian dance performances, plus special singing performances. In 2026, we are excited to welcome three international teams from Korea and one from Mexico. Our lineup includes some of the most well known Christian dance ministries, such as Seeds of Worship and V3. Beyond the performances, the night includes a message from a pastor, live worship led by a worship team, and vendors.

What makes this event unique is how it brings together dancers from all ages and backgrounds, from fifth graders to professional dancers in their 20s and 30s. Our events board is comprised entirely of young adults and college students, and we are always open to sponsorship or guidance as we continue to follow God’s calling for ALTAER.

ALTAER Dance Collective, or ADC, is made up of around 25 dancers with professional experience. Our members trained on high school, collegiate, and professional teams throughout Southern California and beyond. Every major set we create is based on a parable, ensuring that our performances are both gospel-centered and rooted in storytelling. Our vision is to bring light into the broader dance community, demonstrating excellence while pointing audiences to Christ. We hope to inspire both believers and non-believers, helping them appreciate the art while also connecting with the gospel.

Both our Instagram platforms for ALTAER Events (@altaerevents) and ALTAER Dance Collective (@altaerdancecollective) have over 45,000 followers each, and we continue to grow as we create spaces where dance and faith intersect.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Before I even started ALTAER, I made it a point to meet with as many people as I could, peers my age, people who had already established businesses, and well known figures in the dance community, because I was eager to learn. In my experience, the best way to start is to stay curious and genuinely interested in other people’s experiences. Ask thoughtful questions, understand their perspectives, and listen closely. Mentorship and networking aren’t just about what others can give you, but instead, it’s about building real relationships, learning from their journeys, and being open to guidance and advice.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.altaercollective.com/events
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altaerevents & https://www.instagram.com/altaerdancecollective
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@altaerevents?si=JKKDVCohOMbmObMp