Our Voice

KAMUELA, HI – Prince Dance Institute (PDI) is thrilled to announce its 20th season and upcoming Fall Semester with a diverse array of performing arts classes at Prince Dance Institute headquarters and the Cross-Fit AllStar Studio, both located in Waimea (Kamuela), Hawaii. This fall, PDI invites students of all ages and skill levels to join in the creativity and joy of dance, theatre, and aerial silks.

After two decades, PDI continues to be a cornerstone in the Hawai‘i Island community, offering dance, musical theatre, aerial arts, glee, and more. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, 3 years old or 80, there is something for everyone.

“At Prince Dance Institute, we aspire to inspire, educate to empower, and cultivate to create,” says  new Artistic Director Amanda McCormick,

“We are honored to offer the level of excellence and expertise our teaching artists bring to the table while maintaining an environment of connection and community that is the heartbeat, backbone, and soul of both the performing arts and Hawaiian culture.

Join us this semester to stimulate your mind, activate your senses, find your voice, move your body, express your creativity, and make friends for life!”

New Classes and Instructors

Continuing to expand their reach and cater to a wide range of interests and age groups, PDI is introducing several new classes this fall:

Musical Theater is a “triple threat” class that covers singing, acting, and choreography. It’s a great class for students who want to perform in any number of the local musical theater productions to practice their versatility and endurance in-real-time.

Performance Troupe is a class for students serious about performing. We will work on creating pieces that will be performed in the community once a month!

Adult Ballet will be an 8 week session for the busy mom or adult interested in embodying the grace of their inner ballerina. Welcoming all levels—including if this is your first time taking ballet—we’ll explore, grow, and appreciate the artform in a nurturing space of fellow ballet enthusiasts.

Dance Conditioning (which will be offered later in the semester) is an open class for students and parents who want to strengthen muscles, stamina, coordination, balance, and flexiblity. It will blend yoga, Pilates, floor barre, body weight strength training, and calisthenics.

In addition, we are excited to welcome several new teaching artists to our talented team:

• Amanda McCormick is elated to step into a creative leadership role with Prince Dance Institute as the new Artistic Director and show producer. She will also be continuing her role as teaching artist, guiding students in a wide array of classes including ballet, pointe, tap, conditioning, and performance troupe!
• Amy Hellman is joining the team as the new Acting teacher! You can expect some additional comedic relief in these classes thanks to her training in commedia dell’arta in NYC, and improvisational theater and comedy at the Magnet Theater.
• Christian Burns will be teaching some of the upper level Contemporary and Ballet classes. He brings a breadth of training from, as well as education and faculty postions for, renowned schools including School of American Ballet, Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet, and Stanford University.
• Krista Graves becomes the new Trapeze teacher after six years of being a student: practicing, playing, and performing on the trapeze with PDI. She looks forward to creating an inspiring, collaborative environment where everyone can learn and grow together in all their unique awkwardness and grace.
• Nadari Hockenhull is the new Glee teacher! She is an award winning educator who has been insturcting students in choral and instrumental music for over a decade. PDI is grateful to have her passion and diverse range of musical genres to create a robust curriculum for the vocal students.
• Raina Racki: Raina will be teaching Ballet and Jazz. She graduated with a BFA from the University of Wisconsin, Milwauke, and has studied ballet, modern, improvisation, choreography, and musical theater including at the Alvin Ailey School in NYC, and ODC in San Francisco. She’s taught, choreographed, and performed both domestically and internationally.

For more information on all of our teaching artists including full bios, visit princedanceinstitute.com

Class Schedule and Locations

Classes for fall semester will be held at the following locations:

• PDI Headquarters: 64-974 Mamalahoa HWY, Waimea, HI 96743. Classes at this location will be conducted Monday through Friday, from 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm.
• Crossfit AllStar Studio: 64-1032 Mamalahoa HWY, Waimea, HI 96743. Classes at this location will be conducted Monday and Wendesday from 6:45 pm to 8:00 pm, and Tuesdays from 5:45 pm to 8 pm.

Enrollment Information and Open House

Registration for PDI Fall Semester is now open!

Classes begin on Monday, August 12, 2024, and run through Saturday, December 21, 2024. For detailed class schedules, registration, and fees, please visit princedanceinstitute.com or contact PDI at (808) 207-7754.

In preparation, PDI will host an Open House event at its headquarters studio location on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm. You can expect to meet this season’s teaching artists, take a few short dance classes in various styles, receive registration and class attire help, and more.

