The Royal Ballet Kaua‘i Academy dance school is now entering its 10th year serving Kaua‘i. Each year RBKA presents two recitals and a major dance show, giving its students the chance to show off what they have learned and to
The Royal Ballet Kaua‘i Academy dance school is now entering its 10th year serving Kaua‘i. Each year RBKA presents two recitals and a major dance show, giving its students the chance to show off what they have learned and to give friends and family memories and entertainment.
This year’s annual fall recital will be held at the Kilauea Theater from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. The recital will feature ballet, hip hop, and contemporary dance and will showcase dancers of all ages from preschool to young adults. Tickets are $5 at the door. Children 5 years and under are free.
RBKA was founded in 1998 by directors Jennifer and Mel Bell-Grey. Students participate in RBKA’s annual recitals and shows, annual islandwide festivals and have gone on to study and perform off island and throughout the United States.
Mel Bell-Grey is trained in contemporary and jazz dance and has performed and toured with major dance companies in London, and England, where he was born and raised.
Jennifer Bell-Grey was born in California and raised on Kaua‘i, in Hong Kong and in Thailand. She started dancing at age 3 and moved to London, England, when she was 9. There, she entered full-time training at the Legat School of Russian Style Ballet and won a place at the Royal Ballet School. After 10 years of training in England, Jennifer obtained her diploma from the Royal Ballet teachers course and the Royal Academy of Dancing.
Next year RBKA celebrates its 10 year anniversary with its annual dance, music and multimedia production. The event is scheduled for March 1 and 2 at Princeville Hotel.
Mel Bell-Grey wrote the show in 1999 and has been directing all the performances since then. RBKA takes pride in the fact that at least 4,000 school children have been able to experience the art of dance and theater.
RBKA’s return to the Princeville Hotel in 2008 comes 10 years after the first show staged there titled, “Mother Earth SOS.”
Last year’s show featured an island-wide coloring contest based on “The Adventures of Nani and Koa,” an original story and coloring book written and published by the Bell-Greys and illustrated by Stephanie Britt. The coloring contest drew over 130 entries.
Being of service in the community is of great value to the Bell-Greys. Jennifer also teaches at local schools, including St. Catherine and All Saints Preschool.
She has been the dance instructor at the Kaua‘i Academy of Creative Arts from 1999-2002 and 2006-2007.
The Bell-Greys work alongside many talented Kaua‘i residents in their productions: graphic artist Bill Britt; Web page designer Ron Mayer; photographer Gelston Dwight; John and Al Belliveau of A/V Kaua‘i and costume designer Esther Manning.
Mel Bell-Grey is an international producer, director, singer/songwriter and screenwriter. Mel has recently finished his latest album, “Hypocrites.”
Mel will be giving a complimentary CD to visitors to his Web site, meledelicious.com. To receive the free CD click on the gift box and mention “The Garden Island” in your contact information. Limited copies are available.
