LIHUE — Aloha Dance Studio will be offering free dance classes for keiki during the spring break that is observed March 18 through 22 by the Hawaii State Department of Education.
“We will be closed for our regular classes,” said Tiffany Dick of the Aloha Dance Studio. “But we will be offering fun free classes at our new Aloha Dance Studio 2 location at the Kukui Grove Center.”
The schedule of classes include Hip Hop with Ms. Sunny instructing on Monday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the location situated across from the Deli &Bread Connection at Kukui Grove.
Tuesday and Thursday sessions, held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., include Hip Hop, and Break Dancing, and Friday sessions include Hip Hop, Break, and an open floor from 7 to 9 p.m.
The classes are an opportunity to learn dance as well as take advantage of the newly completed dance facility at the Kukui Grove Center.
“It’s something for the keiki to do during break,” Dick said. “And, it’s free.”
The Aloha Dance Studio has been busy at its new location, working through a fundraising campaign to help send two competition teams to the JUMP workshops and competition on Oahu.
“We’ve been to the JUMP competition before,” Dick said. “Last year was an amazing experience for us. Aloha Dance Studio teams took home Gold and First Place in the Tap category. We also earned another Gold medal, and two High Silver (which is three points shy of Gold) awards.”
Aloha Dance Studio has selected 13 performers for its 8-12 dance team called the Minis, and another dozen performers for its Competition team that includes dancers from 12 to 16 years old.
The teams will be participating in four routines — Contemporary, Hip Hop, Tap, and a solo number — when the workshop/competition opens during the Memorial Day weekend at the Convention Center on Oahu.
“This is a rigorous schedule for the dancers,” Dick said. “They engage in workshops through most of the day and follow the classes with competition in the evenings. The JUMP competition brings together up to 800 dancers from across the state to learn and compete in dance routines.”
Dancers selected for the Mini team include Lilia Akuna, Isabella Andres, Lilliana Burley, Malia Foster, Noelani Garcia, Aekai Hull, Joy Lin, Caitlin Plowman, Emily Racpan, Paityn Sagisi, Lilliana Sunada, Maia Valdez, and Xyleiah Valdez.
Performers qualifying for the Competition team include Madison Aliado-Racca, Asia Balbin, Malia Ebueng, Kate Nakamura, Aaliyah Nero, Janessa Parallag, Jaysha Silvva, Keisha Suga, Emma Terheggen-Hayes, Erin Teves, Jasien Valdez, and Shalyn Vegas.
