Academy of dance enters its 20th year

The Kaua‘i Academy of Dance spins into its 20th year on Kaua‘i and is gearing up for a production of the “Wizard of Oz,” directed by Michelle Rozon.

Classes promise a flurry of activity as the dancers and gymnasts flip and spin around the studio preparing for their production.

Parts that need filling are: munchkin, The Wicked Witch and Toto.

“Toto needs to be tiny, but able to follow directions well and dance with Dorothy. That part is very complex and will require a good memory and ability to dance with the other characters and not be under foot.”

Rozon moved to Kaua‘i in the fall of 1987 and has been sharing her dance experience since her arrival. She studied with the American Ballet Theater in New York and later joined The National Ballet of Canada where she performed with Rudolph Nureyev in the 1973 Emmy award winning production of Sleeping Beauty.

After ending her career with the ballet company due to an injury, Rozon furthered her studies and received a coaching degree in gymnastics from Seneca College in Ontario, Canada. She went on to coach competitive gymnastics in Canada, at Michigan State University and in San Diego.

The Kaua‘i Academy of Dance has space in the Kapa‘a classes on Mondays at All Saint’s Gym. Westside gymnastics classes also have space available for students.

Rozon is putting out a call to any of her former students, as she is looking for dancers who would like to showcase their talents with solo pieces or a character role in the show. Enrollment is open until the end of October.

The Kaua‘i Concert Association gave scholarships to four of the academy’s students, three of whom are sisters: Chloe Stokes, 12; Grace Stokes, 8; Lily Stokes, 6; and Tabitha Kaukahi. Rozon reapplies annually for the scholarship that will aid families with tuition.

For more information or to enroll call Michelle Rozon at 822-9468 for class registration.