This event is open to anyone in the public curious to see what happens at PDI and interested in signing up for performing arts classes.

Join us and discover the joy of performing arts!

Contact Information:

• Prince Dance Institute Headquarters: 64-974 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743 (next to Underground Pizza)
• Website: princedanceinstitute.com
• Phone: (808) 207-7754

Fall Classes Include:

• Acting
• Aerial Silks
• Ballet and Pointe
• Contemporary
• Dance Conditioning
• Glee
• Hip Hop and Break Dance
• Jazz
• Keiki Dance
• Musical Theater
• Tap
• Trapeze

Enrollment Information

For class schedules, registration, and fees, call Alisa Tripp, PDI Operations Manager, at (808) 207-7754 or visit princedanceinstitute.com.

KAMUELA, HI – Prince Dance Institute (PDI) is back this Fall with a full slate of performing arts classes. The performing arts school offers over twenty-five in-person classes at two locations in Waimea during its Fall Semester. PDI’s fall locations include its new PDI Headquarters and the Kahilu Theatre.

In its 17th year of serving the Hawai‘i Island community, the school offers dance, musical theatre, glee, aerial arts, and acrobatics classes. There is something available for all ages (2 and up) and all skill levels. There will be performance opportunities available for any interested students.

“If you are looking to make amazing friends, fuel your creativity, energize your body and mind while laughing and playing, then come experience a class at Prince Dance Institute,” stated PDI artistic director Angel Prince. “I know people are ready to get back out into the world to express themselves, connect, and create, and I can’t wait to see what this year brings for the Big Island and the arts.”

New spaces equal new opportunities. PDI recently secured a location in Waimea that will serve as its headquarters going forward. For years the school has utilized the Kahilu Theatre as its home base as a rental—PDI still has classes at that location this year—but now it has its own home that will allow for expanded hours and additional classes.

“This year, we are very excited to be in our new headquarters in Waimea, where most classes will be held,” Prince stated. “We have a few great new classes in the schedule and a couple of new teachers that we can’t wait to share with our community.

“These classes aren’t just for kids; we have plenty of offerings for adults as well,” she added. “We love meeting new people and sharing the joy of the performing arts with everyone who wants to experience the fun we are having!”

In addition to its new location, PDI is welcoming two new members to its teaching roster this Fall.

Mandy Abernathy is a professional dancer that has danced, performed, and competed in ballet for over a decade in California. Her primary focus as a dance teacher is to create a unique and supportive environment that fosters the love of dance. She believes this environment helps build confidence in her students, helping them be their best version on and off the stage.

Also joining the staff is Chase Hartle, PDI’s new Hip Hop instructor. Mr. Hartle is a hip hop, pop, footwork, and illusionist choreographer. He has performed at many showcases around Arizona, including a Phoenix Suns halftime show. His aim with his students is to encourage freedom of expression and individuality.

The Fall Semester begins on Monday, September 12, 2022, and runs weekly (Monday–Saturday) through Saturday, December 17, 2022.

Health and safety are paramount at PDI, and the school has safety protocols based on local and federal guidelines. Class sizes are limited and socially distanced. Everyone is required to wear a mask at the Kahilu Theatre location.

Fall Semester Instructors: Aleks Holmes, Angel Prince, Aria Wiley, Chase Hartle, Kat Ruess, Mandy Abernathy, Noelani Anderson, Sage Nicholson, and Shawna Gordon.

– more –

PDI Headquarters is located at 64-974 Mamalahoa HWY, Kamuela, HI 96743 (next to Underground Pizza). Classes at PDI HQ are held Monday through Friday, between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and on Saturdays, between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm.

Kahilu Theatre is located at 67-1186 Lindsey Road, Kamuela, HI 96743. Classes at Kahilu Theatre are conducted on the Main Stage and in the Mike Luce Studio and are held Monday through Thursday, between 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm. The entry is through the loading dock door at the back of the theatre.

Fall Classes

Aerial Silks, Acrobatics, Ballet and Pointe, Contemporary Dance, Pre-Glee and Glee, Hip Hop, Jazz, Keiki Dance, Musical Theatre, Pilates, Trapeze, and more!

Enrollment Information

Registration is now open for Fall. For class schedules, registration, and fees, call Alina Jones, PDI managing director, at (808) 207-7754 or visit princedanceinstitute.com.